Chapter 4

Emery

I love to help students when they are struggling. I can see when some of them are passionate about history. Ora is a quiet student. When I looked at her grade for a test, it disappointed me. It was the first test.

I usually have extra classes in the library with four or more students. I had to let her know about the classes so that she can improve on them. She looked nervous.

The next day, we didn’t have class. They were off for the day. I walked into the library at school and I placed my things down on a table. I took a packet of soft sweets and I put the one sweet inside of my mouth. As I walked to the history section and turning into an aisle and I saw her.

She was holding a book, reading it. I approached her, my smile was visible. She looked like someone who loved to read. You don’t get many students that enjoy reading books.

“You came.” I said as I stopped in front of her. I swallowed what I chewed.

She looked up at me. “Oh, I didn’t want to be late.” she smiled shyly. She looked at my packet of sweets that I’m still holding in my hand.

“Would you like some?” I offered her.

“Thank you,” she said as she took some sweets out. “It’s my favorite,” she smiled at me.

“I see that you already have the book that I came to get,” I smiled at her. I sensed her nervousness as she looked at the book. The Treasures at the Castle of Good Hope.

“Oh.” she smiled as she gave the book to me and I took it from her.

“Shall we get started?” I asked.

“Sure,” she said. I turned around and I walked to our table, she followed behind me.

I placed the book and my packet of sweets on the table. I pulled a chair out and she pulled a chair out across from me. “You might want to sit beside me,” I smiled at her. She looked at me hesitantly. Her golden brown eyes are brighter. The most beautiful eyes that I have seen.

“Aren’t there more students coming to this lesson?” she asked me.

“So far it’s only you. If they show up, then they will. If not, it’s their loss.” I said and then she moved over to my side. I pulled a chair out for her and she took a seat. I like to be a gentleman, even if it’s to female students.

I took a seat next to her and I opened up the book. I can smell her shampoo, it’s coconut and vanilla. “Are there any distractions at home that made you fail the test?” I asked. I looked at her but she bit her lower lip.

She shook her head, “No, sir.” she replied as she looked down at the book.

“Why is it that you failed the test? It was easy,” I told her.

She took a deep breath but I can tell that there is more to it. “I wasn’t focused,” she said, she doesn’t look at me and I get the hint that she doesn’t want to be asked any questions.

“If anything is going on at home, then you can talk to me. I promise that I will not discuss it with anyone else. If it is something really serious then I will have to discuss it with the principal.” I said and she looked up into my eyes and my breath was taken away. It was like a glow in her eyes. I could stare into her eyes forever.

“There isn’t anything going on, Mr. James.” she snapped me out of my thoughts.

I cleared my throat and I looked at the book as I sat comfortably on the chair. “Okay, that is good to hear. Do I make you nervous?” I asked as I looked at her again.

“Yes,” she said. I like honesty.

“Don’t worry, I won’t bite,” I smiled at her. She looked away and then I began the lesson of what she failed.

She kept on looking ahead and smiled. I followed where she was looking and two of my students were standing at a bookshelf, looking over their books at us. “Ladies, if you want to join the lesson then you better take a seat before the time is up,” I said to them.

They placed their books on the bookshelf and they took a seat. “Thank you for doing this, Mr. James,” Taylor said.

“I always do this with my students that failed a test and that need some improvement. If you feel that you need improvement then please do not hide behind the bookshelves and ask for my help.” I said to them.

They both smiled at me. “We would love to have more lessons with you, sir,” Taylor said. She does most of the talking.

“So, where are your notebooks?” I asked.

“Um, we forgot it,” she said.

“Well, if you are going to be part of my lessons, make sure that you bring with you what you need. You have to pay to make copies, so if you do not bring anything with you that you will need to help you improve, then how are you going to improve? The books are school property, you cannot take these home with you.” I said irritably.

I hate it when students do not take my lessons seriously. It wastes my time and the students that want to improve.

My heart is good, so I will not let them leave. Ora opened up her notebook and tore pages out of it and she passed it on to them. She gave them two pens. They do not even say ‘Thank you’ to her.

I know that Ora has a good heart. But there is something to her that I feel that I should know. I won’t be pushing for her to speak.

“So what are we going to improve on?” Taylor asked.

“The Treasure at the Castle of Good Hope,” I said as I furrowed my brows. I cannot deal with stupidity, they passed their tests with flying colors.

Some students only want to be in my presence but I will still teach them regardless if they have passed or not. I wanted to only focus on those that failed the test. I wanted to focus on Ora as she ended up being the only one that showed up of the students that needed this lesson.

I will allow her to access these books when she needs them. She needs improvement because her test was bad.

After what felt like a long lesson, we finally walked out of the library. Ora was all by herself, walking through the parking lot. I caught up to her while Taylor and Samantha walked onto the sidewalk in the opposite direction.

“Where do you live?” I asked.

“Not too far from here,” she said.

“I will drop you at home,” I said.

“No, you don’t have to,” she said.

“I insist. Come on, my car is this way.” I said as I walked towards where my car was parked.

I heard her walk behind me. I might be able to see how her living environment is to know if she was telling the truth. I have dinner with my girlfriend tonight, but if something is off with Ora’s living environment, then I hope that Clara won’t mind waiting for me.

I plan to propose to Clara tonight, but my priority right now is making sure that Ora is safe at home.