Morphine

Chapter Thirty Four

"So how is setting up?" Karen questioned as they set up for class ‪Friday morning‬.

"It's going according to plan." Marceline Anne opened her laptop as she looked through her bag for her pencil case.

"She's like a general." Malcolm smiled at his wife.

She found the case and set it on her open notebook. "Bite me."

He just stared at her.

She smiled widely.

Karen looked between them in amusement. "Chase needs to be here."

"Tell him to take his GED."

"He'd have to study for that."

"Really?" Marceline Anne wrinkled her face.

"Chase isn't stupid but his intelligence isn't off the charts." Malcolm explained. "He'd have to study."

"Can't we help him?"

"When do we have the time?" Karen pointed out. "You've already missed four days of classes to prepare your house and I've been doing all my work."

"Let's prepare him a little at a time and then he can take the test at the end of the year."

"That's not actually a bad idea. He could get a business degree or a communications degree."

"That would work." Malcolm liked those ideas. "Chase is smart but I worry about him. If this works out, he could have something that's his."

"We're good friends."

Marceline Anne laughed.

M-

Michael the Fourth texted Mercedes Catherine. He wanted to hang out. She texted back that she wanted Artie and Santana to come along.

So he asked if it was another triple date. She said no, it was just them hanging out. He said, "Cool" because it was to him. He didn't mind.

Much...

He did want to be alone with her. Not just for sexual stuff but because he liked their private conversations. They still talked on the phone and texted but he wanted to look into her eyes when he told her certain stuff.

She replied that she'd tell Santana and that he should tell Artie.

He said okay and put his phone away. He was wondering if she was avoiding him. Being alone with him, rather. Did she not trust him? Was she afraid of him?

If so, he had to fix that immediately. He prided himself on his trustworthiness. He was honest and steady and that wasn't going to change.

He made up his mind to pick a place where they could talk for a few minutes. This was a needed conversation.

M-

"Hey." Karen spoke up at lunch. "Do you guys want to have a double date tonight?"

"I don't know." Marceline Anne made a face that said she wasn't on board. "I have a research paper to write."

"You can't study at the library all night. It closes at ten."

"That means I have until ten to complete it."

"We can have a study party at the library then."

Malcolm nodded as Chase grimaced. "That'll be great! I have to finish my speech for our class."

"I could get my drawing done." Karen lifted a shoulder. "You already finished yours."

"Yeah, I picked something I know no one else can copy." Marceline Anne grinned. "What about you, Chase? Got any work to get done?"