It had been an hour since I sat at The Bean house, trying desperately to shove the contents of my Calculus textbook into my head but no matter how hard I tried it wasn't working.
After meeting with my friends earlier and discussing about the Halloween party I was throwing, we all went our separate ways. I went to The Bean House.
Most people around my age that walked in here to get a drink gave me an incredulous look when they saw the books sprawled out in front of me. I understood, no one really studied on Saturday's.
I waved my hand to Lucille to get me another cup of coffee and she nodded once she understood what I was asking of her.
A minute after, a paper cup filled with the goodness called coffee was sitting in front of me. I gave Lucille a grateful smile and went back to my work. I still didn't understand what exactly I was getting wrong in this whole thing and that pissed me off more. Whoever created math, I hoped they died a slow, painful death.
A small bell went off and that only meant that someone just walked in. Curious to find out who, I looked up and groaned when I saw it was Ace.
Seriously does this guy follow me everywhere? Or could it just be coincidence.
As if sensing my gaze his eyes darted around the room till they landed on me. His face remained emotionless as usual and he turned away, heading straight for the counter.
I couldn't help but notice the camera hanging around his neck. It was like he carried it everywhere but school and probably work. As a witness to his pictures, I knew he was good at what he did.
He had his glasses on and his black hair fell over his face. His blue jeans and white T-shirt clung to his body in a sexy kind of way but you could only get a good view if you were looking straight at him, the jacket he had on covered most of his upper body. Also a backpack hung loosely over his shoulders.
Though the jacket still hugged his body, making you aware of the thick muscle underneath. It was obvious he worked out and that alone made me more curious about him.
In school he dressed like a nerd and out of school he dressed like an entirely different person. I must admit, he looked really hot and if I didn't know who he was in school I'd probably have my eye on him.
Holding his cup of coffee with his right hand, he tucked his hand into the pocket of his jeans, heading towards where I was seated. When I thought he was going to seat at my table, he took the seat on the other table and that way, he was facing me.
Up close, I could see the ink under his white shirt and my eyes widened in shock. Ace had tattoos? Who would have thought?
And it wasn't just one or two there, it was almost covering the entire portion of his chest I could see through his shirt. He took out his phone from his pocket, setting it on the table before setting his backpack on the table too.
Opening the bag, he took out his laptop and flipped it open. He plugged his camera to his laptop and he started working on it. I didn't know whatever he was doing but from what I saw he was editing some pictures.
Taking my eyes away from him, I continued what I was doing, though I didn't understand it.
Half an hour later I couldn't take it anymore, deciding to swallow my pride and just ask for help. I stood up from my table and stood in front of Ace's table.
He looked up at me with his lips pursed and thankfully I could read the emotion on his face, he was confused.
I cleared my throat before speaking, "can I sit?"
He nodded and I sat, fumbling with the pen in my hands. His eyes remained on me obviously waiting for me to speak.
"Uhhm is the offer for your help still up? I really need it right now," I bit my lip out of nervousness. I didn't know how he was going to react and I could only pray for a positive response.
He remained silent as his eyes landed on my chest. I looked down at it and realized that it was the necklace I was wearing that he was actually looking at, not my slightly exposed cleavage like I thought.
"Nice necklace," he said and leaned in, his elbows resting on the desk.
"Uhh thanks," his ability to change the topic of discussion under seconds was outstanding.
"Can I take a picture of it?" He held his camera.
I looked at him then back at the necklace, "why?"
"Because I like to take pictures of things that I like," he held up the camera, waiting for my permission.
"If I let you take a picture will you tutor me in Calculus?" I tried to bargain.
This necklace was one thing that I cared about. It was a family heirloom and my mother gave it to me when I turned sixteen, her own mother gave it to her when she was sixteen too and down all the way to the first person, we all got it when we were sixteen.
It wasn't too beautiful, just a small silver snow flake but I treasured it and wouldn't want to lose it at all. I didn't really like the idea of Ace taking a picture of it but if that was what it'd take for him to tutor me, then so be it. He couldn't steal it or something.
"Yeah, I'll tutor you." He agreed, his eyes flickering to my necklace and back to my face.
I rolled my eyes and reached for the necklace to take it off but Ace's words stopped me.
"No, leave it on," he shook his head and positioned his camera.
After what felt like an eternity later he looked at the picture he just took and nodded, satisfied with what he had done.
"Can I see it?" I stretched my neck, eager to see what the picture came out as.
"One sec," he worked a little on his laptop and soon he turned the laptop to face me.
A smile made its way to my face as I saw the picture. The necklace looked way better than it did on my neck and if I didn't have it hanging on my neck and I saw it in some shop online, I'd want it.
"That's really good," I complemented and he turned the computer back to face him.
He just nodded, typed a little before looking at me. Now he was giving me his full attention.
"What made you change your mind?" He asked, leaning closer.
"Cause I'm-" I didn't know how to admit this to him. To myself, yes but to him, not so sure.
"You're?" He taunted, the corner of his lips tilting.
I rolled my eyes, "I'mfailingandIneedyourhelp." I rushed out.
He chuckled, his dimples showing. "I didn't quite get that."
I took in a deep breath before speaking, "I'm failing and I need your help." I grimaced. "Why are you doing this? You already agreed to help me."
He sat back with his arms crossed over his chest, "nothing," he shrugged. "Just wanted to hear you say it," he was smirking now.
I groaned. "You're annoying, you know that?"
He just laughed and leaned back in his seat, "we meet at my place after school, Wednesday's, Thursday's and Friday's, sound good?"
I nodded, "what's your price?"
He shook his head, "I don't need your money." He started packing up his stuff.
I blinked, "what?"
"I don't need your money," he repeated.
He looked serious and all I could do was stare at him.
"Why?"
"Because I don't need it. I'm doing this as a favor not for the money," he slung his bag over his shoulder and headed straight for the door.
I sat there confused, and wondering what just happened. If I thought Ace was weird before, this just proved he was weirder.
How would one want to tutor someone without getting something out of it? He was going to be sharing his knowledge with me for free? For some reason I didn't like the sound of that.
Shaking my head out of my trance, I packed up my own bags, dropped some cash on the table and walked out of the place.