I didn’t want to do it, but when my mom got home I told her about my Algebra 2 score. Before she could start in on a lecture, I explained that Marco was coming over to help me. When I told her he got a perfect score, the expression on her face softened. She looked relieved that he was coming over. He was just going to help me with the equations on the quiz so that when I took the actual test, I would get a better score. In theory. She never had Algebra 2, so she couldn’t help me anyway. My dad tried to help me before, but it didn’t go well since his way of working out the equations wasn’t the way Ms. Yoshida wanted us to do them. We argued about it until he gave up in frustration. I didn’t plan on asking him for help again and I’m sure he was glad I didn’t.

Marco arrived at 7:00pm in his brand new black Mustang that his dad had given him for good grades when he turned sixteen. I could hear the roar of his engine as he pulled up to the curb.

He was polite and charming with my mom and I could tell she liked him right away. Nothing surprising there. We went to the dining room to study. It was quiet and only used for guests.

I felt guilty about him using his free time to help me, so I cut down the small talk and focused on the lesson. He explained each of the problems slowly and clearly. I was impressed by how smart he was which I hadn’t realized before. The problems made more sense and I was starting to believe that I could actually get this. I relaxed. My confidence rose. Our shoulders were touching and I could feel the warmth coming off his body. My mind was wandering and I started to lose my focus. I squeezed my eyes shut and rubbed my temples.

“Can we take a break?” I said. “Do you want something to drink?”

“Yeah, sure. I’m sorry. This can be overwhelming.”

“No, it’s not your fault. You’re doing a great job explaining this stuff.”

“I like numbers, so it comes easy to me, but I guess it can be too much for some people.”

He followed me into the kitchen and I poured us some drinks.

My father came home and I introduced them. He eyed Marco suspiciously. When I explained why Marco was there, his expression changed and he left us alone. I could tell he was angry about my score, but having Marco there appeased him and saved me from a lecture.

“Do you want to continue or do you want to finish this another time?” said Marco.

I looked at my watch. “It’s getting late. You should get home. We can do this another time if you don’t mind.”

“No, it’s no problem. I don’t mind.”

“Can you come over again tomorrow? Around the same time?”

“Sure. We don’t have that much to cover anyway. I think you’d get a decent score on the test at this point, but if we cover the rest you should have no problem getting a B or even an A.”

“You really think so?” I said.

“Yeah. It’ll be a piece of cake.”

His warm smile made me feel like everything was going to be okay.

He said goodbye to my parents and I walked him to his car.

“I really appreciate you helping me,” I said. “I know you don’t have to.”

We stood next to his car and he leaned up against it to face me. “I like helping you.”

Maybe it was the security of the darkness obscuring part of our faces, but I felt bold. “Why are you helping me? Shouldn’t you be mean to me for having your best friend’s dad locked up? What does Trey think about this?”

“It doesn’t matter what Trey thinks. His dad needed to be put in a facility where he can be safe and can’t hurt others. I told you, Trey will come around.”

“He probably hates me.”

“I don’t think he hates you. It’s probably easier for him now that he doesn’t have to look after his dad anymore. He’s gone through a lot. His mom died a long time ago, then after that he and his dad moved in with his grandparents. They didn’t want to admit it, but Trey’s dad was getting worse. It’s too bad you’re the one he went after.”

“Wow, I didn’t know.” I felt sort of sorry for Trey. Maybe that’s why he was mean to people at school. Was he taking his anger and frustration out on me?

“Trey’s got issues. I’ve been trying to help him. He helped me out when my mom died. He’s the only one who understood what I was going through. I know it’s hard not to, but don’t take it personally when he says mean things.”

“I have been taking it personally. He was tolerable in elementary school…and even middle school, but ever since we got to high school he’s been worse.”

“Is he the reason you don’t like me?”

The question came out of left field and caught me by surprise. I opened my mouth, but shut it again to think things through before I spoke. “Sort of. It’s not that I don’t like you. I do like you. As a friend.”

He looked down. “Ouch.”

“I mean, I guess I don’t really know you. You’re not the person I thought you were.”

“Who did you think I was? Like Trey?”

I laughed nervously. “Yes.”

“I just told you. I’m not like that.”

“I know. I believe you.”

He took my hands into his and moved his head closer to mine. I glanced across the street at Andreas’s house. It was dark. I took a step back and broke away from him.

He sighed in frustration. “You know, you’re the first girl I’ve ever had to chase. They usually chase me.”

“I don’t want you to chase me.” But a part of me did want him to chase me. It scared me. My friendship with Daisy would end. “It would complicate things.”

“How? Do you like someone else? Iversen?”

“No!” I glanced over at Andreas’s house again. He followed my gaze.

“Is that where he lives?”

“Yes.”

“You know he has a girlfriend.”

“Yes, I know. We’re just friends.”

“Are you trying to break them up? Because if you are, then you’re not who I thought you were.”

I rubbed my temples again and closed my eyes. “No. I’m not trying to break them up. That would be horrible. I wouldn’t do that to him.”

“Lilah?” my dad called. “Are you coming in?”

“I need to go,” I said.

“I’m sorry if I upset you,” said Marco.

“No, no. I’m the one who started this whole conversation. I’m an idiot.” I turned to walk away. “Thanks for helping me.”

“Lilah, you’re not an idiot.”

“Good-night, Marco.” I took a few steps up the walkway.

“Do you still want me to help you tomorrow?”

I stopped. “Only if you want to. You don’t have to since we’re just…friends.

He rolled his eyes. “Look, do you want me to or not?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll be here.” He turned toward his car.

“Oh, and Marco?”

He looked back, annoyed.

“Please don’t tell anyone at school you were here.” I bit my pinky nail, afraid of what he was going to say next.

He opened his mouth, then pressed his lips together. “Fine.”

I stood there ashamed of myself as I watched him get in his car and screech away.