BEING IN THE SAME room as your crush is about as exciting as it gets. Him scowling at you, not so much. Owen puts on his best smile and most mannered posture but Parkinson is unmoved.

After receiving a text from the Guidance Counselor's office to present himself, imagine his surprise when he finds Parkinson there. A wonderful surprise. Owen could've squealed out loud. He opted for a friendly wave Parkinson hadn't returned.

In fact, Parkinson had turned to Ms. Sterling, crossed his arms and firmly said something about him quitting and Ms. Sterling had said something about his application being processed.

Owen has never allowed himself to think of how he'll act if he ever meets Parkinson. He hadn't thought there was a point to it. He and Parkinson ran in different circles.

But now that Parkinson is here? Owen is so happy he could soar.

Nervous too if Parkinson's reluctance is anything to go by. Owen prays to the gods, the Heavens and the earth. Whoever made it possible for their steps to collide should continue making them walk step by step. 

Prayer done, he tunes in to what Parkinson is saying.

“....Oyin doesn't want to tutor him doesn't mean I have to.”

Whoever this Oyin is is a godsend for rejecting him.

“Count on you, right?” Ms. Sterling and he looks at Parkinson in hope but he's crushed when the boy barely blinks. 

“There are other tutors.”

“You're the only one I can ask.”

“So she was your first choice and I'm just backup?” He slumps on the chair. “Great.”

“If you do this, you'll be a first choice.”

“But not the first choice.”

“If it makes you feel better” Owen clears his throat, “you’re my first choice.”

When Parkinson meet his eyes, Owen has a feeling he has forgotten Owen is even in the room.

“No. That doesn't make me feel better.”

Aw, shucks. 

“As riveting as our dialogues always is, let's conclude this. I can count on you, right?”

“I'm afraid not.”

“I want you. You're the best.” God bless Ms. Sterling too.

“Flattery doesn't work on me.”

“Oh, come on Parkinson. While I shouldn't say that the Principal is counting on you to tutor our star athlete,” star athlete is a little exaggeration but hey, Owen will take it, “and help him get accepted into a prestigious college of his choice, the Principal is counting on you to do just that.” 

There's no better pressure than hearing the Principal is counting on you. Owen knows: the Principal literally holds his school life in her hands. Yet, Parkinson doesn't budge.

“The Principal counted on Oyin. Look what happened.”

“You are competing with Oyin to be difficult, aren't you? What else aren't the two of you competing for?”

It's a brief glance of disinterest from Parkinson but Owen sits up straighter, hoping he looks alright. Parkinson rolls his eyes.

“I'm busy. You know that. I don't have time or a slot.”

Ms. Sterling gives Parkinson a look. “You have no new students thus empty slots.”

“That I was grateful for.”

“See? That you were grateful for.” Ms. Sterling smiles like a shark and by Parkinson's long suffering sigh, it seems Ms. Sterling has him locked down.

Owen writes a mental note to give Ms. Sterling chocolates.

“One day a week.”

The shark smile drops. The mental note tears. 

“Killian had three.”

“His was a special condition.”

“Your tutees had two.”

“One day or nothing. Your pick.”

Wow. Remind Owen not to ever clash with Park. “You'll be a dangerous negotiator.” He interrupts and by the narrowing of Ms. Sterling's eyes, Owen understands he should shut the up. Noted.

“Thank you,” Parkinson says sarcastically as he stands. “That'll be all.” 

“Parkinson…” Ms. Sterling beseeches as Parkinson turns to Owen.

“One day, Mr. Star athlete. Fridays.”

Owen winces. “Right. I can't do Fridays. Practice. Can't do most Saturdays either.”

“Ah. An impasse.” Parkinson deadpans. “Guess it'll be no day then. Good day.”

“Parkinson,” Ms. Sterling calls before he has the chance to walk out. “You are free Tuesdays. It'll be Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

“I'm not doing two days. Also, Thursdays is my volunteer day.”

“For an hour,” Ms. Sterling emphasized. “You have the rest of the day.”

 “Oh, come on Parkinson. Look at him. At that big smile, those dotted freckles and that flaming red hair,”

Owen in a nutshell.

“Do you really want to see that face on a poster for down on their luck athletes who couldn't make it to the big leagues?”

Yes, Parkinson. Do you? Owen doesn't have a crush on a heartless fan, does he? Wait. Is Parkinson a basketball fan?

Ms. Sterling snaps her fingers at him and Owen poses beautifully, juts his chin, grins and flutters his eyelashes.

“I wouldn't care either way.”

“So heartless.” He and Ms. Sterling chorus and laugh.

Parkinson isn't amused but at least he isn't stomping out. 

“Fine. Two hours per two days.” 

Ms. Sterling opens her arms as if to say now that wasn't so hard and Owen is smiling so wide his lips hurt.

Turning to him, Parkinson points. “If I don't see you outside from tomorrow, our deal is off. If I don't find you without prior notice, our deal is off. You come even one minute late—”

“Our deal is off.” Owen interrupts with a cheeky smile.

Parkinson narrows his eyes to slits. “You're a smartass again, guess what? Our deal is off.” With those threats, Parkinson marches out.

“He really doesn't want to do this, does he?”

“Don't mind him.” Ms. Sterling casually wave her hand. “He has had many annoying students. Don't give me that look. I'm the Guidance Counselor. I know.”

“I won't be annoying. I promise.” Owen will be his most charming self. And maybe win Parkinson over? Right? He can do do it?

“Good. Because if you're in his black book, not even the Principal can save you.”

Giving her a thumbs up, Owen walks out, the brightest smile on his face.