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Post by marriedinthesunx on Nov 20, 2008 19:02:40 GMT -5
He didn't care if this was urgently recommended. He didn't care if this wasn't out of free will. Not even in the slightest. Because, in the end, it didn't matter what way he chose to look at this. Nakita Peterson was given the opportunity to make friends, something he was desperately needing. A full hour with another human being, around his age, that he could spend time with twice a week.
Sure, this might be hell to the other guy, but this was a real treat to the advanced math student. After all, there was nothing very confident about the blond fifteen year old and the majority of the third year students looked at him as if he were some sort of martian. On more than one occasion he had been shoved within the class room, and more than one occasion he recalled being called "Einstein," in a rather malicious tone.
It was obvious that the math teacher favored him. After all, Kida was his little prodigy; so of course he was the first one who came to mind when Claude Michale Kepp's grades were falling before the second week was even completed. "Tutoring," the teacher had suggested, "would be ideal for Claude, and I know you're more than capable of it."
Oh, and he vowed that very moment his obnoxious teacher that he'd make him proud, as well as vowing he'd make one new friend before the semester ended.
If one were so inclined to know, the blond haired, doe eyed teenager could be found in the library, books ready and calculator presented in front of him. Pencils, which were excessively sharpened were to a perfect point and ready for the tasks ahead. (Honestly, they were only so sharp because Kida had anxiety issues and he couldn't help but fidget.)
Erasers, scrap paper, and their current assigned pages opened and ready to be looked at.
He stuck out like a sore thumb. Sitting all alone with a mass of school work in front of him and looking perfectly nautious. No, this would be fine. After all, he'd seen Claude before. Never, um, never TALKED to him per-say, but he had apologized when he accidently bumped into him one afternoon.
That was a start right?
Apprehensive eyes turned to the clock, eyeing it pathetically while knowing he had showed up a half an hour early just to prepare his state of mind.
A half an hour wasn't nearly long enough.
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Sarah
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Post by Sarah on Nov 20, 2008 19:19:55 GMT -5
This early in the semester, and he was already failing. Well, it was worse off for his room mate, Jadie, than it was him. Claude was used to failing, at least in this particular subject. No one expected much of him, but no one had pressed him to take extra study sessions.
Oh, the joy was overwhelming.
Overwhelmingly sarcastic.
As if haven't to be tutored wasn't bad enough. No, it was by an under class men. A first year. Sure, technically it was Claude's first year as well, but the fact that he had a nicer dorm had to count for something, right? Obviously not. Even Claude had never gone as far as to judge someone as by age before, but now, he simply couldn't help it.
What would be the first expected words out of someone's mouth after receiving their fifth failing test, and being pulled aside by the teacher? Even more unexpected, was the guy's suggestion. No, not a suggestion, an order.
"Claude, I have asked Kida to tutor you, twice a week." "What?" Had it not been a teacher he was talking to, he would have added a couple more words to that. "Yes. Tutoring. Twice a week. He's a brilliant boy, and I believe you'll benefit."
So, he couldn't benefit from a boy his own age? Course not. An extra spoonful of misery, please. And, a pinch of humiliation to match.
Claude had to literally fight with himself to walk out his dorm and to the library. Earlier in the week, the teacher had been ever-so kind as to inform them that their study session would be at the Library, half past four the same day. At four o'clock, he was thinking up excuses. Sick. Too much homework (Which wasn't even applicable, considering Boy-Wonder would probably offer to help him with that as well.) He'd thought up every excuse, finding each time a set back.
But, he did pull himself out of there, to the library. The kid wasn't hard to spot, mounds of supplies sprawled in front of him, hands folded pleasantly on the table, not actually doing the work at hand. Of course, that was all for them both to do. Sigh.
He had been certain to bring some of his own supplies, but it wouldn't be needed, as he noticed right away. With a sigh, he approached. "Kida, right?" He asked, forcing a small smile that was apparently fake. He didn't care if there were any flaws right now. He'd rather do SO many things than to be here right now.
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Post by marriedinthesunx on Nov 20, 2008 19:43:39 GMT -5
To be honest, Kida hadn't even noticed Claude's debut in the library. Hadn't picked him out of the crowd because he was simply too involved with his own little world. His fingers were clutching the edge of the table, knuckles white and body stiff. When he heard his name, his body nearly whiplashed to the producer, eyes wide and seeming to give into one truly anxious look before smiling quite broadly.
