Meet The Coach

Lesson 11: Teach The Player Math

Lesson 11: Teach The Player Math

The weekend went smoothly. I didn't so much have that relaxing warm bath on Friday night, instead, I postponed it to Saturday afternoon. I sent the rest of the day at home - pigging out. Occasionally texting Sandy or even Hailey. On Sunday, Sandy came over and surprisingly didn't even say a word about Carter. Instead, she was gushing about the slumber party we had planned on Thursday night. With her plans, we were definitely staying up til school the next day.

It was Monday. I walked towards the maths classroom, alone it felt very much like it did a month ago - on my first day. Though now I did know my way and I knew people too. I smiled at everyone in the corridors, everyone was buzzed - it was the last week til Summer began. I entered the maths class, Mr Bolton was almost as chirpy as Sandy was this morning. I sat on my seat. She or her brother was nowhere in sight.

I looked into my doodle pad. I had many pages that I had filled in the maths lesson. I then started to feel sorry for the trees. Maybe I should put my paper to good use, I mused.

I looked up and Sandy came in. She smiled and waved at me excitedly. She sat beside me and was just about to start talking but the teacher did instead. "Good morning Ladies and Gentleman." As Mr Bolton said this the whole class silenced.

"Good morning Sir," we replied - slightly more lively than usual.

Carter walked in. I rolled my eyes at him - of course, he'll come now.

"It's glad to see that you have joined us, Carter," Mr Bolton greeted politely. Instead of a smirk, Carter nodded and walked to his seat. Which was behind me. "Okay since everyone is here. I can give you your task." The whole class groaned - asides me. I need something productive to do. Last week or not. "Yes I know it's the last week and I don't care how badly you might be cursing me in your head. You're getting the task anyway."

I looked around the classroom people were either sighing in despair or scowling. Sandy included.

"They're some brain teasers. There surely isn't any point of teaching anything new. I'll have to repeat it next year. I'll give the sheets to the people at the front and they'll pass them back. I don't want the volume too high or you will work in silence. Understand?" Everyone nodded. I suppose that's why I appreciated Mr Bolton, he's a lively teacher but gains respect from all his students.

Carter included.

Mr Bolton passed me some sheets and did the same with everyone in the first row. I grabbed one and passed the others to Carter. I turned back and took out a pencil to start the teasers.

"Hey Bree," Carter said from behind me.

Oh God no.

I ignored him. It's like a bug right? Ignore it and it'll eventually go away. "Bree!" He called again.

I chewed the edge of the pencil. I scribbled some notes on the side of the page whilst doing a quick equation in my head. I jotted down the answer to the first question and read the second. "Oh c'mon Bree. I know you can hear me."

I know I can hear you to Carter, but that doesn't mean I need to reply.

"Bree I need help."

I continued to chew on the edge of the pencil, frown lines appeared my head. Suddenly, I felt a weight on the back of my hair. My hair was brushing against his shoes. I swiftly shifted my hair so it fell over one of my shoulders.

My neck was exposed. "Oh, so you do acknowledge me."

Can that stupid teenager writing my life right now cut it out?

Maybe I should speak to Sandy to annoy Carter... I looked over to her, she was talking to someone on the other side of her. She turned and gave me a knowing smile and wink.

I glowered at her. "Bree baby... please talk to me. I'm sorry." Carter's voice mirrored the voice of a miserable 7 year old, finally apologizing to his mom for stealing a cookie from the cookie jar.

An idea came to mind. If he was going to annoy me I might as well give him something to look at.

I stretched randomly. I linked both of my arms in the air and linked my fingers. I stretched to the side and I knew that Carter would tilt his head to catch a glimpse of my waist as my t-shirt bridged up. Next, I leaned back slightly, just so my back and the base of his shoes were a hairsbreadth apart. I started to weave my fingers through my hair next, I played with the edges examining for split ends or whatnot but made sure to show Carter I was answering the questions at the same time.

