A Tutor For My Bully

Chapter 27: A Dangerous Game

Justin's POV

I leaned against the wall outside the classroom, watching students rush past me. My eyes remained fixed on one person.

Akira.

She was sitting at her desk, completely absorbed in whatever she was writing. Her messy hair fell over one side of her face, and every few seconds, she pushed it back impatiently.

She looked ordinary, too ordinary.

Yet somehow, she had managed to become the one person Kael couldn't seem to ignore.

Interesting.

I still couldn't understand what Kael saw in her, maybe that was the point.

People always had something they cared about.

Something they were afraid to lose. And if I wanted to hurt Kael, I needed to find his.

"Hey, Justin."

I looked over my shoulder. Camila stood there, smiling. "Hi."

"You've been standing here for like five minutes."

"Have I?"

"Yeah." She glanced into the classroom. "Waiting for Akira?" I smiled.

"Maybe."

She laughed. "You've known her for barely any time and you're already interested?"

"She's interesting."

"She's shy."

"That doesn't make her boring." Camila tilted her head. "Are you asking her out?"

"Not yet."

"Not yet?" I shrugged. "Maybe." She rolled her eyes. "Well, good luck." She started walking away.

"Camila."

She turned.

"Yeah?"

"You know Akira pretty well, right?"

"Of course."

"What does she like?" Camila's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why?" I smiled. "I just want to know her better."

She stared at me for a few seconds before finally answering. "Books. Writing. Quiet places. She likes animals too."

"Animals?" "Bunnies." I nodded.

"Interesting."

"Why do you sound like you're conducting an investigation?" I laughed.

"I'm not."

She gave me a suspicious look before walking away. I watched her leave.

Then my eyes returned to Akira.

Books, writing, bunnies, quiet places. I was already beginning to understand her, and that was exactly what I needed.

>>>>>>>>

Akira's POV

"Akira!"

I looked up. Justin was standing at the classroom door. He smiled when our eyes met.

"Can I talk to you?" I pointed at myself.

"Me?"

"Yes, you." I quickly packed my books and walked toward him. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." He held out a small paper bag. "I got you something." I stared at it.

"For me?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Because I wanted to." He replied smiling.

I slowly accepted the bag.

Inside was a small chocolate bar and a notebook.

My eyes widened. "You got me a notebook?"

"I figured out you like writing." I looked at him in surprise.

" Did I mention that yesterday?" I thought to myself. "I remember things." A smile appeared on my face. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

I ran my fingers over the cover of the notebook, It was beautiful. Simple, but beautiful.

"I really like it."

"I'm glad."

There was something about Justin that made me feel comfortable. He didn't make me feel stupid, He didn't laugh when I struggled to find my words, He didn't call me names. He was just… Nice.

"You didn't have to do this," I said.

"I know." He smiled.

"I wanted to." I lowered my gaze. "You're really nice."

"Careful." I looked up. "You might make me blush." I laughed. "Sorry."

"There you go again."

"What?"

"Saying sorry for everything."

I smiled awkwardly.

"I can't help it."

"You should." He gently tapped the notebook. "You're allowed to exist without apologizing for it."

I didn't know what to say. No one had ever said that to me before.

"Thanks." He smiled. "Anytime."

Neither of us noticed the person standing at the end of the hallway.

Kael.

His eyes were fixed on the notebook in my hands.

Then on Justin. His jaw tightened. Adrienne walked up beside him. "What are you looking at?"

"Nothing." Adrienne followed his gaze.

"Oh." He grinned.

"Milky and Justin.” Kael's expression hardened.

"So?" "I didn't say anything."

"You were about to." Adrienne chuckled.

"Relax, bro."

"I'm relaxed."

"Sure." Kael turned away.

"Let's go."

But before he could take another step, he heard me laugh. He stopped.

That laugh.

He knew it. It was the same laugh she had given him when they were chasing her bunnies around her backyard. For some reason, hearing it now irritated him. He didn't understand why.

And he didn't want to.

*********

Kael's POV

Practice was supposed to be the one place where my mind stayed clear, It wasn't working today.

"Blackwood!" I looked up.

Coach stood in front of me. "Focus."

"I am."

"You've missed two shots." I frowned.

"I'll fix it." He shook his head. "Whatever is distracting you, get rid of it." Adrienne skated past me.

"Maybe it's a girl." The other guys laughed. I glared at him.

"Shut up."

"Touchy." I ignored him. But my mind betrayed me again, I remembered Justin giving Milky that notebook.

Why did he give it to her?

Why did she look so happy?

Why did I care? I hit the puck harder than necessary, It slammed against the board.

"Again!" I skated after it. This time, I scored.

The guys cheered.

Coach nodded.

"Better."

I didn't feel better, I just wanted practice to end.

*********

Akira's POV

After school, I sat in the library with my new notebook. I opened it carefully. The first page was completely blank.

I smiled, maybe I could write something in it later.

I was about to put my pen to the page when a shadow fell over my desk. I looked up.

Justin.

"You're here." He pulled out the chair opposite me. "I told you I'd find you."

I smiled. "How did you know I was here?"

"Camila."

"Of course." He laughed.

"She said this was your favorite place." I nodded.

"It is." He leaned forward. "So..."

"What?"

"Would you like to hang out this weekend?" I froze, no one has ever asked me that.

"Hang out?"

"Yeah."

"Like... friends?"

"Unless you want it to be something else." My cheeks warmed.

"I don't know."

"You don't have to decide now." He smiled.

"Think about it." I nodded.

"Okay." He stood. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye, Justin." He walked away.

I stared after him.

A small smile tugged at my lips.

Maybe making friends wasn't so bad after all.

But I didn't notice the figure standing outside the library door.

Kael.

He had come looking for me, and he had heard everything.

His eyes followed Justin as he disappeared down the hallway.Then he looked at me.

For a moment, something dark crossed his face.

Jealousy.

He immediately pushed the thought away.

No.

He wasn't jealous.

He couldn't be.

I was just his tutor.

His Milky.

Nothing more.

At least… That's what he kept telling himself.

*********

Justin's POV

I stepped outside the school building and pulled out my phone. One message.

I typed quickly.

I found the perfect way to get to him. I stared at the screen for a moment before adding another sentence..I'm going to make Kael Blackwood fall for her first. I smiled. Then I deleted the message.

No one needed to know my plan yet, the game had only just begun.