"AL"

I have no idea why I'm nervous, but I am. I agreed to meet my new tutor —since the last one constantly flaked on me and wasn't much help— in the library today to see if we will work out and if he can help me where I'm struggling. I look at each guy who walks by, hoping this is it and we can just get this over with, but they all pass me by as if I don't even exist. When a boy with glasses starts to approach me, I think this is it. He gives me a smile and a head nod, and I smile back. He walks right past me though, and sits a few tables away. I watch as he kisses a cute girl with short black hair on the cheek, and sigh.

"Tris?" I jump, startled by the voice behind me. I turn and see a large boy with soft features shifting from foot to foot, looking nervous.
"Yeah?" I'm not sure why I phrased it like a question. Pretty sure I know my own name. Awkward.

"Oh good," he breathes out, a smile forming on his face. He pulls out the chair next to me and sits down. "I just went up to a different blonde girl I thought was you. I don't think I could handle the look of total confusion and disgust again. It's too embarrassing. "
"Disgust?"

"Yeah. I think she thought I was trying to use some horrible line to pick her up or something. I'm Al." I laugh and so does he. The awkwardness seems to just melt away as we shake hands.

We spend a few minutes getting to know each other before diving right in. I ask him a few questions, and he does the same, and it turns out he's already taken this class with this professor, so it should be a piece of cake to get me to where I need to be. I tell him where I'm struggling and how I've never really struggled before in this subject before, and he gives me a big grin.

"Hey, a few dates with me, and you'll be good to go. I know a thing or two about this subject." His smile widens, and I smile back.
"So, Al, what are you majoring in?" I ask.
"Oh, I don't really know yet. Probably just going to be one of those people who goes to school for seven years but isn't a doctor," he jokes. "You?"
"Well, I'm still not a hundred percent sure, but I definitely want to go into the science field. It would be fun, like a dream job or whatever to be an astronomer, but I need to think a little more practically. That isn't exactly a high in demand job."

"True, but there's nothing wrong with having that sort of childhood dream. Have you ever been to an observatory before? You know there's one just a couple of hours North of here. I could show you sometime if you want."
"I have, actually. My boyfriend took me to one over summer break." I'm thankful for the opportunity to bring Tobias up. Even though Al has given me no actual indication that he's even interested in me, some of his word choices and the things he's bringing up are making me a little wary.

"Oh, cool."
"Yeah. It was. So, math," I say.
"Right. Math."

I spend the next hour alternating between staring at my book, staring at the formulas Al's writing out for me, and staring at Al. I do some practice runs on random equations he writes out for me, but I'm still struggling with it. I can finally figure them out on my own, but the amount of time it's taking me to complete each equation is unacceptable. If this were a test, I would fail based on that alone.

I sigh, tossing my pencil in my book and close it. It's all starting to run together anyways.

"Tris, you'll get it. We all struggle with something in school."
"Al, I appreciate the pep talk, but it's really not necessary. I'm not bad in math, I'm just not good either."
"Well, then it's my job to make you good. You'll see. You want to keep going or do you need a break?"
"I do need a break. And maybe something to drink," I say, standing and stretching. It feels good to be out of the chair.

I walk with Al towards the little coffee stand right outside of the library, and I'm happy to see there's only one other person in line. I order a chai tea, and he orders an iced coffee.

"So, what other classes are you taking?" Al asks as we wait.
"Oh, you know. The basics. English, math, two different sciences. You?"
"Same. Except one science and an art class."
"Art?"
"Yeah, I figured why not."

We thank the barista, and Al refuses to let me pay for my drink. It makes me a little uncomfortable, but what can I do? Maybe I can sneak it into the money I'll give him when we're done.

We take our time walking back to our table. I sip on my drink as I look around at everyone reading and writing, noticing Al staring out of the corner of my eye almost the entire time. I turn away from Al slightly, and take out my phone. I've already mentioned Tobias and used the word boyfriend, but that doesn't seem to be deterring him. He could just be overly friendly though, so I'm trying my best to not jump to conclusions. When I open my texts, it's on a picture Tobias sent me this morning. I smile at the goofy face he's making at the pile of paperwork sitting on his desk.

- Tutoring is more promising this time around, if you were wondering.

I turn back around and notice Al look away quickly.
"Just sending a quick text," I say. He nods, and my phone dings.

- That's good! Work is going slow as hell, if you were wondering.

- I'm sorry. Can we try and meet soon? You know, maybe you feel an illness coming on? ; )

- You know, I was just telling Zeke earlier that I felt a tickle in my throat. Could be my imagination though.

I smile again. I feel bad that he's working so hard and I'm just drinking tea and studying, but at least he's able to get out of work here and there fairly easily. I really can't complain.

The walk and the tea and the text are enough to pull me up out of my little funk. I stretch again and shake my body out before we sit back down, and I find that I'm picking things up a little better. I'm able to work through an equation quicker this time, and when Al gives it to me again and again, I do it with no problems.

"You know, Al. I think you were just what I needed," I say with a smile.
"Thanks, Tris."
"Same time next week?"
"Sure," he says. I hand him his fee after we pack up, the extra money for the drink stuck in there.

A/N:

SONG: Justin Bieber - Boyfriend

This is the shortest chapter in the story, so that's out of the way. This weeks updates are kind of...setting things up, for lack of a better term. Next week will finally start delving into the heart of the story, and leading us towards where we eventually end up. So hang in there! This weeks updates may have some of you wondering just what I'm doing, but I promise, it all makes sense in the end.

Thank you for all the follows and reviews so far. You guys are wonderful!