Newbie

28: Why you?

"Did you study last night?"

Marlee gave me a grim look and shook her head.

"No" she sighed " I just can't make myself sit down and memorize terms"

"Marlee" I chided "I get it, but still, if you don't do good"

"I know, I know," She said raising her hands in surrender "I'm never going to get my car, but that's not what I even care about anymore. I just want to pass"

The Reids' parents set high goals for their children in the classroom and on the field. Marlee has been struggling in her science class and her parents threatened to not get her a car if she still has a C in her class, bless her heart she has had a flat 79 since the beginning of the year.

"Have you asked Luca for any studying tips?"

She shook her head and then proceeded to bang it into a locker. I cringed at her action, but if it helped her stress then let her get it out.

"Everything comes naturally to him. It's not fair" she complained, turning around, and sliding her back down the wall before sitting on the floor looking like a lost puppy.

"You know my offer still stands to tutor you. Science and math are my strong subjects" I reminded her.

Marlee has some stigma against having a tutor. Marlee has had to live in her older brother's shadow all her life. According to her, Ezra is the smartest person she knows and with Luca being the all-star athlete while keeping his grades perfect, it makes her look like the failure of the family. She thinks since everything comes naturally to them, it should her as well. I truly felt awful for her. Marlee is so smart when it comes to computers and technology, her parents just don't understand that she has a completely different set of skills.

"Thanks, Skylar, it's just.."

"Your ego?"

"Yeah" she sighed without hesitation

I waited a few seconds and watched her face scrunch up like a bunny when she began to process what she agreed to.

"No that's not it."

" It's okay for it to not come easy. It doesn't for me in English."

She gave me a look that said she didn't believe me.

"When writing an argument paper, I have to sit in front of a screen for an hour before I even decide my opinion on the topic," I explained

"That's a lie," she said shoving me on the shoulder. "You are the second most opinionated person I know. Right behind my brother of course."

"No, it's not" I defended "When we write an analysis essay, I chose the same device every single time. I struggle, Marlee, I still manage to do well but it does not come easy"

She chuckled a little and shook her head. I'm glad that her smile was starting to form back on her face. It was odd seeing her down.

"You'll be fine" I reassured her.
She gave me a soft smile before turning towards the direction her class was in.

We both walked toward our different classes which were on opposite sides of the school.

It didn't take me very long to figure out the best ways to get around the school. I quickly realized that the outside is much more intimidating than the inside, which is true for people as well.

Overall everyone has been nice and most of the time they mind their own business. I was thankful for Marlee, Cleo, and Bailey for all of the helpful advice they gave me. Cleo wrote me a long list of everyone to avoid in "Hell on Earth", although the list also included Marlee, Bailey, Thomas, and Luca. She said she can deal with Blake.