The Tables Have Turned

Chapter 33

I have a math test on Wednesday. That’s tomorrow and I just found out about it now.

I’m going to fail.

“Why didn’t anyone tell me?!” I yelled at Paul and Chase.

“We thought you knew,” Paul said, amused by the whole thing. He was amused while I panicked because I probably won’t get a two-digit number grade on that test. I don’t know anything!

“Calm down, Hailey,” Chase said. “Alex will help you tonight.”

“I can’t tonight except from six till eight,” Alex said.

Speak of the devil was my first thought when Alex appeared out of nowhere then his words registered in my head and my eyes widened.

“What?! Two hours isn’t enough!” I said. “I don’t know anything!”

He shrugged. “You’ll study on your own.”

“But I can’t,” I said, pouting. I can’t understand anything if Alex doesn’t explain to me and I’ll admit that we weren’t really focusing on the tutoring part when he used to come over before the breakup and after the breakup, he barely came twice.

“Sure you can!” Chase encouraged me.

“I need Alex,” I said. Well, I need his brain…

Chase smirked and Paul said, “You need me. I’m the boyfriend here.”

“Shut up, idiot,” I told him, slapping the back of his head. “I’m going to fail and that’s what you’re thinking about?”

The three guys looked amused while I panicked. I can’t fail that test! After the 80/100 I got on the previous one, I’d like to keep my scores that way.

I sighed as I thought of the jumble of numbers and letters on my math copybook. None of them made sense to me.

I guess I’ll have to wait for Alex to come by and explain everything in these two hours then I’ll study for the rest of the night.

There’s no sleeping tonight, I thought to myself.

After school, I went to my room and tried to understand what was written on my copybook but it just didn’t make sense!

I couldn’t understand anything so at 4:00p.m, I gave up. I had two hours to kill and I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to paint.

An image of my parents has been in my mind for a few days and I wanted to paint it on one of my big white canvases.

It was an image of them standing on the front porch of our house, holding hands, during spring when all the flowers in our garden were blossoming.

I changed into an old white T-shirt that I usually wear when I paint and I tied my hair up in a ponytail. I got all the pencils, paint, brushes, and water I needed before I sat on the small stool and started painting just like I used to back home.

Painting has always been my little secret with my parents. They were the only ones who knew about it. Even Alex didn’t know. He had his suspicions though because he saw once my sketchbook but I changed the subject when he asked about it. I don’t know why but it’s like it was only for my parents to know.

The familiar sense of peace filled my heart but there was also a deep ache as memories of my parents flashed in my mind. The tears escaped and I didn’t really mind because crying always made me feel better. I was in my own little world now and I enjoyed it because I really needed it.

I heard a knock on my door and I panicked. I quickly wiped away my tears but before I could even stand up, the door flew open and Alex came in. I jumped out of my seat and stared at him in shock. What was he doing here? It was only 5:00p.m. He shouldn’t be here until an hour.

His eyes moved from my face to something behind me and that’s when I remembered that my painting was still there. My cheeks flamed and I tried to stand in front of the canvas so he wouldn’t see it but he kept on looking. I then held it and turned it around so it was facing the wall and he wasn’t able to see it anymore. I rested it on the wall but made sure not to ruin it.

“Why are you here?” I asked as I removed the small table on which the paint was on.

“To tutor you,” he said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“You could’ve called before,” I muttered. “You said you weren’t coming till 6.”

“I did,” he said “I told Chase and he said that you were here and you wouldn’t mind if I came now.”

“Oh,” I answered. “He didn’t tell me. And you have my number, you could’ve told me.”

Alex shrugged as if that was the least of his cares. It probably was. And really, why would he call me? Of course he preferred talking to Chase.

“Um let me just change my clothes and then we can start,” I said awkwardly. My white shirt and sweatpants had paint all over them.

“No, I don’t have much time,” Alex said. “And you need all the help you can get.”

I looked down at my clothes and back up at him.

“You don’t have to impress me anyway,” he said sarcastically. “I already know who you really are.”

I should’ve been angry at him and I should’ve replied with something but I didn’t have the energy to do so. All the crying drained me after a long day at school especially with the whole fake dating thing.

 “Okay,” I mumbled and lowered my gaze. I then opened my bag and took out my math book and copybook. When I turned back around, Alex was already seated on my bed.

I pulled my chair closer to the bed and sat down on it, cross-legged. I would’ve normally sat next to him on the bed but I was afraid he would make another snide comment so I stayed on the safe side.

“You can’t even sit normally,” he muttered under his breath but I heard him.

“It’s more comfortable,” I replied, shrugging. I try to act casual around him but all his comments and remarks hurt me. I deserve all this, I keep on telling myself, what I did to him was much worse. But till when should I endure this?

“Whatever,” he answered and then he opened his math book and my hell started.

~~*~~

“Please! I can’t see any more numbers and letters,” I complained after an hour. “It hurts! Can we take a break?”

I saw his blue eyes twinkle in amusement and I smiled. When he saw my smile, all the amusement disappeared and the usual coldness remained. Damn it.

I sighed. I can’t expect him to start liking me, right?

Suddenly, my door flew open and Chase came in.

“Chase! When are you going to knock?” I questioned.

He smiled sheepishly. “At least I know you’re fully dressed this time.”

