The Big One

Chapter 13 - Opening Us

"Your classes! Look, Ezra!" Anderson put his phone in front of me where there was a link to the reopening announcement for my school.

We were sitting at his kitchen island eating breakfast. I'd gotten lost in a dumb game on my phone while he was answering work emails and scrolling tweets.

I scrolled through the long notice. The campus was still closed. Everything was going to be online and teachers were working out schedules with students. It advised everyone to check their student access accounts for course details.

The class where I'd been when the earthquake hit had an option to take your grade as-is or work through a final review sheet.

"We can work through it together. That's an easy A. You gotta do it," Anderson said. I realized he was reading over my shoulder. He put his chin against my shoulder and rubbed thoughtfully. I reached over and rubbed his hair.

"This other one moved online. Friday morning. Two other classes are just doing review sheet finals for bonus points." I checked my courses.

Anderson decided we should make another calendar to lay out everything we needed to do... everything I needed to do. He mapped out the projects and study sessions while I finished eating my protein pancakes. He made lists and reminders to keep me on track with things. He was crazy good at organizing information.

I took my plate over to the sink when my phone buzzed. It was a notification from my bank of a large deposit. I swiped it open to see they'd added $2,000 to my account.

"That can't be right." I took it over and showed Anderson. "Should I call them? That's a big error. If I keep it... they'll send me to jail."

"No, that's your pay for fixing things. I deposited it this morning," he told me.

"I haven't fixed anything... and how did you even do that? You got into my account?" I was confused.

"Your bank uses CashSwipe. It's an app to send money back and forth between friends. It was easy to find you since you have your picture and full name. That's not safe." Anderson stood and put his hand on my back as he looked at my phone screen.

"You can't just give me money for nothing. Take it back." I handed him my phone.

"I saw how low your balance was. You check it compulsively." Anderson shrugged like he felt bad for me.

"Yeah but that's my problem, not yours, Anderson!" I was getting heated.

"Ezra... I want you focused on your finals this week. Next week you can get started on my projects here. You can't do it all, Ezra. I know you have bills coming and I don't want you stressed. Leave it there if you don't want it. It's not even that much money. It was a little bonus check I got for closing a project. Next week you can work it off." Anderson lifted my arm and put his head against my chest.

I thought about what Tenley had said about being careful with Anderson and not letting him "buy" me. He'd said Anderson would get me used to his lifestyle and slowly take over. Was that what was happening here?

"Dude, no. I'm already living in your house, wearing clothes and eating food you bought, and now you're putting money in my wallet and my account. You can't just buy me like that." I stepped back from him and leaned against the counter.

"Buy you? You think I'm trying to buy you? I'm trying to help a hot guy through a tough time. Your dorm is closed, your boss is being a dick, and your finals are this week. Maybe I go too far. I care about you. I want you happy. Please don't be upset. I just really like you." Anderson crossed his arms and looked at me with concern.