A FAVOUR
My face turned red. I want to reply to something. But I can’t open my mouth. Stupidly, my mind imagines what if I make out with Ryder. Wait, What? No, Emily. You can’t think like you already lost your virginity. I’m still a virgin and I can’t simply decide or imagine losing it.
” No, Shawn. We only kissed. Now, stop asking questions like this. It’s not your business.” Ryder snapped. But there’s no evidence of anger in Ryder’s voice.
” Of course, it’s my business. You are my brother.” Shawn replied.
” But you don’t know Emily. You can’t ask her this question. Do you want our mom to hear this conversation? If not, shut your mouth.” Ryder uttered.
” Fine. I won’t involve in this. I was just curious.” Shawn murmured and took his phone. That’s when Ryder’s mom entered the hall. She’s beautiful with her long brown hair. She doesn’t look like a woman in forties. She’s looking young as the twenties.
” Mom, this is Emily. My friend,” Ryder introduced me. Friend? A friend won’t kiss another friend. Um… that’s okay. This is how he can tell his mother.
” Hello, Mrs Blake. Nice to meet you,”
” Nice to meet you too, Emily. Call me Taylor,” she said, greeting me. I nodded. She took a seat on the couch opposite us.
” So, what are you all talking about?” she asked. Shawn faked a cough to control his little laughter. He’s not acting like a big brother. He’s an annoying older brother.
” We are just talking, mom. Don’t ask all the details.” Ryder replied her. Then I talked a lot with Taylor. Having a conversation with Ryder’s mom is interesting. She’s talking to the level of teenagers. The conversation is boring at all. But then she said something unexpected.
” Do you mind if I ask you for any favour, Emily? I know I only met you now. But I want to ask you this.” she started. I wondered what it could be. I can do any favour to a friendly mom like her.
” Yeah, sure, Taylor.”
” Um… can you tutor my son? From what we had discussed, you are so good at studies. It will be nice if you are willing to tutor Ryder. You must be aware that he’s not interested in studying at all. His two other friends are no good in it as him. So, what do you say?”
She must be talking about Dylan and Jacob. They are his close friends. It seems like I’m the only nerd, Ryder ever talked.
” You don’t need to teach him every day. Just two or three days will be enough. If you can make him get pass mark in the semester, I will be so grateful.” she said when I didn’t reply.
” Why it has to be three or four days, mom. Every day is fine for me.” Ryder enthusiastically replied.
” I didn’t ask you, Ryder. She may have other works. We can’t call her to tutor you every day.” Taylor told him. At that time, Shawn muttered something barely audible.
” Tutoring in Ryder’s room. He’s gonna teach her how to make out than letting her teach the lessons.”
Okay. This isn’t good. Shawn is right. But I can’t deny Taylor’s request. But I have zero trusts on Ryder. He’s not even going to study in his dream.
” I will teach him. I will come to three or four days per week, Taylor.” I accepted and ignored Shawn’s silent comments.
” Thank you, Emily. Can I pay you for…” I stopped her in the middle before she finishes the sentence.
” No. I don’t want money for tutoring. Ryder’s my friend. I can do it for free.”
” Yeah, I get it, Emily. But still, it’s a difficult job you know. It’s difficult to make him study. No tutor is ready to help him. If someone comes, he simply insults him or made him leave the house. So, I thought a friend of my son could help him.”
” I can do that, Taylor. But I’m clearly not taking any payment for it.” I firmly said.
” Okay. If it’s your wish, I can another thing by giving any gifts in return,” she said, still not giving up paying something. What gift?
” Maybe you can gift her something on her birthday, mom. There’s one more to go for her birthday.” Ryder said. I never said my birthday to him. Did he overheard my conversation with Pearl. Or his friends must have done that.
” Oh, that’s a good idea, son,” she replied with satisfaction. After some minutes, she left the hall and Shawn is occupied with his phone. Ryder called me to come to his room. I walked upstairs with him to see his room. Now only, I can see a little untidy room. It’s not so bad. But moderate.
” Sorry, I would have cleaned it up, if I knew that you would come here today,” Ryder said closing the door behind me.
” It’s not that bad. No problem. But I have something to ask.” I got ready to bring about the tutoring topic.
” Go on,”
” You could have convinced your mom not to have me as a tutor. I can’t be a tutor. I’m a high school student just like you. Plus, you won’t even study no matter what I do,” I spoke fastly and waited for his response.
” Who said I won’t. I will study if you do this,” he said, kissing my lips softly. I want to kiss him back but I didn’t do that.
” No. This is what I’m talking about. You won’t study. How am I going to help you pass the semester without your cooperation?” I said, trying to push him apart. But it seems I have zero per cent strength compared to him. His hands got hold of either side of my wrist and leaned forward.
” You are stressing over nothing, sweetheart. Take it easy,” he said, burying his face in my neck. I tried harder not to stop the conversation about tutoring.
” Ry… Ryder… listen. I want you to…” I stammered while he’s kissing my neck.
” You want me to what? Kiss you like this. Right?” he said, trying to distract me. I know this is what happens when I’m alone with him. How am I gonna tutor him when he’s tutoring me some other thing?