Bullies!Hetalia X Bullied!Reader Ch. 20

Chapter 20

Tutoring

The next morning, (Name) made her way to her locker, keeping a lookout for Ivan or any of her other tormentors. She had been on edge since her encounter with the taller classmate, and probably the best way to avoid Ivan was to avoid his older sister as well.

Not that she needed an excuse to do that. Being alone with the woman was awkward and tense enough as it was. With Ivan looming overhead, it made it all the more terrifying.

(Name) stepped up to her locker, thankful that no one had stepped up to bother her yet.

"Hey... (Name)?"

The girl turned to see Kiku standing with his older brother. She quirked a brow in confusion as the pony-tailed teen approached. "So... I kinda pissed Alfred off yesterday."

Her eyes widened in shock at the news. "Why the hell would you do that?" (Name) mumbled, her gaze shifting around to see if said American was around.

Yao let out a sigh, meeting her gaze. "I... I got tired of how they were treating you... Especially when they had no reason to treat you as such." He explained, shaking his head. "They claim you're ugly, horrible, selfish-"

"Nii-san." Kiku interrupted his brother with an elbow to the side.

"Right... I just wanted you to know to be cautious." Yao explained, letting out a quiet yelp as Kiku elbowed him in the back.

"And?" Kiku pressed.

"And... I'm sorry."

(Name)'s brows furrowed in confusion. "You are?"

"Yeah... I realized that I was in the wrong, and I suppose I was just following the crowd when it came to abusing you... You don't deserve that, especially when you've done nothing to deserve it." Yao explained, his gaze shifting from (Name) to the floor constantly. "I would like to make it up to you someday, if you'll let me... But for now I just want you to know that I'm really sorry... And that I hope you can forgive me."

The girl was surprised at the apology that left the Chinese student. She hadn't expected such a heartfelt apology from Yao, but he did always seem more mature than most of her tormentors. So, maybe it shouldn't be that surprising...

"Thank you, Yao... That means a lot that you would apologize like that... And thank you for warning me about the guys. That's helpful, in a sense." (Name) inwardly shuddered from Ivan's confrontation yesterday, but the knowledge of her other bullies plotting something was even more terrifying.

"Sure... And if you ever don't want to be alone during study hall, just find me, okay?" Yao suggested, offering the girl a small smile.

Returning the smile, (Name) nodded. "Okay... Thank you, Yao. I'll probably take you up on that offer sometime."

Yao nodded, looking to his younger brother, who seemed contented with Yao's new frame of mind when it came to (Name). He turned back to (Name). "Would you like to walk to Home Room with us?"

The girl nodded, shutting her locker. "Let’s go."

~~~

"Miss (Last Name)! Would you mind staying back for a moment?"

(Name) turned from her conversation with Eduard to the sound of her English teacher's voice. She bid her farewell to her friend as he left for his next class before making her way over to her teacher. "Yes sir?"

"Well, Miss (Last Name), would you happen to know about the tutoring program that the school has been starting up, correct?"

She nodded. "Yes sir, I've heard about it."

"Well..." The elderly teacher sighed. "Would you be interested in tutoring a freshman? I have one student who just isn't understanding the material as quickly as the rest of her class, and I would love to leave her in the capable hands of one of my best students."

(Name) processed the idea of turning a freshman. She hardly knew anyone in the class below her, or the classes above her for that matter. Still... It wouldn't hurt to branch out to meet more students, could it?

"I would love to help out, sir." (Name) answered, giving her teaching an affirming smile.

"Wonderful!" The teacher beamed. “You'll be meeting the girl during Flex in the library. She’s a rather new transfer student, but she’s very intent on learning the material.” He explained as he handed (Name) a sheet of paper. “You remember when we read the Odyssey right? That’s what we’re focusing on in her class.”

“Right, I’ll make sure to help her out however I can.” The young teen promised.

“Great. I knew I could count on you, Miss (Last Name).”

With one final nod to her teacher, (Name) went back to her seat and grabbed her backpack so that she could leave in enough time for the next class to come in.

As the girl made her way into the hall, she felt someone press against her shoulder. Looking up, she saw that it just so happened to be Matthias.

“What’s up with you, today?” He asked with a cheeky grin.

(Name) tried to mirror the smile, but it came off more meek than cheeky. “So far so good,” She answered, glancing down at the sheet in her hand. “My teacher just asked me to tutor one of the Freshman in English.” She spoke, looking up at him.

“That’s great! You always were pretty smart, so you should really help the kid.” He said with a nod.

“Thanks, Matthias… What about you? How has your day been so far?” (Name) questioned.

“Eh, no complaints. I’m not looking forward to that History project that Beilshmidt assigned.” He huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Who are your partners?”

“The guys, we usually partner up with projects like this.” He explained with a small sigh. “Still, it’s gonna be a lot of work.”

“Well, at least you’re all together, right? That’s what really matters.”

The blond teen nodded, grinning down at (Name). “You couldn’t be more right.” He spoke, stopping at a door to his next class. “Well, I’ll see you in Latin, okay?”

“Okay… See you later, Matthias.”

“Bye, (Name)!” He chirped in response before walking into the classroom.

Giving her classmate one final wave, (Name) turned to head to the library for her study hall.

