The football player and his teacher

Chapter seven - First lesson

Ashley's POV:

I can't believe that it worked out. Avery agreed to study. That will probably be the first and last time he will do it. Honestly, I didn't expect him to help me. I have the feeling that I won't like his help. Let's hope he won't use the chance to make fun of me daily. Well, we are together to do business, not to play games. Also, it will be only for a week. One of us will quit. The question is who. I'll make sure it won't be me. He thinks I will give up, but no. I won't do it. I will prove him wrong. The thing is that I have no idea how to do it. Avery trains like crazy. If he puts me in the same routine, there is no way that I will survive. Somehow, I have to do it. It can't be that hard. Well, that's what I hope. I don't know if his boy will study or waste my time. That's why I agreed for a week only. We'll see how this will go. I have to focus on my studies. I think with him it will be impossible. Honestly, I don't know who else can help me. If something happens, I will quit. I don't want to waste my time with someone who doesn't care about anything except football. I understand this is his dream, but if he fails, this dream won't come true. The problem is that he knows it and still doesn't want to do anything about it. I think he has a problem. He doesn't want to study because of something. I want to know what it is so I can help him. Also, I understand this is personal. That's why I won't ask him many questions. After all, we are not on interrogation. This week to end well for both of us is all I want. I don't want us to argue. It won't be easy, but we have to try. That benefits both of us. I hope Avery knows what he is doing.

Currently, I have English with Avery. He is not paying attention as usual. I don't know how we'll study today. If he is like that at home, there is no point in wasting my time with him. I hope things will be different. I will find a way to make him study. The thing is that I have no idea how to do it. He is not an easy person. Talking with him can be difficult. Avery can make it easy for me. Well, if he starts listening to what I am saying. I don't think he can do that.

After this class, I walked into the hall. I have to talk with Avery. I want to know where we'll study. There is no problem if we are at home. I already have his address from his mom. Soon, he came into the hall with his friends. I have no idea if he has told his friends about me. Well, they will understand. I don't have his phone number or social media. I can't text him. I walked up to him, and he looked at me.

- What?

- We need to talk, and you know for what.

- What do you want from me? Apart from the obvious. - he said, chuckling

- I want to know when we'll start our lessons. Don't forget about the deal.

- You are annoying.

- Are you free today?

- What lessons? - Adam asked

- Don't you know? I am Avery's new teacher.

- What? He agreed to do it. - Jason said, surprised

- He has no choice. Also, he can help me with PE. We both win.

- I have practice today. - Avery said

- So? We can do it after it.

- You won't give up, will you?

- Nope.

- What if I quit?

- You can say bye-bye to the football team.

- And you to your perfect diploma.

- I can find a way to deal with one subject, but I don't think you can do the same with ten.

- Man, do it. We need you. - Ben said

- Fine. Where do you live?

- I'll tell you everything later. If you don't come, I will quit.

- Whatever. Now go.

- I will. - I said and left

I don't know how I will deal with this boy. It's visible that he doesn't want to study at all. I don't know what his problem is. I feel that he built a reputation, and studying will destroy it. I would be more worried that he won't graduate than his reputation.

After my last class, I took my things and walked home. I gave Avery my address during the lunch break. While he has practice, I will do my homework. That way, I will be able to focus on him. Let's hope he will do the same. Otherwise, my effort will be worthless. It's not like I care. The only thing is that I will waste my time.

I wrote my homework for an hour. It wasn't that much. Soon, there was a knock on my door. It looks like my student is here. I'm not happy about it. I opened the door and left surprised.

- Dad! What are you doing here?

- I finished work early and came home.

- Then why are you knocking?

- I left my keys at home.

- And you couldn't take mom's keys.

- I called her, and her assistant said she was in a meeting. Your mom locks her office when she goes for a meeting.

- I understand. Come in. Do you want coffee or something to eat?

- Thanks, but I had lunch. I'll make myself a cup of coffee.

- Ok.

Soon there was another knock on the door. This time, it has to be the right person. Let's say I didn't expect dad to come home. Well, he needs a rest. I opened the door and let Avery in.

- Are you ok?

- Let's get over it. I don't have much time.

- Fine. Let's go into the living room.

- Are all these books for me?

- No, I was doing my homework.

- Thank god.

- It's not like you don't have to do it.

- One thing at a time.

- You can sit.

- Hey, Ashley, Oh, hi, boy. I will go out. Do you want anything?

- No, thanks, dad.

- Ok, bye. Your mom will come home soon.

- Great.

- What we'll do? - Avery asked

- We won't study today.

- Why?

- Your mood is not helping. First, you won't listen to me. Second, you won't pay attention. We'll waste time.

- No, you are wasting my time.

- Can I know what is going on with you? Is it because of me or something else?

- I don't want to be here.

- It's not like I want it, but we have no choice.

- Yes, we do. Why are you complaining? You are the perfect nerd who has all A's.

- I won't be so sure. Do you know how much time it takes me? I barely go out.

- Well, I don't care. You are ruining your life.

- I am not ruining my life. Do you think football ruins your life?

- What? No!

- Then? Studying will help you achieve your goal.

- I see how much it helped you. - Avery said, chuckling

- Can I ask you something?

