The Nerd and The Jock

Chapter 18

Pretending It Doesn't Hurt

"Ok, just make the amount of each compound or element equal to the same compound on the other side of the equation." I said, pointing to the left side of the equation.

"Like this?" He said as he scribbled something on the chemistry homework, then looked at me for approval.

"Not quite." I erased what he previously written and,"Look it's easy. You're just adding coefficients to balance the equation to follow the Law of Conservation of Matter." He looked at me like I had just explained how to build a rocket.

I frowned,"Do you understand it, or should I go back over it again?" He smiled weakly with a sheepish grin, "I get it. I really do."

"It's ok if you need me to do it again. I'm here to help, and if you don't understand, I can give you another one to solve." I said warmly, drawing up another equation for him to solve. He sighed.

"Maybe, we should take a break." I suggested, and I could tell he got a little relieved.

Then, his fingers tried to kill me, "Stop it! I'm going to die of laughter!" I laughed at the top of my lungs as he tickled me even more.

"How do you like that?" He said sarcastically as he chuckled, tickling my lower abs as my stomach began to burn. I tried to break free, rustling around until he pinned my hands and got on top of me.

He stopped moving and looked into my eyes, continuing hovering; I stopped laughing and stared back.

We stared for hours it seemed like. His eyes gazing into mine and mine peering into his. He cleared his throat and got off me awkwardly,"You should go get some snacks." He said with a shy smile, scratching the back of his neck.

I nodded, "Yup, I'm going to do that." I looked at him awkwardly and disappeared down the stairs.

"What's going on in that room?" My mom said with a smile and wink as she continued chopping up lettuce for dinner. 

"Nothing! Just chemistry work."I insisted abruptly as I turned around.

"It didn't sound like you were doing a chemistry work. It sounded like you guys were doing something a little more R rated." My mom said, raising her eyebrow.

"Mom!" I said.

"We're not doing anything bad. Don't you trust me?" I said.

"I do trust you, but he's a teenage boy and you are a teenage girl. I was once a teenager, you know. I know what's like to be in that position. There's no telling what the hormones in your bodies are going to make you and Kyle do." She said.

"If you say so, mom, but I don't even like him. I'm just his tutor." I said with a laugh as I grabbed the pretzels and the Doritos from off the counter. 

"Anyways, it's getting late. Dinner will be ready soon, so Kyle is either joining us for dinner or going home because you're not having any boys in your room after 7."

"Ok, mom. I'll ask him." I said with a sigh as I headed up the stairs with the snacks.

I opened the door and sat back down on my bed next to Kyle while he was still working on the equation I had left for him.