~~~

“Why are you looking for the Odyssey?” Heracles yawned as he followed (Name) through the rows of bookshelves during their study hall.

“Because I was asked to help tutor a Freshman, and since she’s studying the Odyssey, I figured it would be best if I could refresh myself on the material.” She answered, pulling a copy of the book from the shelf. She looked over the cover and flipped through the pages.

“Do you know who this Freshman is?”

(Name) shook her head. “No, but I’m sure she’ll be nice to work with… I don’t know many Freshman anyway, so I guess this will be a learning experience for the both of us.”

Heracles nodded, following (Name) to the front desk in order to check out the book. “Have you ever thought about being a teacher?”

“Why do you ask?” She questioned, handing the book to the librarian.

“You’re really smart… And you seem like you’d be really good at helping people.”

Funny, considering I can’t really help myself. She thought as she took the book back from the librarian. She gave a quick thank you before turning back to her friend. “Do you need anything else?”

Heracles shook his head. “I probably should head back to the art room. I have a painting that I’ve needed to pick up.”

Right… That was the day I really met Feliciano… “I remember seeing it.”

“You have?”

She nodded. “Yeah… I saw it last week. You’re a very talented painter.”

“Thanks… I really enjoy looking at old sculptures from Greece. My family often goes there on vacation to see ruins and temples.” He explained, stifling a yawn.

(Name) smiled at the thought of Heracles traversing the Greek terrain, admiring the ruins left by the ancients. “That’s… Really cool, Heracles.”

“Yeah… It is.” He agreed as he began to walk out of the library. “I guess I’ll see you later in Chemistry.”

“You will. See you later, Heracles.”

“Bye, (Name).”

~~~

(Name) made her way through the halls and entered her Geometry class. Looking around, she noticed that most of her classmates were already there, despite a few stragglers. Thankfully, she didn’t have Alfred and Arthur waiting to trip her today, which was a nice change.

Walking to her seat, (Name) pulled out her homework as she set down her notebook and bookbag. She went through the regular routine that came with the class, turn in the homework, return to her seat and wait for class to being with the bell. The wait wasn’t long today, as the school bell went off just as (Name) sat back down in her seat.

“Okay, everyone. Let’s get started with roll.” Said the teacher from his seat. “Ludwig?”

“Here.” Answered the German from his seat.

“Good… Roderich?”

“Here.” He answered, pushing his glasses up his nose.

“Okay… Elizabeta?”

Silence.

(Name) took the chance to actually look around the room, out of the students that were present, Elizabeta was the only one missing. Odd… She could have sworn that she saw the Hungarian girl that morning in Homeroom.

“Has anyone seen Elizabeta?” Asked the teacher.

“She’s here, sir.” Roderich affirmed.

“Then where is she? If she isn’t here, I’m going to have to mark her as abse-”

“I’m here!!” Came a cry, along with the sound of the previously shut door slamming open.

The class turned towards the door to see Elizabeta quickly make her way to her desk. Even (Name) could tell something was off, and by the look that Roderich had on his face, he caught the same drift.

Elizabeta was disheveled as she quickly shuffled into her desk next to her boyfriend. Her hair that was usually neat and styled was ruffled and all over the place. Her clothes were also out of place, not their usual pristine look but wrinkled and disturbed.

“Thank you for holding up the class, Miss Héderváry.” Sighed the teacher. “Now then… Kiku?”

The class went on from there, roll having been called and notes being taken. (Name) followed along as best as she could, but she couldn’t help but glance over to Elizabeta and Roderich. The Austrian teen looked stiff- well, stiffer than he usually was. Elizabeta seemed to find any excuse to get closer to her boyfriend. She looked over his shoulder to “check” that her notes were right, she would whisper supposed questions to him, anything that she could do, she tried.

Odd… Elizabeta wasn’t usually that openly affectionate with Roderich, and while the Austrian didn’t usually reciprocate the affection right out, (Name) could tell that even Roderich was bothered by the way his girlfriend was acting.

Shaking her head, she looked back to the front of the room where the teacher drew the diagram. She had to focus on her work, not her classmates and their affairs.

It wasn’t any of her business, and she didn’t want to get in trouble for poking her nose into something that she didn’t know anything about.