Oh, here the other was. Five minutes early. Oh, God. Deep breaths, Kida, deep breaths. One of these was actually mustered before he began speaking. "Yeah, Kida," he assured, fixing some of his hair behind his ear before motioning for the other boy to take the seat beside him. "Hi Claude," he added a bit defeatedly, knowing full well that the older, cooler boy had no desire to be here in the slightest.
"You came five minutes early. You do realize that means we're forced into obligatory banter, right?" His voice was goddamn shaking. How could he possibly even begin to tutor the other boy if he couldn't even be understood.
Another cleansing breath before grabbing hold of one of those pencils, thumbing over the eraser before timidly meeting those eyes. "Sorry you got stuck with me."
Not really sorry, but he wanted to pretend to be. Honestly, this would be a great opportunity..If only he was capable of calming down.
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Sarah
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Post by Sarah on Nov 20, 2008 19:54:06 GMT -5
Claude nodded, making a mental note to himself to remember that the kid's name was 'Kida' and not 'Kiddo'. Whatever, he'd call him by whatever he damn well pleased to call him.
Claude picked up on the waver. Ha, this was a turn around. Normally Claude was the one melting under pressure. This brought a great sense of grim satisfaction, a grin displaying such pleasure. Though, his voice was a strict, measured monotone. "I know," He mumbled, taking the seat. He really hadn't noticed the time, just knew he had to get out of the dorm before he wouldn't at all. "Only thing I do know," He mumbled.
Yes, it was definitely satisfying seeing the other squirm, knowing he'd been in that situation all too many times. It was time that the tables were turned. "I am too," He said in regards to his apology. A bit too heartless? Maybe. He relaxed in his chair, propping his feet up on the chair on the opposite side of the table. "What's first on the check-list, Boy Wonder?" He asked in a mumble, staring off into the distance. He doubted this study session would do him any good. Nope, this wasn't the usual Claude Kepp, but he didn't intend on letting Kida know that it wasn't the real Claude he was talking to.
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Post by marriedinthesunx on Nov 20, 2008 20:07:59 GMT -5
Those eyes on him made him squirm, to be perfectly honest. Boys in his own age group were intimidating, but boys who were in their third years? They were just...they were just totally different. They were so handsome, so clever, and so with it. Cool. Something that Kida was certain he would never be. He was bound to be the favorite in each class he slipped into. He'd continue being Einstein until he finished his third year and he'd be just as lonely as ever.
Pale, pink lips parted, about to speak but finding himself a little discouraged with his companion's choice of words. Bad attitude, huh? That nervous smile he had been wearing? Oh, it was completely and utterly deflated. "Don't be melodramatic," he pleaded, turning in his seat to better make eye contact with the older boy, but finding that quite intense. "I'm sure you know lots of things. Otherwise you certainly wouldn't be here."
Fingers now flipped through a stack of papers, excluding out a paper that had obviously been photocopied earlier that day. "Um," he began a little shyly, flushing at the nick name and bringing it between the two of them. "Well, I wanted to see where you're having difficulties, so we can pin point your problems and get you out of here as soon as possible." A swallow, demanding himself to cool it. This time it took to his body.
"These are just some basic testing questions. They range from easy multiplication, fractions, division, and then they get increasingly harder." A minute of silence. "Do you...you think you could do that for me?" Oh, his voice was so goddamn meek.
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Post by Sarah on Nov 20, 2008 20:16:47 GMT -5
Ever heard of the saying 'You'll catch more flies than you will with honey, instead of vinegar'? This just wasn't the case for Claude. He could use a strong dose of vinegar right now, rather this sweet crap Kida was handing him. Bring on the poison.
Therefor, Kida's comment was null-in void. Just, not there. Not to Claude's conscious mind. "Oh, yeah. I know tons of things, that's why I'm being tutored," He said sarcastically. Claude took the paper, picking up a pencil, and signed his name at the top with his careful handwriting, like they had taught him in second grade when they had started worksheets. As if he thought math was hard then..
"I'm slow, not a dumb ass," He mumbled, whizzing through the first part of the test, since it was, as Kida had said, easy multiplication. The further he got, however, he became slower, murmuring math formulas under his breath, followed by several eraser marks. Maybe he was a dumbass..
