#Chapter 9: Need Any Help, Sir?
Jack's POV
It's been about eight months since I began tutoring in Corona University. I became part of The Big Six, which is now renamed with The Big Seven.
The weird thing about being in that group is Rapunzel. She has this sort of hobby to flirt with me and I can't say I like it. Here are other female students or young lecturers who do the same. Each time I walk pass them, I can't help but notice how the amount of make-up they wear made them look like clowns with a crazy heap of perfume.
Well, almost all of them, except the nerd girls. At least that's what the students recalled them.
If I were to elaborate, I don't fond girls who flirt shamelessly or cake their face with too much make-up. Wearing tight clothes doesn't please me either. Or anything too racy really. Like Rapunzel and some of the students and teachers.
I prefer girls that are more simple or practical. Who don't flirt shamelessly, kind, have a calming personality, and treats me like a normal somebody. Not like some popular guy or something like that.
It's still class hours. I sat on my desk as I carefully watch each student to make sure they're doing their job. Tadashi strolled around to check how they're doing.
Anyways, speaking of a simple girl, Beth is a pretty good example. She doesn't care much at all about boys, don't wear any make-up, perfectly natural, she wears clothes that are casual, but not that casual to the point of dullness, just right. Her focus on her work is remarkable. I'd say that she's my type. Our ages are nor that far, so it not a problem for me.
The real problem is, though, is the fact that she's my student and I'm her teacher. Getting onto a relationship with her would cause some conflicts with my family and would ruin my reputation as a good lecturer in this university and as the heir of my family's industries. I might better off keep this as a secret. Still, I can't help but feel like telling this to someone. But who?
"Are you staring at my sis, Jack?" A voice said from behind, snapping me from my thoughts. I noticed Tadashi was standing at my left.
"Well, kind of," I said, sighing deeply.
"Hey, what's the matter? Is there something bothering you? Something personal? You can tell me. I'm good at listening and keeping secrets," Tadashi said as he took a chair, placing it beside me and sat.
I stared at him silently, wondering if I can really trust my secret to him. Well, he said that he's good at keeping secrets, didn't he? And Tadashi's a good person so I don't think that he would lie on things such as this.
"Fine Tad. I'll tell you. But promise me that you won't tell a soul, you got that?" I whispered to him.
"Got it," Tadashi said.
I told him everything about my feelings towards his sister for the past three months in the quietest voice I could make. Tadashi only smiled at everything.
"Tell you what man, Beth also feels the same way! Congrats! Though, she's too shy to admit that," he said. I gazed at him in, shock.
Beth and I share the same feelings?
"Please keep this from your sister. I don't want her to know about this," I begged, glad that Tadashi nodded in agreement.
The bell rang, signifying that class is over. Students rushed out to their lockers. Tadashi and I were down the corridors. We heard the university radio turned on, informing us to meet the headmaster of the university, Mr. Pitch Black.
We rushed down to his office and went in. We meet Mr. Black, facing he window before turning his chair around to meet our gaze. He have this dark like a principal vibe around him which he needs to chill that down.
"Good day Mr. Overland, Mr. Winters. Please, have a seat," he said. We obliged.
"So, what's the matter sir?" Tadashi said, fixing his read glasses.
"I would like to inform that the two of you are invited to Mr. Corona's birthday party. I advise that the both of you are dressed well in formal clothing, for the party is quite the extravagant event," Mr. Black said, release the glasses and looking at us with his sharp light brown eyes, handing each of us a card.
"The party is due tomorrow night. You may be excused now. And be prepared." Tadashi and I nodded and went out of his office. As we returned to the halls of the corridors, we talked about what we're going to wear at the party.
"Meh, I don't have any formal suits like tuxes or something like that. You?"
"Me neither. But hey, you're rich! You can buy yourself a tux no prob. I don't have much in my pockets though."
"So, you're not gonna come?"
"Don't think I can." Tadashi shrugged.
"I can help you but some if you'd like?" I offered.
"That's generous of you man. If that's really okay, then I'll help choose the good ones."
"Oh, come on. It's definitely okay! And, by the way, shouldn't you be waiting for Beth?"
"No need. She already told me that he has some errands to run on. I don't have to wait for her. Oh! Maybe she can help us pick out our outfits. She has a great taste in fashion." We eventually ended the conversation. I went into my car and drive off to a mall to buy a couple books about computers to find advice to finish my antivirus. I went in the bookstore and searched for the books I want. I eventually found it, but it was already in the hands of a certain girl that seems familiar.
"Beth?" I said. The girl turned her head to face me.
She put a Sabrina of shoulder sweater with baby blue color and white tank top strap appear on her shoulder. She also sported black jeans and converse. Her red framed glasses sat at her nose. Her hair in her signature messy French braid. The thin blue bracelet around her wrist was a nice touch. She looks stunning. This is the first time I saw her dressing like this, and I have to say it looks attractive
"Hello Mr. Overland," she said as she smile a little and stepped to me as she held the book.
"Shouldn't you be at home by now?" I asked her.
"Well, there are a few problems in my homework I don't really understand so I thought buying some books would help," she said. I stared at her silently.
"Need any help sir?" she asked, noticing it
"Well, sort of. Are you going to buy that?" I asked, pointing my fingers towards her book.
"Nah, I'm just looking through. Of you want his, you can have it. You got to pay first though," she said as she gave me the book. I gladly took it. Through the windows, I noticed that it's starting to rain outside.
