The Advice Seller

2. Marcus

As of today, I dealt with three clients. I managed to get 34$, plus a free breakfast. Not bad, huh ?

I'm on my way to Lydia's school. She's eight years younger than me. She is the most precious thing in the world to me. Lydia radiates happiness and her smile could light up the universe. She's so adorable, sometimes I want to squeeze her to death. I guess that's a bit extreme, but she is really cute.

Ever since we moved here last year, it's been hard for her to make friends. She does well in school, but she is very shy around people. I've been to her parent-teacher reunions, and her teachers have told me she never participates in class. She prefers sitting in back of the class, alone. I am a bit worried about her, because I know kids can be mean, especially to new students. She has never told me she was getting bullied, but what if she's just hiding it from me ? The thought makes me shudder.

The school is a small building, but the schoolyard is immense. I have to cross the soccer field before getting to the school doors. Some kids are playing basketball, some are running after each other and others are playing skipping rope. I know Lydia likes a lot of sports. So why can't she seem to mix with the other kids ?

I wait for Lydia on the school's front steps. She comes out and runs towards me to hug me.

"Hey Lyd' ! How was school ?" I ask.

"It was okay. Can we go home now ?"

We start walking towards the park. It has a shortcut that leads to our house.

"What did you do in school today ?"

"Umm... We painted. And I had gym," she tells me.

"Did you like it ?"

"Yeah... It was cool."

Suddenly, somebody shouts. It appears to be a young boy.

"Lydia ! Lydia, wait ! You forgot to take back the pencil I borrowed !" he yells as he runs towards us.

I notice an older boy chasing after him. In fact, I realize that this older boy goes to my school and is one of my regular customers. Awkward.

The small boy hands over Lydia's pencil and smiles. He's missing three teeth. I'd have to lie to say he wasn't cute. I crouch to be at the boy's height.

"Thank you for returning my sister's pencil ! What is your name ?"

"His name is William," the little boy's brother says.

"Oh, hey Marcus. I didn't know your brother went to the same school my sister did."

"Small neighbourhood. Come on, William. We have to go home," he urges.

William takes Marcus' hand. He waves at Lydia.

"Bye pretty girl ! Thank you for the pencil," he squeaks.

His comment makes Lydia blush and she smiles at him. We part ways.

Marcus didn't seem to acknowledge me. I mean, yeah, I give him advice on his sex life, but that doesn't mean he can't say hi to me. Rude.

"So... Who's this William boy ?"

"He is in my art class. He needed a pencil. I gave him mine. Later, we played in gym together."

"Cool ! So is he your new friend ?" I exclaim.

"I don't think so. He only played with me because he felt bad about asking for a pencil," she weeps.

This is the closest Lydia has ever been to having a friend. I can't let this opportunity go.

"Okay, I have a plan. Tomorrow, you will tell him that you need to borrow his pencil. That way, you'll become borrowed pencil buddies !" I smile.

"What if he doesn't have a pencil ?"

"Then, you can ask him to play with you at recess, can't you ?"

"What if he laughs at me ? Or says I'm a freak ?"

What ?

"Have people called you that ? Lydia, you have to tell me the truth," I worry.

"Well... Sometimes. I don't really know why."

"Oh, Lydia... When did they start calling you that ?"

"On the first day of school, I was really nervous so I started crying and people were laughing at me. I'm sorry I didn't tell you," Lydia says.

"Oh my god, Lydia we have to do something. You've been suffering for over a year. I'll figure something out, okay ? And you don't have to talk to William if you don't want to."

"Okay. Thank you Tay," she hugs me.

We arrive at the house and I receive a text message from Johnathan.

going to be out late. cant go grocery shopping.

That doesn't even surprise me. I can never rely on him for things as simple as buying food from the list I provided him with. I guess I have no choice but to go to the supermarket tonight, because otherwise we won't have anything to eat.

I make Lydia sit down at the kitchen table and she starts her homework. I make her a hot chocolate, her favourite drink, with the milk that we have left.

Usually, I help Lydia with her homework at home, but she ceased asking for my assistance. I'm happy she is getting more and more organized and involved in her studies.

I go to my room and finish the history essay I had for homework and started the english project we got today. As soon as I get tired, I stop working and lay in my bed.

After a slight snooze, I wake up because Lydia is shaking me.

"I'm hungry, Tay. My stomach is grumbling," she complains.

I get up from my bed and take her hand. I lead her to the sofa so she can watch TV while I'm at the grocery store. I put on Spongebob Squarepants, her favourite show.

"I'll be back soon ! I'm going to buy us some dinner. Bye Lyd'," I wave.

"Bye Tay."

Author's note

chapter 2 in 2 days ! hope u like it ♡