Chapter 6:
Kicks & Bows
“Andrea, we're screwed.”
“Huh?”
It's been two weeks since I've been Andrea's tutor. Actually, the girl didn't play any practical joke on me, she's just an airhead. But I have to praise something about her: she is a good student.
The archery genius is actually a girl who works hard when she studies: she pays attention to me when I explain something, asks me for help if she doesn't understand something, and does the extra tasks I ask of her. Honestly, I am delighted with the progress she has shown in this short time that I have been her tutor.
But even so, we're screwed.
It's Saturday, and we are studying in the school library. I'm proud of her progress, but Monday is the first bimonthly exams and I am 99.999999999% sure that Andrea is going to fail.
I'm not sure what her school life was like before the Golden School, but it's amazing that she got here with such poor knowledge. She doesn't know the most basic things of math and English, let alone more advanced subjects like chemistry, physics, biology, etc.
One of her big problems is that she is not very communicative, although she asks me if she did not understand something, when I explain it to her it is never clear to me if she managed to understand it or not; her expressionless face is a mystery I still can't solve.
But overall, again, I'm very proud of the progress she's shown. I feel that if we keep this pace the next bimonthly exams we will increase her chances of passing.
But even so, we're screwed.
Also, I would like to talk about how good I have felt as a tutor. I never imagined having the ability to teach someone. I guess it's a bit like when in soccer I studied the tactics of the rivals, and then I talked to my coach so that he would exploit his weak points during the games. I do the same with Andrea, when I notice that she doesn't understand something, I research on my own the best way to explain the subject and in the next class I apply that teaching technique.
So overall, I'm very proud of the work that I've done. I feel like I have broadened my horizons, who knows, maybe one day I can officially become a teacher.
But for now, I'm screwed.
“Andrea, I'm sorry to tell you that it's impossible for you to pass the exams on Monday.”
I spoke honestly with Andrea, I explained to her as calmly as possible that she still did not have a sufficient level for these exams.
“I see.”
The way she talks to me still doesn't change, she's always cold. But it has stopped bothering me, I'm even getting used to it.
“But, I've been thinking about it these days, and there is a way for you to pass these exams, but you're going to have to do something quite indecent…”
This was the first time I noticed a change in her facial expression. She crossed her arms and legs, as if trying to protect herself from me, and began to look at me with a lot of disgust.
“Pervert.”
I didn't reply immediately as I was still in shock from the previous show. I never thought I would see that beautiful face make such a pronounced gesture, but it was happening… her poker face turned into one of utter contempt.
“N-no wait, it's not what you're thinking.”
It took me a few seconds to realize that I was in a bind, I had to fix it immediately.
“What I want to propose is that on Monday you cheat during the exams.”
“Cheat?”
I'm not proud of what I proposed, but it's the only solution I could think of.
“Oh, you see, I have a friend who, like you, is not very good at studying. Sometimes I helped him by giving him the answers during the exam.”
It's no secret that Leonel is a bit of a silly. We very rarely resorted to cheating, but we did when it was life or death situations like this. It may sound a bit smug, but they never caught us, we were professional cheaters.
The problem is that Andrea doesn't seem as skilled as Leonel...
“Andrea, you can reject my offer. But you have to understand that if you agree to do this, you are going to have to become the best cheater of all, since I am going to be your accomplice.”
She returned to her usual impassive expression. It took her a while to answer, but in the end she did.
“Okay, you're right. We'll cheat.”
I think it was the longest sentence I've ever heard her say, which gave me the confidence to go ahead with the evil plan.
It was so that Andrea and I instead of occupying Saturday and Sunday to study, we dedicated ourselves to carefully preparing everything necessary to cheat: we designed small notes with probable answers, which we were going to stick on Andrea's school utensils and even on the clothes she would wear that day, and we also agreed on the gestures we would use for multiple-choice questions, among other things.
I've ruled out any idea that needed anything digital; nowadays teachers do not expect students to use such rudimentary methods to deceive them.
“Well, I think we finished the preparations, are you ready for tomorrow?”
I asked Andrea by video call on Sunday night.
“Yes.”
Seeing her motivated made me feel safe, although I was also a little nervous; It was the first video call that I had with her. I can't confirm it, but Andrea looked like she was in her pajamas, she was wearing a blue sleeveless top and black shorts that highlighted her beautiful legs, but unfortunately they were hardly noticeable on the screen.
“Well, try to sleep a lot so that you have enough energy during the exams.”
“Yeah.”
“Experts say that listening to instrumental music helps to fall asleep.”
“Okay.”
I tried to make small talk, but as usual, she didn't help me much to continue the conversation.
“Well, I think I'd better hang up. Tomorrow will be a very long day. Good night Andrea.”
“Bye.”
I hung up the phone and went to bed to try to sleep. As I lay in bed, I thought about how much my opinion of Andrea has changed.
At first I hated her because she seemed rude to me. Then her beauty motivated me to join the archery club, which I think was a good decision. And now, I have seen another side of her as a student who tries very hard to learn.
In truth, I am surprised by all the emotions that she has generated in me; only she and soccer have achieved that.
Could it be that I end up falling in love with her? I think about it a lot, but I feel that beyond her incredible beauty there is still nothing that makes her the special girl of my heart. Maybe someday, but not today.
After a weekend full of work, Monday came, the day of the first bimonthly exams. Needless to say, I was nervous, any little mistake Andrea or I made and our school life would be over. I don't think the principal can support us, the rules of the Golden School are very clear: "Any illegal act carried out during the exams warrants an immediate suspension of the offending student, as well as a possible expulsion". Only idiots would dare to cheat… maybe we are the first in the history of the Golden School.
To calm my nerves, I turned to see Andrea, her expressionless face this time would serve as a relief.
“Are you ready?”
I asked her just before the exams were handed out to us. More than a confirmation, I expected some kind of motivation.
“No”
She answered me immediately and without making any gesture.
I have no doubt anymore, we're screwed.
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