Chapter Two | Learning Is Necessary

Listen to You Make Me Feel... By Cobra Starship Ft Sabi

Now admire the picture of Gray Frances
•••

They say school was made for people to learn and socialize. To come together as one and be equals. Obviously, some people don't agree with that. Those people are called bullies. And clearly, there are many of those in high school. I got bullied needless what grade I was in.

"Can all of you please take out last night's homework? I'm going to come around and collect it," He announced. I snapped out of my thoughts and opened my Math notebook. On the front page, there was the math worksheet he assigned yesterday. Not blank, the opposite of that. I had to use an extra paper just to get all the answers and the work process in.

I took the two papers, one lined and the other is the worksheet, and placed it on the side of the desk. An easy and effective way to let the teacher see your work and collect it quickly. I looked up and saw the teacher getting closer to us. He silently took Cole's homework and scanned it. He placed it  in the stack, that was neatly in his hand, and came to me.

I turned my head so he wouldn't look at me. All I saw was his thick finger sliding my homework off my desk. I sighed in relief. It gets pretty tense when he collects homework, some people don't do it.

Our Math teacher always tells us to reach for greatness, don't let anyone stop you from doing what you want. He's become the next Shia Labeouf. Just do it, he says. Over and over again.

"Where's your homework, Gray?" Mr.T asked in a calm manner. Under that calm voice, lingers an angry one that is sure to come out. "At home," Gray said, fiddling with his pen. He's trying to do the thing that ninjas do with the weirdly large sticks. Instead, he's doing it with his fingers. He's occupying himself, as if this little thing will go away.

"Why is it at home?" Mr.T sighed, rubbing his forehead. He is clearly having a migraine right now. "Clearly having more fun than me..." Gray mumbled. Mr.T sighed. I get his pain. If I taught Gray, I would definitely die of pickup line-itus.

"Gray, you will stay after school and redo that worksheet. You will also do the new homework that will be assigned today. Ms.Creves?" He called. I turned my attention from the blue sky and looked up at the bald teacher. He had lines on his forehead, clear stress. I remember when I was a kid, I would call that the forehead valleys. It looks like one if you asked me. "Yes?" I replied.

"Do you mind staying after school and helping him? You're always here after school," He implied. I took a great sigh and nodded. "I don't mind," I lied. A small smile appeared on his face and he continued collecting the papers.

I gave Gray the dirtiest look you could possibly give. He just winked and continued playing with his pen. I sighed. After class I'll have to call my brother and tell him what happened.

Mr.T continued the lesson and class went by in a flash. I raised my hand only twice and answered all the hard questions that nobody would answer. It happens everyday. It a normal monotonous schedule. I absolutely hate it.

Ring Ring!

The bell signaled for all the kids to go home. Sadly, that's not me. Thanks to Gray here, I have to stay and live my nightmare. Just great. I stood up and unzipped my bag. I reached for my phone and slipped it out. I know, phones aren't really a thing you should bring to school. I need it.

I turned on my phone and typed in my code. It's a password that I can't tell to a soul. Even my brother. Definitely not my brother. I went onto the phone app and tapped on my brother in contacts. He's all I have other than my father. I placed the phone on my ear and listened to the long ringing.

"Hello?" A voice answered, I sighed in relief.

"Erwin, I'm not going to be able to go home today. I have to tutor someone after school," I stated. I could hear some of the muffled voices behind him. He's probably in the hall.

"Oh, I'll tag along then. I'll call dad and tell him. Which class?" He asked. I stared at the ground.

"Mr.T's math class," I said.

"Okay, see you later," he said.

"Okay." I hung up.

I turned off my phone and tossed it back into my bag. Gray had already placed his chair in front of my desk, ready to learn. Man, this guy only puts in effort when he doesn't need it. He annoys me oh so very much. I sat on my chair as calmly as I could and opened my math notebook.

"You kids stay safe in here, I have a meeting to go to," Mr.T got out of his chair and silently left the room. He has betrayed me. Why do you leave me with the idiot!? Why!? I nodded and looked back at Gray. He was staring at me the whole time. "How much do you know about math?" I asked him, ignoring his gaze. It's obvious that he doesn't know much.

"Well, I know that pie goes on forever like me and you," He smirked. I rolled my eyes. This guy just doesn't know when to stop. I removed the hair band from my left arm and tied my hair up into a ponytail. This is going to take a lot of work.

I looked at Gray and there was sadness clouding his face. "What is it?" I asked. My eyebrows crinkle and my face stayed emotionless. He leaned closer. "Your hair is better when it's down," His face was just centimeters away from mine. I could smell his bubblegum breath as he stared into my eyes. I wanted to tear myself from his stare but I couldn't. It was so alluring.

His hand reached into my hair and the hair band slowly slipped out. My heart was beating uncontrollably. How can guys do this so casually? Don't they know that this is uncomfortable? My hair flowed down to my shoulders and settled there. Gray sat back in his chair, proud at what he has just done. I sat there, stunned.