- What?

- Why don't you want to study? Because of your parents or someone else?

- What do you mean?

- I think that you need more attention from your parents. Since they didn't do it, you decided to stop studying. Like a protest against them. Am I right?

- I don't know what you mean.

- Yes, you do, which means that I am right.

- Whatever.

- Why do you hate me so much? I haven't done anything to you.

- You are annoying.

- With what? I have barely talked with you.

- It doesn't matter.

- If you don't want to study, why did you accept this?

- It will be funny to t*****e you.

- You realize that I will graduate, even if I don't have an A in PE. I can't say the same about you.

Nothing. There was no answer. Soon the front door opened, and mom walked in. I kept looking at Avery, waiting for an answer. It will be way harder than I thought. If he doesn't want to study, I can't do anything to make him do it.

- I'm going home.

- So you want to give up before you have even tried.

- That is a waste of time.

- No, it's not.

- Prove it. I don't know why you do it so much. No one will say thank you for the effort or give you an award. It doesn't matter if you will study hard or fail. Parents say good job or great because that is what you expect to hear. They don't care if you have an A or an F. They don't pay attention to any of the things that you do. All they want is for you to find a job and move out. You are wasting your time with that thing. I have no idea why you keep doing it.

- Avery, that is not true. I don't waste my time. Instead of being mad at your parents, you can tell them how you feel. Boys have feelings too.

Honestly, I never thought things could be so deep for him. Avery gave up on everything. I don't know how I can help him. If he doesn't resolve this problem, he will never study. For him, this doesn't mean anything. I won't give up on him, but I don't know what to do. I see the problem, but I can't solve it.

- If you want, we can start with me. At least it's connected to the sport.

- I suggest you give up. You won't handle it.

- Why are you so sure?

- Because I know it.

- Let me prove you wrong.

- Do it.

Both of us went into the backyard. Mom winked at me, but I gave her a mad look. I know what she is thinking about, but it won't happen. I told her to bring two bottles of water. I have the feeling that I'll start sweating soon. Let's hope he won't be hard on me.

- Ok, I want you to run five times around the backyard.

- What? That's too much.

- Your backyard is small. Now do it.

- Ok, ok.

I started running around. On the third lap, I wanted to give up. The thing is that I couldn't. I wanted to prove Avery wrong. Somehow, I did all five laps. That was a nightmare.

- I want water. - I said and sat on the ground

- Go and take it.

- What? I can't even move.

- You want water, right? - he asked and shook the bottle in front of my face

- Yes.

- Then come and get it. - Avery said and moved away

- That was rude said of you.

- Come on. Catch the bottle.

- It's not funny.

- Let's go.

Like that, he started running. This boy will be the death of me. The fact that my parents are watching this is not helping. I was out of breath, but I couldn't stop running. I can't go inside for another bottle. My parents won't let me do it.

- Please, Avery, give me the bottle.

- Come and get it.

- I-I can't. - I said and fell down

- Hey, are you ok?

- How do you think? If you haven't noticed, I am struggling.

- Sport takes time.

- Same as studying.

- Here, take it. That's why you need a lot of practice.

- Same as you.

- Can you stop? If you haven't noticed, you're annoying me.

- I don't do anything.

- In that case, I hope you like doing it by yourself.

- So you will quit before you even try?

- Will you stop? Honestly.

- I called you because I know you can help me. The thing is that you don't want to do it. For some reason, you hate me, and I want to know why. What did I do to you?

- You want to know.

- Yes.

- I hate you, ok? You are every teacher's pet, and they always compare me with you. As if you got made of gold. During PE class is my only time to get rid of you. Somehow, you ended up being in all my classes. I don't know how you did it, but it's not something I like.

- I am not a teacher's pet.

- Yes, you are. In teachers' eyes, you are the perfect student. Do you know how annoying that is? Also, I know you have talked with my parents. You won't do this by yourself.

- They want to help you.

- No, they don't. You have no idea what is going on. Stop messing in people's lives and check on yours, single lady.

- Seriously?

- I'm going home.

- Please, don't do it. Give the process one more chance.

- No. I prefer to fail instead of be around you.

- That's not true. I see it. You want help, but your ego won't let you ask for it. We wasted so much time arguing. Up to now, we could've trained more and even you to start studying. You are wasting your time with unnecessary things. Don't give up. I know it takes time, but I am here to help you. If you fail, I fail too. It means that I haven't done anything to help you. Do you want this?

- I don't care what is going on with you.

- Please do it. I'm begging you. I need your help.

- Fine, but if you tell someone about this, I'll kill you.

- Your teammates already know.

- They are the only ones who will know. Understood?

- Yes, coach.

- Very funny.

Somehow, I convinced Avery to stay. We trained for like an hour. Later, we started studying. It will take him time, but I think he'll be happy when the results come. After all, we do this for him. Let's hope we won't argue anymore. It's unnecessary. I'm not his favorite, but he has to deal with me. No one will stand him. Honestly, I don't even know how I do it. I'm glad that at least we started from somewhere. The question is how long he can do it. No matter what happens, I'll make everything possible so he won't give up. I hope he'll put some effort into it. That is the only way he can stay on the team.