The football player and his teacher

Chapter eight - My routine

Avery's POV:

I had my first lesson with Ashley. It wasn't that bad, but it's not my thing. I don't want to study at all. Honestly, Ashley is a great teacher. We were still at the beginning, but I understood everything she told me. It's not that hard, but it takes time. Something that I don't have. I prefer to focus on football. I have to say she is terrible at sports. I don't know what to do to make her get better. Except for training. She won't give up, but I see how much she struggles. There must be a way how I can make her get better. It's not like I don't have something in mind. I thought of giving her my routine, but I don't think she can handle it. Well, if I bet with her, she will do everything to win. Somehow, I need to motivate her. That won't be easy. At least she has to deal with only one subject. I have like ten. It's not like that is not my fault. Let's say that I have never planned to study. I have no idea how she convinced me. This girl has some superpowers. The way she talks makes people do whatever she says, but I don't think she realizes it. Overall, Ashley is not a bad girl. I don't like her. Well, mostly, the fact that teachers always compare me with her. That's why I might not be like her, but I'm not that bad. I have priorities. I know she has talked with my parents. One day I heard them talking about her in the kitchen. Then I connected the dots. I wasn't happy at all, but I had no choice. Well, I can use all the time with Ashley to annoy her. I know she loves it. After all, we only use each other. She needs help, and me too. When we get what we want, it will be over. I don't want to see her anymore. All the time with her is enough. I hope I won't have to do anything else with her.

It's the weekend, and I have nothing else to do. Well, I can put my plan into action. Ashley will probably call me to study. In that case, we can use the time to train. I love torturing her. Well, I don't get her tired that much. I will try my routine on her. The chances of her not failing are low, but I want to see how she will handle it. I won't give her the complete course because it takes time. One hour will be enough for me to see what she can do.

I woke up and checked my phone. There were no new messages. It's not like I expected some. Finally, I got up and went to the bathroom. When I was ready, I changed myself. Next is breakfast. As a boy, I need a lot of energy. I opened the door and flinched. Ashley was standing in front of it. What the hell is she doing here? I don't remember inviting her. Maybe my parents did. I'm sure they have talked with her. After all, they want to know how the lessons are going. We are in the beginning, so they shouldn't expect much.

- What are you doing here?

- Good morning to you too.

- Answer me!

- Chill. I got invited.

- By my mom?

- Yes. She wanted to talk with me.

- Next time, call me first. You can't come whenever you want. What if I'm not at home?

- In that case, I will come back later, or tell your parents. They will tell you I was here.

- You are crazy. Now move.

- Why?

- Because I want to eat, you i***t.

- Why are you in such a bad mood?

- You are here. That's more than enough.

- Ok, I'm sorry. If you want, I will go home and come later.

- No need to do it. I'll eat and then we can study. Is that ok for you?

- Yes, it's ok.

- Good.

Both of us walked to the kitchen. Remind me to kill my mom. She can't invite her without asking me. I know Ashley is my teacher, but this is my house. Also, I don't want to be with her all the time. I have friends. She is just a girl. Nothing special.

- Hi, honey.

- Mom, can we talk?

- Sure.

- Can I use the bathroom? - Ashley asked

- Yes, it's down the hall. It's the first door on the left. - mom said

- Thank you. - she said and left

- Why did you invite her?

- Because I want to know about your progress.

- This is my house and she will come only when I invite her.

- No, this is your dad's and my house. You didn't pay anything for it.

- Whatever. I don't want her here all the time.

- Why? Ashley is a good girl.

- I don't care. I hate her.

- Avery, don't talk like that. She didn't do anything to you.

- Why are you so sure?

- Will you tell me what she did?

- Except for ruining my life.

- Look, she is here to help you. Make some effort.

- Next time, ask me before you invite people here.

- I can invite whoever I want. End of conversation.

Soon, Ashley came back. I sat at the table to eat something. Mom left us alone. I won't talk to her. Honestly, my day got ruined, and I didn't want to do anything. It's not like I have a choice.

- Are you ok?

- Leave me alone.

- I'm sorry. I didn't want to upset you.

- I'm not upset. What we'll do today?

- Whatever you say. If this will make you feel better, you can t*****e me and then study. - Ashley said, chuckling

- I was thinking about something, but you can't handle it.

- Why are you so sure?

- Because you have never done anything like that before. It's time for you to start sweating.

- I won't lie that you got me excited.

- To make it more interesting, I want to bet.

- Bet what?

- We'll try my routine today for an hour. If you give up, you have to kiss me. Otherwise, I will give you ten dollars.

- Ew, I'm not kissing you.

- Then you have to do everything that I do.

- Deal. There is no way that I will touch you.

- Why? I showered last night. - I said, chuckling

- It's not because of that, but it explains why I sensed ocean waves when you opened the door.

- Well, I like to take care of myself. So, are you up for it?

- Yes, I am. Let's do it.

- Deal. I hope you give up.

- No way.

- Ok, we'll start with twenty push-ups.

- What? I can't do that. I'm a girl.

- Some girls can do it. If you quit, you have to kiss me.

- That won't happen.

- Then you have to do twenty push-ups.

- Ugh, fine. If you laugh at me, I will make you study like never before.

- Oh god, help me. - I said, laughing

Both of us went into the backyard. Mine is a bit bigger than hers. Ashley started the push-ups. I'm surprised that she knows how to do them. Most girls have no idea what that is. I was trying not to laugh. Honestly, she is not that bad. It could've been worse.

- Ok, what do I have to do now?

