Hold On

THIRD

Aurora

"Okay, so our teacher likes to work in sections which makes it easy when we have to study. I scanned all of my written notes for each section and they are on this flash drive, you can write them into your book or you can print the sheets and stick them down, it's truly up to you but we are going to be working on all of the worksheets so you can hand them in for your marks." I am speechless. Hunter and I are sitting under a tree at school. School just ended and we agreed to meet here for our first tutor lesson, I didn't want to do it in the library as it was a beautiful sunny day today. He didn't argue, saying that it was a great idea. I didn't expect Hunter to be this prepared though, I actually assumed that we were going to have to come up with a game plan before we got some actual work done. To say I was impressed would be an understatement.

"Wow, you're really prepared for this." I took the flash drive from his hand, giggling slightly at how cute he was.

"Yeah....I just figured that you would understand the written work easily since it's an AP class and whatever you didn't get, I'm sure you would just ask about." I would dare say that Hunter looked slightly uncomfortable with the amount of effort he put into this, like he didn't want me to notice it.

Adorable.

"Okay, lets start with the first sheet then-"

Picking a random worksheet I placed it on my hardcover book in front of us.

" Okay, this is a booklet, so I will read it and fill the answers in with pencil then to tell me what I got wrong?" turning my head to see him answer, I hope that that will be okay.

"Perfect, while you do that I am going to finish some of my own work but don't hesitate to ask me questions okay, that's what I am here for after all" he said, giving me a cheeky grin.

Laughing I turned back to my booklet and started reading.

Okay, Molecular Genetics (11 marks)

1. What did Franklin, Crick, Watson and Wilkins do to explain the structure of DNA?

OR How were PCR and RFLP discovered? (2 marks)

"You got three questions wrong but other than those, you did great. I put the correct answer at the bottom. Let's work for another 30 minutes then we can pack up" Hunter had been patient while I answered the worksheet, It was one of the biggest ones so it took me about 30 minutes to answer, in that time Hunter had finished his work, answered the few questions I had when I would get stuck and sat quietly waiting for me to finish.

I didn't feel uncomfortable in his presence and as strange as it seems, I wasn't nervous with him watching my work....if anything, I felt like could concentrate better as apposed to when I had to ask him to tutor me.

So we worked for another 30 minutes, I picked a booklet that was a bit more challenging which had us talking more. When it was time to leave I was a bit disappointed, it was nice doing work with Hunter around.

We said our goodbyes and I thanked him for helping me and for the flash drive and started to head home. Him walking to his car and me to the bus stop.

Today was a good day.

*****

Today is interesting.

This morning, one of Hunter's friends came up to me, her name is Maddison, and told me that I would be joining them for lunch today.

I was about to decline but she cut me off, saying that I had no choice in the matter.

So here I am, at the lunch table with a group of people I don't know. Hunter being no exception.

It was quiet since I sat down and just as I thought about getting up and leaving someone broke the silence.

"So where are you from Aurora?" the pretty blond girl, who's name I was told is Rachel.

"I was born in Cali but my family moved to Boston when I was in fifth grade."

"So why did you guys move here then, especially for your last year of high school?" It was Lilah who asked this question, she was very pretty too, with ginger hair.

"Business, besides. I didn't mind leaving." I felt bad for lying but it was better than telling them the truth. Besides, I just met them. I didn't want them to treat me like a charity case.

"Did you all grow up here or are you from other places?" I asked, trying to focus the attention on someone else.

"Well, they all grew up together, I was born in France but moved here when I was 3 and was instantly welcomed into the group. We were all at the same pre K." Hunter answered my question, he had this lazy grin on his face, as if recalling that exact memory and by the looks of it, everyone else at the table remembered it too.

That sent a pang through my chest. I longed for my friends, we used to be a little family like the one I see here.

I didn't really talk much the rest of lunch period, feeling down because of the memories that resurfaced.

I thought I would be able to sit with this group, maybe it would help but I wasn't sure anymore.