Chapter two: Tutor me, Tutor you
The loud voice boomed over the public access system,
singling out one student in particular while he sat in his art class.
"DUO MAXWELL, PLEASE COME TO THE GUIDANCE
OFFICE IMMEDIATELY!"
Duo blinked up from his art book hearing his name.
Gathering his books and putting them into his Fubu bag, he
rose from his seat and walked towards the door. He could
hear the 'oohs' and the 'aahs' from the moment he left the room.
Shrugging, he made his way around the corner and down the
stairs to the first floor onward to his destination. Dr. Noin was
smiling as she stood her doorway waiting. Seeing him walking
down the hallway, she motioned to him to enter her office.
Usually being called to the counselor's office meant something
was wrong. It was worst than seeing the principal in his case.
"Sit, Duo."
It didn't take long before his mind started going into overdrive!
"What happened? Is there something wrong with my brother?
My neice? What? Tell me I can take it!"
Dr. Noin blinked a couple of times. He did have a point.
The last time he was called to the office, Mariemaea had
beaten a little boy in her class to a pulp for calling her uncle
a girly man. Duo sighed in annoyance when he had to leave
early that day. Thinking about that adorable little girl suddenly
caused her to break into giggles. Duo stopped talking watching
the older woman break into laughter and stared at her like she
was insane. Once she got herself under control, Dr. Noin
shook her head at her talkative visitor. "Don't you ever
breath, Mr. Maxwell?"
Violet eyes blinked in confusion. "Well yeah…but I can't
help that. Every time I've been called here, another crisis
pops up! It's enough to give me gray hairs or worse,
a heart attack!"
Well that was true and the information she was about to
inform her funny student was not going to be taking lightly.
She took a deep breath and just spilled it out. "Duo. Let
me explain. Your grades are fine…except…you're missing
some credits."
"Credits?" He was missing credits? How'd that happened?
"Yes." She walked around her desk, sitting down in front of
him while Duo sat seated in the chair before her. "When you
were in the hospital during your freshman year, you lost some
time, Duo. As part of the board, we have to go through all
seniors' records to make sure seniors are eligible for graduation
and we found you were missing some credits. You're already
taking honor classes so rather than make you take night
classes because I know you baby sit your niece, I suggested
to the principal for you to take extra classes on Saturday
so you can graduate with your class."
"Saturday?!?" Duo didn't even realize his voice squeaked f
rom his outburst. "But Saturdays are my free time? I'm usually
chilling with my friends, going to the mall and stuff?!? Why
do I have to waste my Saturdays?"
"It's not a waste, Duo, if you want to succeed."
Duo wasn't thinking that way, groaning in pain as
Ms. Noin watched his eyes go dewy.
Dr. Noin felt so sorry for him. "I know you're trying for
that Helios honor scholarship, Duo and if you don't complete
all your classes, it will go to the next person eligible.
It will not wait for you since you'll be held back a semester."
Chestnut bangs covered the boy's eyes, trying to remain
as emotionless as possible while his mind was thinking
over his options. Again a roadblock stood in his path. Again,
it was like something didn't want him to achieve. He had
fought so hard to make it this far and now drama appeared
yet again in his happy little life. The horrible curses of his
stepfather yelled in his ears yet again, cursing him for squealing
on their little games and secrets. A shiver ran up Duo's spine
remembering the way his stepfather looked at him in as the
police took him to jail and the looks he gave him in the
courtroom when he had to retell the horrors he had been
through. It was a face he could never forget. But a ray of
sunlight brightened in his mind as his older brother's words
ran in his ears:
"Be yourself, Duo. The devils cannot destroy a soul that
is pure and yours is the most innocent of them all. You will
succeed in all you do, little brother…because I believe in you."
A smirk crept on Duo's face as he sighed in agreement of
his plan. Treize believed in him as well as his niece and that
was enough encouragement for a few missed Saturdays.
Bright eyes gleamed looking up at his guidance counselor.
"I have to graduate, Dr. Noin. I want to make it not only
to make my brother proud of me but also myself. I'll take
the Saturday classes."
Dr. Noin never felt more proud of a student in her entire life.
Walking back around, she sat down in her chair, reached
into her bottom left drawer and pulled the papers out
giving Duo instructions of the time he must appear.
"Um. Ms. Noin. Who's gonna to teach me and please
do not be Mr. Wilson!" That man put the whole class to
sleep during his lectures and the mere thought of him made
him what to get retch.
