Author's note: HEY GUYS. OK so I know it seems like it's nearing the end of the story, but it's not! Actually, there's still a long way to go, so never fear, long-story is here! Well anyways... Enjoy!
Tori leaned against the blue lockers, smiling at the approaching Lucifer, who opened the door until it almost smashed into her face. She flinched a little, thanking who ever invented hinges, then knocked lightly on the metal door.
Joey slammed his locker shut, glaring at her. "What, Vargas?"
Tori Vargas smiled wickedly. "I heard you have a problem with Castiel Novak. And a little trouble with Dean Winchester?"
He reopened his locker, stuffing things into it and his bag. "Yeah, so?"
"So… I want to help you."
"Girls like you only talk to guys like me if you want something done. What do you want?"
"Revenge on a gay ass hole."
He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, slipping a box of cigarettes into the front of his back pack. "What do I get?"
"The gay ass hole is Dean Winchester. Bonus is the other fag, Cas."
Joey grinned, finally interested. "Any more information?"
"They're gay together."
He laughed. "Oh, this is gold. Can't he be tossed off the team for that?"
Tori nodded, picking a small speck off of her acrylic nails. "Yep. So… I take that as a yes?"
"What's the plan?"
"I'll leave that to you." She dug in her purse for her lip gloss, and applied it heavily. "Have fun!" She sashayed away, her high heels clopping against the linoleum.
Dean and Cas walked into the school together, far enough apart to look like they're not together, but close enough to be within arm's length. They both filed into their geometry classroom, sitting down in their assigned seats, Dean directly behind Cas.
The bell rang and the teacher looked down at her papers, standing up from her desk.
"Pop quiz everyone!" The teacher said excitedly as the bell rang.
The groan was in unison for the entire class. She frowned, pushing her glasses up her nose.
"On a Monday?" Someone said, upset, from the front of the room.
"Yes, on a Monday. It's not so bad!" She said, as she passed out the papers. "Don't flip your papers over until I say go." She turned her back to take attendance, and Dean leaned up to Cas's ear.
"Cas." He mumbled.
Castiel ignored him, his eyebrows furrowing.
Go away Dean! He thought angrily.
Something tapped his shoulder, probably a pencil, and he still refused to look. Dean continued to pester him.
Cas felt Dean's desk bump his as he leaned over it, then warmth rushed over Cas's face and neck as Dean whispered in his ear.
"Dean Winchester? Do you have something you 'd like to share?"
"No Ms. Ruby."
"Hmph." She looked at him, annoyed. "You may begin."
The sound of papers being flipped over sounded throughout the classroom.
"And remember, this is a class copy so don't write on it."
Ms. Ruby might not have heard what Deans said, but Cas did.
" It's adorable when you try to ignore me."
Why does he think that? Cas thought frantically, his pencil flying through the math. He raised his hand to turn in the quiz after seven minutes.
"Eight minutes left everyone."
Most everyone had finished except for the slower kids. Dean included.
Cas silently hoped Dean had taken his time on the equations. Finding the exterior angles seemed to be his greatest struggle.
The clock seemed to tick by slowly, and Cas looked round the room, bored. He read the same posters over and over again, examining each one, but after doing this for just about half the year, he was running out of ways to keep his mind occupied.
How do you live your life when nobody's watching?
There's a fine line between passing and achieving.
There was homework?
Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon.
He read each one in turn, examining the accompanied pictures. None of them were inspiring at all. They were quotes and simple phrases that didn't ignite his creativity or education at all.
"Alright, times up. Put your quizzes in the black basket and for the rest of the period, get started on the practice questions for chapter seven."
Backpacks unzipped and notebooks were brought out. A girl raised her hand in the front of the room, and the teacher nodded to her. "Yes?"
"Can we work in groups?" She turned to the girl across the room from her and they gave each other a smile and thumbs up.
The teacher sighed, knowing those two would make a bad work group. "Turn to the person next to you and work with them. Cas glanced to both sides of him. One person was absent, and the other four in his row had already grouped up.
"Cas." The teacher smiled towards him. "Why don't you work with… she looked around him, looking for a good group. "Oh, don't you know Dean? Dean, why aren't you working with Josh like you should?" She helped them to push three desks together.
"Miss, I told you I was going to an optometrist this period." Josh complained. "Plus, I don't want to work with Dean!"
