Two Steps Behind

CHAPTER 6

I blinked a few times when he smiled at me. His teeth were as white as milk and his jawline was perfectly formed. He is undeniably attractive in near sight and cuter when he smiles. 

"Oh, hi. I'm Raven." I stared at him for a second. I can't be mistaken. He is really him. 

Peachie snapped her fingers in the air taking me back in consciousness. "Hey, Blythe. This is Raven, my classmate. The one I have told you," she said. 

I cleared a throat then extended my hand on him. "Ah– H-hi. I'm Blythe," I introduced myself. He reached for my hand with a smile. His hand is not as smooth as I expected. It is slightly rough, he might be a hardworking guy. That's what everyone says when you have a rough hand. 

"Sorry," he uttered as he pulled back his hand. He looked down, feeling embarrassed. "No, it's fine," I answered. 

"D-do you r-remembered me?" I inquired in curiosity. He didn't even mention a single thing about our past. 

He lifted his view on me with a creased forehead. "I don't. Have we met before?" he asked back. 

I was about to open my mouth but Peachie together with her classmates made an exaggerated cough and clearing of throats. I scratched my nape while Raven released an awkward smile. 

"I-I will go now. I don't want to disturb you all," I spoke. 

"No. You can stay here, Blythe." A girl named Stella responded. 

"You can sit with us," Carl insisted. 

I raised my hand on the air to decline the offer. "No, I have my class also. Thank you for the invitation," I told them with a smile. 

Before I left, I faced Raven. "Ah– just ask Peachie my number. I'll go ahead." I smiled at him then turned my hell on the exit door. 

Raven. His name is Raven. The guy I almost hit on my birthday. No, not almost. He was struck and pretended everything was alright. He acted as if he was not hit by a car, but was just bump by a bike. What a moron engineer. 

I smiled while reminiscing what happened earlier. I would like to open up the issue again but I doubted if it's the right time to discuss that matter. He is very serious and I think he would not spare time for nonsense forgotten accidents. 

"Here, answer that." I raised my eyebrow at him as he drew the paper near me. Is he expecting me to answer that equation that I don't even know how to solve? 

"I can't. That is complicated. I hired you because I need help–" he cut me off. 

"I just want to know your capacity and scope of knowledge," he blurted while spinning the pen on his hand, still his eyes are on the book. 

I slammed my hand on the table causing a loud thud. "Are you insulting me?" I spat with a sharp stare. 

My good impression of him suddenly shattered. Men are really just good at first and later on show off their true colors. If only I had a chance to pick another good tutor, I would replace him right away. Right now. This time! 

"I did not say anything insulting," he deadpanned. 

I gritted my teeth and formed my hand into balls. I want to punch his face! Arrogant engineer! He lifted his view on me, still looks serious. 

"Don't waste your time killing me on your thoughts. That would spend much of your brain cells. Better make use of the time wisely." I rolled my eyes. 

"Whatever," I replied then grabbed the paper and the pen he asked me to answer. I don't want to waste my limited brain cells for an arrogant man like him. 

We are here in the Coffee shop near my house. I offered him to study at home but he declined. His excuse? To avoid issues. He doesn't even think that being together in a public place would be prone to issues he was avoiding. 

"The questions are way difficult for me," I murmured as I pushed the paper back at him. I answered some of the problems but not all. And worst? I'm not even sure if I got it right. 

Sometimes, I thought of life being unfair. It's not fair that I am having a hard time solving problems while others were too chill about it. In some instances, there are people who have everything, the looks, attention, brain and everything a person could ask for but why not also me? I mean… the positives are not equally divided. 

Unfairness. No one's priority. An option. I felt that all the time. Just a rebound. I don't know why I am thinking and feeling that way. Still not enough even with my friends' presence. 

I was taken back in consciousness when Raven spoke. "Are you listening?" 

"Huh?" I asked in a creased forehead, confused. "Are you saying something?" 

"Nothing. I said nothing other than your three over ten score," he replied straight to my face. I know I'm not good at it, he's too vulgar. 

I placed my chin on my hand, giving him a tired look. "I already told you that–" he cut me off. 

"Not bad." My eyes grew in circles as he continued writing on his paper. "I think what matters here is how you think things out. You tattooed in your mind that you can't solve and do the math, that's why you need a tutor. Everything you dictate in your mind would control and affect the entire you." He lifted his view on me. "It's not how good you are but it's the matter of thinking, trust and confidence," he added. 

I gaped. "O-okay." That's the only word that came out in my mouth. I'm totally speechless while staring at him. 

"I gave you difficult problems so that it would be easier for you to answer if your professor gave you a hard one." I nodded at him. It makes sense but can't he consider me at least? 

He leaned forward on the table and showed me some solutions. "This is how you do it," he said. 

Meanwhile, after his discussion, I leaned my back on the seat then shut my eyes. I'm getting dizzy of the numbers. 

"I'm tired. My head hurts. I guess my brain cells, veins and nerves bombarded and exploded all together," I commented while massaging the temples. This is a total headache. 

I heard him heaved a sigh. "Alright, let's continue this tomorrow or in your free time. Just drop me a message.". 

"Sure," I replied, slowly opening my eyes. I reached my wallet in my bag. "Here's your advance payment," I continued, handing him Five thousand pesos. 

He accepted it right away and counted. His right eyebrow raised. "Isn't it enough?" I inquired and was about to get another thousand but he stopped me. 

"Are you sure about this?" He asked back. "This is too much for an hour of service," he added. Oh, I didn't know the rate of a tutor actually. But, it doesn't matter. It's just money and I have lots. 

I grabbed the coffee on my side and took a few gulps. "I asked for a hassle service which deserves a big prize. I wondered if Peachie told you that it's not a favor but a part-time job," I spoke. He nodded as a response. 

"This is too much but I won't decline the offer. Thank you," he replied while packing his things out. 

Now, I am more confused about this man's social status. I wonder if he was just being independent by his parents, needs money for some hang-outs and personal needs or just… financially unstable? But, nah. He doesn't even look like he is struggling and striving for living.