The football player and his teacher

Chapter ten - Studying hard

Avery's POV:

Ashley is getting better at physical activities. I don't know if I am helping her, but if I should compare her skills before and now, she is better. Well, I have to say that she trains hard. I have to do the same, but with studying, I don't have that much time. Honestly, I don't know why I am doing it. It's not bad, but that is not what I want to do. I wish that my parents could understand. I don't want to sit in a chair all day, five days a week. I want to play football. To be in a team where people support each other and become the best. It's not much, but mom and dad will never let me do it. I will listen to Ashley's advice. We still don't like each other much, but she is right. I won't care what people tell me and will focus on what's important to me. I'm tired of people who don't believe it. Everything takes time, and I can have instant results. That's why when I have enough money, I will move out. Let's hope that my parents will see their mistake. I won't use all my money to buy a house, but I plan to buy a good one. At least I have a plan. It's a good start. I know that not all football players are successful, but I won't be one of them. Maybe I can use this as motivation. To train a lot, so my parents can see how much I want this. It's not like I haven't tried, but I have had no success. That only means I have to try harder. First, I need to study. Soon, our tests will start, and I want to do them well. Maybe not with an A, but at least a C. I owe Ashley a lot for the effort she puts into me. No one else would have done that. I don't know she deals with me, but I'm glad she is here. I hope that there will be positive results.

Another school day. Sometimes I wonder why I even go to school. I waste my time there. I don't pay attention in class or do any homework. Ashley is helping me, but we have more lessons to take with her. I think we'll be ready for the next test. She will have an A for sure. The question is what I will have. I never thought I would say it, but I must study hard. That means I have to pause the football for a while. Usually, I train a lot, but now I can't do it. Well, I have the whole summer vacation for training.

Currently, I am in my science class with mister Fitz. He is my least favorite teacher. Let's say that he always picks on me. I don't know what is wrong with him. His wife probably hates him. Apart from the joke, he likes to mess with me. The thing is that now I am studying, so I can answer his questions. Maybe not all, but most of them.

- This is how atoms get formed. Avery, can you tell me what is smaller, in size, than atoms but part of them? - mister Fitz asked

- Ions.

- That is correct. Did you read it somewhere?

- No, I know it.

- Really?

- Yes, I do.

- Let's say that I believe you.

- You can ask me other questions.

- I will do it on my test, which you probably won't pass again. You know that with a D, I won't let you graduate from my class.

- Why are you so sure that I will have a D?

- Because you never study.

- Do you want us to bet?

- No need to do it, mister Robinson. I know you.

- Ok, we'll see, shall we?

Until the end of the class, mister Fitz didn't tell me anything. That way was better. I want to prove to him how wrong he is. That's why I will study hard on his subject. For that, I will need Ashley's help. I think she will be happy to hear that I want revenge on our science teacher. It's not exact revenge, but I want to prove him wrong.

When the class finished, I went to find Ashley. She was in front of her locker, talking with Nicole. I quickly greeted her and grabbed Ashley's hand. I dragged her into an empty classroom. After all, I don't want people to know she is my teacher. Someone might think we are dating, but I can quickly shut down the rumors.

- What was all of that?

- I need your help.

- For what?

- Mister Fitz.

- What did you do? Except for fighting with him again.

- He said that I would have a D on my next test. I want to prove him wrong and have an A.

- I know. So, you want to study?

- Yes, I do. Will you help me?

- With pleasure. Who knows when will be the next time?

- Thank you. When we'll start?

- This afternoon. You can choose where.

- At home. My parents will be there, and I want them to see that I'm not wasting my time.

- You are doing this for mister Fitz or your parents?

- Both.

- Sounds good to me. Let's go now.

Ashley and I walked to our next class. On the lunch break, I was with the boys. I can invite her with us, but people will think that we are getting close. All of this is only business. I took my tray with food and sat down. I can't wait to eat all of this. Let's say that I skipped breakfast. I didn't want to face my parents. We are still on bad terms. For now, I am ignoring them. The talk with them wasn't successful.

- Man, do you have plans for the afternoon? - Jason asked

- Yes, I do. I will be with Ashley.

- Did I miss something?

- I need her help for mister Fitz.

- What do you mean? - Ben asked

- He is sure I'll have a D on my next test. I want to prove him wrong.

- You know that you have to study hard for that.

- I do. That's why I asked the nerd for help.

- I think that you have to stop calling her names. - Adam said

- Why?

- Because this girl takes off her time to teach you. It's not easy when you haven't studied at all.

- I agree with him. She spends a lot of time with you. - Rayan said

- Fine, but I will keep the single lady nickname.

- Dude, seriously. - Jason said

- What? I like it.

- Why do you call her like that? Ashley is not the only single girl in school.

- True, but she gets mad. I like it.

- You know that if a boy annoys a girl, it means he likes her.

- I prefer to drink spoiled milk than like her.

- You know she is over there, right?

- So?

- Don't you think this was mean?

- She doesn't like me either.

- You need to appreciate her more. - Ben said

- Why? Because she is with me.

- Yes. Ashley could've denied the offer.

- Why is everyone on her side?