"Josh! That's not okay!" She said, looking towards Dean. She couldn't deal with a fight. She began to nervously pull Josh across the room. "Josh, go wait for your appointment in the office. Dean, Cas you work together!" She smiled, relieved.
Cas turned towards Dean seriously.
"Listen, Dean. Don't slow us down. We need this done by the end of the period, and-"
He was silenced in shock as Dean grabbed his hand from under the table, making sure his back pack was in the seat beside them, hiding the gesture. "I can help too. Do numbers 1-10 and I'll do 11-17."
Cas squeezed his hand. "Okay, but if you need help, just ask."
Dean rolled his eyes and began the work, their hands parting. They tried to give each other small hidden gestures like this throughout the day.
Periods passed until 5th rolled along. Lunch was next, and Cas couldn't wait. They weren't in 5th together, but they did have B-lunch. The clock seemed to mock him, until it gave him freedom at the bell. He packed his bag, trying to go quickly so he could meet up with Dean by the cafeteria doors. If he took too long, the lines would fill up and there would be barely anytime for him to tutor Dean in the library afterwards.
"Novak."
A chill slid down Cas's spine as he heard the familiar voice. He spun on his heel, instantly stiff and alert. "L-Lucifer." His voice was slightly trembling, but then he stood up proud, feigning bravery. "Go away, or I'll-"
"Call over your boyfriend? I don't think so."
Cas's fear grew, and his stomach twisted. "You know? How? Was it obvious? Did Dean tell you?"
"Calm down, Novak. I found out on my own. I'm the only one that knows besides you and Dean." He lied, acting completely calm and cool about it. Cas visibly relaxed, but he still had his guard up.
"How did you find out?"
"I saw a little too much, okay? But the point is… If you want it to stay between the three of us, you might have to do something for me." Joey's cruel thoughts roiled around, collecting more and more venom and he laughed wickedly on his mental side. What he was planning was gross, but it would be worth it to hurt Cas and Dean.
"What do you want? Money, a cheat sheet? Please don't tell… Dean could get thrown off the team!" He said that a little too loudly, but was glad everyone was on their way out the door.
"Follow me." Joey said, leading Castiel out of the door. He followed silently, desperately worrying about Dean. Hopefully, they'd find each other later and he could explain.
Joey looked back over his shoulder. "Dean usually meets you at the door, right?" Cas nodded.
"Good. I'll drop you off there. I'll tell him, and then I'll ask for my payment." Joey lied through his teeth, not looking forward to what came soon. He didn't care much though, as long as it meant revenge. He anticipated the look he'd receive for his upcoming 'performance'. Especially from the secret. Happy couple.
They arrived at the doors, and the crowd of student started to thin. Dean turned the corner into the hallway, walking towards the cafeteria doors.
Joey spotted him before Cas, and put his plan into action right before Dean looked towards them.
Dean walked around the corner, shouting "See ya at practice!" down the hall towards Nicholas. He adjusted his bag, and looked towards the cafeteria doors, hoping to see Cas.
At first, he didn't see him, so he checked again. What he saw next burned his soul and heart, damaging it far beyond repair.
He couldn't shout, he couldn't speak. Tears rushed to his eyes, as the scene before him uncovered itself.
People turned to look at Joey and Cas, but walked by, most not minding it, while others made faces of disgust. Dean didn't care about them. He had been betrayed, by the one person he trusted most in the entire world. Rage bubbled in him, but the sorrow that crushed it down forced him to not act. Instead, as soon as Cas looked his way, he bolted, running faster than he would for even one of his games. He couldn't go to the library, he couldn't go to the Impala, or home. They reminded him to much of the angel that had entered his life. The angel that ripped out hearts, crushed and twisted them, then replaced them as if everything was fine.
He began to pant, hyperventilating. He continued to run though. He didn't want to think about Cas. Never again would he look into the crystal blue eyes. He ran to the only place he could think of. He sprinted to the gym locker rooms, using his football key to get inside. Luckily, no one was there.
He threw his book bag in a rage, slamming a hand against a locker.
"God damn it!" He shouted, tears of anger and sadness pouring down his face. "Why did I trust you?!" He was yelling louder and louder, glad that the walls were thick. He kicked into a locker and it dented inwards. He then sat down on a bench, placing his head in his hands. He felt the moisture of his tears sitting against the palms of his hands.
