Helping Out a Teammate (Alexei)

[Sydney Emerson]

Sydney had spent the better part of the day in the library. She was working on a research paper for her history class which meant lots of reference material. She had spent the last several hours gathering just that. Writing the paper would be easy, it was finding the right works to site that was the difficult part of such an assignment. Overall, Sydney was feeling quite confident about this particular assignment.

She glanced at her watch then, noting the time. Almost 2pm. Which meant that Alexei should be arriving any moment. They played on the soccer team together and got along rather well, both on and off the field. So it was only natural that when she overheard him complaining about his struggling with classes, particularly science and math, she had offered to tutor him. She rather enjoyed her work tutoring in fact. 

With about five minutes before Alexei was due to arrive, she went about clearing the table so they would have room to work. Though he was actually a year older than she was, he was also a grade below her, so she was counting on him bringing his own textbooks. Honestly, math was one of her favorite subjects to tutor, so she was really looking forward to the afternoon. After all, this sort of thing was what teammates were supposed to do, right? 

[Alexei Strauss]

Alexei had his backpack that contained his textbooks, notebook and sketchpad in as he entered the library. He had made prior arrangements with a teammate from the soccer team to go work on his math and science subject. Sydney had promised to tutor him on those subjects that he had trouble working with.

He scanned the library, looking for the senior student. It never failed to amaze Alec when Sydney had mentioned already being a senior despite the fact that she was a year younger than him. He found her sitting alone on a table, already waiting for him.

“Hey, I hope I’m not late or anything,” He said, as he sat down on a seat across her. He placed his backpack on the floor beside him. “You look like you’ve been here long.” He looked at his wristwatch, making sure of the time. “We were going to meet at 2pm, right?”

[Sydney Emerson]

Sydney was just finishing clearing the table whenever her teammate entered. "Oh no, not at all," she assured him. "You're actually still two minutes early. I was here doing research for my own homework this morning and figured I'd just say put since I was supposed to be meeting you here anyway." She offered him a small, polite smile as he took the seat across from her.

"How has your day been so far?" she asked as she pulled out a notebook from her backpack. In her experience it was best to get the social niceties out of the way before attempting to work on academics. Otherwise it became an option for avoidance later all. She was a very focused individual and she tried to inspire the same in those she tutored. After all, more often than not, she found that what made people struggle with school was often at least partially related to being distracted.

"So, what exactly are you having trouble with?" she asked, albeit somewhat abruptly. Not that she realized that. She was very much a straight to business sort of person after all. It never occurred to her that others might find that off-putting or intimidating. "I know you said you needed help with math and science," she added. After all, it was better to avoid unnecessary redundancy. "But what specifically troubles you with those subjects? Do you not understand them or do you have trouble focusing enough to absorb the material, or do you simply struggle with applying the concepts?" It was surprisingly common with math she found that people would understand the concept, yet still end up with the wrong answer because they struggled with the application and the proper process required to get the correct answer.

Of course, her direct approach could be a bit overwhelming to people, though she was blissfully blind to that particular effect she tended to have on others.

[Alexei Strauss]

Alexei grinned after realizing that he was right on time. “Oh, it’s great that I’m not late then. That would have been rude on my part.”

“Well, it’s fine, I guess. I got to my first class late but other than that nothing real bad has happened. I just got lunch before I went here. How about you? How’s your day? You didn’t spend the whole lot of it here in the library, did you?” He said, smiling at her.

He got the point that they were starting the tutoring after she took her notebook out and proceeded to take his own notebook and his textbook from his bag. “Well, it’s like this…” He said, biting his lip. “I have trouble concentrating especially when I don’t find something interesting. The distractions keep me from understanding the concepts that I need to understand. My brother used to help me with it but he’s much busier with college and everything now.”

He tapped a pen he got out on the desk and looked at her with a sheepish smile. “So, you think you help me with these things?”

[Sydney Emerson]

"Well that's good," she agreed. "I've been here the last couple hours. My one class worked in the library and then I had a study hall period so I just stayed here," she answered with a small shrug. Often her teachers gave her a bit of leeway since she was generally ahead of the class. Still, she made an effort not to take advantage of that when it wasn't necessary. "But my day has been quite enjoyable, thank you for asking."

Sydney studied him, noting the way he bit his lip. Was he embarrassed or anxious? She knew it was often difficult for people to admit their weaknesses. It certainly was the case for her. Luckily, she seldom had reason to. She nodded as he spoke. "Concentration and focus is perhaps the most important aspect of learning," she said. "Most people underestimate that, but it's fairly easy to correct, particularly in a one on one session like this. Individually or in a large group, it is easy to be distracted, but when there is someone to hold you accountable, distractions are more easily avoided."

There was one thing he said that she couldn't ignore, try as she did. "So, were you and your brother close then?" she asked, her voice slightly softer. She couldn't imagine her sister helping her with schoolwork. Granted, she had never needed help with schoolwork... Even still, she couldn't imagine her sister helping her with anything. As long as she could remember, the two had only fought. It had created a curiosity in her though, to know if that was typical sibling behavior or if it was somehow unusual. Nothing she had read had really given her an answer any more helpful than to say that family dynamics were complex and extremely variable, so she was forced to rely heavily on anecdotal evidence instead it seemed.

Besides, he had brought it up technically.

[Alexei Strauss]

“Oh, that’s great,” Alexei said, after realizing that she was right. He always concentrated much more easily when there was someone there to help him focus on what needed to be done.