~~~

“So, how were your classes today, (Name)?” Asked Matthew at lunch, opening his lunch box.

“Okay enough… I’ve been asked to tutor a student during Flex today.” She replied, taking a bite of her sandwich that she brought from home. “A Freshman who’s working on the Odyssey.”

“Yeah? That sounds pretty fun.” Tino hummed.

She nodded. “I’m looking forward to it… I think it’ll be a good experience.”

“If you say so, I never really liked that story.” Emil muttered. “I mean, who in their right mind would try and go up against a cyclops?”

“Keep in mind, it was all mythology. It isn’t real.” Lukas told his younger brother.

“Not to the Greeks. It was all real to them, it was their religion.” (Name) countered.

Lukas nodded in agreement, turning back to his meal.

“Yo, was it only me, but did Gilbert look really smug in Latin today?” Matthias asked, looking up to (Name) and Lukas.

(Name) quirked a brow. “Well… The quiz was handed back today, maybe that was it…”

The Dane shook his head. “Nah, he had that stupid smirk on his face the entire class, even before Vargas passed back the quiz.”

“Now that you mention it… I suppose his smirk was especially annoying today.” Lukas quipped, his own brows raising ever-so slightly.

“I wonder why…” Matthias mumbled, leaning against the trunk of the tree.

The girl thought back to Latin, she didn’t really look over to the area where Gilbert and his friends sat, since she usually took a seat by Lukas now. She couldn’t remember how the Prussian was acting… She wasn’t paying attention to him or worrying about him for once.

“You know… Elizabeta was acting kind of strange today, too.” She mumbled, looking down at her lap.

“Elizabeta? Roderich’s girlfriend?” Matthew asked.

She nodded. “She was late to Geometry… It’s the class that I have right after Latin.”

“Hmm… That’s rather odd, isn’t it?” Matthew asked with a small shrug of his shoulders.

The others didn’t have a response, so the subject was dropped.

~~~

(Name) sat in the library as the bell for Flex time went off. She pulled out her copy of the Odyssey that she borrowed earlier that day, as well as some pieces of paper that she could write on when the student she was going to tutor arrived.

She sat back in her seat, opening the book and scanning over the pages, refreshing herself just one last time before she really got back into it.

“Umm…”

The girl looked up from the book and looked over her shoulder to see a girl standing near her table. The female student was a little shorter than (Name), that she could tell even if the Freshman was standing. Her tan skin was complemented by her dark hair that was pulled into two twin ponytails by red ribbons.

“You’re (Name), right?” She asked, her voice laced with a thick French accent.

“I am.” She responded, standing and giving the girl a smile. “It’s nice to meet you…”

“Michelle, Michelle Lefèvre. It’s very nice to meet you as well, and thank you so much for agreeing to tutor me.” She said with a smile, adjusting the notebook in her arms so she could hold her hand out to (Name).

“I’m very glad that I can help, Michelle.” (Name) gave the girl a smile, taking her hand and giving it a shake. “Now then, shall we get started?”

“Yes.” Michelle answered as she let go of (Name)’s hand and took the seat across from her.

(Name) sat down, facing the Freshman. “So, where are you guys in the book right now?”

“Well, we just finished the section about the Lotus Eaters and Polyphemus, and we’re just about to start on the section where Odysseus returns home to Ithaca.” Michelle explained as she opened her book.

“Okay… What do you remember about the Lotus Eaters?” (Name) asked as she opened her own book as well.

“Umm… They were a village of people who lived on an island that Odysseus went to-”

“How did they get to the island?”

“It was… Poseidon? Who blew them there?”

“Close, but it was Zeus.” (Name) corrected. “What happened when they got there?”

“The natives gave Odysseus’ men the fruit of the lotus flower, and when they ate it, they didn’t want to leave. So he had to tie them up and lock them away in the ship so he could actually sail away.” Michelle answered.

(Name) nodded in approval.  “Exactly. What can you tell me about Polyphemus?”

Michelle thought for a moment before answering. “He was a cyclops, he was a son of Poseidon, he trapped Odysseus and his men in his cave and ate some of them.”

“Very good. Now then… How did they escape?”

“Well, Polyphemus blocked the entrance to his cave with a boulder that only he could move. But Odysseus gets him drunk on wine, manages to stab him in the eye, and then the next morning, Odysseus and his men sneak out… Right?” Michelle asked, looking up at (Name) from her notes.

“That’s the basic overview, but there are some more details that you’ll want to know.”

