Stay-At-Home Brat

Give Me A Chance

Ngl, the ending of this chapter made me emotional🥺

Oliver's POV

So I accepted the deal—a bit reluctantly. I'm still not exactly sure what my job is. Currently, I idle in the lounge, blowing cool air at my scalding hot coffee as I wait for Holling to come back with my task for the day.

Soon enough, he enters the room with a cheerful demeanour—well, as cheerful as he can be. ''Happy Monday! Here you go, Oliver!'' he exclaims, dropping a thick heap of papers on the table. ''I want you to check these. The answer sheet is on top.''

''Is that legal?'' I drawl, not quite awake yet. It's too early, and I stayed up all night gaming. ''I mean I'm not a licensed teacher.''

''You only need to check if the answers are correct. You don't need to grade anything or give feedback,'' he explains positively.

I reach for the pile and leaf through it hastily. ''How many are there?''

''100,'' he articulates.

My eyes pop wide open, and suddenly, I'm fully awake. ''100!?''

''Yes, and I have the same number of English tests to check so I really need your help with this,'' he tells me. "I also have a weekend trip coming up with Sophia, and I do not want to bring schoolwork."

''You cannot have been in your right mind when you decided to become a teacher,'' I mutter.

''No, I was a lost 20-year-old.''

''When does this need to be done?'' I ask, thinking this will be what I will be doing for the rest of the week.

''By the end of the day. You can sit here and work,'' he says.

''This is mental!'' I groan, resting my forehead down onto my arms. ''Teachers are mental.''

--

Sophia's POV

I hang up on Oliver as the doorbell rings. I've spoken on the phone with him almost all day to get him through his first tedious day as an 'apprentice' as they call him.

Alexander stands on my doorstep, looking stilted as usual. ''...Are you here for your tattoo appointment?'' I joke.

He seems uncertain about whether or not it's a joke. ''No.''

''Relax! I'm kidding!'' I exclaim. ''I'm still practising on fake skin.''

He nods, letting out a small sigh of relief. ''Is Sebastian home?''

''No. He went grocery shopping after school,'' I reply. ''I guess he will be home shortly. Why?''

''I thought he may be interested in what I have in my bag,'' he replies somewhat disingenuously, swaying the tote bag he clutches.

I motion him to come inside and close the door behind him, my gaze following the bag of secrets.

''Can I wait in the library?'' he asks as I guide him through the hallway toward the living room.

''No, Bastian won't appreciate it. You need permission to enter,'' I say. ''You can sit here, though.'' I pat the backrest before clambering over the sofa, barricading the living room doorway. Yes, it still does, and it will continue to do so.

He scans me and the sofa hesitantly. ''I will stand, thank you.''

I sprawl on the sofa, glancing up at him. ''Are you going to stand there like a statute for like 20 minutes?''

''I don't mind,'' he says stiffly. ''It's good for you to practise standing straight. We practised that at school.''

''Who beat your ass?'' I blurt out.