Mackenzie

Chapter 30

My eyes ran over the pages of the test paper and I started to write. The questions weren't difficult and I was happy I'd read into the night. It was just worth it.

The class was quiet and my mind couldn't help but wander even as I wrote. How was mom doing at the moment? Did Tanner really see me as a slut? How was he even doing in his test?

I shook my head. That was none of my business. I don't give a s**t about him. He hurt me.

Anyway, how much would I make in a month from my job? I should calculate that.

Quit thinking and write your test. Subconscious was right. I took a quick look around the class. Some people were smiling to themselves. Some were even asleep. Speaking of asleep, I looked at Ryan. His eyes were wide open and he was writing, Gabi smiling. Surely, she was helping him out.

I turned back to my paper, bringing my pencil to it, solving another problem.

∆•∆ Tanner's POV ∆•∆

How the hell can she not want to tutor me again?

You can't blame her, you scumbag!

Of course, I couldn't blame her. She was the only one who had taken in my s**t for such a long time, usually, people give up on me.. surprisingly, even guys gave up on me, not to talk of the girls I'd treated like trash. I honestly don't regret treating them like that, to be honest.

Mackenzie was the only girl I'd ever let to come this close.. no girl had ever been​ to my house. No girl had been my seatmate, all the ones that tried couldn't keep up with my attitude and they left the seat.

It wasn't because I wanted Mackenzie this close to me, I just couldn't help it. I didn't know what it was.

I threw a quick glance at her, her lips caught between her teeth and her eyebrows furrowed as she wrote. She looked ​extremely unhappy and hurt and I felt very guilty. Hell, I'd started feeling guilty after I walked away from her at her house. It had taken everything in me not to go back and apologize. I honestly didn't want to make her feel worse than she already felt, but once I started talking, I wouldn't stop. I guess I was proud after all. There was just something about the way seeing that f*****g guy in her house made me feel. What came over must have been-

"Ten minutes more, guys!" Mrs Martinez announced and I pushed my thoughts aside and went back to the shitted test I was going to fail anyway.

¶¶ End of POV ¶¶

Quite satisfied with what I'd written, I nodded lightly as my mind wandered off again.

I sighed inwardly as I read through what I'd written​.

"Time's up! I want to see your pencils up. All of you, your pencils up!"

Everyone put their pencils up, except Tanner who tapped his pencil against his desk.

"Pass your papers forward." She instructed, and we all did, sound of rustling paper irritating my ear.

"Thanks guys, expect to see your results first thing Monday, during the class." Mrs Martinez smiled as she walked out of the class.

While everyone made small talk amongst themselves, I grabbed my bag, getting up from my seat. I saw Tanner get up too and I could swear he opened his mouth to say something, but thankfully Ryan stepped in front of me.

"Kenzi." He called.

"Ryan" I smiled nervously​. "How was your test?"

He smiled widely,"It was great... And it was all from my brain, y'know..."

My eyes widened, but then, I squinted and tilted my head to one side as I looked at him. He cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair as he said, "Okay, it was actually all from Gabi's", and then his expression changed into a serious one as he raised an eyebrow,"Really, Kenzi, chestnut?"

I sighed as I looked around, class already empty,"I'm sorry, Ryan."

"Why didn't you just tell me?"

"See, I know you and Tanner are friends-"

"Are you seriously worried about our friendship. He called my best friend a slut. He called you a slut."

I bit my lip,"I just didn't want you going to meet him and-"

"Makes no difference, because that's what I'm going to do. He took things way too far, Kenzi-"

"I know, but please... I don't want you confronting him."

"Why? He has to apologize"

"He doesn't have to."

"Right. So you were okay with him calling you a slut?"

"No, Ryan. I wasn't! But.. but, it'd just be better if I let it go. I'd focus on my job and... And-"

"You're still gonna have to tutor him."

"No, I don't. I already told Jesse to inform him that I'm no longer interested in being his tutor. C'mon Ryan.. please, don't​ confront him."

He seemed to think for a while, then he sighed, frowning,"Fine. But it's only because you asked."

"Thank you, Ryan." I flung my arms around him, "You better hug me back, Ryan Smith... And smile too."

"Ugh, you really are persuasive."

*****

My eyes roamed around the class when it was time for English, looking for Darren. I hadn't apologized for what happened when he was at my house the other day, and it only made sense that I should.

My eyes landed on him, seated in his seat as he looked down at his phone, just swiping. I walked to him and placed my hands on his table so he noticed my presence.

He looked up from his phone and smiled, "Hey."

"Hi." I smiled back, but the smile didn't last long when I remembered what I actually came to do. "Look, I just wanted to apologize for what happened the other day you were at my house."

This apologizing thing.. it was the second time I was apologizing to Darren because of something that had happened with Tanner. I couldn't help but wonder if he thought there was something going on between Tanner and I.

"It's okay." He said with a smile, "But, uh... Are you okay, though?"

"Yeah... Yeah, I am."

Just then, Chanel came along and sat beside Darren. She smiled at me and greeted, "Hey!"

"Hi." I replied, smiling back, before finally turning around to walk to my seat.