~~~

“So… Because Odysseus told Polyphemus that his name was ‘Nobody’ when he was drunk, and then Odysseus and his men stabbed Polyphemus in the eye… Because he was shouting ‘Nobody is killing me’ none of his neighbors went in to see what had happened.”

“Exactly.” (Name) affirmed after quizzing Michelle for the second time. “I think you have this section down, Michelle.”

“You do? Oh that’s wonderful!” She chirped happily, letting her head fall onto the table. “I was so worried you were going to think I was such an idiot because I was having so much trouble…”

“I wouldn’t do that.” (Name) said with a chuckle. “I didn’t know you, so it wouldn’t be fair of me to judge you when I don’t know you… Plus, you aren’t the only one who has trouble with this story… I have classmates who still don’t understand this book.”

Michelle giggled quietly before looking at the large clock on the library wall. “Is Flex time almost over already?”

(Name) glanced at the clock as well, seeing the hands pointing to 3:12. “Huh… I guess it is. Time sure does fly, huh?”

“Mm-hm.” Michelle laughed quietly before gathering up her new notes that (Name) helped her make. “So… Can I see you again? In case I need more help?”

“Sure.” (Name) replied, writing down her number on a scrap piece of paper and handing it to the girl. “Just text or call me if you have any questions. I may not answer right way, but you’ll be sure to get an answer sometime during the same day.”

“Okay. Thank you again, so much, (Name).” Michelle flashed the older girl a bright smile. “You’re a really life saver.”

“I don’t know about that, but I’m glad I could help out.” (Name) replied, standing from her seat with Michelle.

“I guess I should go find my ride home.” Michelle spoke with a quiet sigh, packing up her book bag.

“Your ride?” (Name) repeated.

“Yeah, he’s-” Michelle paused, looking up and towards the library entrance. “Or… Looks like he found me.”

(Name) quirked a brow before looking over her shoulder to see where Michelle was looking. The girl felt her shoulders stiffen and her jaw clench as her classmate walked over.

“There you are, Michelle. I’ve been looking all over for you.” Huffed the blond Frenchman as he placed his hands in his pockets.

“Sorry, sorry. I was just getting some help.” Michelle replied with a roll of her eyes to him. The Freshman adjusted the straps of her book bag on her shoulders before giving (Name) a smile. “Thanks again, (Name). I’ll call you if I have any trouble.”

“I’ll be there to get it.” (Name) answered, trying her best to return Michelle’s smile while feeling Francis’ gaze on her.

Michelle nodded, walking over to stand by Francis’ side. “Well then, see you around.”

“Bye, Michelle.” (Name) spoke, daring to glance up at her taller classmate.

She couldn’t really read his expression, actually. It was almost as if Francis was contemplating something. His jaw was tight and his lips were pointed downward in a frown, but his eyes didn’t shine with a cruel light like they usually would… They were just…

Empty.

“C’ome on, Francis! Now you’re being slow!” Michelle called from the entrance to the library.”

“Coming.” He called back, turning away from (Name) and making his way over to the younger girl.

(Name) watched as the two left, letting go of the breath that she didn’t know she was holding.

She didn’t know if she should be concerned that the friendly Freshman that she was already fond of is a close acquaintance with Francis, or that the Frenchman didn’t say a single word to her while the two had that brief moment alone together. Usually he didn’t waste an opportunity to throw out a nasty comment about her looks or appearance.

What was so different that he didn’t even try?