Tutor

The biology lesson was nearing its end but if you had asked Beck what it was about he wouldn't be able to tell you. After his talk with André he was too wrapped up in his thoughts to pay the necessary attention to the teacher's words. He focused only when the teacher didn't give him back his test when she was returning them to the rest of the class. After the bell rung she motioned him to stay. His feeling of foreboding were confirmed when she took out his test and handed it to him.

"Mr. Oliver this is unacceptable. If your work doesn't improve you'll fail Biology." The hard look she gave him emphasized the seriousness of her words. Beck groaned inwardly while taking the test marked with a bid red D. With the break up, the show and his newfound romantic entanglement he has been neglecting some of his classes.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Johnson. I just can't seem to be able to wrap my head around the material." He tried with his most pitiful voice. Sadly Mrs. Johnson was seemingly the only female teacher who was immune to his charm. She just gave him an irate look. That was nothing compared to the look his mother was going to give him. Mrs. Oliver still hadn't given up completely on her dream of her son becoming a doctor.

"Your previous work was much better. If you can't focus or understand the material I suggest you find a tutor, then I might allow you to retake the test." He perked up a little. He didn't particularly relish the idea of spending more time studying Biology but maybe there was a way to avoid his mother's wrath after all.

"Yes Mrs. Johnson, I'm sure that would help." He sounded every bit the remorseful and eager to mend his ways student. "Who would you suggest?"

"I would suggest one of my top students – Mr. Van Cleef or Ms. Vega." Mrs. Johnson replied after a moment of thought. Alarm bells sounded in Beck's head.

"Which one of the Vega sisters do you mean?" He fervently hoped that he wouldn't have to choose between the creepy and the annoying.

"Oh I'm talking about the younger one, Tori. Too bad her sister doesn't have her aptitude." A wave of relief spread through Beck. Maybe there was a silver lining to his problem with Biology. He would spend time with Tori without violating his decision not to pursue her romantically for now.

"Alright then I'll notify her." Mrs. Johnson said after he indicated his choice.

"No need, I'll tell her. We have the next class together." Beck walked out of the class with way too good mood for someone who had just received a D. He found Tori standing by her locker talking to André. He was showing her a sheet of music, probably a new song.

"Hay Tori, would you do me a favor." Beck interrupted them, patting Tori lightly on the shoulder.

"Sure what favor?" She turned her head sideways to face him giving him one of her brilliant smiles. He had to mentally smack himself to stop staring at her lips.

"I'm having trouble with Biology and Mrs. Johnson proposed you for a tutor. Will you accept?" André who was listening arched his eyebrows at Beck not fully buying his friend's explanation. That was partially Beck's fault since he sounded way too up beat for someone who has just been told he has to study a subject he found boring more.

"Sure Beck it will be my pleasure." Tori seemed pleased to be able to help him.

"It will be a real tutoring. I'll pay you and everything." Beck elaborated more for the benefit of his smirking best friend. She tried to refuse the money but he was adamant until she relented.

"Okay, but instead of paying me with money you are going to give me rides when I need them for the next month." She suddenly proposed.

"Are you sure you want just this?" It seemed like modest request. He would have done it anyway.

"Yeah I'm sick of begging Trina or my parents for a ride." She knew she had to get her license eventually but she somehow could never manage to pass the exams.

"It's a deal then, I'll be your chauffeur for a month."

"When do you want to begin? I can't today. I have plans with André to work on a song." She turned to André who promptly wiped his smirk off and just nodded affirmatively.

"What about tomorrow, at four?" Beck proposed while trying to simultaneously smile pleasantly to Tori and glare murderously at André who was making kissy faces behind Tori's back.

"Sounds good, I'll wait you at my house." Beck, who was hoping for a more intimate setting, tried to come up with a good objection. He was minimizing his encounters with Trina, who still insisted on giving him what she obviously thought were seductive looks, at least until she refocused on some other guy.

"No, let's do it at my place." As much as he loved Tori's hospitality Beck wanted her to see him in a situation other than a friend who hangs out at her place. Although study buddy didn't sound terribly romantic either it gave them an opportunity to get to know one another better.

"Your RV is too cramped." Okay, that hurt a bit. He found the RV to be very cozy. On the other hand studying there might lead to temptations which he wanted to avoid for now. It would be very untimely if he lost control again and jumped her in his RV.

"We'll study in the house. My mother will be more than happy to see me read something other than scripts." She agreed and they made plan for tomorrow. Beck was very pleased with himself. He had managed to turn a school problem into an opportunity to spend time with Tori.