And he doesn't say anything. What a pervert. I've barely done anything.

Slowly, I felt Carter lower his feet to the ground. I flicked my hair over my shoulder and let it cascade down my back. I leaned forward silently and wrote down the answer to another question.

If I get another peep out of him. I'll answer him.

I adjusted my hair to my opposite shoulder, this time due to the slightly wide neck I was wearing my red bra strapped peeped out. I was close to hiding it but left it.

It shuts him up.

Oh, I was so tempted to look behind me and look at Carter. I could feel his gaze burn a hole into my bra strap. Damn, he's easy.

It was until another 5 minutes. I had nearly completed the sheet and he finally spoke. "Bree I need help," he mumbled. I smirked at his weak voice.

I turned around and looked at him. He was slightly dazed - I tried hard not to chuckle. "You can help yourself. I mean you did quiet down for about 7 minutes."

Carter was speechless. "Well, I was trying to work out the question but failed. I really do need your help."

Liar. "There are 20 other students in the room. Ask them."

"You look like you need company," he stated. Smooth Carter was coming back... Not for long.

"Oh... well that explains why I ignored you," I replied sardonically.

Carter held my gaze for a moment. I bit my lip. He looked at my lip.

Why so hormonal on this Monday morning Carter? Sure you don't have Clara but you have like 1000 other girls. Right?

Okay, Bree, that's being mean. He has reasons remember?

"You needed help?" I reminded him. He nodded, looking back into my eyes. Confusion in his eyes. "Where do you need help?"

Carter shook his head. Almost to pull himself together. He smirked - that's the Carter I know. "I don't need help really."

"Then why were you bothering me?" I inquired.

"You might deny it Bree but you want someone to talk to."

I rolled my eyes at him and turned back to my seat. I hid my bra strap. A paper fell onto my desk. First I thought it was Carter but it was his twin instead.

Sandy: Lesson 11: Teach the player math!

I turned to Sandy and gave her the 'are you kidding me' look. She smiled sweetly. I scribbled down my response.

Bree: I'm beginning to think a 2-year-old is naming these lessons. Teach him math really?!

I chucked the note back at Sandy and looked at my paper. And as I did Carter called me again. "C'mon Bree. Do you want to leave poor little Carter all lonely?"

I didn't turn to him as I gave my response. "Like I said there are 20 more students in the class."

Sandy threw the paper back.

Sandy: Yes, really!!! Now turn to him and give him a lesson he'll never forget!

I immediately wrote down a response.

Bree: And exactly what math will I teach him?

Carter spoke again. "But Bree I thought we were friends."

We are friends... why am I being a meanie? Oh right, I don't want him to 'fall' for me. I sighed.

I passed the note back to Sandy and turned back to Carter. "Fine. What would you like to talk about Carter?"

This caught Carter off guard. Sandy sent me the note, clearly not caring I was in front of her brother.

Sandy: Oh that's simple! Bree + Carter = ♥

Carter still hadn't replied so I scribbled a response to Sandy quickly.

Bree: Shut up Cassandra!!

I smiled at the use of her full name.

"Uh. How was your weekend?" He asked randomly.

"It was good. I chilled all weekend long. How was yours?" I replied honestly, I looked up at him to show I was paying attention.

"It was alright. Kinda slow," he said. I bit the inside of my mouth to stop myself remarking something regarding Clara. Sandy threw the paper back at me.

Sandy: FYI it's Sandy and you're changing him. He hasn't touched a girl since dropping you home on Friday! That's 3 days!

I smirked at the paper.

Bree: Oh my gosh! :O It's a record!!

I passed it back to her. "I love how inconspicuous you and Sandy are being," Carter commented sarcastically. "Why don't you just talk aloud?"

"What's the fun in that? And why do you care?" I questioned.

"Are you talking about me?"

Yes.

"No," I lied smoothly. "Bras this time."

I got the paper.

