Erik's grades had been steadily dropping to the point he was forced to beg for some tutoring lessons from the school's resident genius, Erica Milton. Erica was the kind of person who never turned down someone in need and she agreed to start tutoring him that afternoon after school.
Erica lived in a three-story townhouse in Edgewood, close enough to the school that they could have easily walked the distance, but school policy dictated that they had to let the school bus drive them home.
"So... now what?" Erik asked as soon as they sat down at Erica's desk.
"Now you do your homework and then I'll check your answers. That way I can get a better sense of what subjects you're having the most trouble with."
They switched seats and Erik got to work. He knew Erica was there watching him work his way through his homework but, strangely, he didn't feel uncomfortable.
He had finished most of his homework, except for the last two exercises. No matter how much he tried, the problems just didn't make any sense to him.
Erica asked him to leave the homework aside for a few moments. "I think you're trying too hard. When you get stuck solving a problem, sometimes the best thing to do is take a break and clear your head."
Erica turned on the stereo, then asked him to sit with her on the floor. The more relaxed setting helped. Erik could now see where he had made the first mistake.
"What do you think, did I get it right now?"
"Uhm... let's see. You remembered to replace the denominator with the equivalent difference of squares expression... canceled x-5 from top and bottom... Yep, you're done with this one!"
Erik was thrilled. "Thank you so much for your help, Erica!"
Erica was too modest to readily accept the compliment. "There's no need to thank me, you did most of the work by yourself."
For some reason he couldn't quite explain he didn't want to go home just yet. "Hey, don't you think it's funny that our names are so similar? Erik and Erica. It's kinda weird, isn't it?"
Erica laughed. "I hadn't really thought about it, but you're right. Erica and Erik. It sounds as if we should be characters in some cheesy soap opera or comedy tv show."
He hadn't imagined that today's tutoring lesson would end with him and Erica cuddling in her bed. But it did and he wasn't sorry. There was something about Erica that made him feel comfortable in her presence. Whether they were talking or cuddling, there was none of the awkwardness he usually felt with other girls.
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