1
"I recommend a tutor." The only four words I can remember coming out the mouth of Mr. Maxwell, one of the least helpful junior math teacher's here at North Side High.
It wasn't that I was bothered a tutor was a suggestion. I was bothered particularly at the fact that a tutor was the only suggestion out of all other things that could possibly help me excel in math. Perhaps, having a teacher who can actually get up and provide steps instead of having the class work thrown to us, can be the first move to my success in math.
To really all the students success in the class.
I was never the type to struggle with the subject. If anything, math isn't as bad as many make it sound to be. It's just, when you're constantly doing the same thing over and over, it becomes exhausting. Due to the lack of interest, I gradually gave up in math, and my grades slowly started descending. I began to forgot basic formulas, and how to solve simple fractions. Partially that would be my fault, if I had to admit.
The most I was really able to do was exactly what my teacher had suggested. He told me to choose a tutor whom I may feel I could connect to. He rather have me choose than be placed with someone random, which didn't make the slightest difference, considering all the tutors on the list are completely random people to me. Never have I spoken to them, never have I simply saw them, and just over all, never have I met either one of them, so I tossed the mic back to Mr. Maxwell, and allowed him to decide.
As a result of deciding to give my teacher the choice of whom can provide the help I needed, I ended up with someone that I felt was most reliable. Someone who not only taught me simply math, but someone who taught me about life and life choices, mistakes and how to make up for them, love and how to love.
It must of started with the way he walked into the library. The classic blue jean jacket hiding the white plain shirt with the popular NASA logo on the far left corner; his right. Basic denim jeans; red converse. If I didn't know he was my tutor, I'd mistake him as any other student here, for he appeared as one.
It eased me after he shook my hand, smiled, and then said, "I'm Cameron Fusé, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'll be your tutor for the next two months."
Fusé. . .
I liked that. It had a really great ring to it.
It was spelt fuse like the wire used for explosives, only it wasn't pronounced that way. It was simply more than that. Fusé.
In a few split seconds, I was back into this reality. His eyes were gazing into mine, awaiting for my introduction that I so happened to miss. I couldn't understand why my nerves were so jumpy. Things like this always made me nervous. Meeting people in general makes me feel this way. I'm not anti social per se, but I do sometimes rather stick to myself.
"Lucio Martelli." I answer the silence that surrounds us both. "That's my name." I finish. A smile to brighten my racing nerves, gradually appears on my lips.
"Lucio." He pauses. "Lucio Martelli." He says again, this time his index finger pointing directly at me. The other hand stroked his bare chin as he thought. "Let me guess. . .Italian." His eyes peer at me as if he's trying to see through me, which surprisingly, he did. He guessed correct. The name must of have it away.
"Yes."
"Nice."
"Thanks." I reply unsure of what to say next. Maybe "thanks" was enough? I'm not completely aware of what someone is suppose to say after the term "nice" being used that way.
Our conversation wasn't the greatest, but it was getting somewhere. It was more of the let's-get-to-know-each-other talk. He told me about himself, and I told him about myself. He explained that he has a sister named Riley. His mother is Russian, yet born in the sweet land of America, while his father is French, also born in America. He was raised back in Mississippi, but he had just graduated in a university here in California. He mentioned that the book store he works at needed him a bit longer, so he chose to not go back home just yet. That explained a lot why he will be my tutor for the next two months.
I felt like I knew quite a lot about him just by that. I will admit, he seems like he has a lot that he wants in life. Goals he reached, and goals he is still striving for. It makes me feel so small compared to him. As someone who can't even pass math, I'm definitely his opposite. However, they always say opposites attract, which may be a reason why I felt I could get along with Cameron.
