Chapter 12

                “Let f be a continuous function on the closed interval…” I muttered as I attempted to go over a homework question with Jace during a tutoring session following the events that occurred at Ryan’s party.

                “Listen, princess, we should talk about-.” Jace started off.

                My cheeks immediately turned red unknowingly as I buried my head further into my notebook. What happened at Ryan’s party between Jace and I wasn’t something I was too fond of. Needless to say, I was incredibly embarrassed that for even a second, I thought Jace wanted to kiss me. It didn’t help much either that although he rejected me, he was kissing his ex-girlfriend without any problems later that same night.

I cleared my throat loudly as I continued to do my work, cursing when I noticed that the answer I’d gotten wasn’t one of the choices. “Let’s try it, again.” I sighed, erasing my work as I redid the problem. Normally, a problem like this would be extremely easy for me to solve, but I’ve been stuck on this same problem for literally fifteen minutes. I blamed Jace for being such an annoying distraction.

                Jace went silent for a moment, and for what seemed like the longest minute ever, there wasn’t a word exchanged between us. “Can I just tell you that Christiana and I are just friends?”

                I let out a bitter laugh.

                Does being friends include casually making out with one another?

                “You don’t have to tell me anything.” I said, truthfully. “You mean nothing to me and I mean nothing to you. After all, I’m just your tutor; nothing more.”

                I watched painstakingly as Jace’s face fell, his expression quickly morphing into a frown. “I mean nothing to you?” he asked lowly.

                I couldn’t bring myself to look him in the eyes because I knew that if I did, he would know that I was lying. “No.” I whispered. “You’re just someone I’m tutoring for Calculus, that’s all.”

*

                “Oh my God, you’re so dumb!” Julianne slapped me across my shoulder with such force that it actually stung. “You told Jace that he meant nothing to you? What was going through your mind?”

                I winched, rubbing my arm, which was now red, thanks to Julianne. “I don’t know.” I groaned. “What was I supposed to say? He made it obvious that he didn’t care when he practically rejected and shitted all over me.”

                “Maybe he actually did want to kiss you.” Julianne retorted. “He was probably just about to when he found a reason not to.”

                “Exactly!” I said. “He found a reason.”

                “You didn’t let me finish!” Julianne snapped. “What if it wasn’t a reason against you? What if it was because Ryan secretly liked you and Jace just couldn’t find himself to go for you while his best friend liked you?”

                I rolled my eyes, throwing a pillow at Julianne as it smacked her across the chest. “That’s fucking pathetic and you know it,” I snorted, “especially since we all know that Ryan has feelings for you, not me.”

                Julianne shrugged and sighed exasperatedly. “Is that why he was paying attention to any girl that wasn’t me last Saturday?” Julianne mumbled, rolling her eyes. “Whatever, Ryan doesn’t matter. You really shouldn’t shut Jace out, though. Just hear him out because you’ve probably created this assumption in that thick little skull of yours.”

                A grin broke across my face as I shoved her playfully. “I did not!”

                Julianne raised an eyebrow with disbelief, snorting. “Oh, really?” she smirked. “I’m pretty sure you have, knowing how unbelievably stubborn you can get.”

                I concealed my laughter as I shot Julianne a glare. “Hey!” I scoffed. “That’s offensive.”

                Suddenly, Julianne reached over as she placed her hand over mine. The warmth of her soft palms radiated against my cold hands as she gave me a gentle smile. “Talk to him, please?” Julianne spoke in a hushed tone. “He’s good for you. You deserve someone that’ll treat you right after everything that you’ve had to put up with.”

*

                “Ms. Winter, would you mind staying a bit?” Mr. Richter asked me after the bell rang, signaling for all students to report to their next class. “There’s something I need to speak to you about, regarding Jace Wasson’s recent performance in class.”

                I nodded, approaching Mr. Richter’s desk as I wrapped my arms over my chest, securing the two heavy textbooks that were in my hands. From the corner of my eyes, I watched as Jace walked out of glass with his book bag slung over one shoulder, not even bothering the glance over at me. I felt a heavy weight in my stomach, wondering if I was being too harsh the last time I tutored him. It’s been days since the incident, and we still haven’t spoken or looked each other in the eye.

                “Is there something wrong, Mr. Richter?” I asked.

                Mr. Richter shook his head rapidly, rummaging through his folders, pulling out a test that our class just took yesterday. He handed it to me as my eyes ran over the red ninety seven that was written on the corner of the paper. “This is Jace Wasson’s test paper. I just graded this last night.” Mr. Richter explained.

