He shrugged before answering "You remind me of someone."

A piece of wind hit me and I automatically begin to tremble and my teeth started to chatter.

"What do you mean?" I urged on

"Man, ion wanna talk about it." He said waving me off

Oh.

"Alright Christopher, goodnight." I sat up from my spot dusting my butt off

"Mhm." He said looking straight ahead at the street

I sighed and went back in the house, making sure to close the screen door. I walked over to the couch and got situated, laying down. I forced my eyes closed trying to go to sleep but I couldn't help but think about what Chris said. I tossed and turned in the couch but couldn't go to sleep.

Chris came in moments after. He closed the wooden door and stood there, he didn't move for a moment. He sighed and mumbled to himself "damn man." He then started up the stairs

For some reason I arrived extra early for school today. I don't know why, it's a Monday! I waved to the security guards as I entered the school, about to start walking those stairs of death until I saw Mr. Johnson at the elevator again. I ran quickly over to him and gave him a huge smile.

"Is this going to be your new routine Ms. James?" He said walking into the elevator as soon as the door opened

I watched him and followed suit, staring at his bald head in awe. Did he buff it or something?

"Probably." I said shrugging, pressing the fourth floor for him

He looked at me with his tired eyes, and sighed heavily as the elevator door closed "Have you and Christopher schedule any tutoring days?"

"What are you talking about?" I asked screwing the back of his head

"Your grades are slipping Trinity." The elevator doors opened and he walked out

I followed suit since I have him first period anyways.

"It shouldn't be a problem, Christopher is actually passing my class and you're already friends with him. I'm making it easier for you Ms. James since I've been observing and you talk to Michael and only hang with that specific clique." He stopped in front of his classroom and started digging through his brief case

Crap! That totally slipped my mind. After what happened Saturday when I was talking to Chris on the front steps, I don't want to face him again. Just thinking about the way he ended the conversation between us is so cringe worthy. Oh my god.

I remained silent.

Mr. Johnson looked at me over his shoulders but looked away as the elevator doors dinged and opened. I scratched the back of my neck and followed him to the direction of the classroom.

"You see what had happen was-"

"Trinity, I'm not the one thats being effected here, you are, I could careless if you get tutoring help from Christopher, I already have my diploma."

Well excuse me.

He unlocked the door and held it open for me. I nodded thank you and went straight to my seat across the room. I sat down and took out my binder and pencils. Mr. Johnson turned on the smart board and plugged in his laptop, setting up.

"Don't you think you have an advantage since you're already comfortable with Mr. Brown's presence?"

"Well, I don't think Chris would be comfortable wasting his time tutoring little ol' me." I hanged my bag on the back of my chair

"I beg to differ. If Christopher does comply, then that eighty-nine percent would raise right to a ninety-one percent."

"He has a eighty-nine in this class?" I asked blown away

I sighed in defeat "Mr. Johnson."

"Ms. James." He responded

I rolled my eyes and slouched in my seat "... You think you could notify Chris about tutoring me?"

He turn around facing me, from cleaning the white board "Sure."

"Okay, cool." I mumbled scribbling my name and date on the handout that he gave me

I took out my phone and saw there was 5 minutes left before first period started. I started to get nervous and I don't even have a legitimate reason. I just don't want to face Chris right now, I'm embarrassed.

"You remind me of someone."

"What do you mean?

"Man, ion wanna talk about it."

'''

The classroom started to get full as students began to pile in. The late bell then went off and as soon as it did, Kae, Chris and Michael came strolling in. Kae stopped to throw her Starbucks trash away but Chris and Michael continued over to their seats.

Chris sat down and rested his book bag in the seat next to him. I stifled a laugh and looked over at Kae. Micheal took notice as he sat down in his seat next to me. Kae looked up from the trashcan but her face fell instantly when she laid her eyes on the occupied seat next to Chris.

"Morning." Michael said handing me a Dunkin Donuts bag

I looked in the brown paper bag curiously and saw munchkins "Ooh, thank you." I said immediately popping them in my mouth

Kae walked passed with her crimson chin held high and sat in her seat behind Michael and I. I laughed at my joke to myself and continued on munching.

"Where'd you go Sunday morning?" I heard Michael ask

My ears perked up cus I wanted to know too. After she came out on the front steps like one in the morning, I ain't see her when everyone woke up.

"I went home early." She replied moments later

"Dominic was asking for you when he came over for breakfast."

"He was?"

"Good morning class, while I finish getting set up, please pass up your homework."

Shuffling of papers and book bag zippers started going off in every direction

"Yeah, he left in the middle of the night to go back home when we were all in the living room. You was asleep already. He came back for breakfast and was asking where you dipped off to."

"Yeah, I just went home. You got your homework?"

"What kind of question is that?"

She sucked her teeth "Totally forgot who I was talking to."

I went in my book bag and got my binder out. I pulled my homework out about to throw it on Johnson's desk since he so damn close until I felt a slight poke on my back. I turned around and saw Trinity looking everywhere but my direction. I looked at her as she pushed the pile of papers collected from our row in my face.

'''

"Class is dismissed, don't forget to pick up your homework by the door. That means you too Michael, have a great day everyone."

I laughed and nudged Michael as we both walked past Johnson

"Christopher, I need to talk to you in private."

"I go by Chris, and I'm gonna be late." I said sighing watching Michael and other people leave

He waved me off "I'll write you a late pass, I need to talk to you."

I looked around the empty room and saw that Trinity was the last one to pack up. She zipped up her MK bag and started walking out until Mr. Johnson stopped her.

"Well Christopher, you're doing pretty well in my class but unfortunately Trinity is falling behind." I looked over at her as she was staring at the tiled floor embarrassed "If you could tutor her that'll be great, your average will raise to a ninety-one." He walked over to his desk and got out a random sticky note from his desk drawer

Shit, to raise my average to a ninety-something? "Cool with me." I said rubbing my hands together like Birdman

"Excellent!" He exclaimed walking over to us and handing us individual post its "You guys make sure you take the time out and schedule tutoring days."

Trinity nodded, walking out

"Aight." I said following behind her

"Make sure you go straight to class Christopher." He called out

I waved him off like he did before and stuffed the post it in my pocket, closing the classroom door from behind me.

Trinity started walking into the direction I was supposed to walk in, but I was planning to bother Michael in his next class. Shit, I could bother Michael's ass next period.

"Trin, wait up." She stopped as I jogged over to her "Yo, you good?"

She looked at me confused, hugging her binder with her back against the lockers. She looked like a little innocent school girl. I ain't gon' front, it's a good look on shawty.

"Yeah I'm good." She said softly "Why?"

She remind me of her so much.

I rested my hand on the side of her head looking her straight in the eyes "Ion know, you seem out of it."

"Uhh, I'm good." She replied hugging her binder tighter

"Aight well give me your number so we can plan a day to study." I took a permanent marker from my pocket and handed it to her

She licked her lips and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, just like her, and grabbed my arm. She rolled up my sleeve for me but paused staring at my sleeve of tattoos. She stared at my arm and started to trace them. I let her rock, staring at her stare at my tattoos.

She looked up at me and started to blush "I'm sorry."

"Nah it's cool. You want some of your own?"

"Yeah, but my father would never let me get tatted." She uncapped the marker and began to write '718'

I looked at her neat penmanship and bit my lip, looking up at her "Aight ma, see you later." I started walking backwards watching her

She waved shyly and walked off, not forgetting to look back at me. I smirked and turned around walking to my next class.