The football player and his teacher

Chapter three - The worst in class

Ashley's POV:

Many people think I am the perfect student. Let me tell you something. The brain doesn't come with physical skills. There is one subject I am failing, and it's PE. I don't know what the coach wants me to do, but I can't do it. The worst part is that Avery is in this class. He uses every opportunity to make fun of me. At least I am failing one subject because he is failing in all. Well, I need to have a high final grade in PE. I have no idea how this will happen, but I have to do something about it. The boys from the football team can help me, but I won't ask them. Honestly, I don't even know what my problem is. I'm just not good enough. I have no idea what to do to make myself better. This time, books can't help me. I need external help. The question is who to ask. I can ask the best player, but I won't do it. I don't want him to make fun of me the whole time. The fault that I'm not good is not mine. Well, it is, but I can't do anything about it. Whenever we play dodgeball, I am the first one out. I will never learn how to play this game. What I know is that I have to talk with the coach. I will do whatever it's necessary to pass the subject, even if I train day and night. I can't fail. I have to get straight A's on my diploma. One day I might get better. It probably won't be soon. Let's say my physical skills are not good. I don't even know how I don't have an F. I have to get a better grade. It won't be easy, but I don't have a choice. I don't want to say it, but maybe Avery is the one who can help me. There is no way that I will ask him for help. I hope that I can do this by myself.

Currently, I have Literature. I like reading books, but this is not my favorite subject. Honestly, I don't have one. I like all of them. Avery was not paying attention as usual. It's not my business, but if he continues like that, he will get suspended from the team. Well, I don't care. I have other things in my head. Today I have PE, and I need to talk with the coach. There must be something I can do which will make my grades higher. Whatever it is.

After this class, I walked to my locker. Luckily, Avery didn't notice me. I'm not in the mood for his jokes. Soon, Nicole came up to me. She was visibly happy. Something must have happened. She took a piece of paper from her backpack and gave it to me. Finally, she got an A on her science test. Mister Fitz is no joke. Let's say that it's not easy to pass in his subject.

- Good job, girl.

- Thank you. Finally, I defeated the boss. - Nicole said, and I laughed

- You did.

- Aren't you happy?

- I am.

- It doesn't look like that.

- I have PE today.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

- Me too. The worst thing is that Avery is in this class.

- Maybe he will behave.

- He never does that. This boy will use every chance to humiliate me.

- What will you do?

- I have to talk with the coach. That is the only subject which I can't pass. If I don't get straight A's on my diploma, I can say bye, to New York.

- I'm sure that at least one university will accept you.

- I hope so. Otherwise, all of this studying will be for nothing.

- Don't talk like that. New York is not the only town in the world.

- I know, but I want to go there.

- Then do it. No one is stopping you.

- Only the coach. - I said, and she laughed

- Even he can't stop you. Girl, you will defeat him.

- I was thinking about asking for help, but I won't do it.

- Why?

- There is one person who can help me, but he is the devil.

- Avery?

- Yes. As much as I hate to say it, Avery is the best player on the team. This boy trains like crazy.

- That's true. Good luck with that. Avery likes to joke around, but I have never seen him helping someone.

- I will think of something. Let's go to class now.

The good news is that PE is after lunch. At least I will have some energy. I have no idea what we'll do today, but I have to show the coach that I'm not so bad. I don't know how this will happen. Let's say that I am terrible. For lunch, I ate a salad and chicken. I don't know if this will help me. Nicole was with me. At least I can talk with her.

- Are you ready for PE?

- Not really.

- Don't think about him.

- Nicole, he is the devil. How am I not supposed to think about him?

- Avery won't do anything.

- Except for making fun of me.

- I don't think he wants to waste his time with you.

- He doesn't do anything else. Avery has plenty of time.

- I still don't believe it, but ok. I won't argue with you.

- That way is better.

- Will you ask him for help?

- No. I rather fail than ask him for help.

- That is not true. You can't fail.

- But I don't want his help either.

- What if one day you two get together.

- Ew, no.

- We'll see.

I talked with Nicole for a while. Later, I went to my PE class. Avery was already at the field. Great. Now he will make fun of me. I ignored him and walked to the coach.

- Hello.

- Do you want something, Moore?

- What can I do to have better grades in your subject?

- Show some skills.

- How?

- Today, we are running. If your time is good, I will give you a higher grade.

- Can't I do something else?

- No. Now get ready.

- Fine.

- Ok, everyone. Today we'll run two laps around the field for a time. You know the points. Make sure you get at least one. There will be two people at a time.

- Can I go first? - Avery asked

- Sure. You will be with Ashley.

- Seriously? She is not even a competition. Put me with someone who can do something.

- No complaining. Now go.

- You will pay me for this. - Avery said to me

- What did I do now?

- At least score some points.

- I'm trying.

- Three, two, one, start. - the coach said

I can't run fast at all. Usually, I walk. PE is not my thing, and I don't know how to get a higher grade. While I was at the end of my first lap, Avery had already run half of the second one.

