Page 6 of Shiver
Still, when Coach Nemaczekk continues to hesitate in handing it to me, I’m more than intrigued. And maybe a little greedy, though I have no idea what for.
“This is the number of a genius. He’s very… abrupt. Sharp edges. Demanding. However, I’ve never met someone he can’t teach.”
“My subjects?” I ask, my mind spinning with the possibilities.
“Any subject. I did say he’s a genius, no?”
I nod, somewhat eagerly, my gaze dropping to the card in his hand.
“Be prepared for sacrifices, Egon.” He hands me the card and I profusely thank him as I get to my feet. I’m barely out of his office when I look at the card. It reads ‘Rakesh Aahnu’ and a phone number. I turn it over, but the back is blank.
Abrupt, indeed. Wasting no time, I take out my phone and begin typing.
Me
Hi, Mr. Aahnu. My name is Egon Wolf. Coach Nemaczekk gave me your number as a possible tutor for me. Are you available to meet later this week?
For the first time in a week, I feel hope. Until I receive his text back.
Rakesh Aahnu
No.
Hope is a dangerous thing to have. When it comes crashing down, it can feel like the air is sucked straight from your lungs. His one word feels like a death sentence. Swallowing thickly, I head to my dorm, unseeing.
I feel nauseous. Slightly dizzy. So sick that by the time I get to my dorm and fight my way into the room, I collapse on my knees as the room spins.
This can’t be it. I can’t lose my scholarship. I’m not ready to give up hockey. I should have these two years. I’m not ready.
I’m still laying on the floor an hour later when my phone lights up with a text message. I stare at the screen before it goes dark. I didn’t go to Temca’s as I usually do. So it’s probably her. Maybe it’s my parents and they somehow already know that I’m going to lose it all.
Minutes pass before I can force myself up off the floor. Only because I know it hasn’t been washed since before I moved in has me dragging myself onto my feet, grabbing my phone as I do. My fingers on the screen make it come to life and my breath catches in my throat.
Not Temca. Rakesh.
Rakesh Aahnu
Library at seven tomorrow. Bring a detailed schedule of your commitments. Don’t be late.
For a minute, I stare at the words on my screen. I’m imagining this, right? I scratch at my chest, willing the building hope not to come back. Just because he’s agreed to meet me doesn’t mean anything.
Me
I’ll be there. Thank you, sir. Thank you so much!
Desperate? Yes. But then again, I am desperate.
THREE
RAKESH
Just as Istep into my apartment my phone pings. Assuming it’s Rykka, I fish it out on the way to my desk to deposit my bag. I frown at the unknown number. I almost don’t open it; I’m not even sure why I do.
Unknown
Hi, Mr. Aahnu. My name is Egon Wolf. Coach Nemaczekk gave me your number as a possible tutor for me. Are you available to meet later this week?
Rolling my eyes, I type back a quick answer.
