In the coming weeks, Sawyer saw Ethan periodically throughout school. Now that Ethan had made himself known to Sawyer, it was very common for Ethan to pass Sawyer in the hallway and wave.
Sawyer was amazed he'd even care that Ethan spared some of his attention. But little by little, he'd even look for Ethan in the hallway or on his way to his car, to see if he'd get a passing glance of him or something. Ethan was a very friendly person and there were many people pining for his time and friendship.
Sawyer knew this to. He was surprised he had allowed Ethan to even win him over.
Ethan was that type of person. Everybody loved him.
Ethan was doing his homework at the kitchen counter while his mom cooked dinner when a frustrated whelp rang from Ethan's lips. Mrs. Fester jumped out of her skin, then looked over at Ethan.
"What's wrong with you all of a sudden?"
Ethan looked back at her.
"I'm frustrated. I can't figure out what I'm doing in this chapter. Calculus is so hard."
Mrs. Fester sighed and shrugged. "Your dad urged you to take a lighter schedule this year since it was your senior year but you had to challenge yourself, didn't you? Now you're stuck struggling," his mom smiled as she nagged her son.
"It's not funny mom. I could get a bad grade if I'm not careful."
"Well," Mrs. Fester responded. "Why don't you consider hiring a tutor from your school to help you after school? Your dad and I will pay for it. I think it'll only be for thirty minutes a day. You could afford some extra tutoring, especially seeing how your face looked just now."
How was it that his mom always had the right answers? Smiling, Ethan walked over and kissed his mom on the forehead. " Thank you mom. I will ask my counselor about it first thing in the morning."
"Good." Mrs. Fester said. "Now go get your dad. It's time to eat."
Mrs. Fester and Ethan were in Ethan's school counselor's office arranging to have Ethan receive a tutor when the delivery finally arrived. "Mrs. Fester, Ethan, I would like for you to meet Sawyer Lancelot. He is one of our elite tutors."
Ethan almost doubled over in laughter when he saw Sawyer. Sawyer nearly turned yellow.
Sawyer stepped forward and extended his hand to Ethan and Mrs. Fester. The counselor introduced them then they were dismissed. With the paperwork already filled, they were free to leave. Mrs. Fester hugged her son and told him she would see him at home. Once she left Ethan turned around to face Sawyer.
"Wow. I had no idea you were going to be my tutor. I'm all kinds of shocked."
"You're telling me." Sawyer smiled. "I feel like our paths just keep crossing."
"Yeah I guess." Ethan suddenly felt awkward. "Well anyways I guess we should exchange cell phone numbers. Mom paid for the tutoring so I guess I shouldn't disappoint her."
"Oh right." Sawyer recited his cell phone number, then Ethan programmed it into his cell phone.
"I will text you mine later. I have to go. I'm late for practice." Ethan said and ran off before Sawyer could think of something else to say.
"Where exactly were you struggling?" Sawyer asked Ethan. "All of these problems are right."
"Yeah, but it's like pulling one tooth at a time. I don't understand my teacher when she teaches it and I have to pour over it for hours before I can understand it."
"Who is your teacher?"
"Mrs. Proctor."
"Oh." Sawyer grabs the book and starts at the beginning. He reads the chapter himself and studies the different formulas. Much to his relief, the stuff Ethan was struggling with was the easier part of Calculus. "Ok," Sawyer said. Turning to Ethan, he asks. "Are you ready?"
"Yes."
