Chapter 8

The rest of the week panned out fairly well; not much happened in terms of school, exams and such mainly. The relationship of Simon and Jeanette seemed to peek out and become more public. Simon tried by making sure he held Jeanette's hand, kissed her when he greeted her and hugged her when he saw a chance. Jeanette responded with lots of blushes and giggles, but it was clear that she seemed to be enjoying this more public attention from Simon.

Theodore was doing what he could to not be caught alone with Eleanor, for fear his hormones might embarrass him; while Alvin was trying hard to be left alone with Brittany so his hormones could take over. However every chance they had they were interrupted; it was like an extra pair of eyes were spying and ruining every chance he had. Brittany didn't mind too much, she wasn't overly bothered, but it was starting to really frustrate Alvin.

Steph managed her feelings toward Alex pretty well, and soon she was back to her old self of joking, shameless flirting and just scraping through her school work.

But soon it was Friday, and they were all watching as the seconds ticked by on the clock. Alvin and Steph were in Spanish. They were revising over the questions that most people got wrong in the past exam. Alvin had his head on the desk, trying to sleep as he normally tried to do in Spanish, but Ms Kennedy was a little more eagle eyed than Señoría Kostardas and picked on him almost all the time to try and keep him from catching an nap;

"Alright Alvin?"

Alvin lazily lifted his head and grunted, she smiled "I want you to tell me who is in your family"

Alvin sat up and rubbed his eyes, "Uhh, let me see, I have two brothers and a dad...i also have a mum but I don't see her much anymore, or my uncle"

Ms Kennedy clasped her hands and raised her eyebrows, "Alvin we're in Spanish so the answer needs to be in Spanish, and just who lives in your household"

Alvin smiled, "Ah, shit, right, oh I mean Mierda"

Ms Kennedy frowned, "Alvin, just answer the question without swearing in my class thank you"

Alvin grinned, "Uhh let's see, ok Tengo...dos hermanos...y un papa?"

Ms Kennedy smiled, "Good job" and turned to the board to write Alvin's response.

Alvin beamed, Steph leaned over and whispered, "Teacher's pet"

Alvin flicked a pencil at her, which she blocked, making a slight squeal.

Ms Kennedy turned around, "A problem Miss Xanatos?"

Steph looked stunned, "Uh, no Señoría, I thought I saw a..uh..la cuckaracha"

Ms Kennedy scoped the room and turned back to the board.

Steph leaned back over to Alvin and whispered angrily, "Vete a la mierda"

Alvin smothered a laugh; he knew what that meant. He and Steph had spent time locating all the swear words and phrases to use on each other; this one meant "Piss off".

The clock ticked it's last few seconds as the bell rang; everyone grabbed their bags and books an bolted for the door, Ms Kennedy tried to yell instructions, "Ok everyone have a great spring break, don't forget to try and brush up on your phrases for next semester, we'll be focussing on travel it's on page 304 of your textbooks, Alvin and Steph can I see you before you leave?"

Alvin and Steph stopped suddenly spun around, they looked at each other and walked over to Ms Kennedy who was clearing her board. She turned and sat at her desk, gesturing for Alvin and Steph to do the same. They slumped in the chairs near the desk, "C'mon Miss spring break started" Alvin looked at the clock, "Two minutes ago"

Ms Kennedy smiled, "Yes Alvin I am aware of that, I want to get home too"

Alvin nudged Steph, who just elbowed him back.

Ms Kennedy looked at this and shrugged, "Look I'll keep it quick, after I've reviewed your exams, and you two only just scraped over a pass, well Alvin you seemed to do a little better, you have potential, you just need to apply yourself a little more. Steph, however, it's a little disappointing to see that out of the whole class, you've progressed very little"

Alvin shrugged, "What can I say? I'm not a languages type of guy"

Steph cut in too, "Yeah, hey I struggle enough with English, let alone try and learn another language"

Ms Kennedy leaned on the desk, "Then why are you in my class?"

Alvin thought for a second, then reasoned, "Look, Dave's, uh my dad is making me take this class, said it'd be good on my final paper or something, but a pass is a pass right? So long as I keep passing, I can't fail?"

Ms Kennedy sighed, "Well yes, if you just simply pass your final paper, then it'll be enough" Alvin smiled, "Well that's good enough for me"

Ms Kennedy put her hand to her head, "Well do you think you could make just a little extra effort? Maybe I can give you a few extra credit points if you both participate a little more?" Alvin nodded as Ms Kennedy allowed him to leave. Alvin waved at Steph and grabbed his bag. As he left, Alex poked his head in the room, "Ah here you are mum, oh sorry, you have company"

Ms Kennedy called out to him, "Go wait by the car, hon, I'll only be a minute or two"

Alex called back, "Ok, see you soon then".

Ms Kennedy turned back to Steph, "Now where were we? Oh yes, look, let me help you Steph, let me see if I can get a tutor for you"

Steph interrupted, "I can't have a tutor, no way, that's so lame"

Ms Kennedy stood, "Well you need to do something, and I think a tutor will be just the thing, otherwise you're looking at failing and possibly having to make up your results over summer" Steph's eyes grew wide as Ms Kennedy continued, "Starting next semester I'll organise one for you"

Steph rolled her eyes, "Is there any other way outta this? I can participate more, I swear I will"

Ms Kennedy smiled and walked to the door, "Well that'd be great too Stephanie, but I think this is the best thing I can offer to help with your Spanish, so starting next semester, you'll have some extra help, just until your grades pick up. Now go enjoy your spring break" she ushered Steph out the door. Steph rolled her eyes, hiked her bag up on her shoulder and pulled her keys from her pocket. She slowly walked toward her truck; that she so lovingly convinced her dad she needed, and noticed Alex waiting by the blue Honda again. He signalled a wave. She waved back, threw her bag angrily into the cab and got into the truck.