Noin nodded sympathizing with Duo. The man was older
than Father Time. Mr. Wilson needed to retire already. She
even remembered him when she graduated from Helios
High School fifteen years ago. "No…I have two students
in mind. From my research, they're the best of your class.
You'll meet them in a few minutes."
It was at that very moment as she spoke, two students
accompanied by hall monitors entered her door curious
of why they were summoned. Duo turned, violet eyes
widening when he recognized one of the students.
With one outstretched hand, Dr. Noin introduced the two
confused students to him. "Duo Maxwell, I would like you
to meet Quarte Winner and…"
"Chang Wufei…" The words left Duo's mouth before he
even realized it. Wufei looked up from his books and just
blushed from the intensity of the widest violet gaze he had
ever seen before on him from the other boy.
Noin just looked from the two, a questionable look on
her face. "I guess you know each other."
Duo blushed from her scrutiny, laughing to cover his
tracks from further embarrassment. "I'm sorry!!! Its
just he wrote this fantastic essay on legends of folklore
today in British Folklore class. He had the whole class
clapping, Dr. Noin. It was really cool hearing the legend
of King Arthur told in a different way."
Wufei was touched. Though some of the students were
cracking jokes while he read, a lot of them were actually
paying attention, waiting until he was done with his story to
ask questions. One of the students whom were really serious
in his questions was Duo Maxwell. To Wufei, trying to remain
serious while slowing the beat of his racing heart was
phenomenal in every aspect of the word. Duo Maxwell danced
in his dreams every night and every morning he had to get up
early to change his inners sheets from the spoils of his dreams.
Sigh…the life of a teenager in love.
Aquamarine eyes blinked, feeling strong vibes from the
Chinese boy towards the other boy. Chuckling inwardly,
he wondered how in the world would they be able to help their
fellow classmate when one of the student teachers had a
crush on his student. But then Quarte realized what a benefit
there was from their alliance. Wufei was Heero's best friend
and what better way to get to the object of one's affection but
through their friends and comrades. Moving closer into the
office, Quarte smiled, bowing before Duo in a friendly manner.
"I'm Quarte Winner. I hope we can be friends, Mr. Maxwell.
You are a very exceptional student in our circles and greatly
admired in our club. Your essay on "Freedom from the eyes
of a child" for our political science class was a hot topic
for weeks."
Duo blushed. He wrote that essay when he was depressed
over another pitfall in his life, typical teenager stress. Treize
had always told him to write what he was feeling, and in that
case, he was writing using a lot of facts. "Er…thanks. But you
don't have to be so formal. Just call me Duo. Everyone else
does anyway." He turned back to Wufei, smiling. "So you
guys are gonna help me. I should be thanking you for saving
my neck." Sheepishly replying, a hand rubbing the back of
his head.
Wufei just blinked, forcing his mouth to move and praying
nothing stupid escaped out. "No…no thanks needed….D..Duo."
Just the taste of that name on his lips was like tasting Pepsi.
The sensation tastes so sweet on the lips and tiny tingles
played on his lips like little bubbles, which were waking up
areas of the unknown. Luckily, he brought his knapsacks
since the lunch hour was about to start.
The bell rung, and Dr. Noin smiled at the three teenagers,
giving Quarte and Wufei each a folder filled a teachers plan
of Duo's lessons for the school ten o'clock sharp this
Saturday. I'll get your special pass done today so made
sure. You pick it up before you leave the school okay?"
Duo nodded. From the moment he entered Helios High,
Dr. Noin had been a savior to him. He didn't have many
friends, not real friends and the gentle guidance counselor
understood his problems, speaking to him like a friend not
only as an adult. She was the only real friend he had. "I
better get to the lunchroom before they eat all the
spaghetti! Bye everyone!" His happy face grinned as he
ran from the room his footsteps could still be heard
running down the hallway towards the lunchroom.
Wufei made sure he kept his eyes on Dr. Noin, strategically
averting from Duo's retreating form. Alerting the counselor
of his lust for another boy was not too kosher. Luckily for
them, Dr. Noin was a happily married woman, married to
her wife of six years and had three children; two boys and
one girl. His thoughts were interrupted when the good
doctor spoke again.
"Now those instructions are also for you two but be at
the school fifteen minutes earlier for preparation. Your
student teacher ids and passes are being laminated as
we're speaking."
"Dr. Noin." Quarte began, not meaning to cut her off,
"Are there any weakness that we should be focusing on
before we start. I like to modify the teacher's plan a little
to go with my style."