I felt my cheeks heat up at his comment and I glared at him. A few days ago, Chase decided to come in without knocking like he always does but that night I was changing into my pajamas so he came in at the wrong time.

“Do you want me to hit you another time?” I said angrily.

“No!” He replied quickly, taking a step back “I already have a bruise.”

He lifted up his shirt and I saw the blue bruise on his stomach.

I winced slightly at the sight but quickly covered it up.

“Wow I didn’t know I could throw such a good punch. I’m proud,” I said, smirking at Chase.

“I expected you to apologize,” he said, pouting slightly.

“You deserved this!” I exclaimed. “You can’t just come in here without knocking whenever you feel like it.”

“Fine,” he muttered. “I’ll knock next time.”

“Good,” I answered and that was when I noticed the chocolate bars he was holding. He moved his hand behind his back so the chocolate was out of sight.

“Give me!” I said, sounding like a five year old.

“No,” Chase replied cheekily. “Only Alex gets chocolate.”

He threw a chocolate bar at Alex and he caught it easily.

“Why?” I pouted.

“Because he’s been working for the last hour, trying to get some of this math into your head,” Chase said.

“Hey!” I said, offended. “You’re not good at math either.”

“At least I can pass,” he replied and I glared at him. I then turned around, took my book and copybook, and pretended to study.

“Are you mad at me?” Chase asked after a minute of silence.

“Get out Chase,” I ordered.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized.

“Out,” I said again.

“Please?” He said and I heard him coming closer to me. “I’ll give you the chocolate bar.”

I stayed silent so he took my hand and put the chocolate bar in it.

“Do you forgive me?” he asked and I smirked.

Realization flashed in his eyes and he scowled.

“You tricked me!” He accused and I laughed as I unwrapped the chocolate and started eating. He should know better than to fall for my tricks. I won’t get mad at him because of one stupid joke.

“What’s this?” Chase asked abruptly, pointing at the back of my canvas.

“Nothing,” I replied and at the same time Alex said “Some painting.”

“You paint?” Chase asked, shocked.

“I…” I started but I didn’t know what to say. Chase then noticed my paint-covered clothes.

“Hailey?” he asked, waiting for an answer. When I didn’t reply, he stood up and started walking to where my canvas was.

“Chase! Don’t,” I said and he stopped.

“Why not? What are you hiding?” he asked looking intently at me.

“Nothing,” I mumbled.

“Why does he know and I don’t? I thought you two weren’t friends and I thought I was your best friend,” he said.

“I didn’t tell him,” I said honestly.

“You showed him,” Chase replied angrily and he stormed out of the room without letting me explain.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. Great, this is just great. He was being a bit of a drama queen.

So what I didn’t tell him that I paint?

A voice in my head was telling me that he had the right to be a bit angry because he trusted me with everything and I couldn’t tell him about my hobby.

“We should continue,” Alex said in the silence.

“Okay,” I said.

Heaving a sigh, I took my book and copybook and we picked up where we left off.

At around 8 o'clock, Alex had to leave.

“Thanks, Alex,” I said, smiling at him. “I might actually get a good grade tomorrow.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied, his face blank—as blank as it has been all day.

He left and I put my books away. Turns out the two chapters we have to study for the test didn’t need that much time and in those three hours, I was able to understand them and do all the exercises.

I glanced at the back of my canvas and remembered my previous argument with Chase.

I sat on my bed and closed my eyes for a while. Chase doesn’t understand. No one understands. I just want some privacy. I want to paint and remember my parents without having to tell anyone. I don’t like to talk about my feelings. I just wished he understood.

I knew I should talk to him and try to explain what was going on. I sighed and stood up. I knocked on Chase’s door and when I heard a ‘come in’, I opened the door and walked in. Chase was on his bed, playing with his cell phone.

He looked up and when he saw me, his eyes darkened.

“Chase, I didn’t want to tell him. He just came barging into my room. I didn’t know he was coming because you forgot to tell me and I didn’t expect anyone to come in,” I explain and he finally looked at me.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you paint? You know everything I like to do,” he retorted.

“There are some things I don’t like to talk about!”

“Why not? What’s the big deal about painting?”

“Only my parents knew about that!” I replied and something flashed in his eyes. With a softer voice, I continued, “It’s like the only way I can still somehow communicate with them.”

I looked down and played with the hem of my white shirt. I felt tears prickle my eyes but I forced them away. God, I was being such a drama queen.

“I-I’m sorry,” Chase said sincerely. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

I felt that he was about to hug me but I didn’t want a hug. It would make me cry and I didn’t like crying in front of people so I quickly stood up.

“It’s okay,” I replied quickly and went back to my room.

Once I got to my room, I hugged my pillow and cried. When will I be able to remember my parents without crying?

That seemed impossible to me. I lay in my bed and after a few minutes, my eyes started to burn and when I closed them, I fell asleep.

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Hello :)

I'm having busy days this week so I'm sorry for the short chapters and the late uploads and also, I'm traveling to Spain this Monday so I don't think I'll be able to upload. If I got the chance, though, I might surprise you with a chapter. I'll be back on the 18th of July so I'll upload around this time. Sorry again :/

The dedication is to HaleyRae because her name is Haley Tucker xD How awesome is that?

Thank you MarieKhan for the song suggestion :) --->

Happy Birthday to HaleyRae  and  MEGAN143143. Have a wonderful year :)

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