Maybe, Probably

"Are you done with that essay?" Ava asked as soon as I sat down beside her were currently hanging at the universities soccer field to be exact at the bleachers. It is quite crowded because lunch break for some students has just begun and some are ending and in my case, it just started. "I am almost done, which one though? The one for Ms. Carson?" I asked Ava and she still gave it a thought. This girl! I am willing to give her my essay ideas but for the love of God, can't she at least know the details about it. Ava and I have been best friends since God knows when, and I have been tolerating her ass every time she screws up. We've been classmates ever since kinder and up until now, I guess that's destiny for you because we both chose the same course. She chose corporate law and I chose criminal law. Don't judge me I love the thrill, I almost chose criminal psychology but I don't think knowing what the human minds think is what I want to do for the whole rest of my life. "Yeah the one Ms. Carson gave us last time, I forgot mine at home and it's due today so can you?" I know what she had to say even if she didn't ask I would give ito her. She loves giving me that disgusting pleading face every time she needs help, it's like it says "you can't back out now" I passed her the essay and reminded her not to copy my whole idea about it. I was quite busy with reading some cases since our professor in which we like to call "Kimrates" loves the idea of asking questions in class and getting a direct and precise answer from students. "Crates" came from Socrates a philosopher who was smart enough to invent the "question and answer" method and "Kim" came from our professor's name of course. "Also Rheign is asking for a meet up" Rheign? She's been busy for her med school that we practically forgot she is alive. Rheign is also one of my close friends like Ava but we got close during middle school, she's a year older than us so that explains. I mean I'm not too busy to not attend but, I have tutors to teach. I get paid for it but it's not the money I'm in for, though at least I can say I am buying my leisure stuff. I also get to help people who have a hard time. "I don't think I can go" I replied and she dramatically dropped the pen and gasped "What?! But you never refuse to free drinks" she was desperately looking at me asking me to say yes but I have my priorities and that comes first. I laughed at her and continued reading, "Come on Charm, it is not the end of the world if you won't show up to the tutor lessons" there she goes again with dragging my tutor lessons. She does this every time it's just a matter of getting used to it. "Ava I'm not falling for your tricks anymore so suck it up, plus it's not like it would be only the two of you there" that's right we still have other friends who are apparently working and is successful already. We kinda rely on them for paying for the drink, don't tell that to them. "Oh yeah, Shein and Gab would be there I'm fine now, don't go as you wish madame and I'll be taking this essay with me" my mouth fell ajar because she is making me pay for not going "Just make sure to give it back before Ms. Carson's class!" I yelled and she gave me an 'okay' sign After our little meet up I went straight to a vending machine to get something to drink since I didn't get to buy any food since the cafeteria was crowded. I inserted the coin and chose to have strawberry milk my all-time favorite. I was savoring my sweet time alone not until I heard a shrilling voice calling my name by the end of the hall. "CHAAAAAAAAARM!" And just as I expected it was Aneleign one of my tutors, she's in the same year as me but in different courses, though I am only teaching her basic stuff like pre-cal and gen math so it's not too hard. As soon as she was in front of me she crouched to hold her knees panting from the long run she just made "You didn't have to run Leigh, I wasn't even planning on escaping you with that deafening scream you just made" I pushed another coin and got her some water and handed it to her. "Thanks, I just didn't want to miss you this time I know you're quite busy so I need to take my chances" she chugged down half of the water and then I asked  "So you were saying" "Right I had this test earlier which we didn't know" I squinted my eyes on her because she might be lying come on other students would've known there is a test before the class. "What?! I'm saying the truth everyone was confused, but I did pretty well though I got three wrong answers in which I think is right" "Let me have a look at it" she handed me the paper while I analyzed the problem The numbers were quite big and also the questions were tricky so it was a little hard. "If it's too hard for you Charm it is fine," Leigh said and was pulling the test papers from me but I insisted and took a piece of paper to write "I think you forgot about canceling this number"I stated and slid the paper for her to see it and she was astonished and she looked at me shyly "Yeah I guess I did, but how about the others?" I looked at the problems and her answers were the same as mine so what seems to be the problem? "I'll try to look into this more and if ever I find something wrong I'll have to talk to your