Playing With Fire

Autumn and I continued to walk to every class together for the next two weeks. She asked me all kinds of questions everyday about myself. Mostly, she asked about my family, my music tastes, my style, hobbies and interests. We almost always found something in common, except when she began talking about boys. Oh, how we differed there. She asked if I had a boyfriend back home. Quite frankly, I didn’t want to think about him more than I already had in the past couple of weeks.

I looked up at the clock slowly, scared only minutes had passed by since I last looked. 1:25 in the afternoon. Oh thank God, this dreaded algebra class was almost over. I began to get lost in my thoughts until I felt eyes staring at me. I glanced out of the corner of my eye to see my newly made friend studying my face. I looked over at her and kind of made a face that asked ‘why the fuck are you staring at me’ without actually asking it.

She took a deep breath and adjusted in her seat before finally speaking up, “So what was he like?” Oh, here we go.

“Who?” I asked her, as if I didn’t already know. She loved this topic: boys. But mostly, she loved talking about my oh so wonderful ex-boyfriend back home, Ryan. Our nine month long relationship was a mixture of any form of toxicity you could imagine, combined with complete and utter puppy love. He became physically and verbally abusive for the last couple months of our relationship, so I was slightly thankful for the move.

“Your ex! I wanna know what he looks like,” she asked giddily. Our algebra teacher began walking around, giving our quizzes from earlier in the week back. She slapped mine on my desk face down as Autumn continued talking. “Was he a country boy? Football player? He was probably a football player, huh? Since your brother plays football. Blonde or brunette?” I started to tune her out as I turned my paper over, scared to see if my endless hours of studying had paid off. A thirteen out of fifty. A fucking 26%.

I sighed deeply and closed my eyes, feeling tears begin to sting in my eyes. I could faintly hear Autumn talking, but my thoughts were drowning her out. I can’t believe this. I just don’t get it, I’ve spent hours studying my ass off and I still can’t even get a passing grade. I interrupted Autumn as she was still rambling on about Ryan, “Listen, I just don’t really talk about him right now. Or ever again honestly.”

The bell signaling the class’ end rang. Autumn began speaking slowly and quietly as we packed up our books, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was that touchy for you.” I shook my head and curled my lips under. “Is something else wrong?” She asked just as Mrs. Thompson, our algebra teacher called my name. I looked at Autumn as I felt the tears welling in my eyes. She noticed and said, “I’ll talk to you in the hallway.”

I approached Mrs. Thompson’s desk as all the other students were exiting the classroom. I spoke up, “Um, you asked to see me?” I juggled my books in my arm while adjusting my already full backpack. I knew exactly what she was going to say.

“Cailey Jo, you seem to be struggling a lot. I don’t know if it’s just because our curriculum is different or what, but your grade is dropping, and it’s dropping quickly.” I made eye contact with the George Washington poster behind her desk to keep the tears from falling, just like my grade. “I have no choice but to assign you an after school tutor until your grade comes back up.” I looked back at her quickly.

“A tutor?” I was shocked. I’d never had a tutor, nor did I want one.

“Yes, a tutor. They’ll meet with you after school in the library until 3:30 everyday until you’re passing,” she looked at me empathically. I sighed and resumed my staring contest with George Washington. She began to shuffle through some papers in front of her, studying them each intently until she finally pulled one out. “I’ve already assigned you one, he’ll meet you in here tomorrow at 2:30 then you both can head up to the library,” she explained. I nodded and walked out to the hallway to meet Autumn. She stood with her back leaning against the locker until she saw me and began to approach me.

“I have to start staying after,” I told her. I could feel my face getting flushed with emotions and I looked down at the floor.

“Why? Are you failing?” I shook my head. “That’s fucking dumb. She should cut you some slack, you just moved here,” I shrugged in half agreement, half knowing I needed the help. “Who’s your tutor?”

“I don’t know, she didn’t say,” I replied. I felt my face getting wet as the tears were freeing falling to the tile below my feet.

“Well, hopefully it’ll be one of those cute boys over there,” she laughed as she looked over my shoulder at a group congregating near the exit doors.

They appeared to be part of the punk scene, just like Autumn, so I was hoping it definitely wasn’t one of them. As I was staring, one of them made strong eye contact with me. He had dark hair that was spiked, and pouty lips. I could feel his emerald green eyes practically burning a hole through me before I decided to look away. I looked back at Autumn and saw she was staring at them as well.

“Hey, I’m just gonna head home. I’m not feeling great,” I told her as I began to walk towards the exit doors, past that boy with the cute, pouty lips. She shouted her goodbyes down the hall at me.

I walked into the front door and heard male laughing coming from the basement. Great, Clayton’s friends are here. Just want I wanted to deal with today. I dropped my backpack and books on the floor and plopped down on the couch just as my giant Weimaraner Diesel approached me, tail wagging away. I didn’t want to move for the next two hours, or maybe two days, who knows. I heard someone running up the steps, so I sat up and tried to look presentable. Clayton and one of his friend’s appeared through the door. Clayton ran up the steps towards my room, and his friend glanced over at me, then did a double take. He smirked and began to walk over towards me.

“Hey there, care if I join you?” Uh, yes I care, you weirdo. Go away. The male had dark brown hair, maybe black, and blue eyes. Those deep dimples and stature of a 25 year old man were enough to make any girl weak in the knees. On second thought, no, I don’t care if you join me.

“No, go ahead,” I smiled brightly. He sat down next to me and we sat in awkward silence for a few moments. “I’m Cailey Jo, Clayton’s sister,” I held my hand out for him to shake it.

“Matt, Clayton’s friend. We play football together,” he laughed and paused. “So, I’ve seen you hanging out with Autumn at school. You’re too pretty to be seen with her. Or are you doing it to make yourself look better?” He joked, scooting closer to me on the couch.

I laughed nervously and tried to scoot back away, “No, she was just the first person to talk to me.” I could feel his eyes staring a hole through my face, he could probably see my brain.

“Well, you should have asked me. I could get you some real friends,” he cocked his head. What was that supposed to mean? I furrowed my brow at him, but luckily my brother came barreling down the steps.

“Hey Cailey Jo, do you know when mom is gonna be home? She hasn’t been getting home until like, 10 or 11o’clock.” I shook my head and Matt went to stand by Clayton. “Oh, well if you see her, tell her I went to Matt’s band practice. I’ll be home later.” Clayton and Matt began walking towards the front door.

“Bye Cailey Jo, it was nice to meet you,” Matt winked and with that, he slammed the front door. What the hell is with these California boys?

Notes

Surprise! I originally wanted to wait another week, but I couldn't wait to hear your guys' feedback. As always, comment, message, subscribe! Let me know what ya think. :)

Title credit: Lauren Alaina "She's A Wildflower"