Things Change // Eddie Munsion

Chapter Two

"What do you mean you agreed to tutor Munson?!" Robin exclaims in shock.

I throw a pillow, urging her to be quiet after her exclamation. "Shhh, you'll wake my parents up!"

It's a rare occasion that my parents are let me have someone sleep over, especially on a school night. Only because Robin's house had a pipe burst while her parents are away... Regardless, I'm sat in bed while she's at my desk, trying to wrap her brain around my admittance a few seconds ago.

"I'm sorryyy," she whispers, "I just don't understand it. After how he humiliated you, I would have retaliated!"

I deflate onto my pile of pillows, letting out a sigh, "I knowww, I just want to help. He and I are partnered on this assignment in literature and I couldn't say no. That would make it all that much awkward. It's also hard when we do actually get along."

"You better be getting something out of doing this. If not, you really are out of your mind."

I give her a look, "He is paying me."

"In what, roaches and cigarette butts?" She laughs.

"Nooo! He's paying actual money, Robin. He's not that bad of a person." I grumble.

"Jeeezz, lighten up Alex. He's not your boyfriend; he's honestly just some guy. I know you feel indebted after he helped you with D&D, but you don't owe him shit."

I look up at the ceiling, trying to think of ways to rebuttal. She's right; he's just some guy. I owe him nothing, but yet, I feel as if I should help him out. I shouldn't just let him use me, but he is still a person, who deserves kindness.

He did cancel our first study session yesterday, which isn't actually convincing that he wants help. He was more distant in class today too. I don't understand that man, and I'm not sure if I want to. Maybe I should just retract my consent to help. It would be much easier, and I'll just do the lit assignment myself.

"I can see the gears turning from here." Robin comments.

"I'm just... thinking. Maybe I should tell him that I can't help him study. I can do the lit project myself, and we won't have to cross paths again. At least outside of classes."

"I would support it... How did yesterday go? I would be shocked if that man did anything more than smoke weed and talk about how "fuckin sick" Led Zepplin is." She snorts.

I grimace in anticipation at her reaction, "He actually canceled on me yesterday."

Her jaw drops. "Really, Dude? He doesn't deserve your time. Don't waste your time on that man, Alex."

"I just want to know why you dislike him so much. Like, yeah, he flunked out of school twice, he's a known pot and miscellaneous drug dealer, and he embarrassed me and then flaked on me. But, what has he done to you?"

She blinks at me, clearly attempting to think of an explanation. Or she's wondering how I could question her after listing those facts.

She shrugs, "Nothing directly, but I've always gotten weird vibes from him. He's just so... odd. I'm not one to judge, of course, but I dunno. Everyone calling him a freak, and seeing how he plays into that; it makes sense."

"Okay, I know that I haven't shared this with you yet; I tend to hide this side of me. However, I've also always been the weirdo or the freak. I like metal; I wear band shirts; I own multiple pairs of doc marten boots. I'm not as "normal" as I seem to be... I just try to hide that side because it sucks having that label, especially from people you've never spoken to before." I frown.

She gives me a sympathetic look. "I didn't know you've been through that... I'm sorry."

I shrug. "You don't have to apologize, I'm making it a point as to why I'm being more understanding. I'll set boundaries and hold my ground if I need to though. I promise."