Suddenly, the door shut pretty loudly. I averted my gaze from Gray's brown eyes and looked at the door. There was my brother, his arms crossed and his frowning mouth ready to say something. He walked towards us, snaking through the desks.

It was plain silent. You could hear his feet making tap sounds in the ground. He stopped right beside my desk. "You need to stop flirting with every pretty girl you see, Gray," My brother threatened. I would thank him for the compliment, if he wasn't ready to kill someone. When my brother kills, he murders. "Is it my fault that she's hot?" Gray shot.

I frowned. "Just cut it, you have other girls that are just waiting to date you. Out of all of them, you can't have my sister," Erwin placed his warm hand on my shoulder. I felt a huge wave of assurance and relief. I don't like Gray that way. He's just too noticeable for me.

Gray smiled and nodded. "Sure. Just telling you, it's not just me that's after her," He shrugged. I raised an eyebrow. Gray is just pulling my leg, no one likes me. Not even Gray Frances. He just uses his cheesy pickup lines on me. Like I said, friends use you. They're not there to make you feel better, they're there because they want something.

Erwin grabbed a chair and dragged it to where I was sitting, he placed it right next to me. I sneakily snatched my hair tie from Gray and placed my hair back into a ponytail. He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. I took my pencil and scanned his worksheet. By the time I looked at all the questions, I had the answers. I'm not that smart, I just did it already.

"Okay. For number one you have to-" I got cut off by sudden human contact. A finger went onto my lips. A shiver came through my lips down to my spine. I looked at my brother who was shaking his head. "The guy is smart, let him figure things out. If he wants your help, then he'll ask," My brother told me. I nodded quietly and placed my pencil in front of Gray. He groaned and started doing his homework by himself.

~Time Skip, 6 PM~

"Bye, I hope I'll be able to see you tomorrow," Gray whispered. His breath made my ear tingle. "Bye." I replied. He smiled and jogged away, joining a guy in a car. His friend started the car while Gray waved goodbye. I gave him a small smile and hopped into my brother's red Chevrolet convertible.

"Is Gray your friend?" My brother asked, starting the engine. I raised my eyebrow at him and scoffed. "Nope," I said, popping the p. Erwin chuckled and backed out of his parking spot. He drove out of the parking lot and went onto the paved road.

I closed my eyes and felt the wind in my face. I love when it's quiet, it lets me think. Right now, I guess, there isn't much to think about. Suddenly, an image of Cole popped up into my head. Am I a psycho or am I just going crazy!? Wait a second...that's the same thing...

Ugh...why is he invading my mind!? He's making me irrational and confused! I softly slapped myself to control my thoughts. I snapped myself back into reality. This isn't even happening. I mean, I met the guy today!

"Are you okay?" Erwin's voice drowned my thoughts. I looked at him with a blank expression. It clearly shows that I'm perfectly fine and that everything is all right. "Yeah, I'm fine," I told him. Erwin looked at me straight in the eyes, like I'm a puzzle he needs to figure out. I looked at him alarmingly and flailed my arms like an idiot. "Keep your eyes on the road!" I told him.

He chuckled innocently and continued driving. The corners of his rosy lips went up to his ears. Gosh, my brother is super weird. I'm the one to be talking...

"You're the cool kind of weird," His soft voice haunted me.

Tears wanted to flow out of my forest green eyes. I quickly blinked them away. I don't need to cry now, that's stupid. Crying is so stupid. I don't need it. I hate it.

My vision blurred as the car came to a halt. My eyes stayed glued on the black leather seat. "We're here," Erwin said. I opened the car door and took a step onto the concrete with my white sneakers. They were pretty expensive, dad didn't let me pay him back. I insisted so many times but he wouldn't have it. That's where I get my stubbornness from.

I stood on my feet and shut that door, a bit harder than intended. Erwin shot me a nasty glare. This dude is so protective of his car, it's like his girlfriend. I raised my hands in surrender. Sorry, Carrie. Yes, he named his car. I find it crazy too. It's a stupid name that a kid would use. People always pronounce is like, car-ie. It's pronounced carry. Pretty simple.

I walked to our front door, the strap of my backpack in my hands. I pulled the keys out of the pocket of my blue ripped jeans and unlocked the door. I eerily opened the door. The house was lit, it didn't seem occupied. I realized I was wrong when my father jumped out of nowhere and yelled, "Boo!"

•••

This chapter is dedicated to my best friend and my #1 Bae (I'm not a lesbian, no offense. I totally support the LGBTQ community.) Readingfright.  She gave me the whole idea (without even knowing) and she supported me the whole way. Heck, she supports me with everything!

Well, thanks for reading! You don't have to vote but I would really love it if you comment!

Buh~Bye!

Luv u all!

-Celia😚