"Cas… what the hell? Why?" He asked, pain emphasizing each word. His breathing came heavily and uneven. He had placed his entire trust in Castiel, and seeing how much Cas had lied to him, hurt him more than he could ever bear.
Cas lied about… everything.
He was disgusted by the small hope he had that it was a mistake. He just witnessed proof enough.
Cas was making out with Lucifer.
His mind was silent after the admittance, and it didn't bother with foolish hopes again.
Joey had his arms wrapped around Cas's waist, Cas's hand on his chest. They had been kissing.
He hoped Cas had enjoyed it. With venom, he hoped Cas enjoyed his new relationship.
But Joey? After Joey had abused him?
Guess he liked it rough. He shared a fake laugh with himself, as if even humor could help him.
It was all a lie. But what had Cas wanted? To hurt him? To use him?
Dean left the locker room. So the hell what if Cas wanted to do that? He could do it too.
Dean walked up to one of the nearest girls, Vanessa, and flirted with her. It didn't feel the same as it used to, especially with Cas on his mind. It had felt so real with him.
He got her to kiss him, and they ended up in one of the bathrooms, hardcore making out. He took his shirt off, and she was going to take hers off too, when the bell rang.
He knew he had only done it to get his mind off Cas, but it disgusted him. He knew Cas had betrayed him first, but Dean felt guilty. He slid back on his short and left Vanessa in the restroom while he headed off to class.
"Dean!" A small voice shouted his name from down the hall. He ignored it, quickening his pace. As if he would talk to that loser. He was Dean Winchester, the line-backer for the Freewill high football team. He was at the top of the school, and wasn't going to be dragged down by that dirt again.
"Hey Dean!" Nick called him over.
"Hey man. What's up?"
"The football team is throwing a killer party tomorrow night. You coming?"
"I am on the football team." He laughed, and they high-fived.
"See you then. We'll talk about the rest at practice."
Nicholas seemed to look off at something for a moment, and then laughed a little. "Looks like loser-brain wants to talk with you." He shoved Dean off towards Cas, snickering with the other players. Dean glared at Cas, and he suddenly seemed much taller, and more of a stranger to Cas as he approached.
"What do you want?" He asked, hoping each of his words were toxic. He wavered slightly as Cas flinched, but he continued to throw daggers with his sight.
Castiel stood on his toes, looking across the crowd. He spotted Dean saying goodbye to a few of his friends.
"Hey, Novak." Joey said, and Cas turned towards him.
Lucifer's mouth slammed into his, and Cas pushed against his chest, trying to get him off. Joey's hands wrapped around his waist, and Cas pushed harder, looking for Dean, frantically. His lips curled in, trying to force Joey away, but he watched Dean stand frozen.
Dean! Help! He called out with his mind. Dean did the opposite, sprinting away.
realized what it would look like to Dean. Joey released Cas at the exact moment Dean turned his back.
"What the hell, Joey?" He shouted. A fist collided with his face.
"Have fun with Deanie-weenie." Joey laughed evilly, and Castiel understood.
Joey turned his back to leave. Cas, in a rage, grabbed a open carton of milk from someone's tray.
"Hey. Assbutt."
As Joey turned, he flung the milk through the air, chocolate milk exploding all over him.
"Did you just throw something at me?" He asked, threateningly, approaching Cas slowly. "And ruin my shirt?"
People parted for Lucifer, afraid of what would happen. Some waited to watch, while some left in a hurry, not wanting to have to fill out a witness report.
"Yes." Castiel responded, unafraid.
After that, he turned on his heel and sprinted. He ran faster than he ever wanted to, knowing Joey wasn't far behind. The bell rang, and more students got in his way, and he tried to use his size as an advantage to weave through the crowd. He swallowed down his fear as he continued running.
"Novak! Lucifer! Get to class!" The gym teacher shouted.
They both stopped running simultaneously, and Joey drew a line across his throat with his finger.
"Dead." He mouthed.
Cas turned away, and felt a sudden rush of hope when he watched Dean leaving the restrooms.
"Dean!" He called, hoping his voice reached Dean above the noise. Dean didn't react, so he assumed he had been to quiet. He struggled to get closer.
Dean veered to the right, to talk with his friends.
