Tutoring Patch
Disclaimer: I don't own Hush, Hush or Crescendo. All rights to the genius Becca Fitzpatrick.
I'm setting this story somewhere after "Hush, Hush" (so Nora and Patch are together), around the start of "Crescendo" (but before all that Marcie crap). Remember Coach's orders to Nora to tutor Patch? Well, Nora's finally decided to do it. But what happens when Scott comes in? I'm keeping Scott a light character in this story, just a sorta flirty "family friend"… hope you guys enjoy
P.S. – this is my first fanfic, so if there's something horribly wrong, please tell me! I wont be offended… ok, maybe a little, but nothing I can't get over. Also, I apologize if they seem out of character.
Nora's POV
I swung my backpack over my shoulder and slid into Vee's Neon. I had made a detour to the library after the bell had rung, signalling the end of the school day, and my backpack was laden with biology books for tutoring Patch.
"Where to, Nora?" Vee imitated a chauffeur, tipping an imaginary hat at me.
"Very funny, Vee." I rolled my eyes at my best friend. "That café near the mall. You know where it is."
"Ooh, romantic." Vee said as she began driving. "Seems like a weird place to be tutoring though. It's more of a date place, y'know?"
"I told Patch that." I grumbled. My shoulders were aching from lugging around my heavy backpack. "But he doesn't want to invite me over to his house, and Mom has her yoga friends over today. Honestly, considering we're going out, it should be alright to have me over at his house, but…"
Vee nodded sympathetically in my direction. "Boys. So secretive."
"Patch takes secretive to a whole new level." I said with a grin. Vee pulled up in front of the café, and I got out. "Thanks for the ride, Vee."
"Call me! I'll be waiting for a full report on tutoring Patch." I waved, and Vee drove away.
I walked into the café and was greeted by the smell of coffee. I spotted Patch lounging at one of the back tables, and I made my way over to him. My heart contracted when I saw how gorgeous he looked – he was wearing his usual black-on-black ensemble, and was lazily drinking from a cup of coffee. As I watched him, he glanced up, and our eyes met. His mouth curved upwards in a small smile, and I couldn't help but beam back. Immediately afterwards I scolded myself; I was hear to tutor Patch, not flirt with him, even if he was my boyfriend. I made my way to his table and dumped the books out on the table.
"This week's assignment is about, er, safe sex." I stammered and blushed. "We just need to take notes from page 73 to 80 about ways we can prevent unwanted pregnancies should we ever decide to have sex – which we shouldn't."
"Should we ever decide to have sex?" Patch quoted me, quirking an eyebrow at me. "Well, you're not one for messing around. Not even a hello, and we're talking about sex…"
"Patch, quit it." I was blushing furiously now as I sat down across him. "I'm here to tutor you today. And I meant we as in teenagers in general, not the two of us. So stop smirking."
"You look good today." Patch nodded at my V-neck sweater and jean skirt. "Your sweater brings out your eyes, and that skirt… mm, I petition that you burn all your jeans and live in skirts instead. Gorgeous legs."
"Patch." I hissed. Was it possible for a human to blush this much? I pushed my textbook towards him. "Just. Take. Notes."
Patch obliged, but kept flicking his eyes up to meet mine. Having him silently taking notes was nearly as bad as having him flirting openly. I rested my chin on my hand and couldn't help but admire his good looks; tousled hair, un-gelled and un-styled, but gorgeous nonetheless. His eyes were like the midnight ocean, alluring and… staring straight at me.
"What?" I startled, breaking eye contact.
"You were staring at me." Patch laid his pencil down, and his hand sneaked its way towards mine. Cocky, as usual. "Not that I blame you."
"Let me check your notes." I said hurriedly, grabbing his notebook. I grimaced when I saw his messy scrawl. "Your handwriting is horrible."
Patch shrugged, not seeming to care.
Condoms – already have.
Birth pills – buy for Nora?
Abstain from sex… impossible, with Nora dressed like that.
"PATCH!" I fumed. "Can't you be serious about anything?"
"Admit it, you almost laughed for a minute there." Patch didn't look apologetic in the least. He leaned forward and peered at my face. "Is that a smile?"
"Nope." I struggled to keep a straight face. Truth was, as cocky as he was… it had been sorta funny. I shuddered to imagine what Coach would say if he saw Patch's notes. "Your notes are way too personal. Just take general notes. I'm going to get a latte – have something halfway decent by the time I get back. I mean it."
I got up and went to order a latte – there weren't any waiters in this café, you had to order up front – and was waiting for my drink when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see a familiar face… Scott.
"Scott? What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised.
"Just got in town with my mom a few days back. Good to see you, Nora, you look… great." Scott smiled, almost flirtatiously, and I awkwardly tugged the hem of my skirt down.
"Thanks. You're looking good too." Wait. What? I hadn't meant for it to come out like that… "I mean, you look healthy and stuff. Did you get taller? I bet you did. So, uh, what brings you to Coldwater?"
"My mom's thinking about moving us here." Scott began, and he launched into a summary of his life so far.
I glanced back at the table while Scott was talking, and noticed that Patch was staring intently at us.
What do you think so far? Reviews are appreciated... oh, who am I kidding, please review!
