teach please me — tutor!reader x soccer player!rafe
reader's life is meticulously planned, from high school to becoming president of the country—she knows exactly where she's headed and every step to get there. but her airtight plan hits a snag when the principal ropes her into tutoring rafe cameron, the school’s star soccer player, who’s failing algebra and at risk of being benched next season. the team needs him on the field, and reader needs the principal’s glowing recommendation to secure her spot at her dream school. balancing her ambitious goals with rafe’s chaotic charm might just throw her perfectly crafted plan off track.
word count — 3.5 chapter index — prev. chap. masterlist
a.n — LAST CHAPTERRR WHATTTTT????
twenty
saturday, march 1st
rafe had always been quick to anger, a spark that could ignite into a wildfire in an instant. it wasn’t new, not even when he was small. sarah had learned to handle it, to temper him.
when they started kindergarten, sarah had this white backpack covered in strawberries. she’d seen it in a shop window during their family trip to andalucia that summer, and she wouldn’t stop talking about it until their mom finally bought it for her. it wasn’t even a proper school bag—too small and flimsy—but she adored it, carrying it everywhere like a prized treasure.
on their first day of school, she proudly wore it to recess, a bright little girl with her beloved strawberry bag. but then a boy decided he didn’t like it. maybe he thought it was too girly or just wanted to be mean, but whatever his reason, he grabbed the bag and threw it over the fence, far beyond where any of them could reach.
sarah’s wails echoed across the playground, pure heartbreak in a five-year-old’s voice. a teacher could’ve retrieved it, sure, but rafe didn’t wait for that. instead, he marched up to the boy and sank his teeth into his arm so hard that the boy’s scream rivaled sarah’s.
rafe got in trouble, of course—a big punishment that involved missing dessert that night. but as their mom scolded him, sarah slipped half her chocolate chip cookie under the table to him with a quiet giggle, a silent thank you for being her fierce protector.
as they grew older, rafe learned, at least somewhat, to channel that temper. he stopped biting people, but his anger still ran hot, boiling over when he couldn’t contain it. sarah was always there, the cooler head, the voice of reason. she wasn’t exactly calm herself—she had a sharp tongue and wasn’t afraid to use it—but she was measured in a way rafe wasn’t.
their childhood was a constant cycle of rafe charging into fights and sarah pulling him back. later, topper joined her, both of them learning how to talk rafe down, to cool him down.
rafe got his own ways to calm himself down like soccer or sex. over time, he got better at managing it—sort of. it was never perfect.
you were the closest he got to completely controlling it.
it was hard—almost impossible to get angry with you and when he did, he found it even harder to stay mad at you or to express anger toward you.
around others though? his control was shaky at best, but it was there. most of the time.
but not now.
his heart was already breaking, watching you storm out, your tears seared into his mind, your words still cutting him like shards of glass. and then, as if the universe wanted to twist the knife, sarah appeared at the door, standing there with two suitcases and an expression that shifted from excitement to confusion the moment she saw his face.
rafe’s chest heaved with uneven breaths, his vision blurred by the tears that hadn’t stopped falling. he stood frozen, staring at his sister like he couldn’t fully process what was happening.
sarah didn’t need to ask. she could see it—the pain etched into his features, the trembling in his hands. without hesitation, she dropped her bags right there and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into her embrace. “it’s okay,” she whispered softly, her voice a soothing balm against his raw nerves. “i’m here.”
for a moment, he stood stiff, his body locked in place. but as her words sank in, something in him broke. his arms came around her, clutching her tightly as he buried his face against her shoulder. his composure shattered, his sobs muffled by the fabric of her sweater.
sarah looked over his shoulder, sharing confused glances with the others in the room—his friends, equally lost but clearly shaken. her hand rubbed gentle circles on his back, her voice low and steady. “what happened? was that her?”
rafe finally pulled back, his red-rimmed eyes meeting hers. he looked dazed, as if he didn’t fully understand the answer to her question himself. his face was pale, blank, and then, as if a switch flipped, that blankness shifted. his jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened. something was bubbling up inside him, something sharp and volatile, like that temper that had always been so terribly hard to contain.
he spun around, anger radiating off him in waves.
