The football player and his teacher

Chapter seventeen - Surprises

Ashley's POV:

Yesterday we had two tests, but according to Avery, they were easy. I'm surprised that he is saying that. With that, all of our tests finished. What has left is PE. Let's hope I can do it well. Avery trained with me a lot, but he always has been better than me. No wonder why he is the start of the football team. I'm not going to lie that this boy deserves it more than anyone else. If he gets good grades, he can graduate with a high diploma. I will make sure that this happens. I said it was only business, but I wanted to help him. Honestly, I wonder who will annoy me when I go to New York. Well, he will be there too. Let's hope that we won't meet again. High school was one thing. I want to start from the beginning. Also, Avery and I always argue about something. There is no way we can understand each other. It will be better if we stay apart. We are not even friends, so that makes it easy. I have to say that lately, we have been spending a lot of time together. After all, we have work to do. When all of this is over, we'll separate. At least he stopped annoying me. The problem is that we keep arguing. That's why I feel like we have a problem, but none of us knows what it is. I would love us to have a good friendship, but we can't. If you leave us for a day alone, we'll argue at least ten times. For stupid reasons. That's why we can't be together in any relations. It's impossible for us. Honestly, Avery is the only person with who I have argued so much. Maybe it's not meant to be. It's not like I was looking for relations with him. As I have said, we shouldn't be together. I hope that we won't be at the same university. Avery didn't tell me from which one were the men who watched the game. If we aren't together, I'm good.

Today the truth will come out. I have PE. Honestly, I'm nervous. I want to show my best, but I don't know if that will be enough. The worst thing is that it will be my first class. Let's say today we have mixed classes due to missing teachers. At least it's only for a day. PE was never my first class. I still feel sleepy, so I don't know how I will wake up. The thing is that I don't drink coffee. Maybe Avery can help me. He always has energy.

I woke up and went to get ready for school. I washed my face with cold water so I could wake up faster. It's not like it helped much. Honestly, I still feel sleepy. When I was ready, I walked downstairs for breakfast. Mom was preparing the table while dad was reading the news. A typical morning in our family. I won't lie that I will miss this when I go to New York. I need to spend more time with my parents.

- Good morning.

- To you too, honey. Breakfast is ready.

- It smells so good.

- I'm glad that you like it.

- I will miss your food when I go to New York.

- You can always come home to eat. - mom said, chuckling

- True, but it won't be so often.

- Ashley, are you ok? - dad asked

- I have PE today.

- Don't say more.

- I think I can do well, but it might not be enough.

- Hey, stop with the perfect diploma. Enjoy your last months in high school. Go out with people. Do something different than studying.

- Like what?

- I don't know. You can try to go out with someone.

- Thanks, but no.

- Why? It's not that bad. Weather doesn't bite. - dad said, chuckling

- I know, but I don't want to do it.

- It's your loss.

- I don't think so.

- No arguments on the table. - mom said

- I'm sorry.

- Eat now. Otherwise, you will be late for school.

- Yes, ma'am.

- Very funny.

Luckily, dad dropped it. I don't want to talk about that over and over again. When I finished my breakfast, I walked to school. To my surprise, Avery was in front of my locker. He probably wants me to help him with something. Let's find out.

- Good morning.

- Oh, hey.

- Do you want something from me?

- No, I don't want anything.

- Then why are you here?

- We have PE, and I decided to wait for you.

- Thanks, but I know where the field is.

- I wanted to make sure of that.

- Very funny. If you want, we can go.

- We still have ten minutes.

- The coach will be happy to see his star.

- Well, I will be happy to see him. - Avery said, laughing

- Lately, you have been in a good mood.

- No one has ruined it.

- Why would someone do it?

- Mister Fitz will give us the results today.

- He is the only teacher who marks all the tests for two days.

- Since he has nothing else to do.

- Why are you so sure?

- I won't be surprised if his wife is cheating on him.

- Avery!

