^^^

A/N:

This song doesn't really have anything to do with the chapter, it was just stuck in my head while I was writing, so I guess in a way it reflects what the author (me) was feeling.

Anyway, happy reading!

~~~

I race to my desk when I hear my phone ring. Propping it up with a book, I answer the call, and Hazel's face immediately appears. She's at her desk as well, and the wall behind her is a sage green. She's also changed into a tank top, and I notice she wears a cross necklace.

"So, you ready?" She asks.

"Ready as I'll ever be," I answer.

She explains what was taught in class today, and then I start on the homework.
"Wait, what's the difference between compounded monthly and compounded annually?" I ask when I get to the second question. I look up at the screen. She tied her hair back while I was on the first question without me noticing, and she looks different now. Not at all in a bad way, but rather in a way that highlights the beauty of her face.
Not that I think she's beautiful or anything. She isn't ugly, but that doesn't mean I have to find her gorgeous.

"Hm?" she says, glancing at me through the screen.

"Number two," I say.

"Oh, it's easy." She says. "Since there are twelve months in a year, you just divide the rate by twelve. And you have to multiply the time in years by twelve, too."

"Oh. Okay."

Five questions in, I'm stuck again. But she looks really focused when I glance at her again, chewing on her lower lip in concentration as she writes something down on the page. I don't want to disturb her.

Then she glances at me. "Do you need help?"

I blink. "Yeah, how'd you know?"

She returns to writing. "Your pen stopped moving," she says.

So she's the observant type.

Hazel puts her pen down and turns her full attention to me. "What is it?"

I tell her, and she sighs. "Come on, Casey. You should be able to figure this one out." I just look at her, shaking my head slowly, and she sighs again. "What does compounded quarterly mean?" She asks me.

"Um, in fourths," I answer.

"Yes, so what do you think you have to change about the equation?"

I stare at her, and then it clicks. Eyes widening, I say, "Oh! You have to divide it by four instead of twelve?"

She nods. "Yep, and multiply the time in years by four as well."

"Oh, I get it now, thanks."

"See? You're not dumb; you just aren't putting your mind to it," she says.

"I never said I was dumb. That was all you." I say.

"Whatever."

*****

The next day in class, I present my completed homework to Mr. Cromey with a smile.

"It's good to see you're finally taking this class seriously." He says candidly. I notice Hazel smiling slightly behind me before heading to my desk. I actually try to pay attention in class today, attempting to understand whatever Mr. Cromey is writing on the whiteboard. Hazel's wearing dark blue jeans today, paired with a black long-sleeved top. Her silver cross necklace is now visible as it rests on her chest.

I force myself to look away from her. I don't mean to stare, but her top is rather tight, and even though I know it's nothing more than admiration, I don't want to make her uncomfortable.

"Casey?" Mr. Cromey says, interrupting my thoughts.

I blink, surprised. "Y--yeah?"

"Are you going to answer the question?" He asks.

"What was the question again?" I say.

He sighs. "If you invested a thousand dollars initially, what would you have to do to the interest rate to find how much money you would have if it were compounded daily?"

"Uh . . ."

I look at Hazel for help, but she's looking at her hands resting on the desk. Her lips are moving, and I realize she's whispering to me.

"Divide by three hundred sixty-five."

"Uh, divide it by three hundred sixty-five?" I repeat.

The disappointment immediately disappears from Mr. Cromey's face, and he smiles. "Thank you. That's correct."

I give him a weak smile, feeling a little guilty about my fraudulence.

~~~

When class ends, Hazel packs up quicker than usual and strolls toward the sea of students trying to exit through the door.

I catch up to her.

"Hey, Hazel, I was wondering if you could--"

"I can't tutor you anymore." She says sternly.

My brows furrow in confusion. "What? Why not?"

"Because. You're not even trying to get better." She says, meeting my eyes.

"Yes I am," I say, still confused out of my mind. "I did my homework honestly for once."

"That's not enough. You have to at least try to answer the questions in class, Casey. That was an easy one."

"I just blanked out today. I don't enjoy being put on the spot." I argue. "But I will try to participate more if that's what you want."

She squints at me. "It's not about what I want," she asserts, her voice firm. "Do you want better grades or not?"

"I--I do."

"Then I trust that you'll try your best." She says, letting the door close and turning on her heel. Does that mean she's going to stop tutoring me?

"Wait, Hazel--" I call.

"I'll still tutor you." She says without turning around. Is she a mind reader or what?

*****

"Are you a fan? Because I want you to blow on me."

I close my eyes. "Ew, Carson. Stop with the awful pickup lines." I say when I get to lunch. Brandon gives me a grateful look as I sit down next to him.

"So how is your tutor?" Alex asks me.

"I think she's a good teacher. But she said she'll stop helping if I don't answer questions in class."

"Smart girl." Alex and Carson both say at the same time. They look at each other and grin.

Brandon rolls his eyes and turns to me. "She's trying to get you out of your comfort zone, huh?"

I pause. I never thought of it like that. I guess in a way, Hazel is getting me to do things I wasn't previously comfortable with.

I'm about to answer with an 'I guess so,' but Carson asks the stupidest question ever.

"Is she hot?"

My head snaps in his direction. "What? Why?"

He shrugs. "I dunno. She sounds hot."

How does one sound-- nevermind. "What happened to the girl from your science class?"

Carson puts a finger to his chin. "She doesn't seem very interested in me."

"Oh, God. Let me guess-- you tried using your 'pickup lines' and she got grossed out and is now staying as far away from you as she can?"

