Head-On
604 Words
CHAPTER SIX
Riley left Coach Miller’s office with her mind spinning, the blackmail video still fresh in her thoughts. She walked across campus in a fog, the forty-eight-hour ultimatum heavy on her shoulders.
Instead of heading to the locker room, she stared at the text on her phone, took a deep breath and she made her way straight to the science building and knocked on Professor Lang’s office door.
“Come in.”
Professor Lang looked up from his desk, his expression stern and professional. He didn’t bother with small talk.
“Miss Hart, your midterm result is a D. This is unacceptable. With the final exam approaching, you are at serious risk of failing biochemistry and repeating the class while your classmates move forward. The department makes no exceptions based on athletic status. You will need intensive tutoring immediately if you want any chance of earning at least a B.”
Riley sat down, gripping the edge of her seat. “I understand, Professor. I'm really sorry I messed up my results.”
“Well… you should be sorry. Anyways, the two students who earned perfect A+ grades on this course are Derek Vance and Brian Mercer. I recommend you choose one and begin sessions as soon as possible.”
Riley paused, seeming to have electrocuted. ‘No… he won't suggest…’ her heartbeat began rising.
Professor Lang turned to his laptop and typed for a moment, checking records. “Brian Mercer has volunteered to tutor a small number of students for extra compensation. There is no current record of Derek offering similar availability.” He paused, looking at her over his glasses. “Given your personal history with Derek, he might be the more familiar choice. Continuity can sometimes help under pressure.”
Riley’s stomach twisted. Derek or Brian. The devil she knew too well, or the one who had become something far more dangerous to her heart. She shook her head firmly. “No. Derek is not an option. I… I chose Brian.”
The professor sat back, deep in thought for a long moment, fingers steepled. Finally, he nodded.
“Very well. I respect your decision. I have added your name to the list of students under Brian’s tutoring. You will need to settle his tutoring fees directly — he charges for the extra hours. Here is the address for your first session this evening.” He scribbled on a piece of paper and slid it across the desk. “7 PM sharp. Do not be late, Miss Hart. Your academic future depends on this.”
Riley took the paper, noting Brian’s address with reluctance. She thanked the professor and left the office, the reality of her situation settling in. Hockey. Academics. Blackmail. And now private tutoring sessions with Brian Mercer — the man at the center of all her complications.
She exited the building and headed across campus toward her car, head down and lost in thought. Suddenly she collided hard with someone walking the opposite way. Books flew everywhere, scattering across the pavement.
“I’m so sorry!” Riley exclaimed, immediately bending down to help gather them.
The other person crouched at the same time. “No, my fault — I wasn’t looking.”
Their heads collided with a solid thunk.
“Ow!” they both said at the same time.
Riley rubbed her forehead, apologizing again as she reached for the last book. When she finally looked up, her polite smile vanished instantly.
It was Brian Mercer.
Brian’s eyes widened in recognition. For a split second, something unreadable flickered across his face before he spoke.
“Riley.”
- Writer