“what the fuck is wrong with you? what the fuck is wrong with both of you? are we in fucking kindergarten for you to be acting like this?” rafe’s voice roared through the room, the sharp edge of his anger slicing through the tension. it was the kind of rage they hadn’t seen since his fight with topper, a stark contrast to the lighthearted smiles he’d worn just hours ago.
adriana, unfazed, leaned against the wall with a smirk. “what? you don’t want your little rory gilmore wannabe over there to know exactly who you are? isn’t that kind of part of the deal in a relationship?”
rafe’s hands clenched into fists at his sides, and while he’d never lay a hand on a girl, he was damn close to asking sarah to do it for him. his chest heaved as he stared her down, barely keeping himself in check.
“please, don’t tell me this is all because of what i said at the bon—” his words trailed off as his mind churned, flicking through the hazy memory of that night.
his gaze snapped to kiara, who stood to the side, eyes wide as she watched the scene unfold. “y/n said she was going to try and find me, right?” his voice was sharp, demanding. kiara hesitated, then nodded. “she was going to ask cora if she knew where you were.”
everything clicked. the pieces fell into place like a sick puzzle, and rafe scoffed bitterly. he turned toward cora, his eyes blazing. “of course. the fucking bonfire. that’s what happened. you told her where to find me, and i was with adriana behind the beach bar—”
“with adriana behind the beach bar?” sarah cut in, her voice laced with disbelief.
“it wasn’t like that,” rafe snapped, shaking his head violently.
adriana, always ready to stir the pot, opened her mouth. “please—”
“no, shut the fuck up,” rafe barked, cutting her off before she could weave another lie. “it wasn’t like that, and you know it. one, you were drunk off your fucking ass. in what world would i have done shit with you? and two, i was literally letting you down gently. you know that, adriana. you know that wasn’t what it looked like. and i bet i know exactly who told her otherwise.”
cora shrugged with infuriating nonchalance, her lips curling in a slight smile. “how was i supposed to know you’d be macking behind the beach bar, rafe? maybe you should just be more careful.”
“wait, so you were making out behind the beach bar?” topper’s voice cut through, his brow furrowed in confusion.
“no!” rafe practically shouted, his voice strained as his frustration boiled over. “we weren’t doing shit behind the beach bar. i was telling her—” he jabbed a finger in adriana’s direction, “—that i do not, and will never, want to do or be anything with her!”
sarah’s voice broke through, her tone dripping with rhetorical disbelief. “and you led y/n straight to them so she’d see them together and assume the worst?”
the room was silent, the answer obvious to everyone.
pope shook his head, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “and now you’ve shown her his valentine’s day letters, full of all the shit he did before her, to…” he made air quotes, “‘show her who he really is.’”
adriana scoffed, completely unfazed. “whatever, pope. it was funny. she just doesn’t have a sense of humor.”
rafe snapped. the tension in his body erupted into motion, and he stormed toward adriana, his rage barely restrained. “fuck you, adriana,” he snarled, his voice low and venomous.
sarah’s hand shot out, gripping his arm to stop him, and topper stepped between them, shoving a firm hand against rafe’s chest. “rafe, don’t,” topper said sharply, his voice steady.
adriana, as if determined to push every button, hurled another insult, her smirk never faltering. "come to think of it, i think she might've smiled when i showed her lexi's lacy reds." rafe lunged again, and topper shoved something into his hand. “rafe!” topper barked, shaking him out of it. rafe looked down, his breath hitching when he realized it was his car keys.
“go,” topper said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “go get her back. i’ll deal with all of this.”
rafe’s jaw tightened as he looked between his keys and the chaos in the room. without hesitation, he nodded. he turned to sarah, pressing a quick, grateful kiss to her forehead, and then he was gone, tearing out the door into the cold night and climbing into his car, determination coursing through his veins.
he called you over fifteen times on the way to your house, his voice breaking in every voicemail. speed limits became meaningless as he pushed his car to its limits, desperate to reach you.
when he finally did, his heart dropped. there you were, stepping out of a car he didn’t recognize.