He scratches his neck. "Not exactly."

Brandon, Alex, and I all exchange triumphant smirks.

Carson continues. "I overheard her talking to a friend about how she thinks blondes are the most attractive, so I joined in and said: 'As a blonde, can I take you out?'"

We watch him intently.

"She immediately said: 'I actually don't like blondes all that much.'" He finishes.

I press my lips together firmly to keep from laughing, making sure not to lock eyes with Alex or Brandon.

I hear Brandon inhale and exhale slowly. "Yeah, that's a hard no."

Alex sticks their tongue in their cheek before saying, "You aren't even blonde, Carson. Your hair is light brown."

I nod. "Alex is right. Maybe she didn't give you a chance because you have brown hair."

Carson squints at the two of us, and I accidentally catch Alex's eye. We burst out laughing.

Carson frowns. "You guys aren't funny."

I wipe the corner of my eye. "Sorry," I say, still grinning.

"Anyway, I'll ask again: Is she hot?"

All three of them turn their attention to me, and I make a "Pfffft" sound. "Look at you guys putting me on the spot again," I say, rolling my eyes.

Alex watches me curiously. "I mean, it's a yes or no question."

I frown at them. "I'm not discussing whether or not I find my tutor attractive."

"It's not that deep, Casey. It's not like she was hired to tutor you professionally."

Brandon has been quiet for a while, and his calculating eyes land on me. "Why don't you describe her for us, and let us decide?"

"That's so misogynistic and unfair," I say. "Why are her looks all you guys care about?"

Brandon turns to face Alex and Carson. "So basically she's ugly as heck, and Casey doesn't want to admit it."

Alex and Carson both nod in agreement.

"She isn't ugly at all," I argue. "She's actually really good-looking."

Carson glances at me and says, "Nah, I don't believe you."

"I don't know what you want me to say."

"Just describe her."

I sigh, knowing they won't let up unless I do. "Uh," I start. "She has long, dark brown hair that she almost always wears down, and she has these really pretty light brown eyes--almost like caramel--and not very thick eyebrows. She also smells really nice all the time, and she, um, fits really nicely into her clothes."

I had been staring off into the distance as I talked, and when no one says anything, I turn back to look at them.

My friends are glancing at each other with wide eyes like they know something I don't.

"What?" I say, annoyed at their behavior.

Brandon takes the chance. "How many 'sessions' have you had with her so far?"

"Only one," I say. "It was just over the phone."

His eyes widen again, and he turns back to Carson and Alex. They all exchange knowing glances.

"What is happening? Why are you being so weird?" I say, impatient once again.

It's Alex's turn to speak up. "You've only had one session with her and you've noticed all that?"

I fold my arms. "I don't know what you're implying. I do that to everyone."

"Oh yeah?" Alex challenges me. "What color are Carson's eyes?"

I glance in Carson's direction. "Without looking!" They say.

"Uh, brown?" I try.

"They're green!" Carson says, putting a hand on his heart dramatically with an expression of mock hurt.

I fold my arms again. "This isn't fair, guys."

Brandon suddenly smiles, laughing a little. "Do you even pay attention while she's trying to educate you?"

"Of course I do!"

He turns to Alex, batting his lashes slowly and looking up at them with an exaggeratedly seductive smile.

"Oh, Alex. I can't understand anything you're saying because I'm too busy being distracted by your charming caramel eyes." He gushes.

I roll my eyes.

Alex puts their head on their hands, also batting their lashes with the same disturbing smile. "Oh, Brandon, it's quite alright, I think I'm in love with you too."

"That's not--" I start, but I'm cut off.

Brandon bats his lashes again. "We should just kiss."

Alex leans closer. "Yes, I would love that."

They both slowly inch closer to each other.

"Guys, enough. You're being stupid." I say, picking up my lunch tray and leaving.

*****

After another boring half of the school day, I make a quick trip to the library to return my book for my English class. Something shifts in my stomach when I see Hazel sitting at one of the tables. I approach her.

"I thought you go straight home after school?" I ask her. Half of her hair falls over her shoulders as she leans over the table, typing on her laptop.

She looks up at me. "Yeah, I do usually, but today is different." She says. She takes a lock of her hair and twirls it around her finger. "Did you need something?"

"N--no," I say. "I just came to drop off a library book."

"Okay, well, I'm free right now, so if you still need that after-school tutoring session, now would be great."

I scratch the back of my neck. "Oh, I would, but I actually have practice in a few minutes."

"Practice? For what?" She looks genuinely interested.

"I play soccer."

She nods, looking away and adding another strand to the lock of hair she was playing with. "Oh, I guess that makes sense."

I look at her, a bit confused. "What do you mean it makes sense?"

She tucks her hair behind her ear and meets my eyes. "Well, I can tell you're athletic," she says. "And you're always dressed comfortably."

I smile a bit at how observant she is.

"I guess you assumed correctly," I say. "I, um, have to go now, though."

She nods again; her gaze falling back down to her laptop.

*****

Coach pulls me aside during a scrimmage. "You've been playing well recently, Casey. Is this something that I should expect to continue?"

I nod, smiling. "Thanks, Coach. I'll try my best."

I jog back onto the field.

I don't know what made me play better this week, but I'm assuming it's because I'm no longer stressed about my grade in math. Which, of course, is all thanks to Hazel. And I guess I'm surprised she decided to help me. I thought she didn't like me the first time I met her. But I'm grateful anyway.

And God, she is beautiful.

A/N:

How do we feel about Hazel So far?

And how do we feel about Casey?

Don't forget to Vote!!!

<3