On Wednesday, I received my test results and it seemed that my score still hasn’t approved as I hoped. I looked down at the card that Lucas gave me, that guy with the motorcycle, and I wondered if it was okay to reach him. It’s been a while since Luis has contacted me and I also don’t want to bother Elliot with this, but it seems like these tutoring sessions were always helpful for me. I sighed heavily as I pulled out my phone to send him a message and hoped to see what he’ll say while I head to my next class. When class was over I looked over my notes when I saw there was a message and I checked to see that Lucas was available at the library in three hours.

I wasn’t really expecting a quick response and to meet the same day as well. I haven’t seen him since he gave me his number, but maybe taking this chance can help me, and even raising my grade will pull off for me. I sent a message to my mom letting her know that I’ll be a bit late going home and informed her about my plans. I only had two classes for the day and I was already done with it, but what am I supposed to do for the next three hours? I decided to walk around campus and looked over the student store grabbing a few snacks. Finding a quiet spot, I sat down eating the granola bar I bought and looked around seeing students passing by either going to class or leaving campus. It wasn’t so bad just sitting around, but it was a bit boring that I pulled out my phone and called Lily.

“Hello?” She answered.

“Hi,” I said once I heard her voice and tried not to sound awkward. “It’s me.”

“Michael? Are you okay?” She asked, sounding concerned. “Did something happened?”

“No. No, I just wanted to check-in.” I said looking down at my shoes. “Sorry if I’m bugging you. I should just let you-”

“Michael, it’s okay. I can talk,” She said cutting me off from hanging up.

I didn’t say anything right away, feeling a little silly that I alarmed her with my call. “I was just curious about how everything is going and if Ally is doing okay?”

“Oh, Ally is doing great. You should have seen her yesterday. She was trying to stand by the couch and walk by it. Next time you’ll see her she’ll be running around and you won’t be able to catch her,” She said, giggling.

I smiled and moved to a bench in a shaded area, “I wish I could see that.”

“She misses you,” She tells me.

“I miss her too. I’ll try and visit soon… Um, is Dad still mad at me?”

“What? No, why would he be mad at you?” She asked, surprised by my question.

“Dad was giving me this talk about finding work and I felt like he was frustrated-”

“Don’t let what your dad says affect you. He only meant that he wants you to come to visit more often.” She tells me and sighed. “Your dad has just a rough way of saying things. I’m sorry if he hurt your feelings.”

“You don’t have to apologize for him… I thought about it and I understand why he said all that. He was right about finding a job and I will see what I can do about it during the summer once the semester is over.” I said, continuing to watch people passing by. “I know he wants me to do things on my own so I will do that and he wouldn’t have to worry about me,”

“Michael, I hope you’re also doing this for yourself and not for him.” She asks me.

I pressed my lips together and looked up at the sky, “Of course it’s for myself.”

“Alright. Don’t push yourself too hard and if you need help let me know or your dad. Also, ask your mom to come to visit us as well so she can see Ally as well.” She asks of me. “We’re going to start planning her first birthday and I would like her input since I’ve never done a kids party before.”

“Mom would love to help,” I said smiling and thought about the idea of her birthday. “I’ll ask her and have her contacting you.”

“Great. I can’t wait to hear from her.” She said and she paused for a second. “I’m sorry, Michael. I’m going to have to let you go. Your dad will be home soon and I still need to feed Ally.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m still on campus so I have other things to do as well. Sorry if I hold you up.” I said as I checked the time.

“No, it’s nice that you called. It really makes me happy that you are comfortable calling me.” She tells me in a genuine tone.

I grabbed my backpack, feeling a little shy hearing her compliment. “Thank you, Lily. I’ll call again if there’s anything.”

After hanging up on her, I noticed there was a new message from Lucas and he gave me the direction to meet him. I was able to kill two hours just wandering around and having that call with Lily so I think it’s about time for me to head towards the library. I entered the library, taking my time making my way to the second floor where they hold the private study room and looked for the room two-hundred and eight that Lucas told me to meet him at. I wondered if this would help me, but I had to do something before giving up and maybe the extra focus on my studies can help me decide on the major. I entered the room, surprised by the massive pile of books almost covering the table, and I wondered if I came to the right place.

“Are you going inside?”

I turned around and saw Lucas standing behind me with more books in his hand. “Sorry,” I said stepping inside and he followed.

“I saw that you found the room without any problems,” He asked setting the pile of books on the table.

“Yeah… We’re not going to be using all of these books, are we?” I asked curiously.

“Oh, no. Sorry, if that scared you. My friends are coming after we’re done, and they enjoy looking like serious college students so they won’t kick us out of the room.” he tells me beginning to sort the table making enough room for us to study. “We can sit on this side and get started.”

Lucas was very formal once we started the tutoring session, and he explained everything step-by-step that it seems so easy then how the professor explained it. I hope this will help me get a passing grade for my finals and to encourage me to continue for next semester once I meet with the counselor by the end of next month. As long as I can have one passing grade in a subject that was difficult for me then I’m sure I can handle my other classes and even attend more lectures that I felt shy to participate in. Lucas was finishing on the last new problems that I couldn’t understand when he received a text message and that meant that our session came to an end because his friends are on their way.

“Alright. We can leave it here for today, and you let me know what your grade is next week to see where we can work with next.” He said, looking at his phone again.

“Thanks. You explained it better compared to the professor.” I said putting my book in my backpack and stood up getting myself ready to leave.

“No, just sometimes they do a long explanation that could be shortened if you know how to solve the equations. They like the old formulas and not try a shorter method,” He tells me, turning away from his phone and saw me putting on my backpack. “You know, you don’t have to go right away. My friends love welcoming new people, and if you have more problems aside from math or chemistry, then you can ask them. We’re all a mixture of age so one of us took the classes you're taking.”

I glanced over at him and felt humbled by his offer. “I wouldn’t be in the way? I’m sure they don’t want a stranger to barge in.”

“Come on, sit back down. You don’t have any other plans, do you?” He asked, reaching to pull my backpack off and set it on the table again.

“Um, no, I don’t,” I answered by returning to my chair.

“Then come and relax,” he said returned to his phone, sending a message, then turned back to me giving me his full attention now. “Michael, you're not that great with interactions, huh?”

I held my hands together tightly under the table, “No, not so much.”

He nodded as he leans back in his chair, “How are you handling your first year of college?”

I sighed curiously on why he’s creating this small talk between us, “It’s been a bit hard. I have never been confident in my studies and that has always reflected in my grades… I also need to put in a major by the end of the semester or the beginning of next semester, but I don’t know what to put in. I don’t want to put something random and regret it later when I can’t find a career from the major I picked out.”

Lucas was about to open his mouth when the door opened, and he smiled seeing a group of four making their way into the room. I felt my chest tighten as I made room for them as they all started talking at once set their things down, and Lucas stood up to hug a few of them as if greeting an old friend. A few turned to me to introduce themself and I tried to remember their names. I haven’t been in a large group like this for a while that I had to remind myself not to feel overwhelmed by their loud energy and hope that I can keep myself composed.