Homebound

Chapter 18

        "I'm done. I can't do this sh*t. This is absurd! Let me give up. " Asher moans as he throws the last scratch of paper into the garbage.

       "You need to write whatever comes from your heart. Pretend you're speaking to Robert, but instead, write it down." Joshua tries to help as he writes his essay for English. All the boys are at Joshua's house to complete homework.

     "That's so f*cking stupid. I might as well just say whatever I feel to his face." Asher frowns and picks up his pen.

     "You don't have the balls for that," Isaac comments as he reads his assigned history reading.

     "No one asked you. Go back to being mute." Asher sneers and throws one of his scraps at him.

      "Maybe you should do your homework? You have plenty of time to write a letter." Billy suggests as e looks up from his book.

    "I have zero time! I already procrastinate long enough! Besides, I finished my homework."

    "Bullsh*t," Isaac calls out.

   "You're bullsh*t." He lifts his backpack and swings it at Isaac. However, he misses and hits Billy. Isaac smirks a little as Billy grunts.

    "You need to practice your aim." Joshua points out the obvious.

    "No sh*t. You guys are distracting me. Shut up, and let me think."

     Asher takes a deep breath and braces himself for the task that must be done. He heeds to  Joshua's advice and imagines as if he's talking to Robert. It's hard to visualize Asher pouring his heart to Robert, but he manages. He signs the paper with a flourish and picks up the paper in triumph.

    "Done!"

    "Finally. You looked so into it; I wanted to disturb you." Isaac comments.

     "Someone is being talkative today. I'll take this as a good sign."

     "Why is that?"

     "That means you're comfortable with us."

     "It's my job to analyze people." Isaac states. He's an observant fellow. Asher assumes that's why he is quiet so he can pick up people's habits and personality.

    "Well we switched roles." Asher winks and turns to Billy.

   "Did I do my homework correctly?"

  "Yes you did. I'm proud that you did all the math yourself. You got all the problems right."

  "I'm a genius."

 "You mean you got lucky." Isaac corrects.

  "Joshua! Isaac is bullying me!" Asher pouts and crosses his arms. Joshua chuckles but doesn't bother to look up from his papers.

  "You're a big boy. Protect yourself."

  "I should've known you'd side with Isaac." Asher glowers, throws his pen in Joshua's face, and hits his eye.

  "Bullseye," Asher says wryly before jumping from the couch and running to save his life.

  "You better wish I don't catch you, Croaker! I'll break you in half!" Joshua yells and chases after him.

   "How long do you think it'll take before Joshua commits murder?" Isaac asks Billy.

   "I h-hope n-never." Billy stammers and looks away from Isaac's intense gaze. A crash and a yelp of pain call their attention, and they go forward to the front door to see Joshua crushing  Asher by sitting on him.