“Hmm, my brother?” Alec said with a tilt of his head. He wasn’t sure why Sydney would be interested in the relationship between him and his brother but he found nothing wrong about it. “Well, Lucas and I have always been close. He’s a great brother! He helps me with stuff and we always find ways to hang out with each other. He’s a genius but maybe that’s cause of his power though I do remember that he was already talented before it manifested. He helps me a lot and I try to help him too when I can.”

“Why do you ask?” Alec asked before realizing that the question may be seen as intrusive. So, he added, “I mean, if there’s nothing wrong with my asking about it.”

Alexei did wonder about the reason behind her question. Maybe, she heard about Lucas from someone. He did go to this school but that didn’t seem to be it. Of course, if she didn’t want to share anything then he wouldn’t push her.

[Sydney Emerson]

"I'm sure you'll be back on track in your classes in no time. Once we get you caught up, it'll get much easier to stay on top of things for you." After all, that was what she was good at. She was able to study things to the point where she could understand all the mechanics of them. Once she knew that, it was easy to fix most any problem. People worked much the same way, they just took a bit more time to study. Still, some things at least proved consistent from person to person.

Sydney nodded in reply, waiting for his answer, unable to deny her curiosity, much as she usually hated distractions. As she listened to his answer, she found that his sibling experience was the precise opposite of hers. Interesting. Perhaps the textbooks were right after all. Still, there had to be some sort of explanation. Usually there was an incident that began such a conflict, but as far as she knew, her relationship with her sister had always been that way. That was what perplexed her most. There seemed to be no reason for it.

But there had to be a reason. If there wasn't... well, a world without reason and logic was one that Sydney was quite uncomfortable with.

"It's fine," she said with a small shrug. "I've just been making an effort to better understand interpersonal dynamics. Familial dynamics are especially fascinating to me. Everyone's experiences seem to be so different. For example, my sister and I have always had a very strained relationship, for as long as I can remember. Either way, I find that since it is impossible for me to experience everything myself, it is best to learn what I can from other's experiences, especially those so different from my own."

She paused a moment before adding, almost as an afterthought, "I hope that wasn't too personal an inquiry..." Of course, it was too late to correct the matter if it had been, but it seemed proper to be concerned about such a thing. After all, he had afforded her the same courtesy.

[Alexei Strauss]

Alexei listened to her explanation of why she wanted to know about his relationship with his brother. It certainly seemed like an interesting subject and it seemed like something that their powers could be concerned with. He couldn’t imagine a strained relationship with Lucas though, not like Sydney’s and her sister’s relationship. They had always gotten along well but Alexei knew that things were different for other people.

“Oh, no don’t worry about it,” he said, waving his hands to show that it didn’t matter. “It is interesting how things differ from family to family. I’m sorry that you and your sister have that sort of a relationship. It certainly seems different from my experience. Maybe, it’s because Lucas has always strived to be the best at everything. It’s the way he is so maybe he just wanted to be the best big brother there was.”

Alexei grinned at Sydney before saying, “You know, in some ways, you sort of remind me of Lucas. In good ways, of course! He’s smart like you and he tries to be the best. Sometimes, I do believe he is the best. Anyway, you’ll probably get along if you meet him.”

“So, should we get started on the tutoring thing? I mean, I’m fine with talking about our family and all that but I really need to learn stuff if I plan on passing the next test.” Alexei said with a laugh.

[Sydney Emerson]

Sydney smiled slightly as he told her not to worry about anything. She just shrugged as he offered condolences. "Honestly, it just seems normal to me. I suppose that is the trouble with perspective. Whatever you lived seems normal to you, no matter how contrary that might be to fact." Perhaps she did care more about her troubled relationship with her sister than she let on, but it was in the way that one cares about a puzzle they can't quite solve. It was troubling to her that she couldn't make sense of it. She was used to being able to figure out most anything.

She nodded along as he spoke of his brother always trying to be the best and commenting that perhaps that was why they had such a good relationship. She knew quite a lot about being best after all. She was easily the best in her class, and thereby in the school. Well, at least academically. In terms of her power was another story. She had the mechanics down at least in theory, but her power was so opposite of who she was... She was logic, not emotion.

Sydney did smile - genuinely, not politely - when he added that she reminded him of his brother. "From the way you speak of him, I would think it nothing short of a compliment," she assured him. "I think I would enjoy meeting him one day. It sounds as though we would have a lot to talk about and I'm sure it would prove to be an interesting conversation as well." Plus the idea of someone who could truly challenge her intellect was appealing to the girl. It was extremely rare after all and she always sought a challenge.

She nodded. "Yes, of course. Let's start with math since half of science involves math anyway."

[Alexei Strauss]

Alexei sighed and opened his notebook to an empty page, ready to take notes of whatever they would discuss. Math, though, has never been one of his strengths. He could do well enough on other subjects like Art, History, or Sports. Those things took his interest well enough but the other things well…they were a different story.

Alexei tended to understand the lessons he had a hard time with when it was taught to him one-on-one by someone who was knowledgeable about the subject. In the past, that had been Lucas job and the two of them would stay up at night just drilling the concept to Alexei’s brain. He guessed he always worked much better when there was someone who could teach him closely. It was the reason he had asked Sydney to tutor him in the first place.

“Okay,” he said, nodding and smiling. “Let’s do this. Um, so where do you think should we start with this?” Alexei asked flipping through the pages of his math textbook.