Chapter 8
September 8, 2012
EPOV
Saturday... First day of work as a tutor at the local library. Mom was at the library last month, looking for anything she can volunteer in. She found out that they needed someone to read children's book every Saturday and she signed up for that right away, she loves kids. Then she noticed a sign next to it that the homework help program was looking for volunteer tutors this school year. It was to help students in elementary with assignments every Saturdays as well. Mom called me and asked if I wanted to register for it. I thought why not? So here I am, with mom, on our way to the library.
"Diana, at the front desk, will inform you about the tutoring and she said she'll give you a short tour of the library," mom explained as she drove. "Do you still want to do this Edward? I'm not forcing you to do it."
"Don't worry mom, I want to help the kids too. And it will probably help me with my college application in the future," I said. Mom was not the only one who likes children.
We arrived early and 30 minutes before the tutoring program started. The library looked modern and old at the same time. It had the pillars on each side of the main building and the triangular marble roof kind of thing like the old buildings back in Europe. But on its sides were glass walls that show the inside of the library. Mom and I walked the short stairs up the entrance and I walked over to Diana, while she went on ahead to the children's area. Diana asked me what my strongest subject was. I told her Math and Science were my strongest subjects, but I don't mind doing the other subjects as well.
"Perfect! We can team you up with Isabella. You'll both be helping elementary students with Math. You just have to assist them with their homework and explain something if they could not understand it. Is that okay with you?" She asked as she went around the desk, and went towards me.
"Yes, I..." I was going to ask who Isabella was and if we should wait for her or something.
"Good! Let's get started with your tour and I'll take you to the classroom where you and Isabella will be." She said and started walking to the left side of the building. She pointed out where the office was and the rooms they have for group meetings. Then we passed by the children's area. I waved at mom when she saw me. She was preparing to start with another lady. Diana then proceeded to show me the computer area and the non-fiction and fiction books that they have. Then we went back to the main area and she pointed out that the restrooms were near the entrance. Then she went straight to the right side of the building. She led me to another set of computers and the shelves for movies and music that they have. At the end of it were a few rooms, which were a little bigger than what they have for group meetings.
"So, this is the end of it. Isabella knows her way around the library and she will help you if you have any more questions about the tutoring. You guys will be in room 3 and," she looked at her watch. "The children should start arriving in 5 minutes. You start your session at 9:00am. Do you have any questions?"
"Um, do I have to wear a name tag, so that the parents know that I'm a tutor?" I don't want parents to think that I'm a kidnapper or something.
"Oh right! Well, they have shirts and stickers for the names. But I'm not sure where they keep it. Just wait for Isabella and she'll help you with that, okay? I have to go back to the front desk now. Good luck!" Then she left.
"Thanks, I guess..." I mumbled, knowing she wouldn't hear it.
I don't know about that Diana. She looked nice, but she was kind of strict and in a hurry. Anyway, I looked for Room 3, which was at the end of the hall. The room was quite big, almost as big as a regular class room. They had a whiteboard in front and ten tables with 2 chairs per table. They had a small table in the front and a chair for it. Another chair was on the side. I noticed that there were a couple of children already. I introduced myself and we waited for Isabella and the rest of the children to arrive.
Two minutes before 9:00, most of the children have arrived and they were talking amongst themselves. Some were starting on their homework already. Isabella was still not here and I was wondering if I should start now or call Diana for help. I leaned on the table in front as I we waited.
At 9:01am, the door opened and a student tripped in. I walked to her as fast as I can and helped her up, asking if she was alright. Only, she didn't look like an elementary student.
BPOV
Knock knock
"Bella? Bella, are you awake? Bella?" Nana said behind the door to my room.
"Nana, five more minutes please," I grumbled and cuddled with my body pillow.
"Sweetheart, it's already 8:15. Aren't you late for your tutoring session in the library?"
WHAT? I felt more awake this time. I looked at my alarm clock on my night stand and it read 8:16. Oh no! I can't be late! I have to orient the new tutor. I sat up from my bed and walked to the door, opening it widely. Nana was still there.
"I can drive you to the library, I don't mind," Nana offered. "And while you shower, I'll get your breakfast ready, ok?"
