Deal // Calum Hood

Talk.

Calum.
.
Annabelle Clark could talk for more days than any incredibly wealthy person had money.
Every day that we met up in private, she would jabber away right from meeting me, all the way home, and then all the way up to my room, and then some more.
.
Ever since I let her hear my music, she's stopped hating me. She just acts as though I were any one else that was unlucky enough to be stuck in her presence.
.
Halfway through her next sentence about how she desperately wants a dog or something, she dropped her books and like a reflex, I caught one and picked the rest right up before she could. Something inside of me tingled at the sight of her quick smile.
"Um, thanks." She mumbled, slightly shaken from her clumsiness, which I had found was a big part of her. Very surprised I had helped.
.
I hoped the shock would shut her up, but within a few small seconds, she was right back at it. I turned my music up louder.
.
*•*•*•*•*

Her entire face scrunched up as she read through the worksheet I had just placed before her. It was a little harder than usual, but I felt she was ready.
.
She bit her lip, in that frazzled sort of way that she does, and clenched the pencil in her hand.
"I don't even know where to start." She admitted helplessly.
.
"Sure you do." I sighed, trying to refrain from groaning with frustration. We had been over everything on that sheet a million times. She knows we have. "Start with what you find easiest. It doesn't matter if it's not question one." I offered.
.
She looked at me skeptically.
This time I did groan. It took everything in me to not get mad as I sat next to her, pointing at the easiest question on there. "Let's start here." I mumbled. She didn't move.
"Come on, Annabelle. You'll never get better if you don't try." I encouraged.
.
Eventually she pressed the pencil to paper. She was clearly trying her absolute hardest and that was all I wanted. That would make this whole thing easier. Faster.
.
She didn't get it right. Not the first time. Nor the second. Her determination had deteriorated rapidly both times I told her hopeful little face that she was wrong. I almost wanted to lie. Almost. Until I remembered I didn't care. I just needed her to learn.
.
Finally, the third try was up and she handed the paper to me sceptically.
I skimmed the answer and breathed a sigh of relief. Finally. She'd finally got it right. Despite myself, I grinned at her. Why did I feel proud? I wiped the smile off my face, clearing my throat.
"Well done." I nodded, showing her question two.
.
*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*
.
I wetted my lips nervously. Why had the principle want to see me? I hadn't done anything bad. Not this year. I'd stayed well away from trouble. This scholarship was my ticket out.
.
A few more nervous paces later, and I was called in.
She grimaced at my presence, so used to despising me that she didn't even bother to hide it anymore.
I gulped, seating myself in the chair in front of her desk.
.
"Calum Hood." She scanned me up and down. "Always a pleasure." Her sarcastic chapped lips smirked a sinister smirk. I nodded, biting down on my tongue to refrain from retaliating. Just the way Annabelle had taught me.
.
I wondered if Mrs Godfrick even knew who Annabelle was. Probably not. Unless she had done something really amazing, because without a good math grade she never quite made top of the year.
.
"I've called you in here to let you know that I will also be having frequent discussions, with the people from your potential scholarship." Her grey eyes twinkled as she knew she had the power. "I'm going to be keeping them updated on your behaviour." She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth.
.
Her glasses fogged up a little whilst she breathed heavily, clearly awaiting my response. This is what she wants. I kept telling myself on repeat. She wants you to fail, don't give her a reason.
.
I smiled through gritted teeth, standing up. "Well your life will be easy, because there will be nothing to update. Only my reoccurring good behaviour."
.
And with that, I left her office.