15

Jerah lives a ten-minute walk away from my house. That isn't long, but when you're lost in thought, it's even worse; I feel like I left my house just a minute ago when I arrive.

His house looks pretty average. The size is normal (compared to my house, it's actually quite small, but should I really compare other people's houses to mine?). It's a light shade of grey, a white door, and three windows. It looks simple. It fits him.

I take a deep breath and ring the doorbell. Why am I nervous? Maybe his parents are as mean as he is. Oh dear. I wait, and wait, and wait, but no one comes to open the door. Is this really the right house? I look at the address Jerah sent me. It should be here...

Just as I am about to ring the bell again, I hear someone run down the stairs. Someone? No, that sounds like a lot of someones. Finally, the door opens, revealing three little girls, two little boys, and a tired looking Jerah.

"Good morning. Please come on in. You can sit on the couch. I'm gonna get my brother to watch these guys," he tells me before going back upstairs.

I try to walk towards the living room, but a small crowd of tiny humans is keeping me from moving. While it was silent just a second ago, there's lots of noise now, lots of questions being asked.

Before I can answer anything (not that I got what they were saying, but still), a tall man walks down the stairs. "You guys! Head back upstairs! Don't bother our guest," he sighs.

As the small ones run upstairs laughing, he grabs my hand. "I'm sorry. You're a friend of Jerah's? Please come on in," he smiles. I smile back. What a nice man. It calms my nerves a bit. He looks like the rude blond, but their personalities are two whole different things.

After taking off my shoes, I walk into his living room. It's as plain as the outside. The walls are white, the floor is made of a light-coloured wood (it looks like oak, but I'm not sure) and there isn't a lot of furniture.

I sit down on the couch, which is the same light grey as the outside walls are. On the wall I'm facing is a small television. Next to it is a framed picture of Jerah and the man that is apparently his brother.

Time passes quietly, until my tutor finally shows up. "I made up a plan last night. I will give you three days to prepare. Then I will give you an exam. If you don't pass, I will stop teaching you," he says.

I hold my breath for a second. Stop teaching me? "Why?" I ask, confused about this sudden turn of events. I can't do this without him. If my lessons were to stop right now, I will definitely fail this year. Or my dad will get me some private tutor. Yuck.

"We went over this many times. If you still don't understand, I can't help you. The problem then lies with you," he answers. His monotone voice sounds icy and cold.

However, I'm not about to give up. "Fine," I say, sounding angrier than I am. "I'll show you, then. Surely I can do this."

Jerah laughs, and puts down his books and some papers. "Well then, let us begin."