Prologue
I pull into the library and shake my head with a low, disgruntled sigh. The long weekend of drill started by some tutoring; have to love that. It’s not like this is the ideal way to kickstart any weekend, nevertheless a long weekend, sure to kick my tail. Like any other drill, it’ll be filled with schmucks who don’t give a rat’s ass to be there. While my unit isn’t filled with the brightest bulbs in the box, they mean well; even if most are considered window lickers in the nicest light and worst, well, crayon eaters. Oh the joys.
For the moment, I’m still reserve, one of the many things I’ll have to suck up until I finish my degree. Hopefully soon. Only a handful of classes to mark off before I can officially take the next leap. Do something slightly more productive. Since I’ve stared at the library for a solid five minutes, it’s time I grab my bag and get out. Just get this over with, the library closes at eleven. A sparse few students linger, I’m not sure how much longer that’ll last, it’s still early. Nine is early for this crew. As I stand in the doorway my eyes scan over the library in search of Ivy.
Which one of you is Ivy Arnolds? The name hadn’t been familiar when I signed up for a tutoring session. If I weren’t trying to get a better resume, I wouldn’t be here on this fine Thursday evening. Tables are distanced from one another evenly, a few are occupied, their belongings splayed out in typical stressed college kid cramming for an exam fashion. But yet, my attention is drawn to the one outlier. She sits alone with a golden name plate faced towards the door.
Ahh, Miss Ivy Arnolds. I’m not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t the sight I’m greeted by. Maybe this won’t be the worst send off for drill I’ve had. Her sun kissed golden blond hair pulled back in a messy and elegant bun. Maybe it’s just the style that fits her. Her easy going, effortless style comes off simplistic and comfortable. Ripped skinny jeans encase her shapely legs, the simple white tank top paired with a knit white and gray cardigan. Since when have I been in touch with fashion?
Ivy lifts her head with a small frown, her eyes glancing around the library before she stops on me and offers a small smile. Stop staring, you’re being a creep to the poor girl. With a polite nod I move closer and weave through the maze of tables. The table top is neat and organized, with her bag beside her, two binders stacked in front of her back with a pencil pouch resting atop. “Are you Sean?” The soft voice fits her impeccably.
But what stops me the most are her eyes; a spectacular mystery of green swirled with blue, the colors marry together in a symphony. I clear my throat and nod. “Yeah, I’m Sean Cohen, nice to meet you Ivy.” Her lips stretch into an endearing smile, pearly whites adorned by a slight overbite, tops off her imperfect smile. Who knew an overbite could be so adorable?
“It’s nice to meet you too Sean.” She offered a warm, sweet chuckle; something I enjoy to hear, probably too much. I didn’t know I could get hit with a crush so fast. Ivy offers a serene smile as she closes her laptop and folds her hands over the device with ease. Her eyes glitter with a warm, bubbling excitement that must be natural to her. “Are you ready to learn Calc 4?” No, but I’m here. I offer a chuckle and pull out my binder from my bag.
“I can’t say I’m excited about it, but I’m ready.” Hopefully I won’t look like a complete idiot. It’s not like I can say I’m the worst in the class, nor that I’m close to failing. But a low C is as close to an F as I want to hit. There is nothing about a C that’s gonna stand out in a sea of soldiers all with the interest of working intel. She laughs softly and nods.
“I think most of us share that view for Calc 4; who’s your teacher?” The bane of my existence. I open my binder and expose my graded test to her. A 71% isn’t the worst, not by a long shot I’m sure; yet it doesn’t fit my agenda and that’s a problem. “Mr. Williams.” I sigh and hand over the test; meanwhile, fighting a cringe. Way to look smart; I’m sure she brings home gold stars with everything she does. The thought makes me fight a smile, consequently I fight to curse myself. Stalking isn’t a good look for anyone, rein it in Sean.
“Oh aren’t you lucky, dreadful Mr. Williams, he is a critical grader. Don’t beat yourself up too bad, he’s fair in the end.” She smiled at me and I had to chuckle and shake my head. Maybe if he likes you. I’m sure I don’t fall in that category, it’s not like I’m the picturesque golden boy. Maybe it’s my attitude he doesn’t like. I’m not one to be pushed around by an arrogant old man. Now, it’s not like I make a big fuss in class, I don’t like hearing lip because he thinks me being quiet and would rather work alone is a problem.
Ivy flips through the test, pausing every once in a while to study a question and my logic. Habit has me straightening my binder before I push it aside. “He’s not the worst.” If he likes you, sure. She smiles up at me with dancing eyes before they fall back to my test. Her blue eyes glitter vibrantly to green as she moves, the light catches the different colors each time to give a new sparkle of intensity.