- Good job, Avery. Perfect score.

- Come on, loser. Run faster.

- Did I score a point this time?

The coach didn't say anything and showed me the time. Great. I don't want to give up, but I have no choice. There is no way I will get better at this class for a month. Then will be our next grade. The rest of the students ran as well. I was the worst of them all.

- Ok, now we'll run 100 meters for time. There will be two people at a time again. Who wants to be first?

- Me and I want to be with the single lady.

- Seriously? What is wrong with you?

- Ok, go on. - the coach said

- This will be fun. - Avery said to me

- Three, two, one go.

Again, there were no points for me. How can people be so good? It doesn't seem impossible, but for me, it is. Everyone is better than me. The fact that Avery is here doesn't make me feel better.

- Now we'll play dodgeball. - the coach said

As always, I was the first one out. Honestly, I'm not surprised. I am bad at everything, which includes physical movements. I will never pass this subject. It looks easy for others, but it's like hell for me. As I was sitting, a hand appeared in front of me. I looked up to see Avery. Now he will make fun of me.

- What?

- I caught the ball. Let's play.

- I don't want to.

- Why?

- Because I am terrible.

- Can I know how you can be so bad at everything in PE?

- How can you be so good?

- With practice.

- Now you answered your question.

- You will fail. - he said and laughed

- But at least I won't fail in every subject.

- So what? Don't be a crybaby, and let's play.

- I'm not a crybaby, and I won't play.

- Seriously?

- Yes. Now leave me alone. I got tired of you and your jokes.

- Then you wonder why you are single.

- It's not like I am complaining.

- If you play with me, you can have the chance to learn from the best.

- That is another reason why I won't do it. I want to stay as far away from you as possible.

- It's your loss. Bye, loser.

- I wrote your marks. You can check them after the class.

- No way! I got another D. That's for my perfect record.

- I'm surprised it's not an F.

- I thought that you had left.

- I am always here for jokes.

- Go away, Avery.

- I would love to help you, but I won't do it.

- Get lost. - I said and left

After my last class, I walked home. My parents were at home looking at some documents. They won't be happy when they hear I got another D in my PE class. That is not something I like as well. I was about to walk by them, but mom noticed me.

- Hey, honey. How was your day?

- It was good.

- What happened?

- Nothing.

- Ashley.

- Ok, ok. Here. Look at this.

- You got another D in PE!

- The fault is not mine.

- Well, I won't blame the coach.

- I will never pass this subject.

- Honey, why are you stressing so much about the perfect diploma? You are a clever girl. I'm sure you will get into every university you want.

- No, I won't. I need a perfect score.

- But you are missing your life. Your dad and I have told you many times to go out. You don't need to study all the time.

- Yes, I do. It's not like I expect you to understand.

- Ashley.

- Forget it. I have homework to do. - I said and walked into my room

No matter how hard I try, I will never be able to explain to my parents what I want. I know I have to go out more often, but I don't have time for this. If I want to be successful, I have to study. That's why I will do my homework and read every lesson. I mean, which we have taken up to now. I was about to sit on my bed when there was a knock on the door. It was mom.

- Hey, are you ok?

- I'm fine.

- Don't stress out so much. A perfect score doesn't mean instant acceptance.

- But I want it.

- If you want to have good grades in PE so much, why don't you ask someone for help?

- Because I don't want to. The only person who can help me is annoying.

- Is it a boy?

- Sadly, yes. The boy is a good football player and the best in class. Also, he always makes fun of me and calls me a single lady. - I said, and mom laughed

- If he is the only option.

- No! I will never ask for his help, especially when he is failing.

- Didn't you say he was the best?

- Only in PE. He doesn't want to study at all. Every teacher tells him that soon he will fail.

- You can exchange skills.

- What do you mean?

- He can help you in PE, and you can help him with the other subjects.

- Do you even listen to me? He is the devil. I won't help him.

- Ashley, we don't talk like that for people.

- I do. Now leave me alone. I have homework to do.

- If you want, we can go out later. One walk will be good.

- I'm sorry, but I can't. I have tests this week.

- No, you don't. I won't argue with you.

- Mom.

- What?

- I'm sorry. Lately, I have had a lot of things in my head.

- Try to rest, ok?

- I will. Thanks, mom.

- You're welcome. Why don't you take a nap and study later?

- I don't have time.

- No, you don't want to do it. Well, it's your choice. I'll be in the kitchen if you need something.

- Ok, thank you.

- Take a rest.

- I will. - I said, and mom left

I love my mom, but I don't think she understands how important this is. I want to have good grades, so I go to every university. It's not easy, but I have to try. PE is the only thing that is stopping me. I don't want to do it, but maybe I have to. Avery is the only one who can help me. The thing is that he won't do it. This price doesn't help anyone. I don't know what to do with him. I don't want to help him as well, but if this is the only chance to get something from him, I might do it. Let's see what I can do by myself. If things continue going in the wrong direction, I will talk with Avery. I hope that I won't do it. He is the last person who I will ask for help.