Chapter 4
1256 Words
Regina's point of view
I've come to accept my fate and to make the best out of it, it was just tutoring after all and an occasion to revise things I've learnt.
Ace and I both have first period off so we decided to meet at the library which was currently empty save the librarian and about three other students.
The library was my sanctuary and it pains me to have to bring Ace here but it is a public space after all.
Allowing my skin bask in the morning sunlight, I zoned out. It has become a second nature for me, zoning out, forgetting where I am or who I am.
“Regina,” I blinked back into reality. Ace was right in front of me, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
I could sniff his scent from here, he smelled like vanilla, a surprising turn. I never really looked into his eyes, they were bright blue and almond shaped with really long lashes that I almost got jealous of.
He had amazing features and was truthfully really good looking, his chiseled jawline and tall nose with a scar beneath his eyes, that doesn't look like is leaving anything soon, made him look masculine. His simple white t-shirt and brown pants was an amazing finishing touch.
“You're staring,” he whispered. I had zoned out again and while staring at him for that matter.
“Come with me,” I managed to hide my fluster well and lead him to my favorite corner of the library because it was out of the way and no one would really see us.
“Are you going to kidnap me?”
“I doubt you'll be worth much,” he laughed. His laughter was rich and full, like he had no problem in the world , it made my heart break a little.
If only I could be this carefree.
“I'll need to see the subjects you offer to make a routine round it,” straight to business, the earlier I get this done the better.
I went through his list of subjects and was a bit shocked, “Journalism?”
He raised his eyebrows and shrugged, “What?”
“You don't seem like one to willingly offer journalism”
“Don't make assumptions about me, I could be really surprising,” I hummed a response and continued going through his courses.
“I enjoy journaling, I've been keeping a journal since I was 8 plus it's like a bonus course,” I nodded.
“That's nice. You wouldn't be needing my help there then,” he relaxed on his seat and sighed, something flashed in his eyes before he closed them and when he opened it, it was gone.
“I don't need help with many subjects, just biology, physics, chemistry and maths.”
“Should have said so since.”
“You didn't really ask,” he didn't take me seriously and treated the whole thing as a joke.
“Doesn't matter, I'm offering those subjects too. We'll meet an hour after school to treat each subject per day, if you need my help any other time then email me. Here's my email address,” I wrote my address on a piece of paper and passed it to him.
“Who still uses email?” He chuckled but I didn't find it funny.
“Me,” I had social media of course, just didn't want him to have them.
“Since that's all, I'll be taking my leave,” I was annoyed again and I didn't know why, it was more than the incident when we just met. A lot of people have said mean things towards me so I don't get why I'm so bothered about his words.
He held my wrist, “Wait”
I paused even though I didn't want to and turned to stare at him, “I get we started out on the wrong foot. Can we start again and try to at least be friends?”
I yanked my hand out of his grip, “I don't want to be friends. I'm your tutor and that's it.” I left after that and he didn't stop me again or say anything.
“You've got to get yourself together,” I scolded myself silently, not liking my new behavior one bit. It wasn't like me.
****
“Effie, you look so much better than the last time I saw you.” Mrs Effie, a senior in the retirement home Davis and I volunteer for, smiled back at me.
“Yes, yes. They've been forcing drugs down my throat,” I loved Effie, she was like those baddies that never get old. Even though she's almost 90, she's still as sassy as ever.
“Great, I might have gotten into a fight if they haven't,” we were both laughing when Davis walked in.
“What did I miss?” he bowed slightly at Effie before coming to stand beside me.
“Oh, nothing much,” Effie said, waving her hand about.
“Regina, would you be a darling and help me to my bed?”
“Sure grandma,” I often called Effie grandma, at first it was because she asked me to call her that but now I call her that because she acts like she's my actual grandma.
Laying on her bed, she looked from David who was staring out of the door, to me then winked. Effie was in the habit of matchmaking Davis and I, that was her favorite taunt.
I rolled my eyes, “Go to sleep Grandma” she laughed so freely.
“Fine. Fine. Be gone.”
Straddling towards Davis “What's up with you?” He has been somewhat off since morning, present but absent.
“It's nothing?” I pursed my lips at him, resting my hand on my hips
“You are really going to start lying to me?” he sighed, turning to me.
“It's just, my parents have been acting weird since Ace arrived. Like they don't need me anymore,” he said the last part quietly.
I never considered how he might be feeling with the whole Ace matter. He suddenly had someone invade his space and life after being an only child for years. I can't begin to imagine how difficult it is for him.
“Oh, I'm sure they do. They just want to make him feel welcomed, that's it,” he shook his head.
“No, that's not it,” his arm rested on the counter, “They want him to replace me and be the scientist I failed to become.”
Davis's parents were both scientists and had always wanted Davis to be one too but Davis was neither good in science nor interested in it.
It made sense that Ace was studying biology, physics, chemistry, and math even though he wasn't good at it.
“Mmh. On the bright side Ace would have to do the boring stuff while you live your life the way you want to,” he gave a forced laugh and went back to being gloomy.
I gave him a light pat on the back, “Your parents would always love you Davis, you're their pride and joy.”
He nodded but I knew he didn't believe it. Making my route around the retirement home, I can't help but think if Ace knew he was being made to replace Davis and how he felt about it.
- Writer
