His Tutor

Ten

I ate a quick breakfast, and headed out to door. It had been about a month since the incident with Framen, and I'm pleased to say everything has gone back to normal. We both decided it was just us acting out in the moment. Although, sometimes I question whether that was all it was to me. The semester finally coming to an end, so I was working extra hard with with Framen to study for his exams, while also trying to manage studying for mine. To say I was stressed was an understatement.

Framen and I are currently sitting on a bench going over his notes during our lunch period. He insisted on sitting outside in the freezing December air. He said something about the cold helping him think clearer. I don't know, after a while arguing just seemed pointless so I agreed. I took a bite out of my sandwich as Framen worked out his math problem.

He finished the problem and slammed the book closed, snapping me out of my daze. He gave a dramatic sigh, "what's wrong Riley?"

"I'm bored. All I've thought about for the past week-and-a-half is school! I swear I think I'm starting to go insane!"

He chuckled lightly and nodded. "You and me both, Love." He responded, putting his things away. "At least today is Friday."

"But what's the point in the weekend if I'm just doing the same thing I am during the week. I mean sure, I get to sleep, but the whole weekend is spent studying."  He frowned as he took in my words.

"Well, you wanna do something fun tomorrow?" He asked. My heart fluttered with excitement.

"You and I are going to the study hall tomorrow, remember?" I said, the excitement disappeared as soon as it had come. "And I have to go to some formal dinner party thing with my parents on Sunday."

"Well that could be fun."

"Nah, it's just a bunch of old lawyers talking about boring things I don't understand. It's and annual thing. I've been going since I was nine, they're all the same." I dreaded those "parties."

He looked down at his hands, clearly thinking hard. Suddenly I was hit with an idea. "Maybe you could go!" I said, hopefully.

"Why would I want to go to a boring lawyer party?"

"Because, maybe it won't be so boring if you're there! I mean I'm the only person under the age of forty, maybe having someone else my age will make it a bit more enjoyable!" I said trying to persuade. "Besides I know you're dying to hang out with me." I joked, wiggling my eyebrows at him.

He jumbled the idea around in his head for a moment or two before saying "okay, I'll come" I smiled and clapped my hands. "Will I need to dress up for this occasion?"

"Yes, suit and tie, no exceptions." Oh no. Hopefully I didn't lose him.

"Oh, you're in for a treat, Ms. James." He said with a malicious smile.

I shook my head with an amused smile. "I highly doubt that. The only person who will be drooling over you all night will be yourself." With that, the bell rang, and we grabbed our things and I left for English.
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I was currently sitting on my bed doing my homework. Even though I could just do it tomorrow at the study hall, I decided to get it all done today so I can have all day tomorrow to study for my pre-calculus exam on Monday. I only had one question left, but I had ran out of motivation to do it. I had strained myself too much, I had to get away.

I moved my things aside, walked to my window, and opened it up. As expected, Framen's window was closed. I sighed and grabbed my jacket. I walked out into the chilly air and walked across the yard, before knocking on Framen's door. "Hello?" It was Oscar.

"Hey, bud! Is your brother home?" I asked.

"He just went on a run. He'll be back soon though if you wanna wait here." He said.

"Okay, thank you." I probably seemed like a stalker or something, but I was bored out of my mind, and Framen was my friend. "How was school?" I asked as Oscar led me over to the living room.

"Good. The second grade class as a performance on Wednesday, so we've just been practicing." He said.

"Oh, a performance. That sounds fun!" I missed those days.

"Yeah, do you wanna come?" He asked excitedly.

"I would love to!" At that moment Emma walked in with a warm smile, a plate of cookies rested in her hands.

"Riley! I didn't know you were coming. It's nice to see you!"

"I didn't know I was coming over either."

"Well Framen isn't here right now, but you're welcome to have some cookies while you wait for him." She said.

"Thanks!" I gave her a quick hug and sat down next to Oscar on the couch as she handed me a cookie. I took a bite of the cookie and held back the urge to moan at the actual perfection that as this cookie.

I sat a talked with the two Kranz's before Framen walked in, his cheeks and nose pink from the cold nipping at his skin.

"Hey." He said slightly confused when he saw me.

"Hi!" I said, enthusiastically. He said a quick hello to his mother and brother, before motioning me to follow him upstairs. As we entered his room he gave me a smile. "So, what brings you here, neighbor?"

"I was home alone, and I couldn't stand anything school related anymore. I was losing my mind with boredom."

"Well you've come to the right place, Love. Quite frankly I only do school when you force me too" I laughed a little at this and plopped down on his bed. "So what do you wanna do?" He asked.

"I was kinda hoping you could decide that." I said with a smile.

He thought for a moment. "You hungry?" He asked.

"I'm always hungry" I replied dramatically.

"Good." He said grabbing his keys and wallet. "Let's go!"
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We ended up going to a small diner just outside of town I had never been before. I was currently sitting in a small booth with a cheeseburger and fries, while Framen tells me something stupid him and the boys did last summer. Tears pricked at his eyes as he laughed, his story almost inaudible. I didn't necessarily understand what was going on in this story, but him laughing and me to the point of hysteria.

After a few moments, he calmed himself down and took a bite of his sandwich. I took a sip of my hot cocoa. We finished our food in a comfortable silence. He paid the bill, and we headed home. Unfortunately I couldn't hang out with Framen anymore because my parent wanted me home and Framen had to babysit his siblings. "Thanks for dinner!" I said as I exited his car.

"You're welcome. I'll see you tomorrow for study hall" He said with a smirk.

"Ugh don't remind me." I said, walking to my door. I walked inside and he parked in his driveway. "Hey," I said to my parents who were sitting on the couch.

"How was Framen?" My dad asked with a playful smile.

I rolled my eyes playfully. "He's fine. Speaking of which, I invited him to the Christmas party on Sunday. I hope that's okay."

"That'd be great! Although I hope you warned him about Ms. Warren?"

"I thought I'd let him find that out." I said with a playful wink as I ran upstairs to finish my homework. Getting away from school, even for just the few hours I was gone, made me feel so much better. I finished my homework and decided to go to bed early, so I took my medicine and snuggled into my soft bed.