I forgot about this thing.

~~~~

Step 10.5: Get a Tutor and Become a Teacher

"What?" Jack blinked.

His mother sighed. "It's just like your father said, we are going to get you a private tutor to come and teach you. Your scores weren't... Great..."

Jack nodded slowly, he had expected as much. About a week ago he had taken a placement test to see where he could fit into classes as school was about to start.

The Institute has taught him some basic stuff but only what they thought was necessary. He learned basic math, physics and science. He had never taken a language and he knew a pitiful amount of history. But he hadn't expected that he wouldn't go to school at all. He actually hoped he could go so he could talk to Kai about everything without it seeming weird.

"It may be only for this year," his dad continued. "Depends on how things go."

Jack nodded. "Okay... I guess. Doesn't matter to me that much."

"Are you sure your okay with this?" His mom asked him.

Jack shrugged. "There's no other option right? So, homeschool it is."

~~~~

"I hate school."

"You've only been there for a week."

"It still sucks. You're lucky you're going to be homeschooled. I already have soooo much homework!"

Jack rolled his eyes. "Did you call me for a reason or...?"

"I need you and Derek's help with something," Kai stated. "I already called him, he's free and on his way already, so come over to my place."

"Do I have to?"

"Yes."

"Fine."

~~~~

"Okay why am I here?" Jack asked once he was seated in a bean bag chair in Kai's room. Derek had taken a spot at her desk and Kai sat on her bed.

"I need you both to teach me."

"Teach you... What?"

"To-"

"This problem is wrong," Derek commented looking at a paper on the desk. "You were supposed to subtract the 4ac not add it."

Kai jumped up and ran over looking at the page. She grabbed a pencil and began to furiously work out the real answer. When she was finished she sat back on her bed. "I need you two to teach me how to fight."

Jack opened his mouth.

"No hear me out. If I'm gonna be part of this-"

"You don't have to be part of it," Derek muttered.

"-I'm gonna need to learn how to protect myself. I don't think I could ever..." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Shoot someone... but," She added at a normal volume. "I can still fight right? Defend myself at least?"

Jack shrugged. "It's not as simple as you picture it. But yeah, we can try I guess. And as for the shooting people, all you would have to learn is how to shoot and aim properly. Then you could just go for the legs. Shouldn't kill them but they can't run after you. But we can't let you just practice with a gun."

Derek smiled. "And that's why I stopped at a store on the way over. Once you told me why you wanted me to come-"

"How come he got a reason?" Jack asked. He was ignored.

"I stopped and picked this up." He pulled out a backpack and from it he drew a-

"A gun!" Kai hissed.

Derek rolled his eyes. "Calm down princess. It's a BB Gun. It can help you aim."

"We can't just shoot up my house," Kai reminded him.

"Blake, you're rich right? You got a big backyard or something?"

"Jack," Jack corrected. "You can't call me that."

"Right. Sorry. Sorry. But answer the question."

"I'm not sure how my parents will feel about this-"

"They'll be too happy that your making human contact to care," Kai interrupted.

"So basically I walked over here for nothing? Great..."

~~~~

Jack lead the way inside, the other two bickering as they followed. Derek had continued to correct Kai's math homework. And she wasn't doing too well... Not like Jack could do any better.

"Oh, what's going on Jack?" His mother, Miranda asked as she entered.

"Hi, Ms. Miranda," Kai smiled having been here with her brother many times before.

"Hello Kai. And I don't believe we have met..." She said looking to Derek who was still shaking his head and circling incorrect answers.

"Huh? Sorry, I'm Derek," he said stepping forward to shake her hand. "I go to school with Kai. I'm new this year and she was picked to show me around. And then I met Jack and we've all been hanging out."

"Nice too meet you Derek," Miranda smiles shaking his hand. "I'm a bit surprised is all. Jack didn't mention bringing friends over."

"Sorry," Jack stated scratched the back of his neck. "I forgot to tell you. If it's a problem we can-"

"No. No. No. It's perfectly fine. You and your friends have fun. What are you going to do?"

"Go outside probably..."

"Well it's hot, I'll get you and your friends some lemonade."

Jack tried to hide his small blush as his friends followed him out back before his mother could embarrass him further.

~~~~

"Come on," Derek said. "Just hit me."

"You seriously want me to just punch you?" Kayla asked.

"To correct you on how you punch. I need to see how you do it," Jack explained as he sat down in his chair to watch, a book in his lap.

"Won't people walking by think it's weird?"

Jack rolled his eyes. "You've probably been to this house more times than I have and I live here. No one comes out by the guest house. And my mom already bought lemonade she won't come back. Now, punch the bastard."

Kayla looks back to Derek smiles. "Come on. Hit me with your best shot! Fire awayyyyyy!!!"

Kayla rolled her eyes and landed a solid punch in the center of Derek's chest. He didn't even flinch. He looked to Jack. "Did something happen? I don't feel anything. Or maybe I was brushed by a feath-"

He was cut off as Kayla nailed him in the jaw.

He cursed and grabbed his jaw. "Okay, maybe there is potential."

Jack nodded. "Again. This time be sure to..."

~~~~

"You're a terrible shot," Derek commented. It's just a bunch of plastic cups! Hit one!"

"It's not that simple!" Kayla protested.

"Yes it is! You're just a wimp!"

"I am not!"

"Why did we even let you join!?"

"I'll tell-"

"Then they'll ask you why you didn't go to the cops. So just grab that gun and shoot something!"

"I know what I should shoot... Tell me, how much do you value your balls?"

"It's not like you could hit a target that big anyway."

"You're a pervert."

"You brought it up."

"You're so-"

A BB pierced the cup in between the two successfully startling them both. Jack hadn't moved from where he read in his chair. A book in one hand the BB Gun held lazily in the other. He took a sip of his lemonade. "Are you two done?"

"Yeah..."

"I guess."

"Well, then... Kai why aren't you shooting cups? And Derek why aren't you helping her?"

Derek crossed his arms. "Why does it have to be me? You're a better shot than I am."

"I'm a horrible teacher. But we agreed, I tried to help with regular fighting which I did. So now it's your turn. Help her with shooting."

Derek groaned taking the BB Gun from Jack and giving it back to Kayla. "Alright.... Let's get down to business! To defeat the Huns! Did they send me daughter when I asked for sons! You're the saddest bunch I've ever met but you can bet before we're through mister, IIII'llll make a man out of- youuuuuuui! She kneed me in the balls!"

"You're lucky I didn't shoot you."

Jack sighed. This was not going to be easy.