When Shawn texted me that we were starting tutoring today, I had mixed feelings.
Shock, because I didn't expect us to begin today. I mean, it's only been four hours since I agreed to tutor him.
Nervousness, because I was going to be tutoring the guy who made me anxious in all sorts of ways. The guy who always teased me and brought out strange reactions from me.
'Shouldn't I be staying away from him?' I reasoned. But it was literally impossible. We went to the same school, lived on the same street and hung out with the same group of friends, and now I've become his tutor.
"I can never get rid of him." I muttered.
'Do you even want to get rid of him?' I asked myself. I sighed tiredly. I kept my books into my locker, arranging them properly. After what seemed like forever, school had ended.
"You ready?" I turned to see Shawn standing before me. I tilted my head up in order to meet his gaze.
"Why are we starting today?"
"What, you're not excited?" There was a smug grin on his face.
"Let's just go." I walked away from Shawn. I failed to see the frown that formed on his face.
"Where are we going?" I asked him.
"The public library, unless you want us to go somewhere more private. I wouldn't mind."
"No, no! Library is perfect." He nodded and we headed off to the library.
When we arrived in front of the building, I was surprised that I'd never seen it before. I clearly remember ploughing this road a few times with Karla. It was quite enormous. Almost like the libraries you'll see in movies. But somehow, I never noticed it.
We walked into the library and I took my seat, which was opposite of Shawn. I didn't want any closeness with him. And the space will help a lot.
You might be wondering why I'm suddenly acting like this. Well maybe it's because I realised that I'll be doomed if I don't put some space between us.
But that won't be of much help since I'm his tutor. I could have said no, but I'm too soft hearted to say no, especially to him.
"So what are we starting with dear teacher?" His facial expression looked serious, but his eyes held mischief that sent shivers down my spine.
"What do you want us to start with? Which topics do you find most difficult?"
"Honestly, every topic in that book." I stared at Shawn carefully.
"Alright, we'll just start from the beginning then." I brought out my pen and started to scribble things down, while trying to neglect Shawn's gaze.
Meanwhile;
Two ladies entered the library. A blonde girl who was quite tall and a short brunette. Both were in cheerleading clothes with Hawthorne's name written boldly on it.
"Stephanie, I'll go search for the two books that we need." Stephanie was busy scrolling through her phone, barely listening to what the brunette girl had said.
"Sure whatever." Stephanie drew out a seat and immediately got comfortable. She rolled her eyes as she typed furiously onto her phone. Her gaze then strayed to another part of the library. There, she saw Shawn, standing next to a shelf. He was definitely looking for something.
A grin spread across her face. She got up to go meet him when she saw Emily come up to him. She frowned as she tried to recognize the girl but couldn't.
"And who the hell is she? Is she wearing our uniform?" Stephanie wondered out loud. She sat back down, waiting for Emily to leave but Emily never did. Instead, Emily took a seat and Shawn sat next to her.
"I'm back with the books. Although I picked out three instead. I figured we might need it."
"Yeah, sure." Stephanie kept staring at the duo from afar. The brunette girl then followed Stephanie's line of sight.
"Steph, why are you.."
"Do you know who she is Tori? I've never seen her before."
The girl named Tori, then looked very closely and a look of awe appeared on her face.
"Oh, that's the new girl, Emily."
"When did she arrive here, and how do you know her name?"
"She arrived today. Haven't you heard the rumours swirling around school?"
"What rumours?" Stephanie asked with a confused frown. Tori immediately sat down next to her friend and leaned closer into her like she was about to reveal a dirty secret.
"Well, people claimed that Shawn and Emily arrived together this morning. And not only that, but that they kissed outside of school! Also, she also had lunch at Shawn's table."
"They are all baseless rumours."
"No Stephanie, They aren't. You didn't even have lunch with us. I saw her there with my own two eyes." Tori told her.
Stephanie returned her gaze to the duo. She glared at the hand Shawn placed on Emily's. Although it was only for a few seconds. They were clearly talking about something but she couldn't understand a word. Shawn had a smile on his face and the Emily girl seemed to be blushing!
Shawn couldn't have something with her. That Stephanie was sure of. Firstly, Shawn preferred blonde girls. It was Kevin who told her this. And secondly, what would that girl have that she didn't?
"Stephanie, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, absolutely nothing." Tori shrugged and started to fill her in on what they had to do.
****
After about an hour of tutoring, Shawn took me back home. Although I had to blatantly refuse his invitation to an unspecified outing. I didn't need to go to an unknown place with him! That would be just crossing boundaries. Boundaries I've just started building.
"Back home safe and sound."
"Thank you." I muttered. I got ready to alight from his car but his firm grip on my hand stopped me. I then took a deep breath.
"I'll pick you up tomorrow." My eyes widened in horror.
"No! I-I mean, you don't have to do that." I whispered. The side of his lips curled up just slightly.
He then raised my hand to his his lips. I felt the hairs on my skin stand at the contact. Why are his lips so soft?!
"I don't mind. I'll pick you up at the same time tomorrow." He smiled before letting go of my hand. I nodded and got down without saying a word. Then I barged into my house.
"Why me God! Why me!"
"What's going on sweetie?" My mom barged into the room which made me shriek a little.
"Mom! You're home early."
"Yes honey. What happened? Why are you yelling like that?" I seriously hadn't realised that I was yelling loudly. But who wouldn't if they found themselves in this type of situation.
"Nothing, school was just rough."
"Really?! What happened?"
"No, no. Not that way. The teachers were just weird. No student gave me a hard time."
"Oh, that's good to hear. Go freshen up, I'm making lunch."
"Sure." I mumbled. I ran into my room and flung myself onto the bed.
'Just don't fall Emily. Or else you just might regret it.'