With a small growl under his breath, a non intentional action, seeing as he did it whenever he was ever frustrated, he skipped various equations, seeing as they were the source of the problem right there. But, most of the others, he at least attempted. "There you go." He muttered, pushing the paper aside after a good amount of time it had taken to finish.
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Post by marriedinthesunx on Nov 20, 2008 20:31:56 GMT -5
Eyes narrowed distinctively when that tone was thrust back at him, sending the smaller boy into a state of unpleasantness. Oh, he didn't want to be. He wanted to start things off on the right foot even though it would prove to be nearly impossible now. A deep breath was mustered, rubbing his temples as they already were beginning to ache. Ignoring that sort of talk would be the first thing he'd have to learn how to do, apparently. Body leaned forward when Claude grabbed hold of the sheet assigned, observing that hand elegantly sketch out a rather handsome name. That was the kind of writing that was forced into a boy--however, Kida could barely even read his own printing so handwriting was never an option.
"Whatever you say," the blond mumbled, a pretty pout on those lips before scootching over to his companion. Head was tilted at a short angle, the boy fascinated by the way that mind problem solved. There were times when that hand was completely still, times when Kida could have sworn he heard the other mumbling things to himself, and this caused him to smile. He knew where he was needed now, the problem glaring him right in the face. That was progress already. Once the sheet was handed back to him, the younger boy curiously glanced back over it, more so finding himself admiring the writing than taking any interest in the equations.
"You did very well on the majority of it," he assured softly, lower lip taken between two sets of pearly teeth. "But I see the problem, and..it shouldn't be too hard to correct. It's just that, I doubt that'll be the end of your problems because, well, if you're not getting this, you certainly won't be able to accomplish what's going to happen in the next couple of weeks." Eyes batted once, twice before turning to face the other. "But I'm happy to help."
Of course he was, he was helping a cool kid.
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Post by Sarah on Nov 21, 2008 6:48:12 GMT -5
Claude had started to tap out a rhythm as Kida set off to check over his answers, seeing as music was something much more interesting than Math, even if it was just the tapping of a pencil. Claude did have enough respect for the younger boy, that when he began to speak, he dropped the pencil, dropped the distraction.
He nodded as Kida commented on his work. He had mentally bet himself that he would include some sort of stupid ho-hum compliment. Which, Kida had within the first sentence. Claude almost chuckled to himself. He nodded when appropriate, like the good little be he'd been taught to be. Just, he didn't figure he'd have to show a fifteen-year-old any degree of respect, especially this much. Sure, Kida showed him respect, even favoritism but Claude was also older than Kida. If he was younger, perhaps? Claude gathered that Kida would be the same....but that was besides the point, or so Claude thought hastily. It was Kida's personality to be a kiss ass, not his.
He sighed, hearing the next part of his little spiel. Sounded like he was going to have more 'fun time' with Kiddo over here. Brilliant. And, of course he was happy to help. Claude muttered a curse under his breath silently, actually trying to hide it from Kida's hearing. If he'd have to go with several of these damn things, he'd have to put up with them.
He nodded slowly. "When and where, Boy-Wonder?" He asked. Oh yeah, that nickname was going to stick. Most definitely. And, even if Kida minded, Claude doubted he would say anything. That was how most nicknames were, at least for Claude. He'd put up with some terrible ones, some adorable ones, and even ones that were flat out stupid. 'Kirby' when he was eight was NOT a good nickname. But, he'd got stuck with many others, 'Est' for one.
Claude peeked over at his paper again, noticing how many things he'd rewritten, the formulas scrawled off to the side at some problems. But, what was equally pathetic, was the eraser marks he noticed right away. He'd been lying before when he called himself slow. No, he was just a dumb ass. Oh well, it was only in math where he was that stupid.
OOC: I probably wont be on much today. I'm being picked up from my house about a half an hour after school, so I may or may not have time to reply. Sorry!
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Post by marriedinthesunx on Nov 22, 2008 15:12:56 GMT -5
Was there anything wrong with being polite and nice? This didn't have to be a boring, monotone tutoring session. More than anything, the blond just wanted to help and encouraging, and staying positive was the best way to do so. Of course, that 'niceness' certainly didn't seem to be working in his favor as the boy beside him just watched him with a certain sort of boredom. As if the fifteen year old wasn't performing to his desired potential.