- Ok, ok. Bad joke.

- Let's go to PE.

- Finally.

Both of us walked to the field. Soon, all of the students were there. I still feel sleepy, but somehow, I need to wake up. I need a lot of energy for this class. Why does it have to be so early? I need to stop complaining and accept it.

- Ok, students. Run three laps around the field. Then we'll continue with our job for the day.

- Great. - I said and started running

- Are you ok? - Avery asked

- I'm sleepy.

- How many hours did you sleep?

- I don't know. I went to bed around midnight and woke up at 7 am.

- Well, seven around are not bad.

- But they are not enough for me. Not when PE is my first class.

Avery and I kept talking while running. Honestly, this managed to keep me awake. I feel a bit better now. At least I stopped yawning. Let's hope that I won't fall asleep. I don't want this to happen.

- Ok, everyone. Today we'll run. First, we'll start with 50 meters. Then we'll do the three laps. Is there anyone who wants to be first?

- Can I do it? - I asked

- Miss Moore. Ok, you can do it. I won't lie that I'm surprised.

- Wait until she starts running. - Avery said

- Can I run with someone?

- Yes, sure. With who do you want to run?

- Avery.

- Oh, ok. Avery, will you run with her?

- Sure, no problem.

- Take your places.

- We're ready.

- Ok. Start.

Honestly, I left surprised. I didn't know I was that fast. Avery did a great job with training. No wonder why he is the best in this class. I will always be thankful for his help.

- Well, how did I do it?

- You-you were only half a second behind Avery. How did you do that?

- Let's say that I had some help.

- Whoever helped you did a great job.

- Can I do the laps now?

- Don't you want to rest? - the coach asked

- No need to do it. I'm fine.

- Ok, then. Three laps around the field.

- Can I run with him again?

- If he wants to do it, I have no problem.

- I'll do it with pleasure.

Both with Avery run the three laps. This time I did it better. I was feeling great. Usually, on the second lap, I get tired. Well, I had a great teacher. Who knew the boy who didn't want to study could help me? I was surprised by his skills.

- That was your best time ever. You were only a second and a half behind Avery. I don't understand how it happened. You were supposed to be terrible. - the coach said, chuckling

- You should thank my teacher.

- Did you do it? - the coach asked, looking at Avery

- Maybe.

- You made her from the worst in my class to one of the best. I don't know how you did it, but great job.

- Thank you. I'm glad that I helped.

After this class, we walked into the hall. I got my first A in PE. That is like a dream. Sadly, now we have science. I am a bit nervous. Mostly for Avery. I know what grade I will have. The question is if mister Fitz will let Avery pass. Like every teacher, he gave us the tests at the end of the class. I took mine and walked away. I wanted to wait for Avery, but the teacher told him to stay. Soon, he came into the hall.

- Well, how is it?

- Not good.

- Another D!? That is impossible.

- It is what it is.

- Give me your test.

- Here you go.

- Wait a minute! That can't be true. He didn't do it.

- What?

- Look at these three questions. We have the same test. Mister Fitz marked them correct on my test but wrong on yours. Check the test. It's not only that. There are more questions like these. He failed you on purpose.

- You think?

- Yes, I do. Here is the proof. Can you give me your test?

- Where are you going?

- I'll be back.

I went to find mister Fitz. I didn't waste two months for Avery to fail. Luckily, he was still in the classroom. I asked him why he marked some of the questions on Avery's test wrong. The answer was that Avery cheated. I am sure he didn't do it. I studied with this boy for so long. I know Avery won't cheat. Mister Fitz didn't want to listen to me. In that case, I will talk with the principal.

On the lunch break, Avery went to eat with the boys. I told him that I had some work to do. Angry, I walked to the principal's office without knocking. I know it's not polite, but I am mad.

- Principal Adams.

- Miss Moore. I am busy now.

- Ashley.

- Oh, hey, miss and mister Robinson. Is there a problem?

