Am I Settling?

2007

Sonde sat in class bored out of his mind. Although school was never particularly his favorite part of the day, he hated his reading class. It wasn't hard but just boring. He'd rather be outside playing in P. E but the field was closed because of red ants.

"Yo man you gotta focus", said his best friend Vincent.

The two looked a lot alike actually. Same dark skin, height and wide mischievous grin. Vincent had a slimmer face and always sports a low cut with waves.

"I can't man this Shit boring", mumbled Sonde.

"Thinking about Krystal? "

Honestly he wasn't thinking about her in that moment. His mind had drifted to his old friend Xolani and he wondered what she was doing.

Her dad was honest when he said the two couldn't play together anymore and he hadn't seen her since the day with the twins. He still hadn't forgiven them fully for that but he sucked it up, those were his cousins.

Krystal was his latest crush but he hadn't talked to her like that. Krystal was really bright skin, almost white looking, with full lips and these pretty gray-green eyes. She was very cute but was kinda loud and wild.

"Naw man. I was thinking about bustin your ass in madden", he lied smoothly.

His friends knew he still thought about Lani and would clown him for it. After all it had been 2 years and he was still thinking about a girl he never saw again.

" Bust who? You obviously smoking crack, " Vincent laughed out.

The two then began cracking jokes and clowning until the bell rang. As the boys walked towards the front of the school, a small hand grabbed onto Sondes arm.

Looking up, he found Krystal standing there with a smile. He looked at his friends and told them he'd catch them later.

"So Wassup? "

"I just wanted to ask if you'd help me with math and I help you with something. Like a trade since I can't really pay you," Krystal said nervously.

They still had after care together so he agreed. He figured it was okay since he didn't talk to many in there.

Being in fifth grade slightly changed him. He was more reserved and observant. He was still social but didn't consider it people's business about what happened in his home, so he often just listened.

"I don't really need help with anything but if I tutor you, will you do my book log? "

Sonde knew he wasn't about to read a book for fun. He would've just lied but his mom would've asked him to give a summary before she signed off on it. He wasn't trying to read.

Krystal was OK with that because she was being tutored in reading and had to read a book anyways.

Her tutor, Sean, was a professional and already costing her parents a lot. He charged by not only the hour but how many subjects he had to help with. She didn't want to spend more time with him since he'd curse and call her stupid if her parents weren't within ear shot or had left the pair alone.

Krystal liked Sonde because he was cute. She hadn't spoken to him, not enough to know him and he was quiet in groups. The few times he did talk, he always made her laugh and she liked that.

-----------_* In after care*_---------------_---------------

"...so basically 2 over 3 is equal to 20 over 30...which are both equal to...8 over 12?"