Marvel Imagines

3. Studying Science (Hank McCoy)

   The park was surprisingly quiet, despite the beautiful sunny day. I wasn't about to complain, though; science was far too complicated without distractions! I was starting to really hate my science college class. My teacher was really nice, but I just couldn't get my grade up to a decent letter. It was driving me crazy!
   "How hard could it be? Dad passed it and he hates science." I groaned, dropping my book on the blanket I was seated upon.
   My head wouldn't focus. It was mixing history and my obsessions with the extremely long words that science used to confuse us poor students. Sighing, I dropped my head in my hands. 

   'C'mon, brain. Get it together.' I chided myself silently.
   "D-do you need help?" A male voice suddenly asked, startling me. I looked up to see a young guy standing in front of me, his cheeks slightly red and his eyes flicking from the ground to me. He was shy! I wondered if he really could help... I had always liked geeks, but not just for their brains on complex subject; I always thought they were kind of cute, in their shy, awkward way.
   Glancing down at my open science book, I shrugged. "Are you any good at science?"
   He nodded slightly. "I'm okay."
   "Would you mind?" I asked, feeling a slight twinge of hope. I scooted over on my blanket and he hesitantly sat down, still blushing.
   "I don't understand any of this." I admitted, pointing to the page it was open to. He adjusted his glasses and examined it a moment before verbally breaking it down for me. He did it in a way that I could understand and used real English for me! I was shocked and my mouth fell open a little.
   "Yikes, you do know your science! Here I thought it had something to do with Eskimos and Nuclear Plants. Thank you so much." I shook my head in amazement and took a few notes in my notebook. The guy chuckled.
   "Nuclear Plants use science, but it's not relevant here." He said quietly. I laughed, too.
   "That shows you how much I know about it!" I joked.
   "It's easier if you break it down into words that normal people can understand." He explained. I nodded slowly.
   "And this book doesn't do that. At all." I flipped the page and began trying to sound out a word in my head, frowning in concentration. As I did, the words on the page began to blur slightly, making me snatch my hand away quickly. I hated when my mutation showed up around other people. I placed the book on my left knee so he could see it, keeping my hands away from it and hinting that he could continue helping. After a moment, he pulled it his way just a little more and quietly broke it down again in seconds.
   We continued to study for a good twenty minutes before I needed a break. Turning to him, I smiled.
   "Thank you for helping me with this."
   His cheeks darkened slightly again. "No problem."
   "I can tell you're into science." I began putting away my notebooks and study books in my bag, peeking at him from the corner of my eye.
   "Yeah." Was all he said.
   "And you can tell that I'm not so into it." I laughed quietly. He laughed, too.
   "You just don't understand it. When you understand it, it's easier." He told me.
   "Yeah. Oh, I'm Riley." I introduced myself, holding out my hand under my other arm when was currently tucked into my bag. He tilted his head slightly to the side at my odd position before taking my hand hesitantly, barely shaking it.
   "Hank," He replied. I managed to untangle my arms and finished putting my things away. I didn't stand, though. I just turned back to him.
   "Will you be here next week?" I asked. He was standing now, so I had to look up to see his face.
   "Um, I'm not sure. Will you?"
   "Same day, same time, same studies." I told him.
   "You wouldn't mind if I came back, then?" He asked hesitantly. I shook my head.
   "No, I'd like it." 
   "Okay. Bye." He smiled back before walking away. I stood and folded up my blanket before turning and going the opposite way. A smile broke across my face and I began humming happily.
   Alright, Hank. I'll be here!

(Published August 22, 2021)