Random song for the chapter: Electric Forest by I See Stars
I woke up to two distant voices and the sound of a song on the tv. Must be the credits rolling.
“You should really think about where you’re going in life. I’m serious, Andy.” HAH! Andy’s getting a lecture. Wait, who the hell is the one giving it though? With only a minor headache now, I crept up quietly and tried to walk quickly to my room. However, I heard Mr. Blake’s voice again.
“You might be a great student, but you need to start taking everything else seriously too, Andy. What are these people going to think of you? You’ve just begun living here with them.”
“I know, I know.”
Shit. Gotta love these talks. I was about to pass the archway that revealed the kitchen but lead to the glorious staircase in which I would find my room, when I heard steps coming towards it. Uhhhh what do I do now? I paused and tried to duck behind a plant. Unfortunately, the plant was about three feet tall and I wasn’t quick to duck. From what I could tell, it was Andy pacing near the arch. He overstepped it a little bit and heard me rustling, I think. My theory must’ve been correct because he paused and squinted at me. His face went from confusion to a look of pure boredom and a look that said ‘Help me’ as soon as Mr. Blake continued talking. Andy went back to his pacing thing right after shooting me one more helpless look.
“Clearly you we’re up last night doing God knows what. You look like you’ve barely slept a wink. Are you hungover?”
Well, here’s my genius planning characteristic coming in. Also shown with my tendency to not think things through. I hoped Mr. Blake was sitting behind the counter but was focused completely on Andy, because I army crawled past the archway right to the table that held a notebook and pencil in the hallway. Quickly grabbing it and making a loud walk, I looked down at the notebook and pretended to be concerned with a particular page. I headed straight for the kitchen pretending to be reading notes. Well, look who’s a dumbass and forgot that Andy was pacing. Oh, me! Me me me! So as I walked under the arch, I stumbled right into Andy, who barely managed to save us both from falling. I would have landed face first on the linoleum. Fun times.
“Oh crap! I’m so sorry! I was completely focused on my notes!” I fake exclaimed.
“No problem,” Andy replied politely, though he was giving me a questioning gaze. I knew Mr. Blake was staring directly at us. So, instead of just distracting him with polite chit chat later I decided that I’d help out Andy in addition to that.
Without looking towards the counter or stools, I looked up at Andy and said “Oh ya! I meant to ask you if you could help me with a couple more problems. I can’t seem to figure them out completely and I’ve tried all day.” I handed him the notebook before he had a chance to begin to stumble over his words. I turned and saw Mr. Blake as I went to the fridge to pull out some water.
“Oh, Hi Mr. Blake! Sorry I didn't notice we had a visitor at the moment or I wouldn’t have intruded like this. Oh, and would you like some water?” He shook his head mildly so I put back the water then walked back to Andy and took my notebook as he opened his mouth to speak. Quickly, I interrupted him.
“I’ll let you guys go back to visiting,” I smiled and gave a small wink, “but would you mind helping me again later? I know you spent ALL night last night trying to explain the stuff I missed last Friday, but it doesn’t seem to click with me. Thankfully, I don’t think that I’ll need help until five in the morning this time.” I smiled and laughed as if I had made a small joke. He seemed to catch on quickly and went right along with it.
“Not at all. It’s not a bother if you need more help ever, no matter what time.” he said casually.
I thanked him and then turned back to Mr. Blake who looked calm and pleasant as he usually did around his students. “Have a pleasant evening, sir.” I smiled and gave a small wave.
“Actually, Mrs.Parker, you’re welcome to stay and chat with us if you’d like. I must be going soon anyway.” he responded warmly. I don’t think he was going to continue his solemn chat with Andy anymore, and I didn’t want to intrude further so I said that I had to go call my mom and clean up around the house charmingly. Hah! See, I can act like a charming and proper young woman when I want to! I was nice and good that whole time, I thought to myself while mentally giving myself and award. Yep, I'm a little odd.
