Teachable Moments

Chapter 3

"Can I help you?"

I try to keep the irritation out of my voice, but it does little to combat my uncomfortableness.

Mr. Etton, I believe the teacher called him just lifts a corner of his thin lips and shrugs.

"I haven't decided yet," he admits shamelessly.

I blink in confusion before giving up and turning my attention back to the lesson.

Of all people, why did this weirdo have to sit next to me?

•••

Grant POV

Standing outside the classroom door, I contemplate walking out.

I shouldn't have to do this. I'll be eighteen in a couple months. Kingsley is just being difficult. If

only he'd hire me or support my decision to find a job instead of wasting precious time in a

classroom.

God, why did mom have to get caught selling?

Amidst my internal dilemma, I make eye contact with a round and half bald man who looks to be

the teacher for senior world history II.

Figuring it's too late to back out now, I walk in and extend my hand that holds the office slip I

was given.

The man looks over his glasses to read it and I look around at the curious stares in the room

awkwardly.

Hello fellow inmates.

There are clearly way more boys than girls here, but I do catch sight of a girl in the back with

very long black hair. It catches the dull lighting from the school bulbs and shines proudly,

obviously well taken care of. If only she'd lift her head.

The teacher tells me he'll assign help if I need it and tells me to pick a seat.

Immediately, I make way to the side of the raven haired girl that isn't occupied by the living Ken

doll. Is that her boyfriend?

I decide the only way to find out is to see if he gets jealous when I give her all my attention, but

not wanting to get called to the principal's office on the first day and deal with an angry

Kingsley, I decide staring will suffice.

She ignores me completely, causing me to fight off a smile. She definitely noticed me. Taking

notes seems to be her alibi as she lifts her head to copy the board. Pale skin contrasts her dark

hair and her long dark lashes certainly get a second glance. Are they fake? Her legs seem quite

long, despite the fact that I know she's shorter than me and her nose is pointed cutely at the end.

If I have to suffer, I'm glad I'm doing so next to her.

After a few minutes, she puts down her pen and glares at me.

"Can I help you?"

She's clearly annoyed, but I'd say the guy on her other side certainly isn't her boyfriend if he

hasn't come to her rescue yet.

"I haven't decided yet," I say.

It's true. I haven't. She could be of great use to me. A tutor? Is that what the teacher suggested if I

have any trouble? I believe it was and judging by this girl’s extensive notes alone, I'm sure I

could get a session with her.

She'd make an impressive impact on my image in front of Kingsley. Maybe he'd take me more

seriously if I was being responsible in school AND got a girlfriend hotter than he'd ever have.

He might f**k girls and then disregard them after he's used them, but he respects the women he

doesn't sleep with on a strange level.

This could benefit me in more ways than one. I need a good shag buddy anyway.

She's perfect and I have a plan.