prof" I waved the paper and was about to leave when she pulled my arm "Charm, you don't have to do that. I've caused you too much trouble already" "Oh come on I'm not only a tutor here, but I'm also a friend. Let me do this or else my conscience won't let me sleep" Leigh finally agreed and I went to my next class still thinking about what's wrong with it "Charmaine" yeah I know I'm quite famous here, blame my surname and my family background for it. I turned to see Prof Kim our scary professor s***h the head and director of the students who tutor. "Yes sir?" I halted and stopped in front of him "I'll expect you in my class after all your classes, you have a new student" I just nodded and said goodbye since the bell is about to ring for the next class, fortunately, I was right in time before our prof went inside The class went by pretty fast we just talked about civil criminal psychology, as I said earlier I almost chose that as my profession but they're just two different things. A criminal psychologist stays with the police rather than the office if you get me. I enjoy that subject because it allows my mind to think widely more like in a macro view, I gave an interest in criminal psychology because of a book I read. The male lead was the criminal psychologist and the female lead was just around the city for vacation but she got trapped in his life when she became his secretary and assistant. It was such a great story that made me want to do the job. I arrived at Prof Kim's office and knocked before entering, "Charmaine come on in" I went inside and saw a guy. If he is my student then he is my first guy to ever teach, all the guys that were supposed to be my students backed out because they don't want someone who nags. But guess what? I'm more of the patient type so that's a loss for them. "Charmaine meet Oliver Cameron" I smiled at the timid-looking guy in front of me and he just bowed his head. "He needs help with literature, also he is a part of the theatre group so he needs a grade to maintain." "I'll do my best sir thank you for trusting my best" I stood up and smiled at both of them "No need for that Ms. Monroe I know you always do your best, talk outside, and exchange numbers or whatever you want I still have work." "Usual Kimrates" I muttered and gestured to Oliver with my head to go outside fortunately he stood up and followed me. "Charmaine Valenciana Monroe" I let out my hand for a handshake obviously and he took it "Oliver James Cameron, thank you in advance. But you don't have to do this, you're a busy person." "It's a job I pledged and enjoy Mr. Cameron so it's fine" I smiled sweetly and rummaged on my bag to find my calling card. "Here let's call each other, when you have decided a time I'm free anytime except class times and Wednesdays I have a student that day" "Am I a charity case to you" he suddenly asked which made me flustered that I froze. No one has used such words at me, not that they were prohibited maybe they were just being careful since I'm a Monroe "I'm sorry? I beg your pardon Mr. Cameron, but this thing I'm doing here is what I love. Everyone here is struggling like you and I am too, but I chose to be here and help you. Not that it is against my will, but if you keep up this act go teach yourself some manners and go back to me" after the little speech I pushed to his chest my calling card and walked away I swore to God I heard him say "Wasn't I supposed to be mad?" that was enough to make me laugh. I wasn't really mad, I was just messing with him and it was so fun to watch him. Finally, after tutoring Leigh for about 3 hours at the library I'm about to go home and have the peaceful rest that I deserve. Walking through the halls was rather quiet because only a few students are left and some faculty and teachers, I texted my chauffer I'm done since he has been waiting for about 15 minutes. Finally arriving at the parking lot I saw two cars that were left, parking for staff's and students are different. Our parking is rather near the building and the staffs parking lot is near their office which was probably at the opposite side of where I am. I had a very free schedule every Wednesday just like today so that's the only time I get to tutor Leigh, we also meet up sometimes during the weekend if we're free. "Good Afternoon, Mr. Liu" I greeted my chauffeur if you would notice a lot from our family staff are Asian or they're a mix. It's because mom is an Asian and dad is half German-American, "Good Afternoon Ms. Monroe, do you wish to drop by any place before going home?" After he asked the I immediately thought of Ava, I mean maybe they are still drinking at Forthwith. Should I go? But it's almost 5 and I still have things to deal with. "Let's go Mr. Liu" he nodded after confirming were not going anywhere the ride was just silent as always. We would have casual talks but it was just a simple question and stuff like that. I have known Mr. Liu all of my life, he has become one of my bodyguards, guardians, chef, chauffeur, and sometimes emotional support. So I can say I'm closer to him than my own parents, not that we're on bad terms but they are just way too busy with work they forgot they had a child. I was awakened from my train of thoughts when we arrived, I