He was quiet, sitting behind Dean awkwardly. He heard something about a party, but other than that he didn't pay attention.
He accidentally made eye contact with Nicholas, who laughed and pushed Dean towards him.
Cas's welcoming smile vanished, and he gulped as Dean approached him menacingly.
"What do you want?" He asked, his eyes burning with hatred and anger.
"Dean I-"
"Shut up, Cas." He began to walk away.
Cas grabbed his shoulder and he spun around angrily. "Don't touch me." He mumbled.
"Dean… You don't understand."
"Oh I don't understand? Which part do I not get? You making out with Lucifer, or Lucifer making out with you?"
Cas winced slightly. He felt the pain in Dean's voice.
"Dean, I don't think you get what I'm saying."
Dean looked down at Castiel, each lie tearing into him more and more.
They're all lies. He reminded himself.
"Don't pull your smart crap talk on me. And stop using those fake puppy-dog eyes. Just go fuck Joey or something."
Cas watched Dean walk away, his pain reflected in his eyes. In all the time they'd been together, even if that together was over, Dean had never looked that upset.
The hallway was clearing, and it was time to head to class. "Dean. I'll fix this." Cas mumbled, looking down at the floor. He walked to class, entering just after the bell.
"Detention." The English teacher said automatically, and then noticed who it was.
"Castiel? Why are you late, of all people?" He pulled a piece of paper from his desk, noticing the aura of depression that seemed to radiate from him.
Great… Cas thought. Congratulations on having the only teacher in possibly the entire planet that notices when a student is struggling.
Cas's eyes glanced across the classroom, and he looked straight at Dean, who didn't look up.
Dean felt the blue eyes on him, but he refused to look up, even though he was used to smiling up at them.
He heard the teacher say something about the guidance counselor, and the seat beside him remained empty for the rest of the class.
Dean was writing bullshit answers on his work sheet, laughing silently to himself. He had reverted back to his old self. The pre-Castiel stage. Even if he wasn't as happy as before, at least it wasn't fake happiness.
Why had he even dated that ass? Cas is an ass… ASStiel. He thought, and smiled. He'd have to use that one.
"Have you experienced a break-up before?" The guidance counselor looked at him with sympathetic eyes. He hated it. He fidgeted nervously under her stare.
"I haven't really had the time to date anyone before him."
"Well what's this boy's name? Should I talk to him too?"
Cas shook his head, biting his lip.
"Are you sure?"
"I said no."
"I understand that you're upset, but you shouldn't take it out on the innocent." She stated, still filled with empathy that radiated off of her like fire.
He simply glared out the window. She was pissing him off now. Luckily he hadn't told her anything except he broke up with someone he really loved. He hadn't told her about Joey. Otherwise, he'd be here stuck in a room full of angry teenage boys.
"I uh… Actually I need to go."
The counselor checked her watch "Oh my! We've been in here for two periods. Well, if you ever need to-"
When she looked up, the door was swinging shut.
Cas rushed to the library. Dean had to report to tutoring. If he didn't, he'd get a detention, school rules.
He felt like he knew before he got into the tutoring room, but he tried anyways. He opened the door, revealing an empty room.
"Dean." He mumbled, annoyed. He didn't bother reporting him. He left the library, heading towards the parking lot. Dean would have to come back to the Impala after practice. He stood next to the car, looking out towards the field, where practice had started. He saw Dean's spiky hair, and watched them practice their plays. Before long, they had finished, and one person headed towards the parking lot after changing.
Dean spotted Cas as he walked towards his car. He wanted to walk away, but he refused to leave his baby behind.
He completely ignored Cas, who stood silently while Dean opened up his car.
"What do you want, Cas? Another fake kiss?"
"Dean, nothing I did with you was fake."
Dean looked up at him, angry. "Prove it."
Castiel stepped around the car. "Dean. How can I prove it? Listen, please"
Dean stood up and shut the impala door, leaning against the car.
"Fine. I'm all ears."
Cas took a deep breath, hoping he was actually listening. "Lucifer planned it. He told me he knew about us-" They both knew he meant their relationship "-and he told me he wanted something so he would keep quiet. I followed him, he told me he would tell me when you got there, then he kissed me."
He paused, then realized that Dean could have mistaken it. "But, I didn't kiss him." He corrected.