Sandy: Harhar! I'm being serious, the lessons are working!

Bree: I don't think so. Maybe Carter's mourning over Clara or something.

Sandy: Bree we both know that is bullshit.

Bree: Hey! I don't know. I'm not his mind.

Sandy: But you are his heart ♥

We sent the notes back and forth and Carter didn't say a word. But he was deadly curious.

Yet before I could reply to her, Carter ripped the paper from my head. Momentarily my eyes popped out of my head before I was on my seat and was wrestling Carter for the paper.

"C'mon Bree. I wanna see what you've written about bras," he whined and started to unfold the paper.

Shit. s**t. s**t. s**t. I then grabbed the paper and it tore in half. I was about to yank the other half but he had already opened it and was reading.

SHIT!

I pulled it out of his hand and monitored his face. His face paled. He looked just like he just regretted he took the paper.

My heart started to beat 100 miles an hour - oh gosh this is the end. He knows about the coach thing. He'll never look at me in the same way. He'll question everything I do.

Why do I care if he would start to treat me differently? Isn't that what I wanted?

Carter coughed awkwardly. I furrowed my eyebrows and read what he previously read.

I roared in laughter. Oh, I love Sandy so much. How does she know? I won't question it. "See I told you. I knew you wouldn't want to read it. Regret it?"

"Yep. Remind me not to do that ever again."

"With pleasure," I said. Carter grimaced at the word pleasure. I laughed again.

"Well hello darling," a masculine voice greeted. I looked up and saw a guy I had seen a few times before but never engaged conversation with.

"You talking to me?" I asked keeping my voice polite. I looked up at him. He was good looking - I'd give him that. He had scruffy blonde hair and chocolate eyes. Maybe every girl's dream. So why is he here?

"Yes, darling. You look like you need someone to talk to," he commented.

And now I understand why people say all teen boys are the same.

"Well if you haven't noticed we're kind of in a conversation," Carter pointed out rudely. I rolled my eyes at his tone.

"You mean you're in the middle of seducing her with your words?" The guy amended before plopping himself down next to me.

I wanted to reply with something on the lines of 'he wishes' but I'll be nice. "What can I do for you?"

"You're already doing enough. It's not every day that I get to sit by a beautiful woman, such as yourself," he said smoothly. I had a feeling that he was expecting a girly giggle.

"Uh... thanks?" I appreciated and smiled.

"You know I've always been meaning to talk to you - ever since I lay my eyes on you on your first day."

I was slightly touched but I wasn't sure if I could believe the sincerity in his eyes. "Why didn't you?" I asked.

"I didn't have the guts."

"Oh, you're disgusting. Save your sappy story for someone who cares, she's not interested," Carter snapped venomously.

"I could say the same about you, Cohen. What were you telling her, how loud you can make her scream?" The guy retaliated harshly.

The guy looked back at me, his gaze softened and he gave me a thousand watt smile. "The name's Lucas, but you can call me Luke."

As he said this - since my body was facing Carter and I was partially leaning on his desk - I could feel the tension from Carter. It thickened with every syllable that came out of Luke's mouth. "Hi... Luke. I'm Bree. Bree Opal," I introduced. Luke raised his hand forward to shake, not wanting to be rude, I twisted in my seat and accepted the gesture. His hand felt too big and his grasp was too strong.

I let go of his lingering hand and placed my hand on my lap. "So Bree my darling. I was wondering you, me Friday night? A movie and then dinner, how does that sound?"

With the way he presented the offer, everything about him screamed 'PLAYER'.

Oh, God. Please don't say I have to deal with another player. Please.

Carter was glowering at Luke and if looks could kill he was dead three times over. I again cursed the teen writing this chapter of my life, I clenched my fists and exhaled slowly. "Sorry, Luke. I'm busy on Friday," I lied.

"Bummer, maybe sometimes during the summer?" Uh no.