Noin blinked, thinking a moment. "Well I don't know, Quarte.
Duo is highly intelligent. Though he was in the hospital that
time, he did bounce right back getting straight A's ever since.
That was the reason I recommended him for honor classes.
He's very hyperactive and gets bored way too quickly. When
he starts talking nonstop, watch out! He's either nervous or
agitated." She couldn't help smiling, remembering the first day
the shy boy came to their school transferring from another side
of the world. Once he opened up to her, Duo absorbed
knowledge like water. But he also loved sports so balancing
his grades while being on the team was hard but he handled
it like a master.
A day passed before her eyes as if it was yesterday, the
day Duo's older brother Treize started his new job and since
they were new in the neighborhood Treize would not trust
anyone to watch his daughter. Duo came to her office, crying
like a baby because he had to quit the basketball team for the
sake of his family. Quitting the team was the hardest thing he
had to do. She remembered speaking with the coach and the
whole team understood. The coach even told him that he was
still a part of the team and whenever he wanted back, he was
welcomed.
To Dr. Noin, out of the thousands of students that passed
through Helios High School over the years, Duo was her
favorite of all. There was a boy who was going to make
something out of his life and she was going to make sure he
did or else suffer her wrath. "Okay guys…if you have any
questions, just come back here and I'll try to answer them.
But in the meantime, I have work to do and you have to go
eat lunch…so shoo!! Shoo!!"
Wufei had to smile as he walked out the door. For an educator,
Dr. Noin was the coolest guidance counselor they had ever had.
Cool was an understatement. She was one of them.
~***~
Wufei heard his name being called as he hurried down the
steps on his way down the block towards the football field.
His eyes widened in surprised when he saw the bouncing of
blonde curls as Quarte's smiling face was racing down the
block after him.
A hand reached out, grabbing his shoulder for support
while at the same time trying to catch his breath. "Do you
always walk at the speed of light when you go home?"
Raising a hand to his chest, Quarte ran the hand upward
against his brow while his other hand touched his chest,
clinging to his heart sucking up as much air into his lungs
that it could hold.
Dark eyes stared curiously. "Well…I was going to
meet my friend, Heero and…"
Quarte's eyes glittered like aquamarine jewels for a moment
but then he cleared his throat regaining his composure.
"Heero? Where have I heard that name before?"
The look Wufei gave Quarte was priceless. "You don't know
Heero?" When Quarte nodded his head in denial, alarms were
ringing off in Wufei's head. He knew Quarte was lying. His
body language was screaming "Heero! I'm yours if you just
ask me!" He could have sworn he saw him a couple of times
as the football games during the season. But Wufei kept
all this information to himself. He had promised himself the
moment he knew Heero fell for the knowledgably blonde
that he would help his friend out. Yes he was going to get
him the blonde prince if it was the last thing he did.
Luckily this little project of student teacher was a brilliant
opportunity for Heero to get his chance at the over protective
boy. With large onyx eyes gleaming at his victim, Wufei smiled
at his co-student teacher, offering him a glimpse at this dream
without his knowing it. "Hey…Winner-san?" Quietly calling
as he saw the boy fidgeting in front of him.
"Quarte, please." The blonde boy murmured with a smile,
"We'll be working together so please just Quarte."
"Okay, Quarte, and my name Wufei." They shook hands and
started talking as they walked. "Usually Heero's at practice for
an hour but he's leaving early today."
That seemed to unnerve Quarte, wondering if something
was wrong with his secret heart.
"Apparently his sister's in labor and we have to go to the
hospital. I'm waiting for a beep from my father." Slightly
jumping at the beeper vibrating on his side, he pulled the
device out of its case bringing it up before his eyes. Instantly,
he instantly recognized the numbers displayed on the crystal
display. "Yup that's my brother!"
"Brother?" Quatre questioned curiously.
"Yeah. My older brother married Heero's older sister.
So in a sense, we're cousins." Looking down at his watch,
he cursed at the time. "Sorry, Quarte! I know you want to
talk about the assignments but I have to go."
Not about to let an opportunity like this pass, Quarte
smiled as he grabbed the asian boy's coat. "Hey!
I understand. I have 3 older sisters. My brother Zechs
and I are the youngest. Wait a minute! Why don't I
drive you guys to the hospital! Then we can go to my
house later to go over Duo's assignments."
It was a brilliant idea even if he didn't think of it himself.