Anxiety was starting to sit back in his stomach, the smaller boy licking his lips and dropping the pen he had been using to mark the paper. Oh, he was uncomfortable all over again. Claude's gaze was unwavering and obviously aggravated. He wasn't an idiot, well, alright, he was pretty stupid when it came to people but-- he could sense a hell of a lot of negativity towards him, and the math in front of him as well. Gosh, no wonder he was doing so poorly. That attitude of his was poison.
Instantly he remembered his promising words to his math teacher; assuring him that he would do his very best and get the results desired. Gosh, right about now he was thinking he might of set himself up for failure. No. No. That was the negativity, and he didn't imbibe in that sort of thing. Instead, the fifteen year old boy smiled brightly, forcing it on his face and fixing some of that blond hair behind his ear. "Twice a week, for an hour. Tuesdays and Thursdays, right here. Unless you rather keep your tutoring under wraps. Then we can do it in your room, or mine, or..whatever." Paper was presented to the other boy, showing him where all his red pen had touched.
"The next time you do this, I expect to see a complete absence of red." Hands extended now, grabbing for their math book and flipping to a lesson from the week before. "I know you don't like me very much, but I really don't care. I'm doing this for Mr. MacDonald, not you."
That was even on the brink of mean, but it fell off his lips so clumsily that it was so obviously unprepared. Kida was easy to read. He wanted to be friends. It was just hard under this sort of pressure.
"Did you bring your math tests with you? The ones that were graded? I want to go over those later this evening. Night reading, I suppose."
Dork.
(I'm SO sorry this took so long. <3 )
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Post by Sarah on Nov 22, 2008 15:49:59 GMT -5
That was more like it. Though rudeness and cruelty wasnt his most optimum flavor, he could just use it right now. If Kida showed some sort of aggression, it gave Claude an excuse to vent some of his own, though he had been doing that for a while without the proper outlet. He nodded slightly, almost smirking cruelly, but held back the urge. "We can do it in my dorm," He answered simply, still relaxed.
Claude glanced down at the page, marked here and there with red. He almost cringed, but held that back as well. "Yes, Sir." Claude said curtly, lifting his hand in a fake salute. "Cant guarentee on a complete absense of red, but I'll try my best!" He said in a sarcastically peppy tone.
Yes, much, much better. Even though Claude could see right through him, this was more like it. He rolled his icy eyes. "I'm so glad that you're doing something for Mr.MacDonald, he could use all the help he can get, when it comes to problem students," He nodded. "I suspect by the time I'm passing this class, you'll be deserving of a Purple Heart." He said surely.
"Oh, I'll make sure I memorize the big, fat red 'F' at the top of the paper, Kiddo." He promised, nodding. "I'll stare at it for a whole hour if I have to in order to remember I failed."
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Post by marriedinthesunx on Nov 22, 2008 16:22:02 GMT -5
Fine. His dorm. Whatever. the urge to just kick the other boy in the shins was overwhelming and...entirely unlike Nakita. Gosh, he had never been this upset since, what, the second grade? Not to mention this was so minor and stupid. Usually this was the sort of thing that just breezed right over him. The first year was more than capable of ignoring harsh words.
However, Claude seemed to be different. Claude could rile him up, something that wasn't the easiest of tasks. Lips pursed tightly together and for the second time his knuckles turned white. Not from nervousness, but instead because of an emotion he wasn't quite too familiar with; anger. God, he was trying to help that boy out, trying to fix a problem and it was becoming abundantly clear that the boy beside him had different plans. The tone, the salute, and the addressing just..this wasn't what he wanted.
All at once the scrawny fifteen year old stood up, fingers clutching the edge of his chair and staring his companion in the eye. "You're making excellent progress already, I'll see you Tuesday," he replied thickly, starting to collect his things, quite unable to put up with this right now. Books were being collected, held tight against his chest, a little storm cloud quite obviously above his head. "And my name is KIDA," he added, and quite a bit too loudly at that, considering the librarian turned and shot him a nasty look.
Voice was lowered to a hiss, face flushed and obviously upset. "You're not a failure, alright!? But you're certainly acting like one right now." And off he went, forgetting half his collection of sharp pencils, but completely uncaring as of now.
That boy had devastated him.
