The football player and his teacher

Chapter twenty-three - Studying alone

Ashley's POV:

School started a week ago. Soon, our tests will begin again. No teacher makes us do tests in the last month of school. That month is prom, and everyone is talking only about that. After all, they want the students to be focused. I will start studying. I have some things to do, and then I'll grab the books. There is no time to waste. Luckily, Avery won't be with me. I will study on my own. For some reason, I like that. It wasn't that bad when we did it together, but I prefer to be alone. I understood something. If Avery and I are not together, we don't argue much. Maybe keeping a distance wasn't a bad idea. Honestly, I don't even care about him anymore. I helped him with what I could. He has to do everything else alone. I am not his babysitter or personal teacher. I don't even know why I keep talking about him. He is not someone interesting. The thing is that I don't do anything. I go out alone, but sometimes I wish he was here. Well, here, but without talking. Otherwise, he will find a way to annoy me. For some reason, he loves doing that. I have to say Avery hasn't done it soon. Maybe he finally decided to give up. I got tired of being a single lady. He has other things in his head. What I am worried about is we'll be in the same town. The chances of us being together again are not high, but they still exist. I don't want to spend another four years with him. Let's hope he'll grow up. If Avery finds a girlfriend, he will leave me alone. Well, I can do this. If that is the only way to get rid of him, I will do it. You don't need to ask me twice. Also, I don't want us to keep arguing. We can find a way to understand each other, but I don't believe it. We are like Tom and Jerry. I hope this won't continue forever.

It's the weekend. I won't lie that I needed a rest. Mostly from school. Now I can focus on my studies. Whenever I try to study at school, someone has been interrupting me. Honestly, I am distracting myself with unnecessary things. I shouldn't do it, but I can't help myself. Something always catches my eye. I might be quiet, but I know many things. After all, I observe everything through the pages of my books. Maybe I am not that boring. The only person who said that was Avery. I need to stop listening to him.

Currently, I am in my room reading a book. I started it a week ago, and now I can't leave it. A couple of pages left me. I need to know how this book will end. Later I will study. It's only 9 am, so I have plenty of time for that. My parents went out early. That means I will be alone for lunch. Usually, Sunday is the only day when all of us are at home. My parents have work to do, but I wish they could rest more. Soon, I finished my book. I might start another one, but not now.

- Ok, let's study now.

I grabbed my textbook and was about to open it when there was a knock on the front door. It can't be my parents, because they have keys. I don't have friends. Well, I'll go and check outside. Something that I forgot is that I was still in my pj's. I opened the door and saw him. Avery was standing in front of me with a backpack. I told him not to come here anymore. It's not like I expected him to listen to me. After all, we talk about Avery.

- What are you doing here?

- Hey.

- Answer me!

- I need help.

- I told you not to come here.

- Please. I tried to do it on my own, but I couldn't. You are the only one who can help me.

- Who knows what help you need? I won't do it.

- Please, help me. It's only studying.

- What?

- I started studying for the tests, but there was something I didn't understand. Can you help me? I don't know who else to ask.

- Come in.

- Thank you.

Both of us walked into the living room. I won't lie. I feel awkward. Lately, we haven't talked much, and the last thing I want is for us to start arguing. I don't want to be rude or mean, but I don't have much time for Avery. I have already planned my day.

- Ok, tell me what your problem is.

- Give me a second. - Avery said and took his backpack

- I will go and change my clothes.

- Ok, no problem.

After not more than five minutes, I came back. Avery had a lot of things in his backpack. It looks like he is carrying every single textbook that he has.

- What have you put there?

- Everything necessary. So, I have a couple of questions.

- Ok, ask already.

- I tried to solve a couple of math equations. Most of them were correct, but I don't understand these three. Next, I have a biology question. To finish, I will need your help with science.

- Something else? Maybe you want to occupy my whole day.

- If you don't want me to be here, say it.

- No, I'm sorry. Let me see what you have done.

Honestly, Avery has done a great job with the equations. His mistakes were small and at the end of each equation. It looks like someone needs to go back to first grade. I checked the others that he has solved. I have to say I am impressed. He did all of this by himself. Good job, Avery.

- Well, how bad is it?

- Go back to first grade, and you will understand.

- What do you mean?

- Check the last two lines of your equations.

- Oh, I see. I'm sorry, then.

- It's ok. What are your other questions?

- Ok, with what do you want me to start?

- I don't care.

I have to say that Avery asked good questions. It wasn't something that everyone could guess. As I see, he has put a lot of work into his studies. Let's hope he can pass his tests. I won't lie, sometimes I miss studying with him. The beginning was hard, but then everything was good.

- Did you understand everything?

- Yes, I did. Thank you.

- If you have more questions, feel free to ask.

- Thanks, but that was all. I will go now.

- Wait! If you want, you can study with me.

- Really?

- Yes.

- I appreciate it, but no. I will go home.

- If that is what you want.

- Don't forget that you hate me.

- Look, I said it so I could get rid of you.

- So you don't hate me.

- No. I don't like you, but I don't hate you either.

- Why are you so complicated? - he asked, chuckling

- If I hadn't been, your life would've been boring.

- You little brat.

- Said the guy who can't study by himself.

- I can do that.

- Show me.

- I'm going home.

- Have fun there.

- Are you free tonight?

- It depends.

- On what?

