The boy looked up from his phone, an unreadable expression on his face. "Nice to meet you too, Roman." He replied sarcastically. Roman glared at the boy, before pulling up a chair and sitting in front of him.

"You're my tutor now, I guess," Roman spoke awkwardly.

"It would seem that way. You are to meet me at the library, every day, after practice." The boy barely spared him a glance. "My name is Logan." He said, going back to his phone, indicating the conversation was done.

'Wow, rude much?' Roman thought. They were not going to get along, Roman knew that much. The bell rang, indicating lunch was over, and the next class was starting. Luckily, Roman was already in his class. He got up, and went to his assigned seat, glancing at the other boy. He couldn't help but feel interested in the guy. Yeah, he was cute, but he thought every guy was cute. This was just another guy, nothing serious. Right?

Roman shook his head, he wouldn't let himself get distracted by boys, not when he had so much to focus on: studying for finals, making sure he did well, so he didn't get kicked off the football team, and making sure he didn't disappoint his parents. He just hoped he managed to get it all done in time. Logan was cute. Maybe after everything was done, he could talk to him, but for now, Logan was his tutor, and nothing more.

"Roman!" Said boy snapped his head up, looking at the teacher who smiled evilly. "Can you tell me what the answer to this question is please?"

Roman looked at the question. He wasn't paying attention, what was the question again? Roman searched the classroom for some kind of hint. When his eyes reached Logan, he mouthed something to him. "17."

Roman looked to the teacher once again. "Uh, 17?"

"Well done, but next time, pay attention, and don't expect people to help you." She snapped, before going through how to solve the problem. He glanced to Logan and mouthed a 'Thank you' before trying to follow what the teacher was saying.

-

After class, Roman headed to practice. He got changed and his mind was filled with a variety of things. What if Logan couldn't help him? What would happen if he still failed the class? If he couldn't ace the tests, he'd probably end up homeless. Sure, Patton's parents would probably take him in, but it wouldn't be fair on them.

With everything piling up in his mind, it was fair to say he wasn't playing his best at all. He was nervous about everything with Logan, their first interaction hadn't gone over too well, which was entirely Roman's fault, that he would admit.

As he was lost in thought, one of his teammates passed the ball to him, unaware that he wasn't paying attention.

Roman barely registered as the ball came into contact with his head and knocked him off his feet. He looked around, slightly dazed and embarrassed.

"Prince?! What's going on with you today? You can't catch an easy pass!" The coach went over to him and frowned.

"Sorry, I'm just a bit lightheaded, I didn't sleep well last night. I think I need to sit out today." He smiled weakly and walked over to the bench, where Patton was sat.

Patton rested a hand on Roman's arm and frowned. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I don't feel good, I gotta go." He muttered, rushing back to the locker rooms, where he could take a breath, and try to calm down.

As he put his gear back in his locker, he breathed in and out slowly, trying to catch his breath, and eventually calm down. 'Alright Roman. It's okay, you'll be okay. Logan will help you get your grade up so you can play next game. Logan is smart. He'll help you.' And with that, Roman walked to the library.

-

Roman sighed and slid into the seat next to Logan, who glanced at him, before pocketing his phone. "Do you have your books?" Roman groaned, and rest his head on the table. He forgot his book!

"Uh, sorry, I'll go get them," Roman said, starting to get up.

"It's alright, we can use mine." Logan looked at him. "Alright, let's get started."

"Before we do." Roman turned to him, placing his hand close to Logan's arm. "Thank you for the help in class today. I don't know why you did it, I'm a jerk at times, and I didn't deserve the help. She knew you helped... I just... wanted to say thanks, I appreciated it."

Logan looked at Roman, surprised. "Oh, uh. It was nothing really," Logan replied, smiling at the boy in front of him.

"Well, I really do appreciate it. Not a lot of people do that for someone they just met." Roman placed his hand on Logan's arm, and squeezing it, and smiling at him.

"Uh, yeah, don't mention it."

"I just want to know, why? I deserved to be chewed up. She's a bit harsh when it comes to me." Roman shrugged and smiled weakly. He glanced at his hand on Logan's arm, before moving it quickly, and turning to the textbook in front of them.

"Well, I guess I just felt like you needed the help. With your grade, I thought that maybe you could use some guidance. Even if it was the answer." Logan smiled and turned to the textbook. Roman smiled at him, grateful to the teacher for assigning Logan as his tutor.

"Okay, thanks. It means a lot." Roman smiled weakly, and looked at the textbook, it seemed bigger than it was in class. Was it bigger? All of a sudden, everything came crashing back to him, making his head feel swimmy.

"Roman, are you alright?" He didn't respond. Roman didn't seem like the kind to just stare off into space. "Roman?" Logan tried again, this time though, Roman looked at him surprised.

"Oh, uh, yeah. Sorry. We should, um, we should get started." He laughed nervously, looking at the homework in front of him.

"Logan sighed heavily and got Roman to turn to face him. "Is everything okay?"

"Oh, uh." Roman laughed weakly and looked down. "Not really. I'm a little overwhelmed with everything... You, my grades, this... Y'know?"

"I suppose, I do know..."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, before Logan turned to the text book and started going through the next chapter with Roman, making sure everything was explained as best as possible, and answering any questions Roman may have.

1105 words

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