Defeating The Norm

C H A P T E R O N E

"Didja hear? Lucas, Tommy and Devon are going to be kicked off the football team!" rambled a popular girl that sat in front of me.

I tried not to eavesdrop but they were so God damn loud, I just couldn't help it.

Hot male athletes have always been the topic for discussion during first period gossip session. I never participated, partly because I didn't know any male athletes and partly because I like to keep the persona of quiet little Asian girl.

"I know!" another girl exclaimed.

I have an inkling feeling that it would be a bit cliché to say that they were cheerleaders but in reality they were. They being JV cheerleader: Holly Valentine, Gia Moreno, Felicia Smith, and Charmmaine de Leon. But unlike the cliché these cheerleaders were really nice despite their naive thinking.

And if they could only shut up for one moment I could have been watching a movie on World War II, but nope, instead they continued with their gossip as if they weren't in a class at all. And what was the teacher doing at this time? He was poking a sleeping student on the other side of the room with a yardstick.

A yardstick!

What has this world come to?

The door opened and an office messenger came in with some papers that he handed to the teacher. Who does he think he is? Just because you have an ID around your neck that said 'office messenger' didn't exactly make you cool. But to the cheerleaders he did and after a smile and a wave at them he left the room with the same casualness that he came in with.

Mr. Laurie looked through the papers crumbling half of them into balls and trying to make a basket in a nearby trashcan before he reached two yellow papers. That took him nearly five minutes just to shoot the baskets. He then began to skim over both of the yellow papers before looking into the rowdy crowd of teens. His eyes landed on Jessica Kim and then on me.

Uh oh. Office summons were never a good thing even if you were an A student like me.

I looked at the little yellow paper.

All it said was: Reyna Dagdag to Mrs. Taylor's office at the teacher's convenience.

Oh crud muffins…

I N T H E O F F I C E

I was growing incredibly bored with waiting for Mrs. Taylor to call me into her office. There were two girls ahead of me, both of which I knew to be really smart girls that never talked to me or anyone else. In my boredom I found myself reading a book that I had tucked away in the crevice of my backpack. It was The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom. I had picked it up just yesterday from the local bookstore, bookworm? Not quite, but I'm getting there.

I was getting teary-eyed from the story when my name was finally called. I wiped away a tear and tucked the book away in the depths of my bag.

"Are you alright, dear?" Mrs. Taylor asked me as I entered her room. "I hope you aren't crying because I called for you. Most students are nervous about coming into my office but none have ever cried before."

I heard a stifling laugh from behind me. I turned around and was faced with a jock… ah, so embarrassing.

Okay, maybe he wasn't a jock, I don't know but he should be. Even from this position I could tell that he had a long and well-built body. And he face was much to be admired: broad and square jaw currently, high and strong cheekbones, sparkling iced blue eyes, chestnut brown hair with lips curled in a smirk.

"U-um, I was reading this story," I said trying to make myself seem less of a dork but failing miserably.

"Oh, well, sit take a seat next to Tommy please," Mrs. Taylor responded.

I followed and took a seat next to him. He was smirking at me and I only sank in my seat even further from embarrassment.

I remembered him from my Art class. He was always surrounded with his friends and girls. He is far too cute, and far too popular. Tommy is completely out of my league. I know that I have never talked to him before. And I do believe that this was the first time we actually met eye to eye.

"Reyna, I called you here because I noticed your lack of service hours for the school. I know that you have another year before you are graduating but to make up for the service hours you are missing I decided to take it upon myself to set you up for tutoring. Hence, why Mr. McCallistor is here. I have already spoken with him and he is free at five to seven after school from on Tuesdays and Thursdays, however since he cannot play until his grades pick up you will be tutoring him from three to six on Monday thru Friday. Your school records say you aren't holding a job yet so I believe that it will be beneficial for the both of you and by the end of the year, your hours will be completed."

I stared at her. Hold on, one God damned moment. Did she just say that I have to tutor Tommy McCallistor?

"Isn't there another way than tutoring him?" I questioned uneasily at the idea. My father would never let me tutor a guy, nevertheless a hot guy.

"What do you mean another way? What you don't want to tutor me?" Tommy remarked with prodding eyes.

"Can't I work bake sales or something?"

"I'm sorry Reyna, but I think this would be the best for the both of you. Is it about your parents? I will talk to them if you want," Mrs. Taylor offered.

I shook my head furiously. That would be the last thing I want. I love my parents, I really do but if they found out that I haven't started my service hours they would be more pissed than if they found out I had to tutor someone.

"Never mind, I can do it," I answered before she could put her hand on the phone.

She smiled at me. "Alright then, well I guess that's it. Make sure you keep records of the days you are tutoring, good luck Reyna." She shooed both Tommy and I out the door before I could even open my mouth.

There was an awkward silence between us before Tommy finally spoke. "Look, just meet me in the parking lot after school. You might have to wait awhile since I hang out with my friends for a bit after school." He gave me one final look. "Bake sales? Pfft." And with that I watched as Tommy walked away, casual in his footsteps like his world wasn't crashing around him like it was in mine.

...T O...B E...C O N T I N U E D...
...O R...N O T...
...P L E A S E...R E V I E W...