“thanks for the ride, angelo,” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper. you couldn’t muster a smile, but angelo gave you one anyway, warm and understanding. “anytime, y/n,” he replied softly.
“are you sure you don’t want me to come in?” ivy asked again, her tone tinged with worry. you shook your head, your hands twisting nervously. “i… i just want to be alone. but i’ll call you and the others tomorrow?” your voice cracked, shaky and unsure, and ivy nodded, sadness in her eyes as she gave you a small wave.
you watched them drive away, their car’s taillights disappearing into the night. you stood there, rooted to the spot, the glow of your house’s porch light illuminating your figure. your parents were still awake; their silhouettes passed behind the curtains. they’d see you if you went inside, ask questions you weren’t ready to answer.
but you didn’t have anywhere else to go. the weight of it all crashed over you like a wave, and your hands flew to your face as the tears overtook you. standing there on the quiet roadside, you felt utterly lost and quite stupid.
then you heard footsteps. soft but purposeful, they broke through the stillness, louder than your muffled cries.
you turned sharply, your breath catching when you saw him. his chest was heaving, his hair disheveled from rushing, and his face streaked with tears. panic surged through you. before he could say a word, you stepped back, already planning your escape.
“no, no, wait!” his voice cracked as he rushed forward, blocking your path to the door.
“m-move, rafe.” you stammered, your voice trembling with anger and hurt. “get out of my way.”
but he didn’t. he stood there, his eyes wide and desperate, filled with a softness that made your chest ache. “please, i know how this looks,” he said, his voice breaking as he stepped closer. you noticed his hands were shaking, his entire body trembling with emotion.
“b-but you told me…” his voice faltered, and your breath hitched as his hands cupped your cheeks, his touch impossibly gentle. he tilted your face toward him, forcing your gaze to meet his tear-streaked one.
“you told me you know my heart,” he whispered, his words shaky but urgent. “you know my intentions. remember that?”
your tears fell harder, your body shaking as the dam broke completely. you tried to look away, but he held you there, his forehead brushing against yours, his breath mingling with yours.
“you know me,” he repeated, his voice firmer now, but still raw with pain. “just… just give me the benefit of the doubt. let me explain. please.”
you clenched your fists, your nails digging into your palms as you struggled to keep the flood of emotions at bay. his eyes searched yours, pleading, begging, filled with a vulnerability that cut deep.
after a long, agonizing moment, you exhaled shakily and stepped back. his hands dropped from your face, and the regret that flashed across his features was almost unbearable to witness.
“fine,” you said quietly, your voice wavering.
relief washed over him, his shoulders sagging as he exhaled sharply. his eyes darted to the front door just a few feet away, then back to you, his expression still raw with emotion.
"can we go inside—"
"no," you cut him off sharply, your voice steady despite the storm raging in your chest. "and you stay right there." you point to the spot a couple of feet away, and the distance feels like a safety net you desperately need.
"alright," he says softly, nodding as his eyes lock on yours. there’s a gentleness in his gaze that only makes the ache in your chest worse. he shifts his weight, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "just… bear with me. this might take a minute. and you can’t cut me off, okay? just—just let me talk all the way through. can you do that for me?" his voice cracks slightly at the end, and it feels like a plea, like there’s nothing he wouldn’t give for you to agree.
you nod, your throat too tight to speak. his face falls slightly, as if your silence physically hurts him, but he takes a deep breath and straightens up.
"it was a little over two months ago," he starts, his voice trembling, "that principal oakley and my dad had a pretty firm conversation with me about my grades. i needed to fix them was the main consensus. sarah had just left after spending christmas with us, and i was in a shitty mood when school started. i didn’t know how to fix anything nor did i feel like it. my last tutor quit mid-session because i was being an asshole, and my dad was… furious. i had to make sure the next one didn’t leave."
he shifts, his hands moving restlessly as he talks, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his hoodie. "eventually, our algebra teacher suggested you. oakley agreed, and that first thursday after break, he called me in for a meeting with him and my new tutor." he lets out a dry laugh, his eyes flickering to yours with something like regret. "he hadn’t told me that you didn’t even know about it."
your stomach twists as the memory clicks into place, but you stay quiet. he notices your expression and swallows hard.
