Bound by Blood; Chosen by Fate

Chapter Fifteen

*🐬*

"No," I said, staring at him. He pouted.

"Jotaarrooooo," he whined, clasping his hands together in front of him.

"No," I repeated. "Go do it yourself."

"But I don't know what it isss," he continued. I held his gaze from under my cap.

"Whine one more time and I'm sending my fist into your face."

He pouted, though no more words left his mouth. Instead he stared at me, eyes wide and pleading. When I tried to brush past him, he moved with me.

I held his gaze with mine, unyielding.

He wouldn't give up until he got his way.

"Do my math, then."

His face twisted into distaste.

"Fine. But no promises you'll be getting an A."

I sighed.

"I don't care."

He brightened, and we exchanged homework. Josuke let out a soft laugh as he saw us, shaking his head.

"When you both fail that class, don't come running to me."

I flipped him off. He just laughed, retreating to the living room where his textbooks lay in a spread. We were all careful of Jonathan, aware of his careful attitude.

He went out again after dinner, a distracted look in his eye. We all shared a worried glance, though it wasn't to the point where we sent out a tail.

Instead, we arranged ourselves in the living room. I buzzed through Joseph's biology, crumpling it into a ball when I'd finished and throwing it at his head.

He gave me a sharp glare over Josuke's back, sticking out his tongue. I ignored him, turning back to the rest of my work. By the time I was done, it was almost ten. Josuke had already moved on, stomach pressed into the thin carpet as the sounds of his game echoed through the small room.

A paper ball hit my face, and I wordlessly smoothed it out, tucking it into my folder. With that, I stepped into my room, shutting the door behind me.

The next morning was uneventful. Joseph ran around the house screaming. Josuke spent a half hour in the bathroom. Jonathan gave us all a long, weary glance as we left the house.

The redhead glanced up as I entered, giving me a cautious smile. I didn't return it, though the classroom didn't seem quite as irritating after that.

Taking my place behind him prompted him to turn around with a soft,

"Good morning."

I made a small humm in response, gaze going to the board.

"A project?" I asked. He turned back around to follow my gaze. A small, surprised noise escaped him.

"Apparently so." He took a few moments to scan the rest of the instructions before turning back to me. "It's a partner project."