broken home - j.f✔️

fiftyone.

"Mitosis produces two daughter cells," Clay was speaking, but Elizabeth was staring into space. After sitting through 45 minutes, she wasn't sure how much longer she could make it. "Mitosis is used in growth and asexual reproduction. Did you get that, El?"

She zoned back in, nodding along with him and scribbling half the word before dropping her pen. "And now," she scanned the content page of her biology book, which had many ticks down the list of topics. "We move onto meiosis." Smiling up at him, she gestured for him to begin explaining.

"El, I don't think this is working." Clay closed his biology book and shoved it into his bag. "You're clearly so tired, you need to sleep. Or you won't take in anything." She sighed and laid her head against the table. "Maybe you should go home and get some rest, then you'll be able to come back and we can start this again. When you're actually paying attention."

"I can't go home. I have cheer, and math revision, and however many other sessions today. I cannot fail." She spoke, following him out of the library. "Please help me, Clay." He turned to face her, his hands on her shoulders.

"Get some rest, that's the best thing you can do right now." He demanded. "When you wake up, make some flash cards on mitosis, and we can begin again tomorrow. After school at Monet's?" She nodded and smiled, watching as he walked down the hall.

The bell rang, signalling next period, she knew Justin would head to his locker, so she waited there. Many students had passed, and she'd spotted Alex. Who waved and approached her. "Hey, El."

"Hey, Alex." She smiled. They hadn't spoke much as he was busy with Jess, who he was exclusively dating, meaning there was no threat to her relationship anymore. Alex has tamed the beast. "Do you think you could text me whatever homework we get in Spanish? I'm going home in a few."

"Oh sure, why's that?" He asked.

"I've been told that I'm too tired to retain information, so it's best if I just go home." She explained. "Thank you, Alex." She smiled and saw Justin approach his locker with a smile. He unlocked it, bringing his girlfriend into a hug.

"I'm going home." She spoke quietly. "I know, I have cheer and revision for Math. But-" Justin cut her off, pressing a kiss to her forehead. It was like she didn't even need to ask, he already knew what he had to do.

"I will talk to Sheri, and make sure she keeps the original routine. I will explain to Zach, and everyone else you've agreed to tutor, that you're at home resting." He informed, brushing her hair back with his fingers. "And I don't have work today, but I'll grab you some coffee on my way home." With a smile and a kiss from her heavenly boyfriend, she left school and managed to drive home safely.

Adding 'revision with Clay' to tomorrow's date, which overlapped with 'Justin and Elizabeth's revision time' on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. They would get home, revise for a few hours, and relax in the shower together after a successful session. Her bed was screaming her name, as was Justin's hoodie that was left on the bed. She slid it over her body, climbing into bed and forgetting there was a million responsibilities she had going on.

Justin had been doing everything he promised, Sheri being lenient enough to keep the original routine, and he had picked up coffee on his way home. He had gotten into the house, her dad home as usual, and he'd entered their room to find her peacefully sleeping. Smiling at the pure sight, he placed the coffee on the nightstand and replaced his clothes for more comfortable loungewear, sweatpants and a hoodie.

"You're home," she mumbled tiredly, sitting up and stretching her arms in front of her. "How was school? What did Sheri say? Does Zach want tutoring tomorrow instead? Did Clay say anything about tutoring tomorrow?" She questioned, standing up and grabbing the to-go cup of coffee from the nightstand, tasting just how she liked it.

"Sheri is sticking to the original, Zach hasn't said anything, and I thought you tutored with Clay today?" He questioned, pulling his desk chair out and sitting on it. "Also, can we study tonight instead of tomorrow. I have work tomorrow and I get so tired." She nodded and grabbed her backpack, pulling her plethora of notes from her bag.

"I was half asleep today, so Clay rescheduled. And this is everything I need to go over for biology. I'm almost done with my biology flash cards." She cheered, placing it onto her desk. "Do you want to test each other?"

"Let's do it."