"Well, you two looked real close, with your hands all over him like that."
"Dean, my hands were on him because I was trying to get him off of me."
"Cas. There's half of me that wants to believe you, and the more sane part of me knows I can't trust you, since you can't prove it. I'm not going through that shit again, if I trust you and you're lying."
They were both silent.
"Dean… How can I redeem myself?"
"I don't know if you can." He ran a hand through his hair, suddenly wishing he could know Cas was truthful.
"Dean… I really do love you."
"I think I do too. I don't want to be wrong on this, but I think you're right. The only thing is, Lucifer had no way of knowing we were together unless one of us told him."
Cas strained his mind, trying to figure it out. "Do you think he saw our kiss on the night of the party?"
Dean sighed. "How would I know?" He ran a hand through his hair. "Listen, I'll see you later, okay? Call me if you figure your stuff out."
"Dean… I'm sorry."
Dean opened the Impala door, ready to climb in, when Cas grabbed his shoulder, spinning him towards him.
He kissed Dean, the first time he had started the kiss. They both felt the passion behind the kiss, and they held each other close. Dean broke the kiss, his arms still wrapped around Cas.
"I love you." Cas said.
"Finally." He kissed Cas again, soft and sweetly.
"Dean." Cas pulled away.
"Cas? What?"
Cas grabbed Dean's hand, making him grab his collar. He stood up on his tiptoes.
"I'm sorry!" He yelled, and Dean stared at him, confused.
"Behind you." Cas whispered, and Dean nodded, understanding.
"Get out of here before I beat your ass."
Dean leaned in a bit closer, giving him a quick kiss. "Meet me by the stop sign outside the school." He whispered, and Cas gave a slight nod as Dean threw him away from him.
Cas scampered off, as if he was afraid of Dean's threat.
"Nice, Winchester." Michael and Nick came up behind him. "Hey man, forgot to tell you at practice, but party's at my house tomorrow."
Dean nodded to Michael. "Time?"
He shrugged. "Nick?" He asked.
Nicholas thought for a moment. "Let's do it around… Eight?"
They all nodded in agreement.
"I got to go for-" He almost hesitated long enough for them to notice. "-A date."
Michael winked and Nick grinned. "Hitting it off with the tutor, eh?" Michael laughed.
"You'd be surprised." Dean said, and only he knew they would be.
"Remember the dare." Nicholas winked as they walked away.
Dean had no idea what to do, but he had a bigger problem on his hands.
Cas was waiting at the stop sign. The only question was the trust. Maybe he'd have to talk to Lucifer himself. He returned to his car, finding someone in the front seat.
"Tori?" He asked, in disbelief.
"Hey babe."She smiled, flinging a golden curl over her shoulder. "I've got two tickets to a movie, you and me. Ready?"
Dean didn't sit in his car until he looked around the parking lot. Then he ducked into it.
"Listen Tori, I already met someone else."
"You're still with that fag, Castiel?"
"What?"
"Oh don't look at me like that! Did Joey tell you? Did he get you to pay him? Lucifer is in love with Cas, not you! He did it today, right?" Her ego and popularity was on the line. If she couldn't get the hottest guy in school even with a struggle, she couldn't do anything.
"How did you find out Cas and I are dating? And what do you mean? Joey didn't tell me anything, and I didn't pay him anything!" He was confused with all of her talking.
"Oh please." She looked down at her nails. "I watched you two get it on at that party. Behind the house? Yeah."
She looked at him triumphantly. "So we through here? You taking me to the movies, or what?"
"Get the hell out of my car."
"You seriously care about this car that much?"
"You made Joey kiss Cas, didn't you?"
"Hey. I let him decide what to do. I gave him a push, so that you'd come back to me, where you belong."
She smiled. "Besides, someone like you belongs with a girl like me. It's the natural order. Hottest guy is always taken by the hottest girl."
"You're disgusting." He glared at her.
"Come on, don't be like that…" She leaned over to him, and his grasp tightened on the steering wheel.
"Get the hell out of here, slut."
"What?" She asked, angrily.
"I said go back to the whore house where you belong."
"God damn it Dean! Now, you're going to drop. Understand? I'm telling Nick and Michael."
He stared straight ahead, unchanging, even though a thousand feelings rushed beneath his mask.
