Cal wouldn't normally describe herself as a straight-A student, but she at least tried to take her schoolwork seriously. Even in her last school she at least got Bs...even in spite of everything that happened there.

However, adjusting to the speed of her classes, which had already been going on for several weeks before she started attending them, was proving tiring. There were many times Cal thought about just giving up and taking the subpar grades. But then that would give her mother yet another reason to be angry and disappointed with her.

That's why Cal was relieved when her Calculus teacher, Mrs. Burns, offered to provide her with a tutor until she got caught up to speed. Math was what she was particularly struggling with at the moment.

It was a huge pain in the ass to stay after school, but it was only a couple times a week, and if she just got it over with then she'd be able to relax a little bit.

My first session's today, Cal thought as she leaned back in her desk during study hall.

"You have to stay after school to do math?" Kenzie asked incredulously. "That sucks some ass."

"You're telling me," Cal grumbled, twirling her pen in her hand. "But maybe the tutor will be a hot, young T.A."

"You wish," Kenzie chuckled.

Mark turned around in his chair from his desk in front of them. He'd snuck over to their classroom during study hall, not that the teachers even cared about that sort of thing. "So, has Grace done anything to you yet?"

"What do you mean?" Cal asked, only thinking back to gym class the other day when Grace tripped around like an idiot during volleyball. She smiled at the thought. It definitely ruled out Cal's assumption that the mean girl and her posse were part of the cheerleading squad.

"Like, hasn't she gotten back at you or something?"

Cal sighed. She didn't understand this school's obsession with some bratty rich girl. "No, she hasn't done shit. And I'm not scared of her anyway."

"Alright, but you should stay on the look out, new girl," Kenzie chimed in. "We're just trying to keep you from getting hurt."

"No, I appreciate it, you guys." And Cal really did. But there was no way some tired high school stereotype was going to get the best of her. Even though the girl was amusing to her, she'd do her best to stay away from the honor student from now on.

--

As much as she didn't want to, Cal headed over to the library after school. Honestly, all she wanted to do was go home and take a nap.

I wonder if I'll even be able to pay attention, she wondered as she entered the library.

The place was bustling with students studying at the tables and working on the computers. The room was rather big, and although it wasn't exactly pin-drop silent, it seemed like a good place to get some homework done.

Mrs. Burns said that the tutor would be waiting for her in one of the little study rooms at the back of the library. I think she said room #2.

Cal opened the door to room number 2 and was met with what was probably the last sight she wanted to see. It was Ms. Perfect Honor Student herself, sat at the little room's desk, scowling up at Cal as she entered the room.

Cal started to back out of the door. "Uh, sorry, must've got the wrong room."

"Nope, you're in the right place," Grace snapped irritably.

"No way," Cal replied. "I'm supposed to be getting tutored for math. You're not a T.A., are you?"

"Well, the teachers seem to think I am." Grace gestured at the seat across from her, silently asking Cal to sit. Cal hesitantly obeyed, placing her backpack on the ground next to her. She noticed that the top of the table was empty, no textbooks or notes in sight.

"I just came to tell you to talk to Mrs. Burns about opting out of these tutoring sessions," Grace stated matter-of-factly.

Cal lifted an eyebrow. "Why didn't you just tell Mrs. Burns that you didn't want to tutor me?" Grace had seemed to expect Cal to be the one to show up, so she must've known who she'd be doing these sessions with.

Grace rolled her eyes. "Yeah, like I didn't already try that. She wouldn't let me get out of it, so you have to tell her you don't need a tutor and just figure it out on your own."

Cal felt her blood boil at the other girl's statement. Did she think everyone in the world would just do whatever she told them to? Pushing her inconveniences off onto someone else? It's not like Cal wanted to be tutored by Grace, but she'd be the one getting screwed if she refused the after school help.

"Yeah, because I'm just going to forfeit my grades because this situation is inconvenient for you," Cal retorted.

Grace seemed slightly surprised by that response. But nontheless, she doubled down and leaned over to table, glaring furiously at Cal. "Well, you might as well because I'm not going to be teaching you anything anyway! Why should I when you've been nothing but a cocky bitch?"

"I don't think you're teacher would be very happy about her little pet not doing what she's told and tutoring me," Cal threatened. At this point she was just feeling resentful and defiant.

"Yeah, it'll be the expelled transfer student's word against mine," Grace snapped back, standing all the way up. "Stop coming to these sessions or you'll seriously regret it!"

Cal stood up as well and leaned over the table. "You always say that, but you're full of shit, aren't you? You're used to everyone doing what you say, so all you can do is make empty threats when someone calls you out!"

"Things don't happen overnight, bitch." Grace leaned so far over the table that she was only inches from Cal's face. Her voice dropped low. "But have some patience, because I'm not one to go against my promises."

Grace turned, flipped her hair, and grabbed her backpack, slamming the door on the way out of the study room.

Cal watched her leave and let out an exasperated sigh.

What am I going to do about my math class now?