Teach Me to Please | Please Me #1

ONE

F.

A big, fat, fucking F written in sticky red on the front of my Chemistry paper. I internally groan and stare right back up at my teacher, Mrs Sanders. She did not look impressed.

  I never had a problem with Mrs Sanders, in fact, she was one of the nicest teachers in school. However, I found at time she pretended she was an elementary school teacher rather than a high school teacher, thinking we'd enjoy colouring in pictures of the atomic structure or the question-answer game where you threw a ball around the classroom, even using popsicle sticks to pick on people.

  Nonetheless, she was better than most teachers in school. Most of the time she had a smile on her face. Most of the time.

   "I don't know what to say, Sienna." She said with a frown and creased brow. "This is the forth fail in a row. Is there something I should know?" only that I'm shit at Chemistry but that was already evident.

   "I'm trying." That was a lie. I wasn't trying. Science was one of those subjects you either loved or hated, and I hated it.

   "Well, trying doesn't seem to be fitting it." She sighed and crossed her arms. "And I haven't gotten any homework from you this past week either. Care to explain that?" shit, we had homework? That must've been somewhere in between Emma's party and Steven's. To be honest, homework was a complete waste because everyone just googled the answers anyways.

   "I'm sorry, Miss, but I've been so busy lately with cheer practice and helping my parents at the country club that –"

   "Your education has become unimportant?" that was harsh. "Look, Sienna." Mrs Sanders sighed and perked on top of her desk opposite me. "I know this year has been difficult with college applications and all, but I need you to focus on your work still. I know I've been lenient over the years, but this year is the year you really need to get these grades up."

   "I'll try, Mrs Sanders. Promise. Maybe Chemistry isn't my thing, though." I shrugged and slightly flicked the paper across my desk.

  Mrs Sanders let out a hearty sigh and unfolded her arms. "I've been running study sessions after school on Tuesdays and Fridays. Couldn't you show up to any of them."

   "But I've got cheer practice after school on Tuesdays and Fridays." I argued.

   "What about a one-to-one session on a Wednesday morning?" morning? Oh, hell no!

   "Can't. I help my parents play golf on a Wednesday morning. At the country club." That was always a good excuse.

  Mrs Sanders sighed for the hundredth time and rubbed her temples. I felt bad for her. I knew she wanted to help me, but my case was hopeless. I simply did not want to be helped because who the hell wanted to spend their free time learning about Chemistry? Ew, no thank you.

   "Then have you considered hiring a tutor?" a tutor?

   "A tutor?"

   "I have a lot of wonderfully bright students who tutor in my AP classes. You can mould your sessions are your schedule." It was a nice idea but again, who wants to spend their free time learning about Chemistry. Nope. Not me.

   "I appreciate the offer, Mrs Sanders, really I do." I got up from the desk and flicked my hair behind my shoulder. "But I'm just not that interested."

  Mrs Sanders gave a hopeless look and frowned deeply. "I worry for you, Sienna."

   "That's sweet, Miss. But I'm perfectly fine. I'll see you next class!" I scurried out of the classroom.