Tutoring after school.....

Chris sat in the library waiting for Serena. He looked at his watch. Serena was 10 minutes late. If she was late 5 more minutes, he was leaving.

Serena walked into the library, she had got caught up in a converstaion with an old friend and lost track of time. She searched the room looking for someone she didn't recognize. She moved towards the only person who sat alone. "Excuse me,' She said, not very confidantly. 'Are you Mr. Fletcher?"

Chris looked up and nodded. "I take it you must be Serena." He pulled out a book and opened it to the chapter that they were studying. "You're 10 minutes late. Care to explain why?"

"I just, lost track of time." She blushed, taking a seat. Haley was right about him being cute.

Chris nodded, "Just try to be on time next meeting. Do Tuesdays and Thursdays work for you? I can maybe do every other Friday if you want but I'm helping out with the hockey team and They usually practice every Monday, Wednesday, and every other Friday."

"Yeah, these two days are fine. I'd rather spend fridays buying clothes not reading books.' She replied. 'No offense or anything."

Chris nodded. "I understand that. Believe my I do. but you have a 45% in her class. You're going to have to sacrifice something if you want to bring that grade up." He shrugged, "It's up to you. What's more important? Your grades? Or that sale at Saks?"

Serena sighed. "I guess we could meet up a few friday's. I mean, I could always ask Haley and Eric to put some things on hold for me." She smiled at her idea.

Chris laughed a little, "Good choice. Eric? As in Eric van der Woodsen? I used to mentor him back when I was in middle school."

"Yeah, he's my brother.' She paused. 'Wait, mentor? That means you must be..." She stoped again as her memory refreshed. "Chris Fletcher." It came back to her now, she could see the resemblence of his younger self. He really didn't look that much different, except taller, and less boyish.

Chris laughed. "Yeah. I came to dinner a few times at your house. How's Eric doing? I haven't heard from him in years."

"He's alright, he goes Saint Jude's. I'm surprised you havn't seen him."

"I only TA for Constance." He told her, "The headmistress seems to think that girls might respond better to me than Miss Hastings." Chris shrugged. "But enough about that. Let's start with the test that's coming up. Do you know what chapter you're in?"

"The.. fourth I think?" She answered sheepishly.

"You really don't pay attention do you?" He said as he raised his eyebrows. "Do you at least know what you're studying?"

"World history." Serena answered. "Ok, so, maybe I have some difficulty focusing."

"Have you always had trouble concentrating?" Chris asked curiously. "Is it like that in all your classes or just this one?"

She shrugged. "It's mixed. History and Math are my worst."

Chris nodded slowly, "Have you ever been tested for learning disabilities? It sounds like maybe you have one."

"I do not." She said crossing her arms firmly. "I'm just forgetful that's all."

"Sometimes that can be a symptom." He said. "They didn't catch it in my sister until she was a senior in high school. It's nothing to be ashamed about."

"I'm just forgetful." She repeated. Trying to calm herself before blowing something up, like she did last week we her mother acused her of spilling coffee on her new couch, which, she didn't.

Chris nodded, "Okay, if you think that's what it is, I can't change your mind. So, I believe you're studying World War I." He opened the book up and pushed it towards her. "What do you think is your weakness in this period of history?"

"It's boring.' She said, as if it were obvious. 'And the whole cause of the war is so stupid. It doesn't make sense."

"What doesn't make sense?" Chris asked.