Page 63 of Private Tutoring
31
HARMONY
What was I going to do? My heart had already broken, but every minute that passed deepened the cavern in my chest. I’d been called out in front of the entire theater group. Leighona was right. I’d slept my way to better grades and into her part. Sure, she needed a break. Her voice had been sounding worse every day.
But that didn’t mean I deserved to take her place.
And the look on Matthew’s face when Leighona accused me…he’d wanted to help but had been helpless to do so except to try and undermine Leighona’s claims.
I stood in the shade, my back against the bark of an oak tree off to the side of the quad, and took stock of the situation.
Delilah had been right. I should leave school. At least until after I had the baby. Returning afterward wouldn’t be easy. I’d have to consider the expenses of raising a baby alone. Mom did the best she could, but she couldn’t afford to send me to school. How was I going to pay for it while caring for a baby?
I would find a way. I deserved a chance to live out my dream, and I wouldn’t sacrifice my child to make it come true.Somehow, someway, I’d figure out a way to have both. I might even make it back in the fall with my scholarship.
Mrs. Collins. I should talk to her about my leave of absence. She’d know the best way for me to proceed. But first, I needed to tell Roberto and the others that I was leaving. I’d had a chance to tell Matthew right after class ended, but I’d chickened out when several classmates gave me odd looks before they walked away.
Roberto was the easiest to talk to, the most laid-back and carefree. He’d listen without interrupting…hopefully. All I had to do was tell him I was leaving without revealing why. Sounded simple, but my racing heart proved it would be hurtful and traumatic for us both.
“Do this, then go home. Mom will understand. She’ll help.” Not with bills or anything like that, but she had first-hand experience as a single mom. I needed that boost of courage I knew she’d give. First, stop talking to myself and get a move on.
I tugged my bag close and stepped out of the shade. The quad was packed, and even though I knew none of them had a clue what happened in my theater class, I swore I felt every single one of them staring at me. Judging me.
I’d better get used to that.
I kept my chin up and my gaze locked on the brick building with Harrow Hall emblazoned across the top in bronze lettering. Roberto’s classroom was the first one on the right, and he should be wrapping up his last class of the day by now.
My steps slowed, my internal fear prompting me to drag my steps so I’d miss him and put off the inevitable.
“Watch out.” A burly kid barreled past me, jumped to catch a football, and grinned. “Sorry. Almost got ya.”
“Almost.” I sped up, intent on getting away from the impromptu game. I had bigger problems than a rogue ball in my way.
I reached the bottom of the steps and ascended. Each one tightened the fear clenching my stomach in a vise, and I walked myself through what I would say to help calm my nerves.
The door opened as I reached for it, and a group of girls walked out. I caught Roberto’s name on their lips and pressed mine into a flat line while turning into his classroom. He’d changed the quotes on the board, the rich, Italian phrases speaking of love. He’d been the first to show me any kind of affection that had nothing to do with sex.
I stood in the hall for a minute, watching Roberto in a moment completely his own. He tapped a button on his phone, and Italian music flooded out. He sang along with the ballads, his tone a rich baritone. It didn’t matter that anyone walking past could hear. Knowing Roberto, it wasbecausehe knew they would hear that he played and sang at full volume. He’d told our class once that it was his mission to spread the love of language. He did that any way he could.
The fact that I understood every word warmed my chest and gave me the courage I needed to take a step forward…to the beginning of the end.
He whispered those sweet phrases to me as I lay in his arms, and I’d never felt more treasured.
“Harmony.” He looked up the instant my feet crossed into his room. Delight crinkled the edges of his eyes when he smiled.
I was about to ruin that smile. “Hello. Do you have a minute?”
He hopped onto the edge of his desk and winked. “For you, I have all the time in the world.”
Every word he said made this harder. I bolstered my courage and crossed the room to stand in front of him. Time to rip the band-aid off, as my mother would say. “I’m leaving school.”
“Okay.” He shrugged. “Do you want me to go with you? I’m finished for the day.”
“No.” I rubbed my head. All my practice and I still managed to get it all wrong. “I’m leaving for the semester. I might not be back.”
Silence met my statement.
Roberto’s eyes narrowed, and he took a long, slow look at my face. “This is a surprise. Why are you leaving?”