She left in a huff, slamming the door. She had pulled her key out of her pocket, smiling wickedly as she went to jam it into the side of the Chevrolet. Her key met air as Dean sped off, splashing up mud from the puddle.
"These were 250!" She shouted behind him, her pink heels covered in brown, thick, mud.
Relief was one of the first emotions that slammed into Dean. Relief that Cas hadn't lied.
Dread was next, knowing he had doubted Cas, and should have trusted him.
He pulled up next to the stop sign Castiel was waiting at.
"Cas. I'm sorry."
Castiel looked up from his book, climbing into the impala.
"For what?"
Dean kissed him, holding him tight.
"I should have believed you." A single warm tear ran out of his right eye, and he hugged Cas tighter.
"Dean? Um… Air." He mumbled, smiling.
"Hey Dean." Tori smiled cruelly, latched onto Nick's arm like a snake.
"Dean. What's up with that Novak loser? Tori told me you had something to tell me about him."
"Yeah, actually I do." Cas was walking by silently, minding his own business when Dean grabbed his shoulder.
"What is it?" Nick looked back and forth between them.
Dean kissed Cas, their lips locking. Cas tried to pull away, but Dean seemed to tell him through the kiss, that he didn't care anymore.
Dean pulled away. "Nick. This is my tutor."
Tori simply smiled, while Nick was borderline gaping. Michael was unreadable.
"I can't be on the team anymore, so I quit."
"What the hell, man? I mean, I've got nothing against gays, but you? You're our best player! Please tell me this is some prank…?" Nick looked sadly to Dean.
Dean shook his head. "I'm sorry Nick."
Michael looked at Nick. "You're okay, with their kind?"
"Yeah, I'm cool with them. It doesn't really effect me either way, so-"
"That's disgusting." Tori curled her lip. "Mikey, he's one of them."
"Mikey?" Dean looked at him, containing a laugh.
Michael glared. "Nick, it was great while it lasted, but you're off the team."
"No, Mike, don't drag him into this." Dean looked at him pleadingly.
Nick looked abandoned, one of his closest friends dropping him. "But I'm quarterback! You can't just drop me!"
"Just did. Uniforms back to coach by tomorrow."
"Mike, don't take this out on Nick." Cas provided, feeling guilty, having cost Dean and Nicholas's places on the team.
"Listen, team rules. Even coach supports it." He left, Tori still clinging to his arm.
"Dean, I'm sorry. Mike, I owe you an apology as well."
"Don't worry about it. This is what I wanted." Dean watched Michael's retreating back.
Nick nodded. "Yeah, those guys are asses anyway." He seemed to ponder something. "Hey Dean, as much as I don't like revenge, how about a little… fake innocence, I guess you could call it."
Dean smiled. "You ever crashed a party without intending to?"
"Well we were invited."
Cas smiled, and laughed a little. "You guys really are bad."
They both laughed, knowing how innocent Cas was. "You became bad when you first kissed me back." Dean grabbed Castiel's hand, and he remembered to make introductions.
"Well Nick, meet Cas. He's my tutor."
"Wow. Never said your 'cute, smart, and incredibly sexy' tutor was a guy."
Dean turned bright red as Cas looked between them, not sure if he was supposed to be confused or flattered. Dean had called him those things?
Mike hummed thoughtfully. "Well, are you still going to follow through on the dare?"
"What dare?" Dean asked, confused.
"Hey Cassy, how about going down with Dean to the football field on Valentine's day? There's going to be a game against the Bears. You up for it?"
A grin spread across Dean's face. "Yeah Cassy, wanna go with me?"
"Cassy?" He asked, unamused.
"I'll take that as a yes." Dean winked, and he squeezed Cas's hand. "Well, how about some extra long tutoring? I don't have practice afterwards."
Nick looked between the two of them. "You really are a cute couple." He remarked, and they both turned slightly pink.
"I'm not 'cute'" Dean said defensively.
Nicholas rolled his eyes. "Yeah, whatever. See you guys tonight. Party's gonna be great."
Nick left for his car, leaving far earlier than he normally would have on a day of practice. Unfortunately, practice wouldn't come again for him.
Cas and Dean left to the library for tutoring. If by tutoring you mean Dean continuously flirting with Castiel while he was trying to teach and of course if all tutoring sessions turn into a make-out session.
In other words, 'tutoring'