Chapter 37: Punctured Tires
Amelia returned about twenty minutes later, finding Sebastian still in the infirmary, sitting on the edge of the medical bed.
"Ready to go?" she asked gently.
Sebastian nodded and stood up, moving carefully as if still sore. "Yes, thank you."
They walked out of the school building together, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the empty campus. Most students had already gone home.
As they reached the main gates, Amelia paused and looked at Sebastian with concern.
"How are you going to get home? What if you feel dizzy and fall on the way?"
Sebastian gave her a reassuring smile despite the bandage on his face. "I’ll be fine. I’ll take public transport. Usually I have a driver that comes to pick me up, but unfortunately my father is using him today for business meetings. I would have ordered a cab, but I don’t my card with me."
Amelia frowned, clearly not satisfied with that answer. "Public transport? In your condition? Absolutely not."
She made a decision. "Come with me. I’ll drop you off."
"Miss Sloane. I mean Amelia, I couldn’t possibly—"
"Nonsense. It’s on my way," she said firmly, already walking toward the staff parking lot. "Come on."
Sebastian followed, hiding his satisfaction.
They arrived at her car—a cute, small Volkswagen Beetle in a soft cream colour. Very feminine, very her.
As Sebastian slid into the passenger seat, he was immediately enveloped by her scent. The car’s interior smelled like Amelia. A flowery fragrance, subtle but pleasant, the kind that made you want to breathe deeper just to catch more of it.
"Buckle up," Amelia said, starting the engine.
But almost immediately, a warning light appeared on the dashboard, accompanied by a beeping sound.
"What?" Amelia frowned, looking at the indicator. "Tire pressure warning?"
She turned off the engine. "That’s strange. It was fine this morning."
They both got out, circling the car to check.
The front passenger tire was noticeably flat, sagging against the pavement.
"Oh no," Amelia sighed, crouching down to examine it more closely. "When did this happen?"
She ran her hand along the tire and found a small puncture—deliberate, clean, as if something sharp had been pressed into it.
"Ahh, it’s really bad." She stood up, her expression shifting from confusion to mild panic. "I don’t... I haven’t hit anything today...there is no screws either."
Sebastian knelt down, examining the puncture himself. It was small but effective.
Good work. Sebastian thought to himself.
He stood up. "Do you have a spare tire in the car?"
Amelia nodded, opening her trunk to reveal a compact spare tire kit. "Yes, but..." She pulled out her phone, looking embarrassed. "I don’t actually know how to change a tire. I’ll just call roadside assistance—"
"It’s okay," Sebastian interrupted gently. "I can fix it."
Amelia looked up from her phone, surprise evident on her face. "You can?"
"I know some things about cars, a man should never be helpless when it comes to practical skills." Sebastian explained, already pulling the spare tire and jack from her trunk.
"But you’re injured—"
"It’s just a cut on my face. My hands work fine." Sebastian gave her a reassuring smile. "It’ll only take a few minutes."
Amelia watched, impressed, as Sebastian efficiently positioned the jack under the car frame. Despite his "injured" state, his movements were practiced and confident.
He loosened the lug nuts, pumped the jack to lift the car, removed the flat tire, and replaced it with the spare—all while Amelia stood nearby, holding the tools he needed and watching with growing admiration.
"You make that look easy," she commented.
"It’s really not that complicated once you know the steps," Sebastian replied, tightening the final lug nut. "Though I’ll admit, doing it in a school uniform isn’t ideal."
He lowered the jack and stood up, brushing off his hands. His uniform had a bit of dirt on it now, but he didn’t seem to care.
"There. The spare should get you home safely. But you’ll want to get the main tire properly repaired or replaced soon, spare tires aren’t meant for long-term use."
Amelia stared at him, genuinely impressed. "Sebastian, that was... really cool. Thank you."
"It’s nothing," Sebastian said modestly. "Just returning the favour for you helping me earlier, and dropping me off."
"You’re injured and you just changed my tire," Amelia said, shaking her head with worry. "I shouldn’t have let you do it, what if your injuries get worse. I’m so sorry, I was paranoid for a moment, I-"
"It’s okay, you are overthinking it. The nurse said it’s superficial wounds," Sebastian smiled softly.
She looked at him with new appreciation, not just as a student who needed protection, but as someone capable and resourceful.
[Ding! Affection Increase!]
[Amelia Sloane’s Affection: 50 → 55/100]
[Status: Positive First Impression - Demonstrating practical skills and selflessness has significantly improved her opinion of you.]
They got back in the car, and this time it started without issue.
"Where do you live?" Amelia asked, pulling out of the parking lot.
Sebastian gave her the address—not the full Fairfax estate address, but a location nearby that would seem appropriately upscale without being ostentatiously wealthy.
As they drove, Amelia glanced over at him. "You know, you’re not what I expected."
"What do you mean?"
"Well," Amelia said carefully, "I’d heard about you from a few students earlier. The Fairfax family is well-known. And usually students from that kind of background are... let’s say, less practically minded."
Sebastian smiled slightly. "You mean spoiled and useless?"
Amelia laughed. "I wouldn’t have put it quite that bluntly, but... yes."
"I think my father would disown me if I turned out like that," Sebastian said. "He’s big on self-sufficiency. Says wealth is worthless if you can’t function without it."
"Smart man," Amelia approved. "More parents should think that way."
They chatted easily as she drove, the conversation flowing naturally—about school, about life goals, about books and interests.
Sebastian made sure to mention his appreciation for literature, particularly classic works, laying the groundwork for their future tutoring sessions.
When they arrived at the location Sebastian had indicated, Amelia pulled over.
"Thank you again," Sebastian said. "For everything today. The ride, the concern... I really appreciate it."
"It was my pleasure," Amelia said warmly. "And Sebastian? I meant what I said earlier. My door is always open if you need anything. Don’t hesitate to reach out."
"I won’t." Sebastian paused before getting out. "Thank you for being the kind of teacher who actually cares. It means more than you know."
Amelia’s expression softened. "Get some rest. I’ll see you next week for our first tutoring session."
"I’m looking forward to it."
Sebastian got out and watched as she drove away, waving once before she turned the corner.
Only then did he allow himself to smile fully.
He pulled out his phone and texted Derek.
Sebastian: The tire puncture was some good improvising from your side. Well done. I will send you an additional five hundred dollars.
Derek: Thanks, boss! We figured it would create an opportunity!
Sebastian: It did.
Sebastian slipped his phone away and looked up at the evening sky, everything was falling into place.
With Ethan’s deteriorating protagonist halo, his plans were working much better than before. It was only due time until he plundered his halo and took it for himself.