Delicate

Chapter One

8 years later.

Leo stared out the window, his cheek resting on the palm of his hand as he looked out at the football field. The team was practicing, and frankly Leo never got the point of the game. He felt the players looked like idiots, running around after a ball and jumping on one another like Neanderthals.

Playing was still okay, atleast you got some exercise out of it. But watching others play, that too almost religiously like most people did, was just stupid in his opinion. Leo was broken from his trance when he heard someone clearing their throat. Leo turned his head, looking in front of him to see his teacher frowning at him.

"Leo? Wait for me after class." Mr. Sorkin said, before walking back to the front of the class and continuing his lesson.

Leo sighed, but returned to his previous position as he waited for the time to pass. No matter how dumb he found sports to be, watching it was atleast more interesting than whatever lesson was going on.

The bell rang, and one by one all the students left the classroom. But Leo stayed still on his seat, till it was just him and his teacher. Mr. Sorkin was waiting patiently for Leo, and the boy finally got up and stood in front of the teacher's desk.

"I'll get straight to the point here, Leo," Mr. Sorkin began, "Your grades are low. You're failing in history, and you're barely passing in most of your classes, all except one. Your attendance is unacceptable, and you take part in no extra curricular activities."

"Okay." Leo replied, making Mr. Sorkin press his lips in a thin line as he looked at the student.

"And I take you're already a year older than your peers?" Mr. Sorkin pointed out.

Leo was nineteen and in his senior year. As a kid he moved around quite a bit, and that had disrupted his education. It was only when he went into foster care, and was eventually adopted, that he started going to school properly. Atleast, when he wasn't skipping classes.

"Yes."

"At this rate you're going to be twenty and still in high school, Leo. Is that what you want? Because that is what will happen. Of course, if the principal doesn't expel you first," When Leo didn't say anything, Mr. Sorkin continued, "I spoke to your father—"

"My father is dead." Leo interrupted.

"Your guardian," Mr. Sorkin corrected, rather awkwardly, "And my colleague, Mr. Nahar, and he confirmed that you're quite the genius in mathematics. Your grades show that too, you would actually be at the top of your class if you submit the assignments on time."

"You said something about getting straight to the point?" Leo retorted.

"There's a club, the Mathletes, that require a member. I suggest you join them." Mr. Sorkin said.

"You want me to join the nerd club?" Leo looked at his teacher in disbelief.

"It's the twenty first century, Leo, calling it the nerd club doesn't make you sound cool anymore," Mr. Sorkin stated, "But yes, I want you to join them."

"And if I don't?" Leo raised a brow.

"Then you won't graduate." Mr. Sorkin answered.

"I'll graduate for sure if I join?" Leo questioned.

"You will have to make other efforts too. Improve your attendance and find a way to pass in history. If you do that as well as join the club, then yes, you will most likely graduate." Mr. Sorkin assured.

"Why the Mathletes? Isn't there anything else that I can do?" Leo asked.

"Half the team were seniors and they graduated last year. We need four members to take part in competitions, and currently we only have three." Mr. Sorkin answered truthfully, making Leo scoff.