English was quite boring. So, I did what I loved doing the most during a boring class. I looked around and studied everyone. Bambi and Jesse were looking at each other from time to time like idiots. Ryan was watching Bambi and Jesse too, occasionally rolling his eyes at Mr Finn. Lenore was asleep on Edward's shoulder.

Fucking cheat. My head screamed as I looked at innocent Edward. Darren stared blankly at the board and Chanel kept on blowing her gum. My eyes fell back on Bambi and this time, her cheeks​ were a light shade of red.

Oh, Bambi....

*****

"I don't know, we just kept on looking at each other and...", Bambi's voice trailed off and I chuckled, "This is what he does to other girls, right?" She looked at me.

I shrugged, "You should know." I smiled at her.

"What's happening to me?"

"I've told you the answer to that before, you've caught feelings. That's it. Look, I know it's hard figuring out if he actually likes you or he wants to play with you​, but the fact is, you are falling and that's why you were blushing like an i***t in class."

"Hey, I saw them." Ryan appeared beside us.

"Some power you have." I rolled my eyes, referring to his ability to appear at a place from nowhere.

"You did?" Bambi's eyes widened.

"Yeah. One, the class was boring.. two, I'm always looking out for you two anywhere, and I noticed Kenzi kept looking at you, so all I did was look at you too, and then I saw it."

Just then, Bambi started blushing badly.

"Oh, no!" Ryan and I groaned as we watched her cheeks go red.

"By the way, Kenzi, you didn't call me after you got back from work." Ryan looked at me, leaving Bambi to blush her cheeks out.

"Yes, I did." I replied, also leaving Bambi, "It only rang out."

"Oh, sorry... I was too busy studying." He nodded.

"Studying, Ryan?"

"Actually, I was asleep by then."

"Better." I smirked.

"Just so you know, you'd have to ride with Miss Blushington today."

"Ryan, are you actually going to let me ride with Bambi.. look at her!" We turned to look at Bambi who was still blushing.

"Oops." Ryan chuckled,"It's just that I promised Brooke's dad I'd come over today. He wants us to play video games."

"Really?" Bambi and I surprisingly said at the same time.

"Yep." Ryan nodded.

"That's so cool!" I said.

"I know, right!" Bambi smiled.

I was so excited for Ryan. Clearly, Brooke's dad wanted to spend time with him! He was even treating Ryan like his son. It'd be nice to have a father figure in my life.. someone who would do better than my dad and do fun stuff with me.

"So, Kenzi is riding with me." Bambi smirked at me.

"How did you know?" I looked at her.

"I heard you two.." then she smirked again, "I also knew when you two turned to look at me."

Ryan and I looked at each other, then chuckled.

"Okay. I'd just stand here and watch two of laugh, while I wonder what's funny."

"Hey guys!" We turned to see Brooke smiling as she got to us.

"Hey Brooke!" Bambi and I waved, smiling at her.

"What's happening?" She smiled.

"Ryan and Kenzi here were laughing at a joke I didn't seem to get, so I just stood watching them."

Brooke chuckled.

I shrugged, "She wouldn't understand. How was school today?" I looked at Brooke.

"Oh, school was fine." Ryan answered, "We had this test today andy seatmate was a darling-"

"Not you, Ryan... Brooke." I smiled and Ryan huffed, "Well played, Kenzi."

Bambi and Brooke let out a low chuckle.

"School was just fine." Brooke nodded.

"Hey girl, you ready to go?" Ryan looked at Brooke.

"With Bambi, no." I shook my head.

"Not you, Kenzi... Brooke." Ryan laughed and walked away with Brooke, after she'd waved a bye.

*****

Lucky for me, Bambi wasn't having an extra class. Right, so I was meant to be on my way home, yeah?

But, no. I was standing beside Bambi's car, with her not even here! She should have been nice enough to leave the keys with me.

I rested my palm on my chin as I waited for her to come out of wherever she was, and then, something caught my eyes.

Lenore stood with that guy. This time, they held hands, laughing. He wrapped his an arm around her waist as they walked to his car. Just as I was about to take a quick picture as proof to Bambi, they quickly entered the car and drove off. I sighed in frustration.

"You slook like a frustrated child." Bambi walked up to the car

"Of course." I huffed

"What's up?"

"Just when I thought I should take a picture of Lenore and mystery guy, they get into the car and he drives off!"

"Are you still on their case?"

"I tell you, Bambi, She is cheating on Edward."

"Well, what if they're siblings?"

"What is this, another Ryan story? Besides those two kiss like hungry animals!"

Bambi laughed, "Hungry animals?"

"Yes, Bambi." I said seriously. "By the​ way, where'd you go? You left me standing here!"

"First. Can we get into the car?" She unlocked the car and we got in.

"So what's up?" I asked

"Jesse asked if we could hang out!" She squealed

"Really? Tomorrow?"

"Yeah!"

"Right. I'm excited for you, but.. one thing, though."

"What?"

"Don't come over to my house because you're freaking out."

"Oh, Kenzi. I already planned on coming!.. but not because I'd be freaking out."

"Great. You're welcome, then..."

Bambi squealed and threw arms around me.

"Bambi, can we move? I got work later today."

"Right." she nodded, pulling away from me and turning on the ignition and driving away from the school building.

I rested my head against the car window, looking forward to work again, especially when I was working with someone like Kora.