thanked Mr. Liu for driving me and made sure to tell him to eat dinner. After going inside the house it was spotless only our helpers are the people inside. "Ms. Charmaine, your sister is in her room. She just arrived a few minutes before you did so I think she might be taking a bath or sleeping" one of the helpers informed me, right I have an older sister named Lynnda. I ascended the stairs and went straight to my room but before I did I pressed my ear on my sisters' room wall to hear what she's doing. As expected I heard the water running so I just let her, we would be seeing each other at dinner and tomorrow anyways. I did my routine and took a bath as well changing into my oversized shirt and shorts. I love this style because it's comfier, before I start reading and doing some assigned tasks I made sure to play my study music on and lit a candle to keep the atmosphere calm. While I was reading a sudden knock was at my door so I instinctively opened it and saw my sister with a towel on her neck. "They said you're home, mind if I ride with you tomorrow?" "What about your car?" "It's at the repair shop, Brent had to take me home" I hummed in agreement and was about to close the door when she asked. "How are you?" How am I in this family turns out someone cares. But in pure honesty I don't know, I've been occupied with school and tutoring so my life is basically just. Wake up, go to school, study, tutor, go home, study, sleep and, repeat. Well minus the eating part there, so how am I really? "I don't know?" it came out more like a question I wasn't sure as well I was always busy with attending to other's needs that I forgot mine. "You don't know?" She sounded like she just heard the most ridiculous thing on earth, "That's what you get for always thinking of others, think of yourself too it won't hurt" she ruffled my hair and closed the room of my door "By the way! Dinner is almost ready to come down in 10 minutes" she said as she walked back to her room I was focused on thinking about her question when my phone dinged multiple times. From: Unknown Hey, this is Oliver, I'm sorry about earlier :( From: Unknown Are you still mad? I didn't mean to, I'm sorry I was shocked because my phone suddenly vibrated, I checked what is happening and someone mentioned me on Twitter, and people are commenting. When I opened the app I saw Oliver's account and he tweeted, oliv_cameron I'm sorry @charmiana I didn't mean to lash out What is this guy doing for real? He knows he is famous and he just can't mention me, gosh his fans might go after me tomorrow. I just muted my Twitter notifications and replied to his message To: Oliver James Cameron Hey sorry I was talking to someone so I can't reply by the way I was just messing with you earlier :p From: Oliver James Cameron I thought you were still mad by the way coffee is on me tomorrow, let's talk about details about my tutor class I said and okay and the conversation ended, I went back to what I was doing when my eyes came across the guitar beside my bed. "Oh? I thought I lost it" I muttered under my breath while I stood up to grab and strummed a few chords and surprisingly I still know how to play it. "When I was younger I saw my daddy cry, and curse at the wind... He broke his own heart and I watched as he reassembled it" I strummed feeling the song with my eyes shut "And my momma swore, That she would never let herself forget... And that was the day that I promised I'd never sing of love if it does not exist" I paused before singing the chorus part "But darling, you are the only exception You are the only exce-" "Charmaine Valenciana dinner is ready!" I was startled that my voice twitched and I broke out of my trance "Coming!" Singing and playing the guitar wasn't really a talent anyone knew, only my close friends and family knew I had a "talent" I never tried showing it since I'm an introvert and I'm very shy. Right after dinner I went up to my room and continued my unfinished works, and I also solved the test Leigh had earlier. Turns out she wasn't really right and my calculations were inaccurate so I guess I won't have to face her prof. Not that I didn't want to face her prof, well that was a part of it just don't tell Leigh I was also scared facing her prof. I was busy writing down something when I heard someone call my name so I went down the stairs and saw mom.  "Mom" I muttered softly while I was still up the stairs, she was dressed in her usual outfit. Maybe she just came back from her job, "Charm, come down here I have some things to tell you," though she wasn't really there most of the time I appreciate her transparency to me and my sister.  She always has our back and so do we, "What is it, mom?" I asked as soon as I sat down beside her on the couch "I overheard your dad earlier," she started "What did you hear? Please don't tell me they're moans."  But instead of laughing me mom had her poker face on, which got me scared "I wish it was Charm. Just be careful okay?" he held both of my hands and looked at me teary-eyed "Mom, what's up? Tell me, don't leave me in the dark while you suffer alone"  "Your dad is planning on merging companies with someone and tying it with a marriage."  —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— :p