"so we meet," he continues, his voice softer now, "and i walked out of that office completely and utterly… enthralled. i’d never been so fascinated, so captivated by someone within five minutes of meeting them. you were rattling off about your recommendation letter, and i wasn’t even subtle about it. if you had spent two seconds looking at me, you would’ve seen it."
he pauses, his voice catching. "you would’ve seen that i looked at you the same way i’m looking at you now. like a man who’s so… stupidly in love with you, he doesn’t even know what to do with himself."
your breath hitches, and you feel your knees threaten to give out. he takes a shaky step forward but stops himself, his fists clenching at his sides. "i fell harder every single day. there hasn't been a moment, not a second, since i met you that i’ve wanted anyone but you."
"the bonfire…" his voice dips, heavy with regret, "it wasn’t what it looked like. cora and adriana—they pretty much set me up. adriana was drunk and wanted to hook up—that's why she was all over me— but i didn’t want anything. we were friends or i thought we were so i was trying to let her down gently. what you didn't see was when i walked her back to the bar for some water to sober up. nothing happened, and it never would’ve. not with her. not with anyone else."
he wipes at his face, his hands trembling. "as for the letters…" he sighs deeply, his shoulders sagging under the weight of the words. "i only opened three. then i threw them out. they had to have dug through my trash to find them which is..a level of pathetic i don't even think i can process right now."
you feel your pulse pounding in your ears, your stomach knotting as he continues. "the one from lexi? the one that said i'd see her next friday? the boys from the soccer team and some other teams across obx throw a kegger every month, it's always the last friday of the month. lexi is just some girl from.." he pauses with a sigh, "god, i don't even know where she's from. we..sometimes sleep together after the kegger, it's really a no-strings thing, i don't feel shit for her, she doesn't feel shit for me. the last kegger was yesterday and i didn't even go which means i last slept with lexi..late december, during the winter break. two weeks before you and i even met." he explains, eyes darting for a moment beofre he’s looking at you again. “the underwear are..really hers..” he says and your lips purse. he shifts like he wants to come to you but he stops himself. “i don’t wanna lie to you, we did stuff like that. i kept them to give them back next time i saw her because she’d like kill me if i tossed them. i still mean what i said, though. i don’t like her, she doesn’t like me. it was meaningless sex. i’ll call her right now to prove it to you if you don’t believe me.” he’s almost begging but you shake your head subtly. “i believe you.” you mutter quietly.
his voice cracks again, and you feel your resolve start to chip away. "the one about telling a girl i loved her? this will sound..terrible but i don’t know who wroe that letter.." he says and the look on your face says a thousand words. he's immediately scrambling, "i know how it sounds," he says, voice thick with emotion. "and i’m not proud of who i was before you. i’ve slept around, dated girls—too many girls, but none of it ever felt right. none of it meant anything until you."
he steps closer, his eyes searching yours. "you made me better. you make me better. in every way. and i know you probably feel like you can’t trust me, like i’m going to hurt you or cheat on you, but i swear, i haven’t even thought about another girl since you. i love you." his voice cracks, and the raw sincerity of it cuts straight through you. "i love you so much. and if you just… give me one chance, to prove it to you..because i can make you happy, i can make you the happiest girl in the world if you'll let me."
you stare at him, every word sinking in like an anchor pulling you under. your hands are trembling, and tears sting your eyes, but you can’t stop yourself from whispering, "you… really love me?"
he lets out a strangled laugh, his hand running through his hair again. "i didn’t talk to my best friend for three weeks because he said something shitty about you. i fractured his nose for it. i suffered through..the absolute worst blue balls of my entire life because i could see you weren't ready for anything but what i gave you and i didn't want you to panic and run away, i spent hours at your house even when i didn’t need to be, just to be near you, i listened to you talk about things i barely understand because the sound of your voice is my favorite thing in the world."
you can’t breathe. everything he’s saying crashes over you like a wave, pulling you under.
"i put everything else aside to be with you. i put you above everything. you're above it all. i’ve made it so clear." he continues, stepping closer still.
his voice is breaking now, and he steps closer as your tears spill over, hot against your cheeks. every word, every moment, every puzzle piece starts clicking into place, and the weight of it is too much.
