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The study sessions always started and ended the same. Marcy Chaplin would show up ready to help the young girl study, and do her best to give advice on her homework without giving her any actual answers. It would be going well, but then Lucy would get that look her face. Marcy knew the look more than she'd ever care to admit, the way the girls eyes would suddenly get a little brighter, and a small smile would slide its way across her thin lips.
And then she would start talking.
Story after story, session after session, Lucy would tell her all about her adventures in "Narnia." She would tell Marcy about the White Witch, who had apparently almost killed one of her brothers. Then she would talk about a Faun by the name of Mr. Tumnus, and how he had been turned to stone, only to be turned back by a roar of a magical lion. Each session the stories got more and more creative, because now as Marcy sat back in her chair, her face displaying a look of complete annoyance that seemed to always get ignored by Lucy, the young girl was telling her how all of her siblings were actually older then they looked because somehow when they returned to England from Narnia, they aged back to the age they left at. To say Marcy had had enough would not even begin to explain how done she was with this entire situation.
"Lucy, stop."
The young girl abruptly stopped talking at the venom in her tutors voice. She knew that she shouldn't be using her study time to tell stories of Narnia, but she couldn't help it when it came to being around Marcy. The older girl was kind and approachable, and always listened to Lucy's problems. She viewed Marcy as her friend, but whenever the topic of Narnia ever came up, Marcy would completely shut her down. It hurt Lucy, knowing that her tutor didn't believe a word she said, but this was her way of coping. This was her way to distract herself from the fact that she wasn't in Narnia anymore. That she wasn't at her home and with her people. Lucy thought at least her method was better than Peters, who chose to lash out at anyone he could.
"No, Marcy, I'm almost done with this story I promise! All that's left is how Mr. Tumnus would always play music at the Galas we held. It always made everyone in the castle so happy to hear him play. He was really good.."
Marcy sighed in frustration before she fiercely grabbed her bag, shoving her books and parchment inside as she ignored the rest of what Lucy was saying. It had almost been two months since she was assigned to help the girl, and as a whole she really enjoyed being around Lucy. She loved the way she could bring such happiness into the room, especially when her siblings were present, but the imaginary stories were starting to become more than Marcy could handle. It wasn't as bad when they were at school, Marcy only had to walk a few minutes to the girls dorm, but for the past three weeks Marcy had traveled by train to where the Pevensies were staying with an old friend of their mother, and not only did it take much longer to get there from her own home, but it also took time away from Marcy to spend with her own family.
These sessions were becoming a waste of time and money.
"Well I hope Mr. Tumnus can help you write your essay, Lucy." With that said, Marcy walked out of Lucy and Susan's room, and started heading for the front door. The last few weeks she had gotten to know the Pevensies a lot more. She had befriended Susan when she started tutoring Lucy, and they would often go out for tea, but it wasn't until the holiday that she had finally gotten to meet their brothers. She had a different and unique relationship with all of them, and she loved their company, but as she walked toward the front door with Lucy apologizing in tow, they would all crowd the small living room and try to talk the girl into staying. And usually she did, as Marcy was definitely not immune to the Pevensie charm, but tonight was different. And the tense air surrounding the room was evidence of that.
"Marcy, I'm sorry. I'll stop! Please don't leave. At least stay for dinner." Lucy pleaded, but Marcy couldn't keep doing this. She couldn't keep giving her all to help this girl when she wouldn't even attempt to try.
"No, Lucy! You don't understand. I come here night after night, using my time that I could be spending with my family, to try to help you. But you don't even care! All you care about is your bloody imaginary world, just grow up! It's getting ridiculous!"
"Hey!" Peter, Lucy's oldest brother, stood in front of Lucy who had started to cry and glared at the girl in front of him, "don't talk to her like that!"
"Why not? None of you are doing anything! Do you really think this is healthy? That letting her continue to live in this made up world is good for her?" Marcy yelled at Peter, but everyone in the room knew she was directing her words at all of the siblings. "Do you not understand that she is failing history? That if she does not pass this class she will fail her year? I'm trying to help her! I am trying to tutor her but she just continues to go off into her imaginary land. And if none of you will say anything, then I will!"
All four of the Pevensie siblings stayed quiet, drifting their gaze to anywhere but the angry girl. They knew that from her perspective, she was right, but they knew Lucy wasn't playing pretend. They only wish they could make Marcy understand too. A small sob escaped the youngest girl and Marcy felt guilt bubble up inside of her, she didn't mean to make her cry, but after weeks of dealing with the girls childishness, she couldn't stop herself.
"You could at least be a little nicer about it." Edmund stated as his hand found his little sisters shoulder, letting her know that he was there- that they all were.
Marcy's eyes locked with his, and she felt even worse.
"I'm sorry, Lucy." Marcy said, taking a deep breath and calming herself. She looked around, and made brief eye contact with all of the siblings, before she sighed in defeat. "You have until tomorrow."
Lucy slowly looked up, wiping away the tears that had fallen. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that I'm giving you until tomorrow to write your essay. If you don't have it done by the time the train leaves tomorrow, then I can't tutor you anymore."
The young girls eyes lit up once again and she smiled, before launching herself forward and hugging the older girl. "I'll write it, I promise! I'm sorry for wasting your time, I'll do better."
"I really hope so, because I love being around you all."
Marcy stepped out of the hug before she hugged Susan as well. The girl even gave Peter a look to let him know that she was sorry, and he gave a brief nod in acceptance. For the second time that night, she started walking toward the door, glancing over her shoulder she saw Lucy smiling at her and knew she made the right decision to give her another chance.
"I'm serious, Lu, write your bloody essay!" Marcy then turned to walk out, but not before she caught sight of the dark haired boy rolling his eyes. "I saw that, Edmund!"
Marcy then walked out of the apartment, closing the door behind her. If only she had looked for a second longer, she would have seen the smile that appeared on the boys face.
