The Boy Who Cried Help

Chapter 6

After I finished playing, I realized that it was getting closer to the time that I was supposed to go to Scarlett's house. I went downstairs and saw my mom watching a re-run of "Desperate House Wives". I stifled a laugh as she was yelling at the T.V. I still don't understand the attraction that show could have to anyone.

"Mom, I have to go to work on a project with my partner." She just waved her hand eyes still glued on the television. I laughed again and got my keys before heading out of the door. Turns out Scarlett lives less than ten minutes from my house, I had no idea she lived this close.

I parked on the road beside her house and mentally prepared myself for this project. I definitely had more confidence now that I had done some research on my own but that didn't mean that I wouldn't possibly have a problem or a breakdown. I definitely pray that won't happen.

I got out off my car before I could over think the situation and walked up to the door. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. It opened and I didn't see anyone. But when I heard someone ask "Who are you?" I looked down and my eyes were met with a boy who couldn't have been more than seven years old. He had green eyes with brown hair and was a spitting image of Scarlett. Before I could answer I saw Scarlett come in the doorway.

"Sorry about Tyler. I guess he didn't remember that I was going to work on a project with my partner," she said looking at him pointedly.

Tyler pouted before responding "You never said he was going to be a boy! Oooh, does momma know? I'm gonna tell!" he said tauntingly and I laughed.

"Well don't bother, he's going to have to walk through the living room to get to my room and mom's there anyways so that would be a waste of time," Scarlett said rolling her eyes.

Tyler seemed to ponder this before he ran off. "Sorry about that. Let's just get this project done."

I nodded as she led me inside her house.

When we got to the living room, true to her word we passed by her mom. "Mom, this is Aiden," she said gesturing in my direction.

"Hi," I said respectfully. Scarlett's mom had the exact same orange hair as Scarlett so I figured that's what side of the family she got it from.

"Hello dear," she responded. "Do you want something to eat or drink?" she asked me. "No, thank you," I responded. "Mom, we're not here to socialize or talk about how amazing teenage life is. We have to get this project done!"

"Jeez, I was just being hospitable. Obviously that's something you're lacking."

Scarlett rolled her eyes and lead me to her room. Her room was definitely not what I expected. The walls were all black with multicolored paint splatter and her furniture accenting it. She closed the door and sat down on her bed. I sat down in the chair under her desk.

It was quiet before I said "I researched a little bit last night..." I said before sharing what I found.

I could tell that she actually looked shocked that I would have done something on my own but I guess that's where stereotypes come into play.

"Okay, well we can do a little more research and then put the information on either a PowerPoint Presentation or a Tri-fold board, what do you think?"

"A presentation would be easier to do and we wouldn't have to carry around a board for the whole day," I responded.

She nodded her head in agreement before saying "Well I guess that's all we really have to do for right now."

I glanced over at the clock and saw that we had been up here for about two hours. I was got up and was about to leave when he mom yelled "Dinner!" We both left her room and went to the kitchen which was on the way to the front door. When she saw us, she gestured towards the pasta and vegetables.

Even though it seemed great, I should be heading home. "Well I have to be going so I'll see you tomorrow at school," I said to Scarlett. She was about to say something when her mother said "Nonsense, you should stay for dinner."

I was about to politely decline when her mom cut me off. "I'm not taking 'no' for an answer, sit down," she said pushing me towards the food.

"Mom, you can't force him to stay. If he wants to go he can, it's not fair for you to trap him here. What if he has a previous engagement to attend to?"

"I'm sure he doesn't, right?" she said looking pointedly at me. I looked from Scarlett to her mother multiple times before I shook my head.

Scarlett rolled her eyes. "Fine, whatever let's just eat."

"Wonderful!" he mom cried.

Yep, it's just so wonderful.