Study Night

Hello, my name is Ryan. I'm an eighteen-year-old high school student at Crystal Prep. Right now I'm sulking on my desk looking at my grade for the homework that we corrected from last night. It was an 'F'; a large big fat F. Seeing my grade fall from math class is serious business and I have to think of a way to bring it up or I won't pass. I look around and see others have a grade of As, Bs, and a few Cs. I'm more of a failure than anyone in this class. I then look over to my right and see Twilight looking at her usual A+ on her paper. Out of everyone, Twilight is the brightest and she's always prepared for anything that this class has in store for her. Sometimes I notice at the corner of my eye she stares at me before I look over to her and she quickly looks back at her paper as though I didn't see anything. I'm starting to have a theory that she's got a crush on me, but maybe not; I'm not the smartest guy on campus and picturing her being with a guy like me would make her image kinda awkward.

"Alright," said Mrs. Escalla, as she walks toward my isle and picks up papers, "remember class that Friday is the test. Study hard."

"Yes Ma'am," said everyone.

Mrs. Escalla isn't a mean teacher, but she can get rough on those who aren't doing well (like me for example). She's forty-two years old, lives close to Twilight, and she loves reruns of Law & Order. Her skin is pink and her hair is a mix of light-blue and green. She wears glasses and has a mole on her left cheek.

Before she could pick up my paper, she grabs ahold of Lemon Zest's paper and looks at her grade with a stern look. She puts the paper in the small stack of papers she holds and looks down at Lemon.

"Young lady," she said, "you need to listen to less music and listen better in class."

Lemon nods before Mrs Escalla continued down her way and finally meets me and looks down at my 'F'. She facepalms and shakes her head.

"Ryan, Ryan, Ryan," she said with dismay, "you are failing terribly in this class. You need to improve."

"I'm sorry, Mrs Escalla," I said, as she grabs my paper and looks through it.

"You seriously need a tutor."

"But my parents don't have the time for a tutor."

"Then what are you going to do?"

"I don't know. Study harder?"

"Young man, find someone to help you study or fail. Those are your only options. I hate looking down at your terrible grades."

"I'll find someone to help me with my studies."

"You better," she said, as she puts my paper in her small stack of papers and went on picking up more papers.

"But how," I thought, "I don't know anyone at this school who could help me? I can't ask my friends, they're in Arizona for their school year. Who can I ask?! Who?!"

I place my hands on my head and pondered; wondering who I could ask. Most of the people at this school aren't that friendly and they all seem like a bunch of smart-asses. I'm not as smart as they, but I have to find someone and fast. The clock is ticking and my grade depends on me to something.

As she finished collecting the papers, the bells ring, meaning it was time for lunch.

"Have a good day everyone," said Mrs Escalla, as everyone got out of their seats and went through the door, "make sure to study."

I throw my backpack on and went through the door towards the cafeteria, still asking myself to who am I gonna ask for help.

The noise in the cafeteria was mild of students talking to one another about school, their future goals, etc. For me, I ate on a table with some other people with a tray of milk, an apple, and a small thing of yogurt in front of myself. I needed to eat something, but my grades are at stake. When I stress, I barely eat and my mind goes mad.

"I can't ask my parents," I thought, "they take work way too seriously."

Boy do they. Back in 3rd grade, my parents were pretty strict on me when I don't get an answer right. They would yell or stomp on the ground. I never asked them for help ever again since those years.

As the stress builds up, someone on my left takes a seat beside me. I look over and who was it? None other than Twilight Sparkle, one of the best students around here. She sets her bag on her left and looks over to me while adjusting her glasses.

"Hey there, Ryan," she said, "looks like you're not doing well in math."

"Yeah," I replied, "what's it to you?"

"W-well, I was wondering if you like me to tutor you for the upcoming test?"

"Huh?" I said with disbelief, "you want to tutor me?"

"You could really use the extra hand."

"Why would you, one of the brightest girls at Crystal prep, wanna help me, one of the weakest students?"

"You're not weak," said Twilight, "you just need a lot of help with your studying. I know you can do it. You seem like a student that really cares about your grades and not one of those students who care less. I can help you improve."

"I don't think you helping me would work," I said, as I look down at my tray of food.

"And why is that?"

"I don't want to ruin your image."

"I can care less about my image," said Twilight, as she adjusts her glasses again, "I just want to help you succeed in math."

"You really are kind, Twilight," I said looking up to her with a soft smile, "okay. I'll let you tutor me."

"That's the spirit," she said, as she pats my back, "mind if I eat with you?"

