After several long grueling weeks of doctor's visits, and physical therapy sessions, Nancy was taken off her painkillers and allowed to return to school. She spent the first week taking test after test to make up for lost time. Just when she thought she was in the clear and would not have to take any tests for a while, mid-terms were around the corner, so she had to start again.
She had two more weeks to get an entire semesters worth of information memorized, that wasn't a lot of time. She was grateful for her study sessions with Jill and Susan, they helped keep her focused. Everyday they would spend hours studying for exams, the work load was humongous.
One Tuesday afternoon, she returned to her locker, after history, to load up on books before heading to Gym class. Despite everything she had been through, Carol's punishment was still in place when she returned to school. She went to Gym everyday and handed out papers, helped track the class's progress, handed out, and put away the equipment. She got to play a little catch with the class when they started their softball unit; she had a pretty good arm, even sitting down.
Loading her books into her pack on the back of her chair, she dropped a book when she heard someone yelling from down the hall.
"NANCY, NANCY, NANCY!"
"WHAT?"
She yelled back at Jill who was running down the hall a paper flying in her hand. Jill stopped dead in her tracks in front of Nancy, and tried to catch her breath.
"Slow down will you. What's the problem?"
"No problem. I was passing Miss Bass's class and she stopped me. I thought I was in big trouble, but she handed me this."
Jill shoved the paper into Nancy's hand, as she took some deep breaths to ease her burning lungs from the long run from the third floor.
"I passed our Math pop quiz we took this morning. I actually got a ninety percent, second highest grade in the class, behind you. Miss Bass is so pleased with my performance she gave me a progress report to give my parents. I'll finally be off restriction, and with any luck won't have any trouble passing that mid-term. All thank to you."
"I didn't do anything, you did all the work."
"Yea, but you made it all make sense. You know I've never taken an advanced class before, and I thought for sure I was going to flunk. Thanks to your tutoring I should actually pass the semester, and if I can keep it up, next semester will more then make up for this one."
"Well I'm glad I could help."
Nancy spun her chair around and leaned forward to pick up her dropped book.
"Let me get that for you."
Before Nancy could object, Jill picked up the book and shoved it into Nancy's bag. Although Nancy knew she could have done it herself, she thanked her friend for the help as they made their way down the hall to their Gym class.
"Listen I'll see you in a little while."
"Where are you going? The gym is this way."
"I know thanks, but I have to go see Miss Bass. She knows I have Gym this period, and asked if she could see me. Could you let Carol know I'll be there as soon as I can?"
"Sure, see yea. Hey Susan wait up."
Nancy chuckled as Jill ran to catch up with Susan; she knew they both had been waiting for Jill to get off restriction so they could go out on the weekends and have fun. Nancy took the elevator up to the third floor and over to Miss Bass's classroom door. She could hear voices talking inside, and the door was closed. Nancy knocked on the door, and waited for a response before opening the door and rolling inside.
"You wanted to see me this period Miss Bass?"
"Yes Nancy I did. Have you met Coach Stevens?"
"Not really, but I've heard a lot about you. It's nice to meet you sir."
"Likewise. Miss Bass has said many good things about you."
Nancy just sat in her chair and took this as not any real news. Some of the teachers were still making a big deal about her, but Miss Bass was different, she didn't treat Nancy special. She knew if Miss Bass had said something about her, it was for good reason.
"I was telling the coach how you have helped a few of the students in the class. Students who otherwise might not be passing."
"Oh?"
"Yes, you see that's why we wanted to speak with you. We were wondering if you could help us with a little problem."
"I can try, depends on what it is."
"Well do you know Chad West?"
"Not personally, but everyone in the school knows who he is. He's the captain of the Varsity Basketball team, and a pretty nice guy from what I hear."
"Yes he is, and he is very intelligent as well. He excels in all his classes, except math, it's his Achilles heal."
"I see."
"Let me explain Nancy. You see I have very high standers for my players. I don't just want them to pass; I want them to be the best at everything they do. When I see a great kid like Chad working so hard to do well, and not getting the results, I want to find a way to help."
"Nancy, If Chad doesn't get at least a B on his mid-term; he will no longer be eligible to play."
"Playing basketball is not what this is about."