"Oh crap, I gotta go Mr. Overland! Bye!" She then dashed outside. I paid for the book and went outside of the mall, only to meet my student standing there crossing her arms thoughtfully as she mumbled a few things. I chuckled and stepped to her and patted her shoulder, surprising her as she turned around.
"Oh! Mr. Overland, we meet again today," she said. Turning her body once more to face the rainy streets.
"Why are you in such a hurry anyway?" I asked as I stepped beside her. A deep sigh was her response.
"I can't go home in this rain. And if it doesn't stop soon, my parents will get worried," she spoke softly.
"Why don't you take a taxi?" I suggested
"Well, there are not taxis right now. I might as well wait until the rain is done," she replied, giving me a faint smile.
"I can give you a ride," I offered. She looked at me weirdly for a few moments, before deciding that she had no other better option and nodded in agreement.
I took a glance at Beth before returning my gaze towards the traffic jam due to the rain. It could take a long time.
"You shouldn't have helped me sir," Beth said softly.
"No, really, it's fine. You are my student and I'm your teacher. It's not a crime for me to help," I said as I glanced at her.
"But, if you didn't help, you could be resting in your house by now. I know how tired teachers like you can get, sir." She's right. I hadn't had enough sleep last night because I was checking over exams for hours.
"It's my decision to take you home and I'll take the risk. Do you understand?" I said, hinting strictness. A nod was received.
"And by the way, you don't have to call me sir outside campus hours. I'm not that old yet, right?" I said. She gave me a weird look.
"So, what should I call you?"
"Just call me Jack," I said, laying my attention back on the road. Beth nodded and leaned back to her seat. There was an awkward silence until I reached into my pocket to pull out a blue box that she left long ago in the airport. Since I met her, I always keep the box in my backpack or my pocket, in case if I met her again. She looked taken aback as I revealed it to her.
"Wait, that's...you remember?" she said, disbelieved.
"Yup. I though I'll never get to see you again so I kept this until we do," I said. She gladly took it and examined he cover.
"Thank you sir." I clearing my throat loudly make her realize what she's just said.
"Oh yeah, uh, th-thank you, Jack," she sputtered. I chuckled. She's so cute when she's awkward.
"But you know, there's something weird about it," I said.
"What would that be?"
"When I was checking around for the owner's name, all I found was 'Elsa'," I said. She tensed a bit, before relaxing herself
"Well, uhh, Elsa..is my cousin! She gave me this as a parting gift before I went to the airport to leave to New York. She's pretty clumsy so I wouldn't be surprised if she wrote her name on the box instead. Since our names are actually not that different. Elsa, Elisabeth, you get the picture," she said. I hummed in response.
Still, it made me curious...
Beth decided to take a short nap due because we still got a long way before we arrive at her house. I concluded that it would take a long time before it necessary for me to move my car. Out of boredom, I stole a glance in Beth's direction. She slept peacefully on the passenger seat beside me. Her face leaned down, causing her glasses to fall from her face and land on her lap. I took it and placed it in her hand and I examined her face.
She's so different. Way different from Rapunzel. I know from every whispering gossip that most of her beauty is all from a salon or a spa. Beth, on the other hand, was natural. Her beauty stands out from girls in the university. Rapunzel's beauty is universal, all about the looks. Beth's beauty is from her inner-self. Smart, hard-working, kind, string, confident, and elegant. The true beauty of a girl.
Not everyone would get the chance to see that kind of beauty, so I felt more than lucky to see it all face to face
And I felt my heart beating out of my chest.
Oh god, not again.
A loud honk of a car wake me from my thoughts. I realized that I was staring for too long and my face was dangerously close. One more move and my lips would have brushed her cheek. I quickly went back to my seat and concentrated on the road. Beth woke up as well do to the loud noise.
"Have we arrived yet?" she asked sleepily.
"Not yet, just get some rest," I said. She nodded. Before she decided to return napping again, she touched her face, noticing the absence if her glasses.
"Wait, where are my glasses?" she asked with a worried tone. I turned to her, appalled of her eyes. A very crystal clear icy blue. Ones that you just couldn't help but wish to stare at forever. I could feel my face grew hot.
"Uh..umm, it's in your other hand," I said, quickly turning away before I could get lost unto those pools of blue and before she could she my tomato like red face. She put her glasses back in and went back to sleep, leaving me to sigh in relief. Time passed and we finally reached her house, and luckily the rain had stopped.
"Thanks for the ride, Jack," she said, smiling gratefully. I smiled back
"Sure thing. See you tomorrow," I said as I pulled away from her house. I caught a quick glance of her waving at me before entering her home.
I arrived to my house and stopped the engine. I reached to my room and took a shower. I changed clothes and immediately proceed to continue programming my antivirus. In the middle of my process, I thought back of Beth's reaction.
'Why does she keep wearing glasses? She's perfectly fine without them. Beautiful in fact,' I thought as I typed busily.
Beth's POV
I arrived to my room, locking the door. Quickly, I opened the box to see an icy blue bracelet with a snowflake donned at the center. I took out and read the small letter in the box.
Use it wisely. It's not just any accessory. This bracelet actually a mini flash disk disguised as a bracelet. The memory chip that can hold up to one thousand computer programs.
All of our love to you.
G, W, H.L, F.
I scanned down the bracelet closely and noticed a thin line. I opened it to see the said flash disk. I lifted my chin to the ceiling with a warm smile.
"Thanks guys...You're always there for me..." I said softly as I held the bracelet box and letter close to my chest.