"Ok. Thank you, Nana!" I kissed her cheek and rushed to the bathroom to take a quick shower.
After I was done showering, I went back to my room and started getting dressed. I opened my closet and looked for my official tutoring shirt. I found the dark blue shirt; it has a white 'volunteer tutor' printed on the back and a small white print on the upper right chest as well that says 'Homework Help Program'. When I was done, I made sure I had my purse and all the things I will need. The three things I always need to have when I leave the house: Phone, wallet and keys.
At 8:33, I was sitting on the breakfast bar and eating Nana's freshly backed bagel. I spread the cream cheese and started eating. Nana was sitting beside me, drinking coffee and eating her bagel, and she was busy with her phone. Probably checking what's happening in the shop I thought.
I really can't believe I didn't wake up to my 7:30 alarm. I blame Colin. He won't go to sleep unless I sit beside him on his bed and read him a bedtime story. It was 11pm when he finally fell asleep, with me sitting on top of the covers beside him and after I made up a story about a little prince who was very brave and strong and most especially, obedient. After I tucked him to sleep last night, Patricia texted me around 11:30, saying that they were almost there and I can leave for the night. She also thanked me for babysitting Colin. I walked four houses down to get home.
"Ready to go?" Nana asked and placed her mug in the sink.
"Yup!" I exclaimed. I hopped off the high stool and cleaned up my mess. I rushed off to the bathroom to brush my teeth and then met Nana in the car.
I'm glad that we were only 15 minutes away from the library. It was five minutes before my session started when we arrived. Nana dropped me at the entrance and I kissed her cheek again before getting out of the car.
I waved at Diana in the reception and went straight to the supply room to grab some white board markers, eraser, pens and paper. Then I also grabbed a medium and large sized version of my shirt for the new tutor. I waved at Peter and Erica in the other room. They were tutoring science with the other elementary children.
I headed to Room 3, and I saw in the door window the new tutor already there. He was leaning on the table. I could see just his side and I just stopped and stared. He looked cute. Bella, since when do you describe guys as cute?! My subconscious yelled, with her arms on her hips. From somewhere, I heard a noise, which woke me up from my reverie. I opened the door and watched him a little, he looked better closer. And then I tripped.
Falling for him already, Bella? My inner self asked.
I felt my cheeks start to get warm after I landed on the floor on my hands and knees. I'm glad that I was able to place my hands on the ground instead of meeting the floor with my face, that would have been much more embarrassing. My things were scattered on the ground.
"Are you okay?" A smooth, male voice said beside me said.
"Yeah," I said, looking up to him.
. . .
Come on, brain! Think! Say something!
. . .
"Here, let me help you up," he offered his hand and I just stared at it.
"Oh! Um, t-thank you," I stuttered and placed my right hand on his and stood up. I quickly brushed my jeans for any dirt and I was about to squat down again to pick up my stuff. But he got to it first, he stood up in front of me and handed me my things.
"Thank you. I'm sorry about that," I said, looking up to him. He was probably a foot taller than me.
"That's alright, you must be Isabella?" He asked, curiously.
"Yes, um, that would be me. But call me Bella, okay?" I smiled at him. Then I noticed the kids. Some of them looked amused with what happened and some were starting with their homework, others were talking with other students.
I placed my stuff on the table and I'll just have to deal with the new tutor later. It was already 9:10 and I have not started the session yet.
I greeted the class and introduced myself and the handso-, uh, new tutor, who was Edward. Then I started giving out name tags, so it would be easier for us to learn each other's names, and took attendance at the same time. The children were from second and third grade class and so I had them start their homework and raise their hands when they had questions so that I or Edward could help them out. After getting them started, I turned to Edward.
"I'm sorry again for being late and for leaving you to deal with the children without knowing what to do. I'm not usually late," I murmured, feeling the warmth spreading on my cheeks.
"It's alright. Diana at the reception gave me a quick tour but she didn't really answer my questions and gave me a detailed job description. I'll forgive you if you answer all my questions," he said playfully.
