Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind - Treebros

Chapter 24: "Year Of The Tree"

Monday, January 21st

Natural sunlight lights up my bedroom, just enough to see Connor's face a few feet across from mine. The glow from my phone probably illuminates us too. It's the perfect atmosphere to fall asleep, but I'm helping us work our way through an AP Psychology Quizlet.

"Come onnn, Ev. This is so boring," Connor whines, chipping away the nail polish on his thumbnail. Studying isn't exactly my favorite pastime either, but the thought of not passing this class is an excellent motivator.

"The, the quiz is in two days. I want to pass, and I want you to pass. This is a win-win," I say, swiping through the flashcards. When I invited Connor over and said 'my mom isn't home', I don't think he expected to get tricked into studying.

"This is a lose-lose, because I'm bored and will continue to be bored, and if I pass then I might actually get into college and then I'll be bored for 4 more years," he complains, glaring at the ceiling like it's the sole cause of his boredom and not me. Surprise, surprise, I'm boring someone.

"You won't be bored because I'll be with you," I claim anyways, smiling. Connor looks unimpressed. I need to stop making these jokes. I'm just setting myself up for failure.

"What are the odds we go to the same college?" he asks cynically.

"Don't kill my dreams. What is humanism?" The bed wails underneath us as Connor rolls onto his side and groans.

"We are in control of most of our behaviors and choose them out of needs. What about that Arbor Day thing you were telling me about? Isn't that today? Let's go celebrate that!" he suggests. He makes a compelling argument, but that doesn't change the fact that we need to study.

"Arbor Day is in April. You're talking about Tu BiShvat," I correct.

"You said it was like Jewish Arbor Day though."

"I did. What's a confounding variable?"

"Difference between control and experimental condition. Let's go plant trees or something!"

"Please?" Connor doesn't give in, however. His resolve looks to have actually strengthened as he sits up and holds his right hand over his heart.

"I promise, I will pass this test. Or, y'know, quiz. Whatever. And if I don't, I will never complain about studying again," he pledges.

And it just shouldn't be fair for him to say that. I shouldn't be allowed to make decisions while he's around because he's too cute to say no to.

"Fine. But I'm holding you to that," I sigh, closing out of Quizlet. Connor grins victoriously and lays back down on the bed.

"What's your favorite flower?" he asks suddenly. I stare at him for a moment, taken aback by the change in subject.

"What?"

"I was thinking about Arbor Day, and nature, and flowers, and I thought about what kind of flower you like, and then I realized I didn't know what type of flower you like," he explains his convoluted train of thought.

"I like magnolias," I say. Whenever I think of spring I think of those pretty pink magnolia trees.

"Interesting," Connor hums.