"i know i’ve overwhelmed you," he says softly, his voice full of regret. "and you probably need time, but i hope—"
and suddenly, you’re moving. you don’t even realize it until you’re standing right in front of him, grabbing his face, and pressing your lips to his.
he lets out a sound somewhere between a gasp and a relieved sigh, his arms wrapping tightly around you as if letting go wasn’t an option. his lips move against yours, warm and desperate, like this is the moment he’s been waiting for.
it’s messy and frantic, all teeth and tears, but neither of you seems to care. his breath stutters against your mouth, and he makes a sound deep in his throat, somewhere between a sob and a gasp. his arms wrap around you like he’s terrified you might slip away, one hand splayed across your back, the other tangling in your hair.
"i love you," you choke out between kisses, the words spilling from your lips like a prayer. "too..and i'm sorry, i'm so sorry. i should’ve trusted you, i should’ve—“
"hey," he murmurs, his lips brushing yours as he pulls back slightly, his voice a soft rasp, "it's alright. what were you supposed to think? i know i have a..reputation."
you shake your head fiercely, cupping his face even as your fingers tremble. "but you've show me anything but that, rafe," you whisper, voice thick with emotion.
"anything but that. you've been kind, you've been patient—you've protected me. you've cared for me in ways i didn't even realise i needed. and you've never—never—made me feel like there was anyone else. not once. the way adriana and cora talked about you, the way they painted you like some selfish, heartless asshole—it wasn't you. and i should've known that. i did know that."
his throat bobs as he swallows hard, his hands tightening around your waist. "that's not completely true," he says suddenly, voice barely above a whisper.
your heart stutters in your chest.
you stare at him, the air between you turning unbearable heavy. "what?"
rafe exhales sharply, his grip on you tightening for a moment before loosening, like he's fighting something within himself. "i don't even know why i'm about to tell you this," he murmurs, shaking his head slightly. "but i need to. i want to be honest with you."
your stomach churns with a nervous kind of anticipating, but you stay silent, watching him carefully. he looks wrecked, eyes glassy, jaw clenched. you want to kiss it better but don't or maybe you can't.
slowly, he leans in, his forehead pressing against yours, his nose brushing against yours in a way that makes your chest ache. it's soft, intimate—charged. it feels like a confession. like a goodbye.
your breath catches again.
"rafe.." you whisper, barely able to get the word out.
his hand slides up to cradle your face, thumbs skimming over your damp cheeks, his touch so gentle, it makes you want to break apart. "just let me say this," he pleads quietly
his hands slip from your face to take your hands gently, his thumbs tracing the ridges of your knuckles. you can feel the tremor in his fingers as he guides you toward your front steps. he sits first, his back leaning against the pillar, and you settle across from him.
“despite how it all looks… i haven’t had a girlfriend in close to three years,” he starts, his voice uneven. his gaze flickers away from yours for a moment, like he can’t bear to see the reaction on your face. “it’s just been… flings, hookups, fuckbuddies. i’ve done some girls so, so wrong, and i never apologized. hell, i never even cared. i think a part of me wants to care now.” he pauses, exhaling shakily. “the thing is, i don’t think i care about being a good man. i just care about being the right man for you. about being good enough for you. i've hurt a lot of people and it never mattered to me. none of it mattered until you..you forced me to look in the mirror, to reflect because i wanted you—i want you. i want you to be proud of me, i want you to want me and see me as a good person even though i haven't always been. i think i'm scared that you'll see me for who i really am and know that i'm not good enough for you."
your chest tightens as his words spill out like a confession he’s been holding in for years. his voice cracks slightly as he continues. “i don’t even know how you’ve got me this fucked up about you. you just… you look at me with those eyes, and i want to be honest. i want to tell you everything about me, and i want to know everything about you. sarah and i have tried to figure it out so many times—”
your eyes widen. “you talk about me to sarah?”
his head snaps up, disbelief flashing across his face before he leans back against the pillar with a soft, breathless laugh. it’s a sound that’s equal parts relief and affection.
you can’t stand the space anymore. you shuffle closer, your knees brushing against his. when he lowers his head to look at you, his blue eyes are clearer, more focused, but still brimming with emotion.