Coach Stevens snapped at Miss Bass, which made Nancy jump. She tried to hide the laugh she wanted to let out; she had never seen a teacher be disciplined before. It was kind of funny to know that even teachers can say stupid stuff and get corrected.
"I have spoken with Chad's parents, they tell me he spends hours studying the material, and still doesn't seem to grasp it. I think it's time to bring someone else in to help. I'm afraid if we don't get him some help, he is going to give up, and I don't want that."
"So you would like me to tutor him?"
"Yes, we understand you have the same study hall, after lunch. We would also like it if you were able to help him after school. I'm not even allowing him to practice with the team until his grades are up, but he still has to come to practice and study. Do you think you can help him?"
"I'm not sure. Three days a week, I leave school to go to my physical therapy. I leave right after my history class, and sometimes don't get back until after study hall. I only miss lunch, Gym, and study hall. As for after school, I would have to talk to my cousin Piper, she picks me up almost everyday."
"Do you think you could call her?"
"I could try. She should be at her club by now."
"Well then let's go to the office and give her a call."
They exited the room, headed to the elevator, took it to the first floor and entered the office.
"Molly could you let Nancy use the phone to call her cousin."
"Sure Coach. Just tell me the number then I'll hand you the phone."
"555-6238"
After Molly, the school secretary, dialed the number she handed the phone over the counter to Nancy who waited for Piper to pick up the phone.
"P3 Piper speaking, how can I help you?"
"Piper, its Nancy."
"What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"Calm down, take a breath. I'm just calling to ask you a question."
"Oh alright. Shoot."
"The school has asked me to help tutor this guy."
"Guy?"
"His name is Chad; he's the captain of the boys Varsity Basketball Team. He's really having trouble in Algebra, and he can't play until his grade comes up. They want me to tutor him during Study Hall, which I can only do on Tuesday's and Thursdays. They also want me to help him during his Basketball Practice."
"When is that?"
"Everyday, after school. They start at like 3:30 and get finished around 6:00. I told them I had to call you since you're my ride home."
"Well that shouldn't be a problem. If for some reason I can't pick you up, someone else will."
"In that case I need you to make me two promises."
"And they are?"
"Number one, make sure you call Mom and tell her. You know how she freaks out if I'm not home right after school. Number two, make sure you guys decide who is going to pick me up, I don't want you guys all calling the answering machine."
Piper became very uncomfortable, and didn't have anything to say. Nancy knew that this was still a sore spot for the girls, but didn't expect her to take it that bad.
"Relax Piper I'm just giving you a hard time, I'm only kidding."
"Right. I'll see you tonight."
Nancy hung up the phone and turned her attention back to her teacher.
"My cousin said it's alright. I'm not making any promises though. It all depends on how hard he's willing to work."
"Don't worry about that, Chad is a hard worker. I'm sure he can do it. Now why don't you get off to class?"
Nancy left the office but was only gone for a few minutes when she returned with another teacher close behind.
"I caught this student roaming the hall without a hall pass."
"We're sorry about that. She was helping us with something; we forgot to give her a pass."
"Alright. I'm sorry about that."
"No problem. Nancy on your way."
"Not without that pass. I don't want to get stopped again."
After writing out the hall pass, they handed it to Nancy who left without another word. She arrived in the locker room just as the girls were coming in from the gymnasium. She headed over to Jill and Susan's lockers to wait for them.
"So where were you? What did Miss Bass want?"
"Just my help. I'm going to tutor a student in Algebra."
"Which student?"
"Chad."
"Do you mean Chad West? Oh my God you are so lucky; I've had a major crush on him since like forever."
"Keep you voice down Sue. It's nobody else's business that he needs some help. The whole school doesn't need to know, I only told you guys because we're.."
Nancy thought of them as friends, but didn't know if they really felt the same way. Sure they came over to her house, but she wasn't sure if was just because she could help, or if it was because they really liked her.
"We're what? Friends?"
"Well yea."
"Don't worry, we won't tell anyone, but could you do me a favor?"
"What?"
"Put in a good word for me."
"Absolutely not."
"Fine if you won't do that, the least you could do is carry my books."
Susan threw her books in Nancy's lap then took off out of the locker room. Jill tossed her books on top, grabbed a hold of the back of Nancy's chair as they ran off down the hall after her. Normally Nancy didn't like anyone to push her wheelchair, but she couldn't get mad, this was purely for fun.