“Lucky for you, these are all fairly simple mistakes; you’re better off than most.” With a slight snort I offer a small smile and give a slight not.
“I’m not the worst at it, just not where I want to be.” Ivy gives a nod as she pulls out her organized pen collection and uncaps one.
“It’s good you brought this with you; we can use these for practice questions to start. Do you have any homework from him to do this weekend?” I open up his folder with a dejected nod.
“He always gives homework over the weekend.” He’s a stickler for being a pain in my ass. Reasonably I can’t say he gives homework to spite me, I’m sure he does it because he hates kids and fun. Yet funny enough, we only ever really have it when I’m going away to drill. Ok, maybe I’m a bit bitter to the old man. He’s probably more like me than I care to realize; fed up with the rich boys being complete shit heads.
Ivy giggled as she glanced up, she had already written out one of my failed questions. “I think almost every professor gives homework over the weekend.” I chuckle and nod with a side smile.
“That’s true, I guess they like to think it’ll keep kids from drinking too much.” Can’t have every kid pickling their liver every weekend. I’m rewarded with a soft, twinkling laugh as she nods.
“Maybe that’s their motive.” She teased before she looks over my homework. “We can start with your missed questions and then move to your homework. I can help you with the ones that stump you, deal?” I chuckle and nod as I glance at her.
“Yeah that sounds good to me.” With a smile she leans in and has me go over my logic of my missed questions. She nods along and pauses to correct my math and give me a better and easier way to solve the problem. We manage to work through the test with care, she takes her time to break things down more. I nod along with her, making sure to ask questions, even if they are pointless and even redundant.
At this point I’m drooling over this poor girl and all she’s done is laugh and give me a pretty smile. I might as well just go caveman and beat my chest here. I don’t know what it is about Ivy, but I’ve lost my cool trying to be a peacock. “You know what? I think you’ve got the hang of this.” She smiles and breaks my train of thought and steals my breath. Lord, I wish I was playing this cooler than I am. The amount of times I’ve messed up my math is pathetic.
“With your help, I don’t feel completely helpless.” I give her my best smile and pray I don’t look like I’m about to eat her for breakfast. Not in that way at least. That comment earns me at least five extra karma points that are gonna get delivered soon. This weekend will take care of it just fine. Ivy releases another twinkling laugh and I swear my heart jumps, the sound is made of sugar and air, sweet as can be.
“I didn’t help that much, you have more of this down that you give yourself credit for.” She smiled as a slight blush painted her cheeks and tips of her ears. Maybe I’m not so hopeless after all. I have to smile and shake my head as I pack my papers.
“Well, you did more than Mr. Williams has; so that earns you some credit.” I point out, as I test my luck with a bit of flirting. Although with all the googly eyes I’ve been giving her I’m sure I’ve past flirting and just stepped all over boundaries. Ivy giggled and rolled her eyes with a smile.
“Well if that’s the case, I have another spot open next Thursday if you’re interested.” She offers and I have to rein myself in from nodding immediately. Restraint you fool, have some. I give a slow nod as I glance at my schedule for cover. Real smooth you idiot.
“Yeah, that works, I need all the help I can get with midterms coming up.” She smiled and pulls out a neatly organized planner, she writes in a neat scrawl.
“It’s better to be prepared than not. I’ll mark you down for the same time?” She asked as she glanced up to catch my nod.
“Yeah, if possible, I’d like to keep this on a schedule. Makes it easier to track.” I offer sheepish chuckle to try and smooth my role out. I think I passed that half an hour ago. Ivy smiles wider and nods, her overbite on display and doing things to my heart. Lord, even her ‘imperfections’ are gorgeous.
“I’m the same way; order is a lot easier to track.” She gives a shy smile as she closes up her planner, ending our two hour-long session. I’m going to have to get a whole hell of a lot dumber to make these sessions last longer. The thought makes me want to smirk. I’m sure she’d see right through me.
“It is, then you don’t have to second guess anything.” Ivy nods with a smile. I want to ask more questions, get to know her, find an excuse to linger longer than I already have. Would it be weird to walk her out? “Thanks for the session; you’ve been a great help.” I offer her as I stand with my bag. Even going the extra step to push in the chairs right. I’m pathetic. Ivy offers a warm, friendly smile as I nod.
“I’m glad I could help Sean, have a good night.” I know I can’t linger any longer without being more of a creep than I already have.
“Have a good night Ivy, see you next Thursday.” I wave and turn with the strong urge to beat my head into a wall. Could I have been any more desperate if I tried? I sit in my truck and rethink the session. Yeah… I’m pathetic and need a life. Snorting, I shake my head and head for my dorm room. Now to bury my misery in drill.
