Chapter 6

                                    

                                          
School started fine. Jacob got a good score on his Byzantine Empire quiz and gym was fairly easy. But halfway through third period a guidance counselor entered the English room. 
                          
"May I speak to Mr. García please?"
                          
Jacob's eyes were wide with fear as he got up and followed the teacher outside. The woman got one look at his face and said, "You aren't in trouble dear. I just want to talk."
                          
That didn't make Jacob feel much better. She seemed nice enough. Her face was covered with makeup (the bright blue eyeshadow and red lips seemed a little cliche in Jacobs opinion) and her high heels looked painful to wear all day. Despite this, her smile was big and sincere. 
                          
"So, your father told me that you had an English tutor for a while."
                          
Jacob nodded and started shaking. His father had set this up? Why? What did he do wrong?
                          
"Well, we thought it would be great if you had extra lessons after school. That way you won't have to get another tutor for home. What do you think?"
                          
Jacob wasn't sure what to do. He had to respond somehow. "O-ok?"
                          
The counselor clapped her hands happily. "Oh good! Your first class is this afternoon. Just go to room 119 right after your last period." With that she said goodbye and left. Jacob stood there for a moment before he went back to class just to make sure he wasn't having a nightmare. When he knew he wasn't, he sat back at his desk and got started on a vocabulary worksheet. 
                          
Alex, who was sitting to his left, asked "Dude, what happened? You look like you've seen a ghost." 
                          
"I'm ok. It's nothing. Um, how do you say this?" 
                          
"Exceptional." She said. "I really hope you aren't lying to me."
                          
"I'm not and thank you."
                          
"No problem."
                          
Lunch was decent enough. Jacob was unwrapping his grilled cheese sandwich when Mark sat next to him.
                          
"Alex-" Jacob put his hand up and cut him off. 
                          
"Let me guess. Alex told you what happened in class today and she told you to get it out of me but I won't and you know that."
                          
Mark was quiet for a second. "Actually no. I was going to say Alex used to date James."
                          
Jacobs face went bright red. "Oh, oh I-I'm sorry. Ignore me. What was the Alex and James thing about?"
                          
"That's it. They just dated. What happened in class? And don't you dare say "it's fine". We're going to get through this even if it takes all of freshman year. So spill."
                          
"The dating thing sounds a lot more interesting-"
                          
"Jacob..."
                          
"Fine! Ok! I'm taking extra english lessons after school. Alone. With an adult I don't know. Is my english that bad? I know there are things I don't know yet but you could teach me. Anyone in our group could teach me! I just don't see why-"
                          
"Hey, it's ok. I know who's teaching you. She's very nice."
                          
"H-how do you know?"
                          
"It's a new language program the schools are starting. We had to watch a presentation about it in seventh grade. She knows spanish and she's trying to learn some french. I think it'll be great!"
                          
"But why can't it be someone I know?"
                          
"You didn't know me a few weeks ago."
                          
"But it's an adult."
                          
"A nice adult. Just think of it as one of your classes."
                          
"But the teachers aren't looking at me all the time!"