The Mute Girl's Tutor

For The Breakfast Club!

"So... I F.O.I.L. then?" I ask glaring down at my homework.

"Yeah actually, you do." Aaron looked surprised and proud, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Do you remember how?"

"I think?"

We have been in the library for almost two hours now, a nonstop flow of makeup work and current work making its way across the table from my hands to his for checking and editing. If I didn't have his help I'm positive I would have given up six worksheets ago on question one.

"I'm tired." I groaned finishing off yet another worksheet fifteen minutes later and signing my name and date at the top. The time was edging toward four o'clock and my eyes were starting to burn with fractions and lack of sleep behind my lids when I blinked.

"One more page and then your completely caught up in math besides that group project." Aaron insisted not looking up from tonight's homework. For a man-whorish jock it still shocked me to this day how much intellect he actually had when he put in effort.

"No," Crossing my arms I looked around the room and tapped my foot wishing for my hand to stop aching so I could pull out my sketch book and relax my already restless body.

"Don't be stubborn Leise, finish the work and text your dad, you won't be home until after dinner tonight."

"It's the end of March, don't baseball tryouts soon?" I asked.

"Next week, homework and dad now." He gave me a smile over the papers and it was virtually impossible to not give at least a half assed smile back.

Won't be home till after dinner, studying is getting out of control

Sent at 3:57 pm

Hitting send I placed my phone back in my bag where Aaron demanded it be and looked over the last page in distain. It took ten minutes of eraser marks and silent frustration before I gave up.

"I... need help."

******
From: Dad

Okay, pizza for me. Be home by 8:30

Sent at 4:13 pm

******

"Where are we going dude?" I grumbled crossing my arms and looking out the window. It had been nearly a half hour since we passed the town border and I was over the seatbelt choking me and the McDonald's bag of fake hopes crinkling under my shoes. My stomach growled as I struggled with the zipper on my sweater, Aaron had kept the heat on the whole ride and my temples were getting damp.

He laughed out loud, "Dude?"

"That's how I'm feeling today,"

"We're almost there promise. Five minutes." Aaron turned up the radio and bobbed his head to a remix of a Kanye West song.

"Laser tag?" My voice was less enthusiastic than I wanted it to be, the shock and warmth I felt in my chest clogging the thankfulness.

"Yeah?" Now, well now he looked nervous; driving forty-five minutes to a laser tag center - that I know is reasonably expensive due to it being the only one around, and thinking I don't like it.

"I've never been laser tagging!" I pushed down the lodge in my throat, showing the appreciation in my voice.

"Yeah?" He repeated more excitement staining his tone.

"Yeah," I affirmed smiling and finally unbuckling my suffocating seatbelt and getting out. "C'mon."

We walked toward the entrance with a healthy four inches between us and my lips curled inward reminding myself quiet is better and to not instinctually lean in closer to his side. He was just so warm all the time. Aaron held the door open for me before he stuffed his hands in his pockets.