- No. We came to see what was going on with Avery. No one has called us for a long time.

- You have to get used to this. Your son has changed.

- Ashley, can I know why you are here? - principal Adams asked

- Yes. You need to talk with mister Fitz.

- Why? Did something happen?

- Look at this. - I said and gave the principal Avery's test

- Avery has a D. - he said and looked at me

- That is not the problem. Check my test.

- Another A. Good job.

- Thanks, but compare the tests. They are equal, but not the answers. Well, according to mister Fitz.

- Let me see. Wait a minute. On question two, both with Avery have the same answer, but he marked it correct only on your test.

- Yes, that's what I mean. Mister Fitz did that to a lot of questions. I think he failed Avery on purpose.

- Are you sure?

- Why else would he do that? I haven't checked every question, but I'm sure Avery is not for a D. Maybe he is not for an A, but he doesn't deserve a D.

- Ok, I will talk with mister Fitz. Can you leave the tests here?

- Yeah, sure.

- You can go now. I will call the teacher.

- Thank you, and sorry that I walked in like that.

- It's ok. Please, don't do it again.

- I won't. - I said and left

It looks like I will eat at home. I walked to my next class. Avery was already there, waiting for me. I don't know what is going on with him today. I'm glad that his low grade is not bothering him. I wish I could say the same about myself. After this class, I walked to the principal's office again. His secretary called me. I went there and saw mister Fitz. The way he looked at me meant he was mad. I don't care. He can't fail Avery.

- Miss Moore. Since when do you care about a failing student? - mister Fitz asked me

- Since he started studying. Will you change his grade?

- I'm sorry, but he cheated. I can't let him pass.

- What? You have to be kidding me. Avery didn't cheat. Please, trust me. His grades have improved in every subject. Why don't you want to let him pass?

- If the other teachers can let a cheater pass, I won't do it.

- He didn't cheat!

- Miss Moore, be careful with the tone. I can quickly change your grade.

- Ok, then. Make Avery do another test. This time he will sit in the front row. You will see that he won't cheat.

- It sounds good to me. - principal Adams said

- Ok, I will prepare another test. If I see Avery cheat, I will fail him. Understood?

- Yes. I will talk with Avery.

- Miss Moore, you can go to class now. - principal Adams said

- Thank you. - I said and left

After my last class, I walked to the field. I didn't have much time to talk with Avery about the test. Well, he has practice now. I'm sure he has five minutes for me. When I walked to the field, all the boys were there. The coach left to come.

- Ashley, what are you doing here? - Jason asked

- I came to talk with Avery.

- Hey, is there a problem?

- Yes. A big one.

- What is going on?

- I talked with mister Fitz about your grade. He thinks that you cheated. Later, I went to the principal's office. Principal Adams has talked with mister Fitz. He said that he wouldn't change your grade. Then I offered him something. You will take another test in front of him. That way, he will see you won't cheat. I know you won't like it, but he didn't want to believe me. I tried everything.

- You did all of this for me?

- Is it bad?

- No, I didn't expect it. Thank you.

- I didn't waste two months, so you could be called a cheater.

- When do I have to do the test?

- I don't know. Probably the next class.

- Ok, thanks.

- You're welcome. I will go home now. Call me if you need anything.

- If you want, you can stay with us. After today's show, the coach will be happy if you stay with us.

- Thanks, but not today.

- Ok, it's your decision. I will come to see you later.

- No problem. Bye, boys.

- Bye, Ashley. - Avery said, and I left

After his practice, Avery came home. This time, he stayed for dinner with us. Let's say that the boy was in a good mood. He told everything to my parents, and dad looked at me with a smirk. How bad I wanted to delete it. Avery and I are not friends. Dad can stop imagining things. I might get a boyfriend, but it won't be soon. I have more important things in my head. Soon, I'll graduate and need to choose a university. My parents want me to socialize more, but this will happen. Maybe not now, but one day it will. I hope that I will have a perfect diploma. I need it.