Serena’s wearing ripped mom jeans and a cropped Skyline Vikings shirt that hugs her body in every goddamn way possible. Her makeup is light today, but her long lashes flutter every time she blinks, and it takes my breath away.
“Calculating the area of a triangle with two sides and an included angle can be hard, but it’s all about using the right formula,” Serena explains, tapping her pencil against the paper as she focuses her attention on me. “Does that help?”
I was not listening. “Yeah, it helps a lot.”
“You weren’t listening,” Serena leans back in her chair.
“I have to admit, I’m finding it hard to concentrate with you looking like that.”
Serena’s eyes widen and her cheeks flush with a rosy tint.
“So, you excited for the game?”
Serena sighs while picking at her nails. “I guess.”
“You guess?”
“Just a little nervous. Game day cheer is not something I’m used to.”
“I’ve seen you practice, you’ll do great.” The words come out before I can even think about it. Did I really just tell her I watch her practice? Great job, I just admitted to being a stalker.
“Thanks.” Serena smiles, her face blushing pink. “Wait,” Her brows furrow and she punches my shoulder playfully. “You watch me practice?”
For a small girl, she packs a punch. “Ouch,” I rub my arm. “Correction, I’veseenyou practice.”
“Mhm, you better, or else you’re a stalker in my book.”
We laugh as she gestures for me to focus on the last two problems, which I wrap up quickly, earning me a thumbs up from her. Seeing that we’re done with our work, I decide this is the moment to start ours. I slide my binder and textbook aside, and notice Serena trying to make a run for it.
Before she can get up and leave, I grab her elbow, “Wait.”
Serena looks at our connection, glances off to the side, and then reluctantly settles back down.
Lately, she’s been in a hurry to leave right when we finish. Her “excuse” is that she needs to leave early for practice. I let her go, choosing to believe she’s telling the truth. But today, I’m choosing to be the tutor.
“We have to work on your bucket list.”
Serena arches a brow, a puzzled expression crossing her face but then fades away. “I forgot.”
“I said I was going to help you, so let me help you.”
“Tyler–”
“Sunshine.”
We both narrow our eyes. Serena probably thinks she’s going to win this stare down contest, but little does she know I’m not backing down.
She only offers me a gentle sigh as she pulls out a notebook from her bag. She flips through it to show me a small list. “Read it and weep.”
I pick up her notebook and nod at each point. I would have expected bungee jumping off a cliff, but this is Serena we’re talking about. Most of these are cute and realistic to do. Setting her notebook down, I grab my pencil and mark off the first one.
“What are you doing?”
“Checking off these ones.” I cross them out and meet her curious eyes. I point down at two goals,go to a Friday night gameandjoin a club or extracurricular activity.
I continue, “You’re going to be in tonight’s game and you’re a cheerleader slash you’re my tutor.” I lift my hand up, offering a high-five. Serena stares at my hand for a moment then sheepishly returns the high-five.
“Atta girl.”
