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Author Note: So, here's chapter two, which is better than chapter one, I promise! I tried to improve it according to the criticism I received, which was very useful. Thank you for letting me know what I need to change and what works. I hope you enjoy this chapter, I swear they get better as the story evolves.
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Ding-dong.
Summer stood waiting in front of Freddy's massive front door, tapping her hands on the spine of the notebook she was clutching close to her chest. She was slightly nervous, and more than a little annoyed. First of all, she could think of a million activities that would have been more productive than tutoring Freddy Jones. Impossible, irritating, ADD Freddy Jones. Secondly, she had been standing there for a good five minutes and the cold, damp weather was chilling her to the bones and making her even more gloomy.
She rang the doorbell again, in hope that Freddy would finally open. After another five minutes, during which she seriously considered turning on her heels and leaving, the door finally cracked open.
"Hey, Summer. How're you doing?" Freddy greeted her cheerfully. What he was so cheerful about was a real mystery.
"I've been freezing here for about fifteen minutes, thanks to you, Jones. What about you?" She replied sulkily. Thus far, she had hated every second of this tutoring session.
"I'm great." He beamed and Summer glared at him. "Come on in, I bet we need to get going with this study thing."
He led her through the huge front foyer with the marble staircase and the crystal chandelier, on to the gorgeous reception hall and a long mirrored corridor, finally arriving to a slightly smaller and much cozier room, where a blaze was burning in the antique fireplace. The room was warm and welcoming, with a long, dark wooden table surrounded by ten tall chairs, comfortable sofas and armchairs around the fireplace and wooden shelves covering the walls from floor to ceiling, hosting thousands and thousands, probably millions, of books.
"Welcome to our little library. We don't use it that much and I thought it might be the appropriate for our tutoring sessions," Freddy said, spying her reaction.
"Definitely…" Summer said, almost breathless. She felt that she already loved that room. She approached the nearest shelf and run her fingers on the spines of the books, tilting her head a little to read the titles. "You've never used it?" She asked without looking away.
"Not really. My granddad was very fond of this room and acquired many of the volumes you see. But my parents are always somewhere around the world and don't get a chance to be here much. I used to play in here sometimes when I was a little kid, you know, climb the ladders and slide them around, build forts with the furniture, but when I grew up it lost all its charm."
"I can't believe that. This is such an amazing place…" Summer replied, still mesmerized by all the books.
Freddy grinned at her. "I imagined you would like it."
Summer turned from the shelves and gave him a tentative smile. "I really do. Thanks."
Freddy beamed back at her and then walked toward the fireplace, making himself comfortable on the carpet. "So, shall we?"
Summer sat stiffly on the sofa in front of him, put her books aside and grabbed a notebook and a pen. "Ok, let's approach this with method. What subjects are you failing?"
"All of them." Summer looked up, stunned. "But music," he added.
She put her pen down, looking already defeated and tired of this. "Look, Freddy, I don't think I am the right person for this," She said apologetically.
"What do you mean?"
"I am sorry, but getting you to pass six subjects that you are currently failing is impossible. For me at least."
"I thought you would help," He stated. He did not sound disappointed or trying to make her feel guilty, he was just pointing out a fact.
"I know, I'm sorry but-"
"Listen. I know you think I'm a hopeless case, but you should know how much I care for the band. If this is what I need to do to keep playing, then fine, I'll do it. But I need your help." She still didn't seem convinced. "Summer, I cannot do this alone. I don't know where to begin, and honestly, I need somebody to keep me on track. Please." He smiled. "I can be one of your projects. Your masterpiece," He joked. "The entire world will look at my grades and say 'Look what Summer Hataway is capable of doing'! What do you say?"
Summer chuckled lightly shaking her head. "Just another project, eh?"
"Promise! And I'll do whatever you say. Deal?" He asked extending his right hand.
Summer considered for half a second and then shook his hand. "Deal," She said smiling. Freddy smiled back, letting go of her hand a moment too late, in which Summer felt slightly awkward. But it passed immediately and she regained her composure and professionalism.
"Well, let me set a couple of rules, then. First of all, I want you to stay focus and pay attention. Secondly, I need you to put all your efforts in this, ok? It's not going to be easy, but you are more brilliant than most people realize-"
"Thanks." Freddy chimed in, smirking.
"-and if you stop being lazy you can make it." She finished ignoring the interruption. "All clear?"
"Yes, ma'am!" He agreed enthusiastically. "So, what should we start with?"
They made their study plan, which implied studying together five days a week plus extra hours in case of a quiz or a test. They went over each subject's syllabus, with Freddy pointing out the topics he didn't know anything about (most of them), those that he remembered vaguely (about a fifth) and those he felt quite confident in (a total of one). They set a timetable for each subject, writing down the topics he needed to review, and organized how they were going to spend the time during each tutoring session. Lastly, when Freddy pointed out that Summer needed some kind of compensation for what she had agreed to, she refused so vehemently that Freddy just had to give up.
"I'm doing it for the band," She said. They were in the foyer and she was ready to leave after the first, extenuating tutoring session.
"I know," He replied, rocking back and forth on his heels, looking at the floor.
"And because we're friends," She added.
"Really?" He stopped and gazed up at her.
"I guess so. Right?"
He beamed at her. "Absolutely."
She gave him a little but significant smile. "I should really get going now."
Freddy opened the door for her and stood aside. "Summer?" She turned to him and he embraced her for a brief moment. "Thank you," he whispered through her hair, and quickly let go. She was still astonished and barely managed to stutter "You are welcome" before leaving.
Freddy watched her go until she turned a corner and disappeared, a smile lingering on his face.
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Author Note: alright, there it is! Be kind and review! Thanks!