"Deal!" I smiled. "Ok so, first of all, you have to wear the official volunteer shirt. Here, I have a medium and large sized shirt, pick one. Second, the session starts at 9am, and the children start arriving at about 10 minutes before it starts." I saw a hand raised and I mouthed 'wait' to Edward and helped the student.
I realized that most of the students were having trouble with their fractions and so I went to the whiteboard and borrowed a math book from a student. I explained to them the difference of numerator and denominator, and explaining the mixed and improper fractions.
One hour later, we were on break. Some of the children brought out snacks and others went to the restroom. Most went to their waiting parents somewhere in the library.
"You want to grab a snack at the pantry before we start back again in 15 minutes?" I asked Edward, who just finished assisting a student.
"Sure, thank you. Oh and here is the extra shirt from earlier, I got the medium one." He said and handed me the other shirt.
I took him to the supply room, which was located just outside of the room. And showed him the materials we use in the tutoring sessions. I explained that he can get the key from Diana to get the supplies if ever that I was late again or unavailable.
"Just remember to bring down the latch at the foot of the door, so you won't get locked in. Unfortunately, this door only opens from the outside. I have been locked here once, and luckily, Erica was just outside and helped me to get out," I said, leading him to the pantry room.
Edward and I had a quick snack of juice and cupcakes. We met Peter and Erica in the pantry as well and I introduced Edward to them.
Now that break was over, I explained to Edward that we will switch rooms and teach math to the other elementary students in Room 4, which were Peter and Erica's students earlier. The same procedure happened. Only this time, we were helping 4th graders and the topic was about decimals.
"Bye Bella! Bye Edward!" Lizzy, one of the fourth graders waved goodbye.
"So, how was your first day of being a tutor?" I asked, hopping on the table and swinging my legs.
"Tiring, but it was worth it," Edward said, smiling while sitting on one of the chairs with his eyes closed. "I love working with children, they're fun to work with."
"Yup, they sure are! That's why I applied as soon as I was able to tutor here," I grinned.
"What school do you go to?" He asked, looking at me.
"I go to Crescent Hills High School," I replied automatically. "You go to St. John's Academy?"
"Yeah, how did you know?" He asked.
"There are only two high schools here, mines and the one in St. John. I don't see you at school at all and you don't look like a college dude so I guessed that you go there instead," I shrugged.
St. John is a private school and with our small town, there's only one public high school and the only private high school is St. John's. Dad wanted me to go there, but I didn't want to get separated from my friends and I didn't want him to spend more money for my high schooling since he's already paying for my college tuition, which will cost a lot.
Edward and I talked more about school and the tutoring program until we didn't realize that it was already after lunch. The session ended at around 11:40 and it was almost 1:30pm already. His mom had texted him already that she was done and I got a missed call from dad.
Edward helped me return the markers in the supply room and we parted ways. We said goodbye and I told him, I'll see him next week.
I called dad, wanting to know if there was something wrong. He was supposed to get back today from his business trip in Florida.
"Hey dad, sorry I missed your call. What's up?" I asked, walking to the bus station.
"Bella, it looks like my flight is cancelled because of the storm. Hopefully, I can hop on a plane back tomorrow. I don't want to miss your upcoming 14th birthday," he said, sounding frustrated, probably with his flight cancellation.
"It's alright dad, there's always Skype! But I want you safe and sound, okay? Just be careful and wait till the sun shines again there before you leave. I don't want you getting into accidents," I said seriously. I've already lost my mom around my third birthday and I don't want to lose another parent around my birthday again.
"Okay, princess. I will. I love you, kid!" He said. Knowing he's just agreeing with me to appease me.
"Be careful dad and I love you too, always!" I made a kissy noise and he laughed before hanging up finally.
I don't own any of the Twilight characters. They all belong to Stephenie Meyer.
A/N: There you go! Bella finally met Edward! And she finally revealed something about Renee.
I'm sorry it took so long! I'm swamped with assignments still and just had a small time to write this chapter.
Thank you for hanging in there and there will be more of Bella and Edward soon!
If you have any opinions, comments and/or suggestion, please let me know through reviews. I would also like how you think of my story.
Thank you Kayleigh for pre-reading! :)