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Post by Sarah on Nov 22, 2008 18:37:54 GMT -5
Claude smirked to himself. Mission Annoy the Crap Out of Boy Wonder: Accomplished. Sure, it wasnt helping any of the pain from his night of partying the night before, but it sure as hell made him feel better. This wasnt the real Claude Kida was talking to, but he didnt know that. Only Claude did. But, he wouldnt allow himself to feel guilt over it right now.
In all honesty, Claude wanted to pass this class. In all honesty, if Kida was to be just 2 years older, Claude wouldnt have a problem with him. And, his pulsing head ache from his hang over wasnt helping. No, not one bit. Later, he would regret this, but not until Tuesday at the earliest.
Claude smirked, and stood slowly. "So, am I not a failure if I act like one?" He asked, practically himself, raising a brow. He didnt care if Kida answered or not. "See you Tuesday, Boy-Wonder."
ooc: Yucky post!
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Post by marriedinthesunx on Nov 22, 2008 20:24:53 GMT -5
Kida spun so quickly on his feet, he could have sworn he received whiplash. The boy was in a royal huff, arms suffocating his books to his chest, and eyes hard with frustration. Why was he taking Claude's bait? This wasn't making any sense and he KNEW he was just looking to get a rise out of him.
Wanting to watch him squirm.
"No, it doesn't mean you're a failure," the blond replied, absolutely defeated. His voice showed it too. Collected to mad to defeat. A quick process. Claude had managed something catastrophic. "It means you're wasting your potential. I get your deal, alright?" Books were placed down, venturing a step closer to the older boy but feeling very hesitant to do so. "I get that you don't want to be here. I get that it sucks to fail math, and the fact that you have a kid tutoring you? I mean, if that was me; put the gun to my head and paint the walls with my brain." A sigh, rubbing his temples and not quite ready to meet those eyes.
"You're probably a writer, the last thing you want to do is concern yourself with formulas and whatever else...But..." Another pause. "Just humor me, alright? Pretend you like me even the slightest and I swear this will work out better for the both of us."
Flushed in the cheeks and he was now staring head on into those eyes. (Which were rather brilliant, but he wouldn't say anything about it.)
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Post by Sarah on Nov 23, 2008 9:26:39 GMT -5
Claude's smirk started to deflate just the slightest as Kida talked. Dammit, he didnt want understanding he wanted out. Wasnt that apparent? He had made it quite blunt. But, Kida did understand majority of it,
Kudos for Kiddo.
But, what could someone really say to that? No smart remarks came to mind this time. But, from the looks on Kida's face, it looked like he was ready to pull the trigger that very second, and for Claude to pull out a paint brush. "Humor you?" Claude repeated, raising his brows. "Cant guarentee how sarcastic that's going to sound, but I can try." The vicious smile was back, determined.
"You are as smart as you look," Claude allowed, relaxing his previously tensed form. "You can at least gather the obvious, but it goes SO much deeper than that." Not that Claude planned on going all Dr.Phil to Kida. Heck no. "My life sucks. And, no, I'm not looking for your pity, I'm trying to tell you to leave me the hell alone." He said, his voice almost a monotone. This was so unlike him, and he knew it. "Let me fail the fucking class." He mumbled. He could figure it out on his own, right? If not, he and Jadie were screwed.
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Post by marriedinthesunx on Nov 23, 2008 12:14:04 GMT -5
"Well trying is a good start," sniped the blond, feeling his blood absolutely begin to boil. This couldn't be healthy. Why on earth had Mr MacDonald set him up with such an asshole? Didn't he know Claude would absolutely eat him up and spit him out? Or maybe he did and he was just testing him. Either way, it was a rather lousy thing to do to a first year in his second week. Now he really wasn't going to make any friends.
The compliment that was given was obviously laced with a certain amount of cruelty, the fifteen year old flinching and wishing he could just disappear. "Oh, yes, because failing the class is so going to work to your advantage." He finished, voice laced with that sarcasm that Claude had initially whipped out. Kida wasn't a nasty person-- so why was Claude intent on making him one?
"As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter what happened in the past. Leave it there. Move on to the now. The choices you make right now are what you should be concerned with." Kida hated the way he sounded, hated the fact he sounded clever despite the fact he was younger. "Stop being a big baby, and let me teach you, Claude!"
Huff.
Oh, God. A tap on his shoulder, the blond turning a fraction to take note of a rather annoyed woman with thick rimmed spectacles. "Out of the library boys," she began thinly, "your little spat can continue outside."
Fuck.
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