Days Rewritten

Matthias shouted, "Do you have to push Evelyn to her death before you'll stop?"

I picked up a cleaning cloth from the coffee table and gently wiped the tears off Evelyn's face. "What are you even saying? Your life is way too valuable. I could never take responsibility for something like that."

I took out my phone and, right in front of both of them, transferred 1,000 dollars to Matthias.

When I opened the Messenger app, I noticed his chat was still pinned at the top. That alone irritated me.

"This is your tutoring fee for the month. I've sent it. You don't need to come anymore.

"For the rest of your time, just focus on tutoring Evelyn. I'm out."

Evelyn could not hide her delight. She lifted her head and looked at Matthias, her eyes sparkling.

However, Matthias did not respond to her at all. He watched everything I did, his brows slowly knitting together.

He stared at me, disbelief filling his eyes.

"What did you just say? You don't want me to come anymore?"

Afraid he had not understood me, I repeated myself.

"Matthias, you don't need to tutor me anymore. Evelyn needs your help more. If she doesn't get into college, she may die."

"But I've been tutoring you for two years. Aren't you afraid that if you stop now, you won't get into college?" His voice trembled slightly.

"That's none of your concern. You can see yourself out."

In my previous life, even after letting Matthias tutor me all the way to the end, I still chose to study abroad.

My grades did not improve, and I was labeled as the one who caused Evelyn to become disabled.

Looking back, I was such a fool.

Matthias's hands trembled. His fingertips turned pale as he clenched them, grinding his teeth.

"Fine. Wendy, don't regret this."

With that, he stormed out, taking Evelyn with him.

…

After that day, Matthias became even more high-profile about studying with Evelyn. They were loud when they went over problems. Even with earplugs in, I could still hear them.

I started studying, too, though I was still figuring out the basics.

Evelyn seemed bothered by my sudden seriousness. She walked over with a textbook Matthias had just marked up and waved it in front of me.

"Wendy, you're studying now, too? Reading all by yourself? Can you even understand it?

"I have notes here that Matthias just highlighted. I can let you take a look."

She waved the book back and forth, then covered her mouth and laughed.

"Oh, right. I almost forgot. Matthias doesn't want to teach you anymore.

"So, I guess I can't lend this to you for now."

Her voice was sharp and grating. Quite a few classmates turned to look at me. Even Matthias, who usually stayed out of everything, glanced over.

I rested my chin on my hand and looked at her with interest. "If you have time to worry about how other people study, why not check your single-digit physics score first?"

Evelyn flushed red, embarrassed and angry.

Matthias walked over and tapped on my desk.

"Come out. Let's talk."

Before I could refuse, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the classroom. He leaned against the wall in the hallway, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"If you're willing to accept Evelyn, I can keep tutoring you."

Ever since I fired him, I had heard he had gone back to working part-time in the cafeteria. It looked like he was short on money again and had his eyes on me.

He really thought I was an easy target.

"Not interested," I said without hesitation.

Anger flared in Matthias's eyes. He grabbed my shoulders and said harshly, "Everything was fine before. I've been tutoring you for three years. Or is it because you mind that I'm close to Evelyn?

"Wendy, are you jealous? Or are you just playing hard to get?"