“yeah, but that doesn’t make it any less full of a bunch of dumbass teenagers. maybe our grades are better, but we still have plenty of idiots.” lilli couldn’t really say too much about other schools though. her elementary and middle schools had been small and then she’d gone straight to midtown. “it’s where my friends are,” she shrugged. “and it’s not like I have much choice.”
“i mean, i wouldn’t call anyone here that…” she was the scholarship kid here. from what she’s heard, it was a stiff competition to who got it and she’s heard so much about what students from midtown become when they graduate. then again, she’s never really met anyone from the school until today, when she was one of them. part of her wanted to ask. gwen felt like that would be prying. would she want someone asking if she felt pressured to accept her scholarship from her principal and her parents? “what do you mean?” her curiosity got the best of her.
lilli paused for a moment to think. “no matter what they say their iq is, guys are guys anywhere you go. girls are catty even when they are getting good grades.” she shrugged, with the moving around she’d done as a kid, she was pretty sure every school was essentially the same. “we’re still teenagers. we make dumb choices, get our hearts broken, that stuff.”
Lilli’s eyes narrowed into slits when he used her name like that. There was nothing malicious in his voice, yet it still made her feel defensive. Her face returned to it’s smug neutrality as his voice trailed off. He had definitely been planning to say something, but something had stopped him. Off course, she could think of about a billion things she’d expect him to say, but none seemed to fit the humbled demeanor. “What?”
“If you had spare time after school, I was wondering if you’d tutor me in math?” Nero spoke much quieter than usual as a feeling of embarrassment came over him. “Uh, you don’t even have to answer me. I get it.” He’d much rather spare the both of them the trouble rather than be let down again. His other peers just assumed the whitette was a big knucklehead with a pea sized brain. “You’ve got extracurricular activities too, right? I don’t want to ruin your schedule.”
She stared at him for a moment, trying to determine if he was serious. Nothing about him was raising any flags, other than the way he made she skin crawl. “What, the man who runs the world can’t get himself a tutor?” The ginger scoffed. She looked back at him, her eyes now with a smidge of compassion. “You know you wouldn’t need one if you went to damn class on occasion?” She sighed heavily, cursing her own good nature that had caused her so much trouble in the past. “But… if you were willing to actually show commitment, I may be able to get you caught up.”
“yeah, but that doesn’t make it any less full of a bunch of dumbass teenagers. maybe our grades are better, but we still have plenty of idiots.” lilli couldn’t really say too much about other schools though. her elementary and middle schools had been small and then she’d gone straight to midtown. “it’s where my friends are,” she shrugged. “and it’s not like I have much choice.”
“Cute,” she snarled. Did he really think this flirting would win her favor? “You’re still an asshole.” She hesitated before taking the badge back. “Why do I have the feeling I shouldn’t be touching this after you?” It did look better polished, which only made her worry about what he did to it that warranted such a thorough cleaning. But she pinned it back on regardless. “Don’t think returning my property is getting you off the hook though, sweetie.”
“I’ve been called worse.” He chuckled softly, amused by the young woman’s reactions. “If I left fingerprints you can just wipe ‘em off.” Nero shrugged, smirking. He’d wasted so much time and used a fine cloth to clean the pin until it shone brightly. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Lillian. Plus, I’ve been meaning to ask if maybe you’d…” The whitette’s brows furrowed as he failed to finish speaking. He was in desperate need of a math tutor on days he’d actually attended classes, but he was a hundred percent sure Lilli would deny his request.
Lilli’s eyes narrowed into slits when he used her name like that. There was nothing malicious in his voice, yet it still made her feel defensive. Her face returned to it’s smug neutrality as his voice trailed off. He had definitely been planning to say something, but something had stopped him. Off course, she could think of about a billion things she’d expect him to say, but none seemed to fit the humbled demeanor. “What?”
“That’s what people tell me,” she nodded. “Though it might be for the best, people barely get anything done with just my pranks. I can’t imagine what it would be like with two of me.” Although super-speed would be really useful sometimes.
“ThIs iS REallY GoOD,” she mocked. “Of course it is. Did you really think I would order you something shitty? I’m not that mean.” She took a few sips of her drink too, her eyes rolling back in pleasure.
“He always was a sucker for your baking. Hell, who wasn’t?” Lilli forced herself to keep smiling. She remembered meeting Sarah all too vividly. The way her mother had just abandoned her at the academy. “I guess it’s better than just standing here.”