“i love you,” he whispers again, like it’s the only answer he has.
your heart skips a beat, and before you can think twice, you blurt out, “i cheated on a test.”
rafe freezes, his brows furrowing, his eyes locking onto yours with confusion. it’s as if he hasn’t even begun to process what you’ve just said. “bullshit.” his voice is low, almost amused, a smile tugging at his lips as though he thinks this is some kind of joke.
“it's not,” you say quietly, a sheepish smile tugging at your lips. “i had too much on my plate. i forgot to study, and i cheated. no one—not even hazel—knows.”
his smile falters, and something shifts in his gaze—a quiet seriousness settling there as he studies you. “why are you telling me this?” he asks, his voice quieter now, almost cautious, like he’s afraid of the answer.
your hand lifts instinctively, resting gently against his cheek. his skin is warm beneath your touch, and his eyes search yours, looking for meaning. “because,” you whisper, your voice barely audible as your nose brushes against his, “i am the most unbearable person about my grades. about my future, my career. i put so much emphasis on doing everything right—on justice, on my morals, on my willingness to do good, to be good. i’m all of those things, rafe, and yet i still cheated. and it wasn’t okay. it really wasn’t.”
your voice breaks just slightly, but you press on, your fingers tracing a soft, grounding pattern on his cheek. “i have nightmares about it sometimes, about someone finding out and throwing me in a jail cell for it,” you admit, and a small, embarrassed smile escapes as rafe’s lips twitch upward at the thought. his smile is faint but real, and it gives you the courage to continue.
“but i’m a human being,” you murmur, your words gentle now, like you’re trying to reassure not just him but yourself. “i make mistakes. i make choices that aren’t considered okay sometimes, and yet, i still get the chance to wake up the next morning and try again.” your gaze holds his, unwavering, as you whisper, “everyone has weak moments, rafe. everyone has times when things are really shitty, and they express it in different ways.”
his expression softens, his vulnerability showing through the cracks in his carefully guarded exterior, and you take a breath, your tone filled with quiet determination. “i don’t think you’re a terrible person. as long as you’re trying—always trying—to be better, to be a good, kind person, i could never hate you. i could never give up on you.”
his breath hitches, and you see the tears gathering in his eyes, making them glisten in the dim light. he swallows hard, his jaw tightening as though he’s trying to hold himself together.
his shoulders shake as he exhales, and you realize he’s crying. tears glisten in his eyes, trailing down his cheeks, but his gaze never leaves yours. “thank you,” he breathes, his voice barely audible, yet full of a raw, unfiltered emotion that sends your heart spiraling.
you press a kiss to his forehead, your hand still cradling his face, and whisper, “always.”
your lips finding his again. it’s not rushed this time—there’s nothing hurried about the way your mouths meet. instead, it’s slow, deliberate, and you kiss him like you’re trying to kiss away every ounce of pain he’s carrying.
"it’s okay," you whisper against his lips, your voice soft and soothing. "it’s okay, rafe. i love you. i love you too. i promise, it’s okay."
his forehead falls against yours, and he closes his eyes, his breath coming in uneven breaths as he clings to you. "don't go anywhere," he pleads quietly.
you press one soft, lingering kiss to his forehead, whispering, "i love you, and i’m not going anywhere."
end <3
but not really cause there's an epilogue yaaayyyy.
just in case some of you won’t be reading the epilogue, i wanted to take a moment here to express my immense gratitude for reading teach me. writing this story has been an incredible experience, but sharing it with all of you has been even more special. this was my first time putting my work out there, and seeing your reactions, analyses, and thoughts has been unbelievably rewarding.
i hope you enjoyed the journey as much as i did. i also hope everything made sense and that you’re not walking away with lingering confusion—but if you are, feel free to drop a question in the comments! i’d love to discuss anything you noticed or clear up any inconsistencies.
thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart for reading. i hope my next story will be something you love just as much.
lots of love and kisses, nova
chapter index — prev. chap. — epilogue
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