- Because she is not guilty of anything, but you are still mean to her.

- I treat everyone the same way. Well, except you.

- You can try to be good.

- That is not happening. If people don't like me the way I am, that is their problem.

- What about the future? You can't always play football. You will have friends and maybe a family. Your own.

- I don't need a girlfriend. Also, you are my friends.

- You realize that after school, we'll go in different ways.

- So you will leave me?

- I didn't say that. I mean, we won't spend that much time together.

- This means I won't have any friends.

- Don't talk like that. We'll always be by your side. - Adam said

- We'll see.

Until the end of the classes, I didn't talk with the boys. After my last one, Ashley and I went home. My parents said that they would work from home today. That is why I want us to study there. We walked in, and I let her into the living room. It got occupied by my parents. We can be in the backyard. It's sunny, and I don't want to be inside.

- Can we go into the backyard?

- Yeah, sure. I can get ready, and you can bring us water.

- Yes, ma'am.

- Very funny.

I came from the kitchen and saw all the books on the ground. It won't be easy, but I don't plan on giving up. I sat down next to Ashley and gave her the bottle.

- From where do you want us to start?

- I want you to teach me everything the next test will include.

- These are seven lessons.

- I don't care. I want to know everything.

- I don't know what happened to you, but I like this version.

- Let's say I got tired of people who don't believe in me.

- I understand the pain.

- It's not a pain. Anyways, let's start. If it's necessary, can you stay after dinner?

- We can continue tomorrow.

- True, but we have other subjects.

- Ok, I will stay here as long as you need me. I mean for studying.

- Don't worry, I don't need you for anything else. - I said, chuckling

Ashley and I studied for three hours. She made small cards with the questions from each lesson, which can be in our next test. I hope this can help me. She asked me every question on the cards, and I answered them. I don't know what else I have to do. I want to have a good grade.

- Do you want us to take a break?

- Did you get tired? - I asked her

- No, but I don't want to t*****e you more.

- I need your help.

- Avery, you know all the questions.

- But it's not enough.

- What else do you want? - she asked, chuckling

- To beat the boss. - I said, and she laughed

- Good luck with that.

- I know you can help me.

- Everything that I teach you is all that I know. I don't know everything, but it's enough for me to have good grades.

- Do your magic and make me clever.

- If it worked like that, I would've done it in the beginning.

- Please. I'll do whatever you say.

- I suggest you help me.

- Ok, what do I have to do?

- You are the coach.

- Ok, you can run ten laps. Then do twenty push-ups and a two-minute plank.

- Yes, sir.

- Very funny.

Ashley did everything I told her, and she wasn't even tired. This girl is getting better every day. Let's hope that I am doing the same. I need to have good grades. That way, people might leave me alone. Also, I haven't been in detention since I started studying with Ashley. It's not like I do it, thanks to her. She won't go to one, and we'll lose much time. I gave her other exercises while I was reading the cards. Soon, she sat down next to me. It was a good day for her. I don't think I need to train her anymore. She will pass the class without any problem.

- You are getting better.

- Thank you.

- I don't think you need me anymore.

- That's not true. I still need your help.

- You will pass the class.

- Don't you want to train with me?

- I do, but now I have other priorities.

- Wasn't football the main one?

- Not anymore. I need to focus on studying.

- You are joking. Right?

- No, I'm not. Why?

- Avery, you can't leave the football aside. That was your dream.

- It still is, but if I want to play, I must pass my classes.

- You haven't played in two weeks. I mean, without the practices.

- What do you mean?

- Don't leave your dream. I see how much effort you put into studying. That will pay off. I'm sure about it.

- My parents will say that I'm wasting time.

- So? Do you care? I thought you wanted to prove them wrong.

- I still do.

- Then, for what are you waiting? Come on. Let's play.

- Do you even know how to play?

- No, but it can't be that hard.

- If I slightly push you, your face will kiss the ground.

- Do it.

- Ok, then. I hope you won't get hurt.

- Don't worry about me. I have only one question.

- Which is?

- What am I supposed to do?

- Run with the ball. Don't let me take it from your hands. The chair over there will be the line. If you cross it with the ball in your hands, it will be a touchdown.

- Ok, cool.

We played for an hour. Ashley has no idea what she is doing, but it doesn't matter. I let her score some points. Later, I went back to studying. Soon, she walked up to me.

- What?

- I scored points.

- You realize that I let you do it.

- What?

- Ashley, you had no idea what you were doing.

- So? I had fun.

- Let's study now.

- Avery, I'm tired.

- Seriously?

- Can we play a bit more? Please.

- Hey, football is my thing. You are the nerd.

- Maybe, but you left it.

- Fine, let's play.

Both of us played for another hour. It looks like we'll have a late dinner. I saw how my parents looked at us, but I ignored them. Ashley isn't wrong. I did leave the football, and it was my priority. I need to think about what is important to me. I have to study, but this shouldn't be my number one thing on the list. I want to be the best, and I need to train for that. It was good that Ashley put some sense into me. I got lost. The thing is that I have too much work to do and less time. It's my fault, but I don't want to cut off the football. I hope that after the tests, I can focus on my games again. That is all I want to do.