Love's might

Chapter 4

Wouldn’t be too much to ask you to help me with maths and the science subjects since you are very good with them,” he hedged.

She started at him like he had grown two horns.

“And why would I do that?”

“Because you are a bright student and not so flaunting about it, unlike some people I know.”

She shook her head at him. “I don’t think so.” And moved forward a few steps. James blocked her path.

“Look, please. I want us to get along well. And I seriously need all the help I can get with these subjects,” he pleaded

“Ask your friend for help. His name is Jack right and I heard he’s quite smart.”

“He's not as smart as you are.”

She laughed so loud that her eyes watered and she looked nothing more than a little girl.

“You must know flattery doesn't work on me,” she said folding her arms across her chest.

James' face remained serious.

“Tomorrow morning look at the the class report on the teacher's desk. You will see for yourself.”

His eyes held hers for moments longer, willing her to break and surrender.

“Fine. Since you asked so nicely, I will help,” Emma relented. James was practically screaming for joy in his head. “But only one hour a day.”

He nodded. “Works time with me. So I see you tomorrow. Afternoon,” he said and skipped to where Jack stood by his bicycle. His helmet is already in place.

James practically jumped over his bicycle, strapped on his helmet as he turned to go home, a broad smile plastered on his face.

“I suppose that went well,” Jack offered.

“Better than I could imagine,” James replied.”

He filled Jack in on the details to the very end.

“And what happened to keep off new girls?”

“Look, she’s bright and very good at subjects. I will need all the help I can get from her.”

“Ok. I know you would be thinking of taking things further than is necessary. And something doesn't sit right with me about her,” Jack continued. They were pedalling up the slope that led into the Greenville neighbourhood.

James slapped his friend playfully on the back

“You are being paranoid,” he said as he took the turn to his house.

James woke up feeling relaxed and at ease for the first time in what felt like an eternity. His mind went back to the previous day's events and he found himself smiling and pleasantly amused. Last evening he hadn’t touched his maths or chemistry assignment as he had the intention of getting Emma to help him with them, probably during break time and if they had time to spare they could tackle the other subjects that needed attention as time went on. With that thought, he got up from bed and prepared for the day. He wasn't so sure what he was looking forward to about the day.

For one, there was a chance to see Emma again in class and two, he could make a show at Jack for pulling it through that he was finally worming his way to her good books.

In twenty minutes he was downstairs with his bag packed eating a hearty breakfast of toast, tea, soup and a huge omelette.

His father sat at the other end, engrossed in the morning paper and slightly oblivious to the conversation going around at the table.

James noticed that his father was reading through the paper in his hand and not glancing through it as he usually did most mornings, except on weekends when he wasn't to be out for work or related stuff. His mother looked up from her plate, “ I didn't see you doing your homework last evening,” she said, as she buttered her toast and took a bite. James paused and took a sip of his tea which he found surprisingly hot after pouring it out five minutes ago.

“I did my literature assignment last evening. But a friend is going to help me with the maths and chemistry homework at school,” he said, working his worse around his painful tongue.

Satisfied, his mother focused her attention back on her plate as her husband slammed down the paper onto the table.

“What incredulousness is this? People seeing mysterious figures around their neighbourhoods, reporting things being stolen and they still can't get to the bottom of this,” James' father growled.

He was obviously in a bad mood this morning because James knew very well like his mother that Tony Williams didn’t easily get riled up with the paper news. This morning, his father wore brown checkered trousers, a white shirt and an impressive brown jacket that fell on his drooping shoulders and James could bet didn't button up around his growing paunch.

“And the police have they said anything?” his wife asked as she spied his foul mood.

He shook his head and mumbled something about lack of evidence or the other as the reason why the police weren't taking up the case. He rushed through his breakfast, snagged up his tie from off the chair and rose.

“I have an important meeting to prepare for and then some business that may keep me in the office late,” he said, turning to peck his wife. “Don’t wait up for me,” he said and he was out the door.

His mother only sighed as she looked at the closed door her husband had just stepped through. James finished up his breakfast and kissed his mom.

“Thanks for the food. It was delicious,” he said picked up his bag and kissed his mom. She smiled and drew him in for a hug. He was by the door when she called out to him to keep him out of trouble.

James smiled to himself. That he could manage by himself.

The sun steadily rose in the sky as classes held one after the other. History, government and English were among them and James felt in his element as he listened attentively and took notes. Emma beside him seemed to be an all-rounder because she answered and asked questions as the class went on which seemed to impress Miss Lily as the class went on.