"Sure," I said, as I take the apple from my tray and take a bite into it.

"May I ask you something?" she asks, as she pulls out a lunch bag.

"Sure."

"Do you by chance have a girlfriend?"

"Nope. Not around here especially. What girl will go for a guy who has the lowest grades around here? The girls around here like the boys with the brains. I'm not gonna find any girl around here interested with me. Why ask?"

"J-just wondering," said Twilight chuckling nervously, as she opens her lunch bag and pulls out a small bottle of milk.

"Okay, I'm starting to guess that she's got a secret crush on me," I thought, as I took another bite into my apple.

"Also, would you like to study at my house?"

I nearly choked, but the chunk of apple eventually went down my throat, making me cough.

"You okay?" she asked with a hint of worry, as she pats my back.

"I-I am," I said, as I cleared my throat, "why your place?"

"It has such a nice and relaxing environment for studying. I want you to experience it for yourself."

"Well... sure, I guess."

"One more thing, are you allergic to dogs?"

"No. I have a dog as well named Bang."

"Bang? Cute name." said Twilight with a giggle.

I chuckle along with her before going back to eating. Somehow, eating beside Twilight was new in my experience. It feels nice, talking to a girl.

"Perhaps I could talk to her," I thought, as I look back at her, "so Twilight. How's your day?"

"My day is good," she said, as she takes another sip of her milk.

"Saw any new movies? I recently saw Shin Godzilla."

"Shin Godzilla? That large fire-breathing monster?"

"That's it. Really good Godzilla film."

"Can you give me a little tidbit on what it's about?"

I began explaining a little about the film and told her more about Godzilla from 1954 and some of the other films. She sounded interested, which is a good sign that I'm not boring her with my knowledge of Godzilla. She even asked me questions about the monsters themselves and I gave her answers. Hanging out with Twilight has made the stress die down, but not all of it. If she's gonna tutor me, I have to keep my mind also centered on studying.

The bell rings making everyone, including Twilight and I leave the cafeteria and throwing away our leftovers. Before we walked out, she and I exchanged cell numbers.

"So when do you think you'll arrive?" asked Twilight, as I handed her my number.

"I'll see you around six. That good?"

"I'm good with that."

"Alright Twi," I said, as I walked away from her, "see you later. I'll bring my things and clothes."

"Can't wait to tutor you," she called out.

I look back and waved, as she does the same before we walked to our next class.

"Can't wait."

At home, I'm on the table eating dinner with my parents. I was nervous to what they were gonna say if I told them I'm spending the night with a girl. I had to lie to them by saying that I'll be at a friend's house for the night studying.

"Um, Mom, Dad," I said, making them look at me, "I'm going to a friend's place to do some studying."

"You're free to do so," said dad, "you're eighteen now. You can learn to take care of yourself, but thank you for telling us, son."

"What's it for?" asked mom.

"It's for math class. I'm not doing well in there, so I met a guy around school who'll tutor me."

"Oh? And what pray tell, is his name?"

"Crap!" I thought, "I didn't know they were gonna ask about names."

"Well?" said mother, "what's his name?"

"Jerry... Bongle."

"Jerry Bongle?" said father with a cocked eyebrow.

"Shit! That's the fakest name ever."

"What a strange name," said mom, "okay. Thank you for telling us."

"They bought it?!"

"Now eat your dinner," said father, "it's getting cold."

"Oh. Sure," I said, as I ate more of my chicken.

That was close. Good thing they fell for it. Who knows what will happen if they found out it's a girl I'm studying with.

It's 5:34 PM as I packed in my small suitcase with my toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, my uniform, PJs, etc. I wanted to look good for tonight so I went into the bathroom and used that cologne dad let me have for random occasions. I give myself a few sprays and it smelled so good I gave myself an extra spray for a good measure.

"I look good," I said, as I straightened down my plain black shirt, "it almost feels like a date. More like an educational date."

I smiled and made my way back into my room to grab my things. I grab my small suitcase and threw my backpack over my shoulder.

"See you guys tomorrow," I called out, as I went down the hallway.

"See you tomorrow son," called out dad from his room.

"See you, sweetie," said mom from the kitchen.

I close the door behind me and make my way towards the car. As I made it, I open the trunk and put in my backpack and suitcase. I closed the trunk and make my way to the driver's seat and buckled up. Before starting it, I pull out my phone from my pocket and started texting her about her address. I waited for two minutes for a reply and made sure to type it in my navigation system.

"Study~ life is study~" I sang, as I put the key in the ignition and took off towards Twilight's place.