                “Not bad.” I muttered, handing back the test to my teacher.

                Mr. Richter nodded, a small smiling forming over his aged lips. “Not bad, indeed.” He agreed. “I’ve noticed that since you’ve agreed on tutoring Mr. Wasson, his grades have improved tremendously. He’s taken three tests since then and got above a ninety mark on all tests. He’s done all of his assignments on time and has shown up for almost every class. I must say that I’m very impressed with his profound attitude in class, as well.”

                The fact that Jace has been doing so well in a class that he was on the verge of failing sparked something inside of me. I frowned, wondering why I felt so happy for Jace.

                “That’s great.” I smiled. “Jace would be happy to hear this.”

                “I’m sure he would. I’m planning on having a talk with him about his grade. It certainly has boosted this term and it’s all thanks to you.” Mr. Richter praised. “I wonder what the trick was to give Jace that push into getting serious about this class. What did you do?”

                I went deep into thought, honestly not knowing the answer. “Honestly, Mr. Richter?” I asked as he nodded. “I didn’t do much. I just made him copy down my notes, went over problems in class we did with him and taught him the lessons he didn’t know.” I admitted. “There isn’t much of a trick behind that.”

                Mr. Richter released a bark of laughter, a glint enlightening in his eyes. “Well, I’m glad that worked out well.” He shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe there’s more to it than that.”

                I frowned, blinking. “What do you mean, sir?”

                “Maybe the reason why he’s become so focused is because you are the one tutoring him.” Mr. Richter suggested in all seriousness. “Maybe he likes you.”

                I wasn’t able to focus after what Mr. Richter said to me. All throughout the day, his words stuck to me like glue. I wasn’t able to function properly for the rest of that day. I constantly zoned out in class to think about Mr. Richter’s words.

                Maybe he likes you.

                The more I kept telling myself not to believe his words, the more scared I got.

                I got scared that there was a possibility of it not being true- that Jace didn’t like me.

                “You know, you shouldn’t think so hard.” A voice spoke from above. I glanced up briefly to see Ryan hovering over me before he took the empty seat next to me. A slight grin slipped across Ryan’s face as he set his books down on the surface of the desk. “Your brain might accidentally explode if you keep staring at the board like that. Are you okay?”

                I couldn’t help but chuckle as I turned my shoulders towards Ryan. I noticed that he was giving me his usual cheerful smile, but I couldn’t help but notice a hint of worry deep into the depths of his eyes. I released a strained smile just to assure Ryan that nothing was wrong. “Yeah, I’m good.” I lied as I adverted my eyes from his just to make sure that he wouldn’t be able to detect any traces of dishonesty in my expression. I wasn’t in the mood to talk about my dumb problems, especially since these problems involved Ryan’s best friend. “I’m just tired.” I added.

                “Too tired to grab a bite after class?” Ryan asked. “I’ve already asked Julianne, she’s agreed to come.”

                I raised an eyebrow suspiciously, but I couldn’t stop myself from teasing Ryan. “Julianne, huh?” I smirked. “What makes you think I want to be the third wheel between you two?”

                I saw Ryan’s throat bobble as his cheeks turned the slightest bit pink. I laughed almost immediately, finding it ironic that one of the school’s most admired guys is blushing over my best friend. “W-Well, Jace might come, too.” Ryan stammered, seemingly thrown off guard by my question. “Besides, it’s not like Julianne and I are dating, so why would it be third wheeling?”

                I rolled my eyes, reaching over to tease Ryan even more by pinching his cheeks. “Ryan, you don’t have to play dumb with me.” I raised my chin high, giving him a smug grin. “I already know how much you like Julianne.”

                Ryan groaned, pushing my hands away from his cheeks as he rubbed them, trying to cover up how red they were getting just from me mentioning Julianne. It seemed like I was joking on the outside, but on the inside, I was incredibly happy for Julianne. Since I already knew that Julianne liked Ryan, it was exciting to know that Ryan returned the feelings.

                “Can we stop talking about that?” Ryan groaned, pouting. “Are you coming? I think we’re going to diner a few blocks down from here.”

                I thought back to how Ryan mentioned that Jace might be going and immediately knew it was best if I didn’t go. “Nah, I think I’ll have to pass.” I muttered, making up an excuse. “I have to catch up on homework.”

                Ryan snorted. “What do you mean ‘catch up’? As far as I’m concerned, you’ve never missed a single assignment in your entire life.”