He would have invited Quarte over to his house since
everyone would have been at the hospital for the birth
of the first grandchild of the Chang/Yuy family. If he
remembered right, Trowa had the car because of a field
trip since he and Heero had to bus it to school that day.
The bus had left an hour ago since him and Heero
weren't going directly home.
"Thanks Quarte. You're a life saver." Bowing in a
appreciative way, Wufei warned Quarte that he hoped
he would be able to keep up. When Quarte bowed his
head in agreement, the moment the words left out his mouth
Wufei's pace quickened and soon Wufei's casual stride
turned into a simple paced run.
Since childhood, Wufei was taught martial arts and
everyday Heero and him would get up 5 am in the morning
for a two-mile run around the community before school
started. Relena, being the pesty sister that she was, would
shake her head when Heero's alarm would go off totally
aggravated that her baby brother woke her up yet again
from a peaceful sleep. Mind you that this all happened
on a daily basis at 5 am in the house. Now Relena always
had to go to the bathroom at 5 am.
Quarte adjusted his knapsack on his back, tightening it for
dear life. By Allah, where was this boy's energy coming
from?! Quarte always thought he was in excellent condition
with his nightly swims in the family pool to strengthen his legs
as part as his daily regiment. Ever since he recovered from
his touch of polio as a child, the doctors warned him that he
had to build his muscles up and each year his stamina increased
tenfold. But the pace Wufei was keeping, running through the
great lawn like he owned it was taking a toll on his body.
Wufei, sensing his comrade's distress, slowed his pace.
He had to remember that this was not Heero running with
him. "It's not far, Quarte. We're just taking the short cut
since we have to hurry. Heero should be still on the field
about now. I have to remind him since he's not wearing
his beeper today."
They paused a moment, Wufei allowing Quarte to catch
his breath. The poor boy look disheveled but his skin was
so golden from the sun. He must have traveled a lot to
get that tan. Wufei had to admit but Heero had good taste
though his taste wade towards certain
chestnut-hared and violet-eyed angels.
All Quarte was thinking was how could he forget how
big Helios High School really was. Usually his days were
spent at the library researching articles for his club or he
would be at the planetarium gazing through the huge
telescope on loan from the Smithsonian Institute in
Washington D.C. He loved looking at the stars,
discovering planets and galaxies. Then he remembered
that most of the time he took the school trolley to
arrive at those places.
They walked a little bit, venturing to the mini forest and the
moment the trees opened up before them stood the fabled
football field of Helios High, home of the Novas. A departed
alumnus of the school donated the field in his will. This
beautiful field named after the satellites in space, stood wide,
and well cared so much that the keepers called the stadium
their baby. This mini stadium staged numerous festivals ranging
from carnival to homecoming. Today, Satellites Stadium's
well-kept grounds were taking a beat down as the Novas
were just ending drills. Heero being captain was telling his
co-captain Alex which passes for the guys to practice
since he had to leave early.
Wufei yelled his friend's name. Heero turned to look at
him and from the look on his face you could have sworn
he had a full body blush. Slapping a lo-five with his
co-captain, Heero ran toward the stadium's entrance and
tried his best to keep his composure. "It's time right?"
"Yup" Wufei replied, nodding his head. "Quarte is going to
drive us to the hospital."
Dark blue eyes blinked in confusion. "Eh? I thought we
were taking the bus?"
Quarte then spoke up. 'Well...I offered since Wufei and I
are partnered of an assignment. You know Duo Maxwell?"
After seeing Heero nodded, Quarte continued. "Well, we're
his tutors on Saturday. I think this is going to be fun. Anyway,
Let's go see what your sister is having." Quarte shyly stepped
up to Heero, gently grabbing his hand as the jock looked
flabbergasted at the smaller boy. Quarte just ignored him,
pulling the shocked boy back up the hill and onward
towards his car.
All along as they walked back up the hill, Wufei was
silently crying in laughter. "Boy...Is Quarte gonna teach
him a thing or two! I wonder if I'll ever get the courage
to do that to Duo."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
comments so far? e-mail Sparky @ either:
Sparkysama4662@aol.com or dreamerisle@hotmail.com
____________________________________________________
What
is YAOI?! / images /
Fictions / Fanart
/ H&K:
the Chang Wufei ml /
My
Adopted Family / Web Rings
/ Awards Won / Links
/
Contact
Bee-chan! / About the
'lil bee' / About Wu-chan
/
Flames
to giggle over ^_~
Sign
the Dreambook / View
the Dreambook!
_______________________________________________