Ethan let go of Sawyer. Sawyer walked away without another word. Ethan felt like crying like a small child.
Ethan cried all the way home in his car. How could I let a guy like Sawyer get ahold of my heart? Ethan asked himself. Why me of all people?
Ethan wanted to text Sawyer but nothing ever sounded right. He always ended up tossing his phone aside instead. At school he began to change towards people. He started to look at them differently, no longer the way he'd seen them before. Many called his cell and got no answer. Many spoke to him in the hall but their voice fell on deaf ears. Ethan viewed his high school career as almost over. He had a few more months and he'd be looking forward to college. He'd already been accepted to Duke University anyway.
Literally, he fell off the face of the Earth except for his continued success in sports and academics. Because of his school and the students there, he no longer had the love of his life.
Sawyer didn't show up at Ethan's house the following Monday for the tutoring session and Ethan was livid. He called the school and reported him to the vice principal.
"Mrs. Keems, I need Sawyer Lancelot in my office please."
"Ok. He's in the middle of an exa--"
"NOW Mrs. Keems," the vice principal snapped.
The class looked at Sawyer. One of the students bellowed, "what did you do to piss off the vice principal Sawyer?"
Sawyer was puzzled over it.
Mrs. Keems looked at Sawyer. "Best be on your way Sawyer. You'll have to finish your test tomorrow."
Sawyer closed his folders and made a hasty retreat.
"Do you see this contract young man?"
"Yes I do."
"Mrs Fester paid for your services and it's been paid in full for three whole months. Would you like to tell me why you were not at Ethan's house doing what you legally promised to do?"
Sawyer was stunned into silence. None of the adults or any of the teacher faculty have ever raised their voice at him. He was literally about to cry.
"Mr. Whitaker, I'm not getting along with the student in question. I thought it would be best to end my services."
"That's not your decision to make young man. Why aren't you getting along with him?"
"I haven't really got an answer."
"I should report this to your mother."
Sawyer's eyes grew big. "Don't do that. I'll finish my contract. If he needs help in the future though, he will need another tutor. I can't do it again after this."
"One more infraction like this and you are suspended young man. My suggestion to you. Report any absences henceforth. And please. Keep a copy of this contract in case you are tempted to do anything this irresponsible again, and our conversation in your memory. You are dismissed."
Sawyer grabbed his bookbag and left, shaken to his core.
Ethan's doorbell rang while he was pulling the trash from the can. "Coming." Ethan called out.
He washed his hands then answered the door. Sawyer stood there looking like a dead zombie, completely expressionless.
Ethan couldn't help but smile despite himself. "Oh hey Sawyer. Are you here for the study session?"
"Yes, and thirty minutes is all you get."
Ethan was snapped back into reality real quick. "Sawyer, don't take your frustration out on me. I'm not the one that signed the contract then tried to bail on it."
"No Ethan you're not," Sawyer replied sarcastically.
Ethan had to bite his tongue to keep from saying something rude, and it was very hard to stay in a good mood. Sawyer walked into the living room and slammed his books on the table, then he began to set up the study session.
Looking up at Ethan, he said, "don't just stand there. Go get your books and let's get started. I've got my own homework and studying to do."
Ethan ran upstairs and grabbed his calculus book. Coming back down, he sat down near Sawyer and turned to the chapter they last studied together.
Sawyer began to explain the chapter and mechanically went through it with Ethan. Ethan could tell there was no joy or enthusiasm in his voice. His face spelled out misery, and Ethan was about to lose it.
"Sawyer, what is your problem? You literally look sick? Like your dying or something. It's not that bad."
"I hate you Ethan. What can I say?"
"Wow." Ethan said in disgust. "Well, hate me as much as you want. But go through the formulas right. Do your job the way you did it before or I'll go to the vice principal. I'm serious about my calculus grade."
Then sit up and act like you're interested. You aren't even paying any attention. You have some kind of lopsided smile on your face I wish I could slap off."
Ethan sat up and sat much closer to Sawyer. "Teach!"
Sawyer went back to the lesson, and tried to put a little more passion into his voice. Ethan could tell to. He was satisfied for the moment, but he knew he'd ask more from Sawyer as the sessions continued.
Sawyer ran a lap around the track, then stretched. He was alone on the field. It was the next day, and he hadn't spoken to Sawyer all day. He tried not to look for him, but it was hard. He accidentally did it out of habit twice.
He ran another lap, and thought about the past events that led him to where he was now. He'd have another session with Sawyer the next day. He kept thinking about it. He wondered if he could find something to say that could make a difference in their otherwise tarnished relationship. The only thing that kept Ethan going was the promise of another private moment with Sawyer, and maybe an opportunity to repair what had been destroyed by the students at his school.
Fresh tears formed in Ethan's eyes. God I love that boy!
He jogged another lap, wondering how in the heck he ended up becoming such a sap.
Sawyer marked all of Ethan's answers correct. "Ok, we're done for the day," Sawyer said. He clapped his book shut and in a haste.