I just smiled at him and looked down. In my peripheral vision, I saw Carter's hands clench, I looked at his face and his jaw was set but his eyes were uncertain.

I looked at Luke momentarily and he winked at me. Carter grabbed a pencil as if he was ready to stab Luke's eye.

How do you reject a guy nicely?

"Thanks but no thanks. Sorry, Luke, I prefer to stay single."

"There's nothing wrong with a little summer romance darling. But if that's how you like it, let me know when you change your mind. I'll be waiting."

Why bother Luke? According to Sandy, I'm going to end up falling for Carter. You're a month too late.

*

Throughout the lesson Luke continued to speak to me, occasionally hinting how awesome he thought he was or how I should go on a date with him.

To me, he just seemed like a guy with limited interests. Just as the bell rang, he asked me if I wanted to be walked to lunch. Carter got up and strode off before I could reply.

"I have something to do. I'm going to end up taking a while." I'll be in the bathroom cursing my luck.

Luke waved me goodbye and I relaxed. Luke's amiable chatter and Carter's rage seemed too much to bear in the remainder of the math lesson. I packed up everything and stood up. Sandy stood in front of me and held up a note.

I took it out of her hands and read it.

Sandy: Carter + Bree = ♥ Carter - Bree = :'(

I looked up at her, she was giving me a challenging look. "You know it's true," she proclaimed. "You can't deny his jealousy, Bree."

"Maybe I can't. But I still don't think he likes me. If you get what I mean? He looks uncertain, confused and lost."

"That's the first step. You're changing him, Bree."

I didn't believe what she had said but it was kind of true. He probably was changing and that's because of me. "I didn't teach him any math though."

"You kind of did. He just realised when another guy enters the equation, he doesn't like it. At all."

"Alright, alright," I accepted. There's no point arguing anymore. What we've been waiting for is happening.

"C'mon," Sandy started. "Do you want to grab some lunch?"

I frowned. "Not right now. I told Luke that I have to do something. I'll just hang around the restrooms a bit."

"Alright then. But make sure you do come okay?"

"Don't worry, I will," I assured.

We parted our ways. In the corridors, I was going the opposite way to everyone else. I turned to walk the long last corridor - the restroom was at the end. The corridors became uninhibited apart from one person.

Carter.

As I was walking towards the end I could see that he still clearly wasn't happy. He was jealous and I started to feel a little bad. I was kind of toying with his feelings...

I don't know if I should have done it but I stopped beside the locker, leaning on the other ones. The open locker door created a barrier between us. "Carter. Why are you mad?" I asked him softly. If I spoke any louder I felt like I would be shouting in the serenading silence.

Carter didn't answer. Well, of course, he didn't. I patted his shoulder, the action caused both of us to freeze due to the rush created.

"What do you want?' He grumbled.

"Why are you angry Carter?" I repeated.

"Aren't you supposed to go have lunch with Lucas?"

He said 'Lucas' with so much hatred almost as if venom was going to pour out of Carter's mouth at the sound of it. It actually scared me slightly.

"Well if it means anything to you, he's not my type. Too... limited. I mean he doesn't have anything to say that doesn't regard himself. That's not attractive you know," I thought allowed. Carter turned his head ever so slightly, his oceanic eyes examined my face.

"Why are you here?"

"Does that matter? You make a really cute jealous guy you know."

"Don't call me cute Bree."

"Fine. Cute or boy toy? Take your pick."

Carter didn't answer. He shook his head and closed his locker. "I'm not going to answer that."

"You don't need to. I'm calling you cute." I smiled at Carter cheekily, his stubborn, full lips turned up fractionally. "C'mon, let's go to the Cafeteria."

Carter didn't answer, he just led the way. We didn't really talk, the silence seemed too comfortable.

We opened the Cafeteria doors, a dramatic noise was made causing all the attention to be drawn to us. Clara was glaring. Luke looked curious. And Sandy was smiling like it was Christmas.