The next day at school like usual Alana was ecstatic as she raced to
Science. As the bell rang for class to begin, Alana's happiness soon
turned to gloom as she looked to the empty seat close to her. Just as
Alana sighed a sorrowful breath the door opened. "Sean, this is the 3rd
time this week. If you are late again I will have to send you to Principal
Raditch." With that Sean muttered under his breath and took his seat. For
the rest of the class period Alana tried to listen to what Ms. Hatzilakos
was saying but she couldn't help but stare at Sean. Her daydream was
quickly popped, "Alana?? Alana??" Alana looked up to see Ms. Hatzilakos
and the whole class (including Sean) staring at her. "Yes?" Alana said in
embarrassment. "I asked you what the symbol for Zinc was." Ms. Hatzilakos
said. "Oh I'm sorry. It's Zn." She said with lingering embarrassment.
"Thank you Alana. From now on please pay attention." Alana nodded and
smiled. Just as she was about to start her notes again she heard some
whispers from the back of the classroom. "She is probably distracted since
it's almost lunch. We better get there fast before she eats all the food!"
This was followed by laughter. Alana suddenly started to feel the tears
in her eyes. Suddenly the bell rang allowing Alana to leave before having
given the class a chance to make her cry. Alana tried to hurry up to her
locker but she was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. "Hey. Hey." The
voice said. Alana turned around to see Sean. Shocked, Alana tried to keep
her composer, not wanting Sean to see her cry. "Yeah?" She asked
suspiciously. "I haven't met you properly yet. I'm Sean." He said.
"Yeah I know." Alana said quietly. "Hey don't let those idiots get to
you." He said sweetly. "Aren't they your friends?" Alana asked confused.
"Yeah but I never said they were nice. They are what they are, no more
no less." Sean said. "Thanks. Is that all?" She asked curiously. "Uh
no. I was hoping you could help me." He asked reluctantly. "How is
that?" Alana asked wondering what she could do to help him. "Well as you
can see I'm not really doing good in Science and Ms. Hatzilakos has it out
for me. I can't afford to be held back again. I was just wondering if
you could tutor me or something." He asked still reluctant. Alana couldn't
believe what Sean was asking. "Uh. Sure." She said trying to sound like
she was debating it. Inside, Alana was screaming 'YES!!'. "Ok, cool. I'll
be at your house at 4:00. Is that ok?" He asked. "Yeah. Here is my
address." Alana said quickly jotting it down on a piece of paper. With
that Sean smiled and walked away. Emma quickly came up and asked Alana
what Sean wanted. Alana told Emma and she just had one thing to tell her
friend. "Watch out for Sean. He can be trouble." "Emma I'm just
helping him study. I don't think Sean is going to ask me out or anything."
Alana laughed but inside she couldn't help but think how great it would be
if that did happen.
