Something is off*

I knocked lightly on the door. A few seconds later, I heard heavy footsteps approaching the door. The door opened, and he was about to shout when he noticed me. I caught sight of him, and he stiffened. I asked him if I could enter, and he grudgingly allowed me to. I entered and seated myself in the chair by his desk, while he collapsed on his bed.

The room was dimly lit and gothic in appearance. There were numerous off-the-shoulder posters of skulls and graves, as well as spray paint on the walls and furniture. I was shocked to find myself in such a room. I gave him his assignments, but he did not accept them. I tried to explain the first exercises to him, but he didn't pay any attention at all. He continued to treat me as if I belonged to a lower social class. No one from a lower social class should be treated in such a manner, yet he treated me with disrespect ad rudeness. I packed my belongings and exited the room as the door was opened by the Canadian woman who was yelling at us for not being quiet. I turned my back on her and descended the stairs and exited the residence.

After a few days, I was summoned to the principal's office again. "Alexandra, you are a highly intelligent student at Saint Benjamin' Academy. Would you be willing to assist your peers who are not as intelligent as you?"

"If by 'other students' you are referring to Oliver, then I apologize, sir-" I tried to argue with him, but he interrupted me at every turn. The principal was not having any of it. He left me no choice but to assist Oliver through the remainder of the final semester, or else I would be forced to repeat the same year with him.

The following afternoon, I returned to the expansive residence. The Canadian female receptionist opened the door for me, and I made my way to Oliver's study. I sat in the chair I had occupied before, and Oliver's eyes fixed on me, scrutinizing my every movement. He scowled at me, peered at me, and demanded, "What is it you wish to discuss, shorty? If you are here again to discuss school matters, then I strongly advise you to leave." I swallowed my pride, holding my tongue to not say things I'd regret.  Having come all the way for my future's sake, and he continues to speak to me as though I were a piece of rubbish! I wasn't going to repeat a year, when I had all the rights to pass!

"Firstly, do not address me as Shorty. Secondly, I am here because I have brought your assigned homework and all the missed assignments so that you may remain in your room lazying. Thirdly, I have collected all the required material for the four exams and the final exams of the academic year that you've missed. Fourthly, the principle has stipulated that I must ensure that you complete your courses, or I will fail the year with you. So let's begin."

He looked at my exasperated expression and laughed. "I hate to break it to you, Shorty, but you are going to be disappointed. I do not study, and I do not care if you fail or pass the year." I scowled. Getting frustrated and shouting at him is not going to get me anywhere, I had to get him where it hurts.

"All right, if that’s how you want it, fine. If you don’t want to learn, then don’t. If you want to fail this year and shame your family name in history by being the first ‘Ayrton’ in your family to fail in a year, be my guest! And since you don't care about your future, let’s talk about that bruise I saw the other day when you backed me into a corner or why you haven’t been going to school due to a cold we both know you didn’t have." I began gathering and packing up my belongings as he sat on his bed.

"Listen Oliver, I don’t want to be here, and I’m sure you wouldn’t want any attention or help from a nerd either. I’ll leave if you want me to, I won’t ask you to listen like all the other gossipy girls at school would. I’m here because you’re in need of my help in your classes, and I’ve worked hard to get into this class, and won't have some spoiled guy make me fail. If you’re not interested, I’ll leave, and you won't hear from me again. We'll then see how far this mindset and ego can push you! I would like to know what the successful Ryker Ayrton would have to say about his son's brilliant concept." I was about to exit his room, but my wrist was clamped firmly in place.

"Please don't leave, Shorty. I glared at him and trying to wriggle out of his grasp. "I'm sorry, Alexandra, can we please talk somewhere else? I asked. I looked at him, took a deep breath, "Fine, where are we going? I'll go with you." I followed him, and we slipped past the woman who was receiving a massage in the sitting room. He directed me to a large garden, which the maids appeared to be taking care of on the farthest side.

He sat down on a bench and I sat down beside him. I asked, "What do you want to tell me, Oliver? I have somewhere to be in a few minutes." He glanced down at the ground, his hands resting on his knees. "Listen, Shorty," he said, glancing up at me to see if I was going to get angry, "I apologize for all the inconvenience I've caused you throughout the prior year and this year. You didn't deserve it, and I'm so sorry." He stammered. I let it go, distracted by yet another bruise I had just noticed.

I was in shock. He apologized, and to me, of all people. I drew a deep breath and looked at him, still staring at the ground. "Why do you always bully others? Especially me? I've never bothered you at all. I didn't even know who you are until you started bothering me.” He raised his face and looked off into the distance. His eyes narrowed as he tried to suppress what seemed impossible for the brilliant Oliver: ‘Tears.’

"I understand that he does not wish to discuss the matter. If you do not wish to discuss it, then do not discuss it. I also apologize for the incident that occurred in class. I did not mean to say anything that would be too painful for you. I understand that things may not be going well and that you may wish to remain in your dormitory. However, I am here to assist you in making something of your life. You are from a wealthy background, which allows you to take advantage of any opportunity. You have opportunities that most students at our school would not be able to take advantage of. However, you are not taking full advantage of them. Please let me know if you wish to change your mind tomorrow. I would be more than willing to assist you if you wish to do so." Oliver looked up at me and smiled weakly.

We returned to his residence and I collected the rest of my things. I presented him with a sticky note containing my telephone number. The note stated, "if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to text me, and we can call or talk for a while." I smiled, and he returned my smile with a faint smile. He then offered to accompany me out of the house, which I accepted.

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