                I rolled my eyes, pushing his shoulder just as the bell rang, signaling that class was over.  I gathered my belongings, tossing my book bag over my shoulder as Ryan and I followed our fellow classmates out of the class. Government was my last class of the day, which meant I was free to go home.

                “You should consider coming, though.” Ryan said once again as we reached the school’s parking lot, where I saw Julianne waiting for Ryan by his car. “Is it because of Jace that you aren’t coming?”

                My face immediately glowered as I shot a glare at Ryan, shaking my head stubbornly. “Of course not!” I snapped. “What the hell makes you think that?”

                Ryan laughed amusedly as he gently shoved my shoulder, teasing me. “So, it is about Jace?” he nodded. “I figured. He seemed just as uneasy as you when I asked him to come today. Did you guys have a fight?”

                I thought back to the words I said to Jace a few days ago and how I told him that him and I meant absolutely nothing to each other.

                “It doesn’t matter.” I sighed, shaking my head.

                Ryan rested a hand on my shoulder comfortingly and I gave him a thankful look. “Listen, if it’s about Christiana, I can assure you that he’s over her. I don’t know what the hell Jace was thinking at the party when he was with her, but I know for a fact that he’s moved past Christiana.”

                Ryan’s words were highly unbelievable when Christiana was practically on top of Jace at the party.

                “I don’t care.” I lied, gesturing towards Julianne. “You should go on your little date with Jules now, don’t keep her waiting too long.”

                “It’s not a date!” Ryan protested.

                I snickered, shaking my head. “Have fun! Use protection!”

                Judging from the way Julianne was glaring at me from the distance, I could tell that she heard me loud and clear.

*

                I got a call from my father later that night just as I was about to head to bed. My phone vibrated against my nightstand as I reached over to read the caller ID, but the number was from a different state. I contemplated on whether or not to answer it since I was tired and in need of deep slumber. But after I didn’t pick up the first two times and the same number called me again, I got fed up and answered.

                “Hello?” I groaned, rolling over to my side to read my alarm clock.

                It was well past midnight; who the hell would be calling at this hour?

                “Everly? Oh Everly, honey, you answered.”

                The very familiar voice instantly made me sit up from my bed as I kicked my blankets off, sitting on the edge of the bed as tears began to well up in my eyes. It’s been well over a month and this was the first call I’ve received from my father.

                “Dad?” my voice broke as I covered my mouth to muffle my cries. Questions began to flow from my mouth unknowingly. I just wanted to hear that my father was okay and that he was doing fine. I wanted to know when he was going to come back. “Dad, I miss you so much. How have you been? Where are you? How’s living with Uncle Rodney?” 

                “Honey, slow down.” My father chuckled from the other line. Judging by the way his voice went high; I could tell that he was emotional from hearing my voice, as well. “You’re talking too fast. I remember it’s a habit of yours when you get excited about something.”

                A tear rolled down my cheek as I wiped it away with my free hand- the one that wasn’t holding onto the phone for dear life. “I’m sorry.” I laughed. “It’s just I’m really glad to hear from you, dad. Things haven’t been the same at home since you left.”

                There was a momentary pause on the other line before dad spoke up again. “I’m really sorry I had to leave you, Everly. I know it’s been tough on you- hell it’s been tough for me, too. If there was one thing that would’ve been able to make me stay at that house, it’s you. But please understand, honey. I couldn’t stand sleeping at that house every night knowing that George-.”

                “I understand, dad.” I cut him off. “You don’t need to explain because I get it completely. Just tell me how you are. That’s all I want to know.”

                “I’ve been alright, Everly. I found a new job already with a decent pay. The pay here is a lot higher than the job I had back at home. It’s at a stock office downtown in the city. The buildings are huge honey, I’ve got to bring you here one day to show you. You’ve always wanted to go to the city right? I know there isn’t much to see back in-.”

                “Wait, dad?” I stopped him.

                “Yes?”

                “Did you say city?” I asked confusedly. As far as I was concerned, Uncle Rodney didn’t live near any big cities. He owned a ranch in Nebraska. “I thought you were living with Uncle Rodney?”

                There was a deep inhale on the other line.

                For the longest moment, dad didn’t speak and I was almost afraid that he’d hung up on me. Just as I was about to ask if he was there, dad spoke up again.

                “Everly, I think I should tell you the truth now.”

sorry guys i know this isn't the most exciting chapter ):