Curtain Call

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

       "So what exactly is a... parabola?" Jerome asks, leaning in closely to his opened math textbook. "And how do I graph it?"

       I look away from my own homework, trying to understand why Jerome is constantly asking me questions about his homework. "You do remember that I'm a year younger than you, right? I haven't learned what you're going over yet."

       Jerome just stares at me as if that will magically make me explain things to him. I mean, he's right to do so. I do know what a parabola is, but I still don't get why Jerome just assumes I know everything when I'm in a grade lower than him.

       I sigh, scooting closer to him on the bed to see exactly what he's supposed to be working on. He points to the question so I look at it. He's supposed to graph one, but I guess he can't really do that if he doesn't know what a parabola is. "Do you even listen in class?" I ask.

       "Not really," Jerome asks. "Math is just so boring. Who cares about numbers and lines and math stuff? The real joy in school is taking some time to nap."

       "Except if you nap all the time, you'll end up not doing so well," I say. "And doesn't Ms. Salazar have a policy about failing grades?"

       "Nope," Jerome says. "She just wants us to keep our grades us just in case our failing grades causes us to have to do make up tests or things after school."

       "Which you might have to do if you keep napping in class."

       "Nah, I've become a master at napping in class and still passing. So... What's a parabola?"

       I explain to Jerome what it is and how to graph it, but I don't think he's paying that much attention. He just keeps staring at the notebook with a blank face as if he's not taking in any of the information.

       I finish explaining and ask, "Got it?"

       Jerome is silent for a bit before he says, "You know, most of math isn't a necessity in life. It's not like I'll be robbed at gunpoint and have the gunman say they'll spare me if I graph a parabola."

       "A lot of things we learn in school is unnecessary in life," I say. "Doesn't mean we should purposefully fail."

       "I'm not purposefully failing. I'm just intentionally not paying attention and not caring too much about my assignments, as well as not studying for tests because I don't think it's important."

       "That's pretty much synonymous for purposefully failing."

       "Not really. I'd like to think that purposefully would be bombing tests and assignments by writing wrong answers. I'm just... intentionally not doing enough work."

       I don't think anything I say to Jerome will convince him that he really is purposefully failing, or at the very least not trying as hard as he should, so I just drop the conversation. 

       Jerome also drops it, considering he closes his textbook and lies down on it like a pillow. He doesn't seem to mind that it's a lot more firm than an actual pillow and is probably very uncomfortable. "Wake me when it's time to go to school," he mutters, closing his eyes.

       "School isn't for another day," I say. "What, do you expect to spend the night here?"

       "Yes, thank you," Jerome says. 

       "Oh, you're welcome," I say. "Thank you so much for asking."

       "Of course. I'm just such a polite person."

       "Agree to disagree."

       There's a sudden knock on my door before it opens. I look over, seeing Mom standing there. "Hey," she says. "How's the homework coming along?"

       "I can't speak for the both of us, but I'm almost done," I say. "Someone thinks it's a better idea to nap instead of working on his homework. Not that I'm naming names."

       "I'm just saying that what I'm learning isn't functional in the real world," Jerome says. "You know what is functional? Naps. They keep us well rested and healthy. Math stresses me out. I'm being smart."

       I snort. "Okay."

       "Well, I just came up here to see if you would like to stay for dinner, Jerome," Mom says. "Seeing as you're already here and we have a bunch made since my parents are also coming over."

       "Oh, I don't want to intrude if your parents will also be here," Jerome says.

       Mom shakes her head. "You won't be intruding. Seriously, we won't mind."

       "Then sure, I would love to stay for dinner," Jerome says. 

       "Great," Mom says. "I'll let you two know when dinner is ready."

       After Mom leaves, I say to Jerome, "You know what would be a help? Finishing your homework before it's dinner? You're the one who wanted to come over so we can do our homework together, then run some lines. Kind of hard to do the latter without the former."

       "Or we can just skip straight to the running lines. Ignore the pain and misfortune that homework brings to allow the joy and happiness from running lines to come into our lives."

       "Joy and happiness are synonymous."

       "So... Can we run lines?"

       "After homework."

       "That's the most hurtful thing you have ever said to me."

       "You'll live."

       It's not long before Mom tells the two of us that dinner's ready, and Jerome still hasn't continued any of his homework. He just took the opportunity to actually nap on his textbook. I've tried doing that once and it was the most uncomfortable I have ever felt.

       The two of us head downstairs to the dining room for dinner. My grandparents are already there and to absolutely no one's surprise, Grandpa is pestering my siblings to tell him about any aspects of their romantic lives. He's a bit too obsessed when it comes to romance.

       Grandpa notices me and Jerome as soon we walk into the dining room and since he's just as obsessed with friendship as romance, he smiles widely. "Ooh, and who's this?" he asks.

       "This is Jerome," I say as the two of us sit down at the table. "He's my friend. By force."

       "What?" Jerome asks. "Okay, I take it back what I said about the homework. This is actually the most hurtful thing you've ever said to me."

       I ignore Jerome and look at my grandpa, who looks a bit confused that I added by force at the end. "We're... both the leads in the school play so we've been running lines together, and I guess you can say we're friends now."

       "Thanks," Jerome says sarcastically.

       "So you finally have a part in the school play?" Grandpa asks before breaking into a huge smile. "That's great to hear. I know how much you love theatre. So what play is the school doing?"

       "Grease," I say. "Jerome is Danny and I'm... Sandy."

       Grandpa gasps. "So you're playing love interests? Oh, I just love love."

       "Yes, Dad, we're all aware," Mom says.

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gene is the best grandpa ever thank you.

also i agree that naps are better than homework. why stress over homework when you can relax while napping?