- Why are you asking?

- If you don't have any plans, we can go out. I know a place.

- How can I be sure that this is not a trap?

- What? Do you think that I will prank you?

- I don't know what to believe anymore.

- Ashley, I won't do anything to you. I promise.

- Do you?

- Yes. You have my word. To die if I lie.

- Ok, chill. I don't want to see you dead. - I said, chuckling

- So, what do you say?

- Ok, I might come.

After all, Avery stayed at home. Sometimes I hate him. Sometimes, I want him to be here. It's like he is living a double life, of the jerk and the good guy. Maybe I have to be nice to him. That way, we won't argue. Avery and I studied for three hours. I thought he might want a break, but no. We barely talked. Only when he had questions or didn't understand something. Why can't he be like that all the time? I mean that we haven't argued at all. It's better if I don't speak too early. Maybe things between us will get better. Who knows? I am hoping for the best.

- I think it's enough studying for a day.

- But I haven't finished.

- Do you want to continue?

- I have more work to do.

- Ok, then. I will go to the kitchen. Do you want anything?

- Only a glass of water.

I went to the kitchen and took a bottle of water from the refrigerator. I planned to make snacks. Maybe I can make mini sandwiches. They are like the regular ones, but smaller. Usually, I take a slice of bread and cut it in half. Both pieces will be for the top and bottom. Between them, I put whatever I want. This time, it will be whatever I find in the refrigerator. After fifteen minutes, I made six mini sandwiches. Of course, I pulled out some snacks. I keep these for movies, but we can eat them now. I took a tray and put everything there. When I went to the living room, I saw Avery, who was still reading. He looks focused on his book. Well, it's time for a break. I put the tray on the coffee table and looked at him.

- What?

- If you leave the book, you will understand.

- You made me food?

- Not everything is from me.

- Thanks. I was a bit hungry.

- Why didn't you tell me?

- It's better if I don't tell you.

- Now I want to know.

- It took me one hour of debating if I should come here.

- What? Why?

- Because I feel awkward.

- It's not only me, then.

- I might not be everyone's favorite, but no one has ever told me they hate me. Not in the eyes. Telling the truth in people's eyes hurts.

Did he get hurt by my words? I only wanted to get rid of him, not hurt him. I feel bad for him. Maybe I have to think before I say things. Up to now, I haven't hurt anyone. That explains why he was acting weird on the field that day. The only thing I don't understand is why he didn't tell me anything. We could've talked about it. Well, it probably was going to turn into another argument.

- Why didn't you tell me anything?

- What was I supposed to tell you? Take your words back because you hurt me. I won't fall that low.

- Look, I'm sorry. I didn't think you would get offended.

- I don't care.

- Is there something I can do for you?

- Well, you can go out with me tonight.

- Ok, no problem.

- Really?

- Yes, I will go out with you.

- Thank you.

Avery and I stayed at home for a while. Around 6 pm, we walked out. I have no idea where we are going, but I don't care. The whole walk was silent. I wanted to ask about the place but didn't. Soon we stopped in front of fast food restaurant. Avery told me to wait for him outside. After ten minutes, he came out with a bag full of food. I didn't ask anything. We continued walking until we reached a house. Avery pulled out the keys and unlocked the door.

- Come in.

- Where are we?

- This was my grandparents' house.

- Why do you have a key?

- So my parents can't sell it.

- I don't understand.

- When my grandparents died, my parents wanted to sell the house. I took the keys with me, and I never gave them back. After some time, they gave up. We'll have dinner here.

- Isn't this wrong? You can eat at someone else's house.

- I was always welcome here. Also, I wanted to show you something.

- What is it?

- Come with me.

Both of us walked to a room. I guess this used to be Avery's grandparents' bedroom. Everything looks so clean. It's like someone is coming here to remove the dust. He opened a drawer and took a picture.

- That was my granny's favorite picture of me.

- Is that you?

- Yes, it is. When I was little, I wanted to swim like Michael Phelps.

- What happened with that dream?

- I grew up. - he said, chuckling

- Now you want to be a football player.

- Yes. This time I won't give up.

- I hope so.

- Check this out.

- A gold medal. The best granny in the world. Is this real gold?

- No, I found it in one shop. I bought one for grandpa as well.

- You miss them, don't you?

- Sometimes. Let's go to eat now. The food will get cold.

- Won't someone notice that there are people in the house?

- The neighbors know I come here.

- Ok, then. Let's eat.

- I don't know if you like this food, but you will eat it.

- I'll eat everything.

- Is someone hungry?

- Maybe.

- Later we can go for a walk.

- I won't deny one.

- Great.

- The food is delicious.

- I'm glad that you like it.

- Do you know why I am glad?

- Why?

- Because we haven't argued the whole day.

- Oh, yeah. I didn't notice it.

- I wish it was like that every day.

- Same.

That was. Avery and I continued eating in silence. Today was one of my best days. We didn't argue at all. I wish we could stop forever, but this is impossible. For some reason, we can't understand each other. I will try to be careful with what I say to him. I don't want to hurt him again. Maybe we can work things out, but it'll take us a lot of time. Something that I don't have right now. Since Avery and I will go to the same town, we can see each other. I should look at it from the positive side. At least I will have someone who I know. It's better than being completely alone. I hope that we can have more days like today. It was good to be nice to him. I have to do it more often.