Risking the Fall to Gain it All

9; Learning New Things

After a weekend of nothing but homework I was actually grateful to go to school on Monday. Friday night Darnell and I had dinner with our dad before his weeklong business trip, then Saturday I procrastinated writing three essays, studying for a test and quiz, and working on math problems until five o’clock, and finally on Sunday I busted my but to finish my homework.

I was finishing up my bowl of cereal when Darnell stumbled down the stairs. His hair was neatly combed to the side and he wore slacks and a button up plaid shirt. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and the shirt was halfway unbuttoned which showed the plain white tee he wore underneath. In a brotherly-sister way I had to admit he was looking really nice.

“What’s the occasion?” I asked with a mouth full of Honey Oats.

He shot me a disbelieving look. “You serious?”

“Uh,” I scooped another bite in my mouth and nodded.

“Wow.” He muttered and grabbed a brown bag from out the fridge. “You are the worst sister ever.” Darnell shot me a small smile. We always said mean things to each other but we rarely meant them.

“I take it I’ve forgotten something I should have remembered?” I stood up and washed my bowl out in the sink.

“Or maybe you just weren’t listening. Too busy freaking out that you were in Mr. Sawyer’s house on Friday?”

“Oh! You start helping him today?” It was the only thing I could remember from that long conversation.

“Yeah, I’ll be his intern.”

My eyebrows scrunched together, “You don’t want to be a teacher though. I thought you wanted to be a politician?”

“Well,” Darnell grabbed an orange from the fruit bowl and tossed it between his hands, “The way he explained it to me was that because he teaches a government based class it would look good on the application because not only am I assisting in my desired subject, but I’m also working with students, and getting volunteer hours. It’s like a homerun on a college application.”

I nodded. At the lack of a verbal response he started peeling his fruit into the trashcan. I watched him peel for a few seconds before I decided to give him what he’s been waiting for.

“I think this is a great opportunity for you, Dee.”

He glanced up with a huge smile, “I know! Man, I’m so happy you have Sawyer this year. I doubt this would have happened without you.”

“Well you deserve it, Darnell, you were second in your class and that’s only because you were out sick for a few weeks. You were one point away from a perfect on the SAT and ACT and you could analyze a political argument both ways, up and down, and sideways for days. You deserve this.”

His eyes sparkled, “So you do care!” Darnell cried in an over exaggerated girlie voice. I sighed as he plopped two orange pieces in his mouth at once. After some obvious movement in his mouth, Darnell slowly opened his mouth and showed me the chewed up oranges. Dis-gusting. 

“Last time I ever get sentimental with you,” I rolled my eyes and grabbed my bag from the stairs.

“You should have known better in the first place.”

[~]

Mr. Sawyer’s door was unlocked when we got there so we just walked in. He was sitting at his desk writing on some papers but as soon as he noticed us he stood up.

“It’s been awhile since I’ve been in here,” Darnell chuckled and shook Mr. Sawyer’s hand.

I gave him a small nod and sat on the front desk. There really wasn’t a reason for me to be here, but no one was protesting so I’ll just enjoy it while it lasts.