Chapter Twenty Nine

< Nina >

If my morning wasn’t enough, it gets worse at school.

No, it has nothing to do with Clarence, despite being project partners, we still resume our game. And no, the isolation and the snickering voices are nothing new to me, really.

Despite my bad mood, I am still attentive to him, potentially striking me when I’m down. I won’t allow myself to consume this queasy feeling, akin to both anger and sadness.

But what really puts me in a sour mood is the result of my Math pop quiz.

My eyes widen, as my hands tremble while holding tightly on the piece of paper that was given by my Math teacher.

How did I get a 0 out of 100?! Well, back in my previous school, I did get at least one correct answer, but seriously?!

I whimper as my face presses on my desk. I studied really hard. I tried but I just couldn’t understand a single word at all.

Their Math is way too advanced for me!

Yes, I am not really fitted to study in the number one most prestigious school in the United freaking States.

“Miss Caulfield,”Mr. Roacher—I mean— Mr. Fisher calls for my attention and I look up.

“Stay here after the end of school, I need a word with you.”

I can hear the snickering sounds from my classmates and I just nod feverishly before hiding my test paper inside my bag.

This couldn’t get worse, right?

“What was that about?” Clarence asks in a low voice as he pats on my shoulder from behind and I instinctively wince.

“N-nothing, really, please s-stop talking to me.”

“Aww, but this is the only time we can talk, Nina,” he pouts as he leans closer to my back. “Right after the school bell, you’ll just run away like usual. Again, you should give yourself some credit.”

I glance behind him, perplexed with the way he smiles proudly at me. “Err...thanks?” I whisper back.

He confuses me, really. First he said he hated me for the most irrational reason I’ve heard of but now he’s complimenting me?

Intuition has been telling me that he’s either confusing me to lower my guard or was genuinely complimenting me for...the skills I’ve learned from being chased around.

But I let those thoughts go because the moment the bell rings, like regular clockwork, I immediately dash out from the room.

..............................

I don’t like it even a bit.

Right after the bell rang, I stayed in the classroom as promised, awaiting for Mr. Fisher to show up. The students left the classroom a long time ago but I’m not really alone.

“What are you still doing here, Clarence?” I sigh, the weariness is starting to make me nauseous again.

Clarence hasn’t left his seat, his chin rests on his palms as he hums a familiar tune I often hear on the radio.

He doesn’t answer as he continues to hum.

I think I should just ignore him for now.

Finally, Mr. Fisher shows up, a stern look still plaster on his face. He carries with him his folders which he often does everyday. “I apologize for being late.”

He’s different from Mr. Roacher. He’s more polite and not once have I heard him insult students whenever they make a mistake. Even when I couldn't understand, he didn't mind patiently teaching me the formulas.

But still, he's the strictest teacher I've ever talked to.

Mr. Fisher sits at the teacher's desk and looks up, his eyes darting towards Clarence's direction. He arches his inquisitive brow and asks, “Mr. Benz, what are you still doing here?”

“Oh, I’m just waiting for my dear friend here, teach,” he answers with a smirk. And I pale at that thought of being friends with him.

“As much as I appreciate your concern for her, I would like to talk to Miss Caulfield alone, Mr. Benz.”

He doesn’t take the answer well. Clarence’s signature smile curves a frown and he slowly stands up. “I believe I need to remind you of who I am, teach.”

“And I suppose that gives you the authority in this classroom, Mr. Benz? As long as you’re still my student, whether you are from the highest prestige, I won’t tolerate any of your mutinous actions.”

My eyes continue to look back and forth to Clarence and Mr. Fisher’s direction. I didn’t expect Mr. Fisher to say those things. After all, wasn’t Clarence the top of his class?

My respect for Mr. Fishers increased after that.

After a minute of their staring competition, Clarence gives in as he sighs.

“Fine,” he mutters as he grabs his bag and leaves the room.

“Now, Miss Caulfield, shall we start?”

“Uhm…” I pause a bit. “Is it all right? What if the academy fires you for that?”

Then, his features slowly loosen up, and instead of seeing his stern look, he smiles and gives me a light chuckle.

A rare sight that is beyond me.

“Oh, Miss Caulfield, I can teach at another school, it doesn’t faze me at all.”

I can only give him a sheepish smile. I actually didn’t expect to see this side on Mr. Fisher.

“Now, about your grades.” Oh, he’s back to his teacher mode now. “I’m afraid that if you keep giving me this grade, Miss Caulfield, you can never graduate next year.”

“I...I know.” I look down, my cheeks flush in embarrassment.

“If you want, we can have remedial classes on the weekends. It will help you catch up with the advanced module in this school. I’m not expecting you to magically become an ace student but I can at least prove myself to be a better teacher.”

I think you already are, I thought to myself.

“So, if you want to take my remedial classes, you need a letter of approval from your guardian.”

And at that, my jaw drops.

“Is something wrong, Miss Caulfield?” He asks, confusedly.

“O-oh, n-nothing.” Oh great, that means not only I have to ask Luca for his signature, he will also find out that I am a pathetic loser for getting a zero!

“Then, I expect to get your guardian’s approval letter tomorrow.”

“O-okay,” I say, as I give him a nervous smile.

Maybe I should skip school tomorrow.