… : — Is this what you're looking for?
Oh crap. Felix!
What the hell is he doing with my pills? Does he know? Impossible… how would he know?
Me (with an awkward smile): Ah… Felix.
Felix: This is what you were looking for, right?
What?! Did this guy just catch me red-handed? No way. He can't possibly know what these meds are for. Stay calm, Hiyas, stay calm.
Me (still awkward): Yeah… yeah, they're mine. Th-thanks.
I snatch them back almost too quickly.
Felix: You take meds? Are you sick?
Me: Uh… actually… They're… just vitamins! Yeah, that's it. Vitamins. To stay healthy, you know?
Felix (raising a brow): Okay… if you say so. I actually saw them fall when Jace pulled you outside.
… Great. And to think my secret could've been exposed because of you, Jace Ramos. Seriously.
Me: Ah. Thanks a lot, Felix.
Felix: No problem. Well, see you.
Me: Bye.
Then he walks away.
Felix is really nice. A bit weird sometimes, always calm, lost in his thoughts… a true introvert. Luckily, he bought my excuse.
The moment he's gone, I quickly pop the pills into my mouth. No one's around anyway—everyone's outside.
*
After class, everyone goes home.
When I get to the house, the smell of food hits me. Mom's the one cooking today—and it smells AMAZING.
As usual, I greet her, we hug, she bombards me with questions about my day, then I head upstairs. Under the shower, I can't stop thinking about what happened with Felix. That was way too close.
I get dressed quickly and hear noises downstairs. Dad's home. Without hesitation, I run to him and jump on his back. (Yeah, I still act like a kid with my parents. Lol.)
But today, Dad decides to kill the mood…
Dad: I got your grades by email, from MIHS.
What?! This really isn't my day. And here I thought I'd hidden them well… Anyway. I force a smile. A very awkward one.
Me: Really? It's not even the end of the term yet…
Dad: Doesn't matter. Your grades aren't good.
I lower my head, ashamed.
Me: I'm sorry…
Mom: Sweetheart, you should've told us you were struggling with classes at MIHS. We would've found you a tutor. (To my dad.) Love, we need to get her one.
Dad: Already done.
Me: Huh?!
Dad: Yes. It's Jace.
JACE?!
No, no, no. I can accept a lot of things—but not this. HIM? The guy who doesn't care about anyone?! No way. And besides, he's obviously going to refuse. Right?
Dad: I already talked to him. He agreed. So starting today, Jace will help you study.
Me: But… what proves he can even teach me anything? He's in senior year, just like me.
Dad: Hiyas… you forget Jace is in Section A. You're in D. And he's top of his class.
… WHAT?!
Mr. "Anti-girls," top of the class? For real? This guy is good at basketball AND number one academically? Ugh. I'm jealous, I admit.
Me: Ah…
Dad: So get ready. You start this weekend.
*
The weekend comes. As expected, I get up lazily. Honestly, I don't feel like it at all. Spending a whole day with Jace? Nope.
But since I don't have a choice, I pack a few books, a notebook, throw them into my bag. After breakfast, Ezekiel drops me off at the Ramos house.
There, I only find Jordan, the youngest. As usual, glued to his phone.
Me: Where's your brother?
Jordan: Training.
… Huh?! What do you mean, "training"?! Isn't he the one who agreed to tutor me today?!
Jordan: Wait here, I'll tell him you're here.
Me: Thanks.
He disappears. Ten minutes later, Jace finally shows up, Jordan beside him. I shoot daggers at Jace. Even his little brother seems to notice.
Jordan: Well, I'm going upstairs. Bye.
He leaves. And I keep glaring at Jace.
Me: Weren't you supposed to be tutoring me today?
Jace: Tss.
He turns and heads upstairs. Fuming, I follow him.
We stop in front of a room (his, probably). He opens the door and goes inside. I try to follow, but he blocks me.
Jace: What do you think you're doing?
Me: Uh, what? I'm your girlfriend and your students, right? Don't I get to come in?
Jace: I don't allow girls in my room.
Me: Woooow. Mr. "Anti-girls" to the bitter end.
He stares straight into my eyes. I hold his gaze.
Me: Listen… if you didn't want to tutor me, then why did you tell my dad you would?
Jace (calm, but cold): Because I just wanted… to see you.
Huh?!