- Run five laps.

- What?

- I'll run with you. Later, we'll do another ten push-ups. Then thirty crunches and two minutes of plank.

- You are kidding me, right?

- Nope. I'm serious. You can always give up and kiss me.

- I won't do it!

- Then start running.

- Ok, ok.

I will do everything with her. Also, that is good training for me. I don't know if she can do all this, but it will be fun. For around ten minutes, we did the five laps. I am trying to run slow for her. After all, that is not competition. We started the push-ups, and this time, she was better. Ashley did them quickly. I think she will understand what a real workout means. Later, we did the crunches. The girl was breathless but refused to give up. She doesn't want to kiss me. It's not like I was going to do it. After all, I need to motivate her. Her hate for me will help her get better. The plank was hard. Only well-trained girls can do it for two or more minutes. Usually, girls do it for thirty seconds. Ashley was about to fall but didn't do it. I can't believe that she did all of this. I made her run five more laps. She didn't look tired at all. To finish it all, I made her do twenty run positions switching her legs. I have to admit that she is a lot stronger than I thought.

- Ok, you can rest now.

- That was?

- Yes. You did everything.

- Awesome.

- I guess I won't receive a kiss. Here are your ten dollars.

- Thanks, but I don't need them.

- Are you sure? We made a bet, and you won.

- I don't want your money.

- Ok, then. Can I tell you something?

- What?

- I was never going to kiss you. Even if you have lost, I wasn't going to do it.

- Then, for what was all that?

- There is something called motivation.

- I hate you.

- I know. After all, I am here to help you.

- Since you are here to help me, you will bring me a glass of water.

- No problem. If you want, we can study. I won't t*****e you anymore.

- I'm glad to hear that.

- Let's go inside.

Ashley walked into the living room, and I went into the kitchen. Soon, I came back with two bottles of water. I saw all the books on the table. Now I wish we could train again. Next time I will teach her how to play dodgeball. We studied for about two hours.

- Soon, we'll finish.

- You can t*****e me as much as you want. I deserve it.

- Thanks, but I have other things to do. I want you to solve these three problems. Then, we'll finish today.

- That's it.

- As I said, you are not the only thing on my schedule.

- Can I know what the rest are?

- No. That is private.

- Come on. Is it someone else?

- Yes, I am dating Santa Claus.

- Really?

- No, you i***t.

- Ok, I'll do them. By the way, they are easy.

- It's rare for you to say it. I think you'll ace the next test.

- We'll see.

- I'm sure.

- Ok, I'm done with the first one.

- Do the rest, and I'll check them.

For five minutes, I was ready. I am starting to understand what all of this is. It's not hard, but I don't have that much time. Well, that is my only way to stay on the team. I gave my notebook to Ashley so she could check them. All of them were correct.

- Good job. It's not that hard. Right?

- You realize that I could've been training right now?

- I know it's hard, but you need to put some effort into it.

- The thing is that I don't know why I am doing it. I play football because I like it, but I don't study for the same reason.

- Sometimes, you have to sacrifice some things.

- I know, but I wish I didn't have to do it.

- Why did you choose football? I mean, there are many sports.

- Honestly, I don't know. I always have liked to play in a team. Not only for myself.

- You have good friends. The boys care about you.

- They are the only ones.

- Your parents too.

- No, they don't. My parents' attention is on my grades, not on me.

- I'm sure they care about you. Some people don't know how to show it.

- They haven't come to one of my games.

- Have you told them how important this is for you?

- Not directly, but they need to know it. I mean, it's obvious. I won't train like crazy for anything.

- I understand, but they won't. You have to talk with your parents and tell them what you want.

- Football doesn't pay bills.

- That's not true.

- According to my parents, it is.

- If you want something, fight for it. It's better for you if you don't care what others think about it. Prove them wrong. Show them how good you are.

- Do you think that I'm good?

- The coach doesn't stop talking about you.

- I am trying my best.

- Don't you think you need a rest?

- Same as you. Books won't run away.

- I have nothing else to do.

- You can go out with friends. What about Nicole? She is your friend.

- We talk only in school. I don't feel ready to let people close to me.

- Why? Do you keep secrets?

- No, but I don't know if people will like me. I am a boring person.

- Well, you can start entertaining yourself. Start going out.

- Thanks, but for now, I'm good. I'll try to change until I go to university.

- If you don't help yourself, no one can.

- Said the guy who doesn't want to study alone.

- That is something else. - I said, chuckling

- If you say so.

- If you want, we can go out.

- Thanks, but I want to go home.

- Ok, then. Take a rest tomorrow. We can continue on Monday.

- No problem. I am free every day.

- But I want a rest from you.

- Am I that bad?

- No, but you need a lot of training.

- I know. I might train at home tomorrow.

- Call me if you need something. I can come to train you, but not to study.

- It's ok for me.

- Then we have a deal. You can tell me when you want me to come. We can go to a park or somewhere else.

- I'll tell you later.

- Ok, no problem.

- I will go now.

- Bye, and see you tomorrow.

- Bye, Avery. - Ashley said and left

Something is going on with her. It's not my business. Also, I don't think she will tell me. Honestly, I'm glad she is helping me. No one else will want to do it. Let's say that I am not people's favorite. Some things take more time. I want to receive good results because I don't want to fail again. Otherwise, I will get kicked out of the team. My parents might be happy, but I won't be. I have to make them understand how important this is for me. Ashley is right. I need to talk with them. I hope my parents will change their opinions. Arguing with them is not something I like.