Blackmail 0/0

Melissa smiled. “Cant wait to see it!” She said. A teacher came in that finally wasn’t a sub. He introduced himself to the class and started handing out worksheets.

Ciel grinned at her, then looked towards the front of the class. "Ugh, are we finally going to have to learn something?" She whispered to Melissa, making sure the teacher couldn't hear her. "Oh, worksheets. No thank you. I'm getting flashbacks to 4th grade." Ciel smiled sweetly at the teacher when he dropped a worksheet on her desk, then gave Melissa a devastated look when he turned his back.

Melissa laughed slightly. “Guess they finally got a replacement,” she said looking down at the paper. “That’s giving us work we learned last year,” she said shaking her head.

Ciel looked down at the paper. "Huh. So it is. I guess it's just going to be busywork, then. Boring. Shame on you, replacement teacher." She shook her head and looked down at her backpack for a pencil and calculator– because she couldn't do basic math without help. And she just like the security of knowing the answer was correct.

Melissa nodded. “Yeah at least I can get it done fast. This was my favorite unit last year,” she said already starting in the problems. She could do most equations in her head so she didn’t even bother getting a calculator yet.

"Oh, lucky." Ciel focused on the first problem, managing to finish it without using her calculator. "I guess that means I can ask you for help if I need it?" She glanced over at Melissa for a second, her eyebrows raised, then looked back at her paper. She knew how to do this– mostly, since because it was from last year, she couldn't remember everything.

Melissa nodded. “Yeah just let me know if you need help,” she said already half way through the second problem. She had to get her calculator out at one point but she was still working fast. “did you learn this at your old school?”

"Yeah, kinda. I mean, we did, but I don't remember that much right now. I'm hoping I'll start remembering it once I get into the problems more." Ciel glanced over at Melissa's paper, her eyes widening when she saw how far along Melissa was. "Wow, you're fast. Who knew I made such a smart friend?" She smiled at Melissa, then looked back at her paper.

Melissa blushes slightly. “I’m not smart I just like math sometimes,” she said working on another problem.

"Hmm, you seem pretty smart to me." Ciel gestured at her paper, which only had one and a half problems done. "Smarter than me, at least." She smiled at Melissa's slight blush, then went back to failing at math.

Melissa blushes slightly harder but tried to stop. “I can help you if you want,” she said looking at her sheet.

Ciel glanced towards the front of the room, where the teacher was ignoring everyone. He probably wouldn't be answering questions any time soon. "Yeah, that would be nice." She moved her paper so Melissa could see it better and pointed at the second problem. "Please tell me, O Wise Melissa, how you got past this part." Ciel looked at Melissa, a playful smirk on her lips.

Melissa smiled again. She pointed at some stuff on her paper. She explained everything trying not to ramble on like she usually does when she explains things.

Ciel nodded, following along with Melissa's explanation. By the end of it, she understood everything a little better. "You've saved my life, Melissa!" Ciel grinned and completed the problem. "I think you're better than the actual teacher in terms of actually helping." She nodded towards the front of the classroom, where the teacher was still ignoring everything. "Hopefully he'll get better."

“Yeah let’s hope. But then maybe he’ll give us more work,” she said groaning slightly. She worked on another problem. “At least this way I can make sure I have no homework.”

"Ah, you've raised a good point. Between zero teacher/zero homework and an actual teacher but also homework, I think I'll choose the first option," Ciel said, moving on to the next problem. "At this rate, I think I'll still have homework, though." She sighed dramatically, though she'd remembered how to do most of the questions on the page by now.

“I could help you remember more math. If you want to hang out and study one day,” she said smiling slightly. She was close to done with the sheet. There wasn't even a back.

"Oh, really?" Ciel looked over at Melissa again, her face eager. "Yes, we have to do that. We are hanging out sometime and doing math– and other stuff, probably. Unless we only have math homework that day." She felt her heart leap in her chest at the thought of having a study session with Melissa. Maybe she'd finally, really figure out math.

“That’s sounds great! I’m free most days after school but I work Friday night and Sunday mornings,” she said. “Lili will have to be there but she’s quiet.” She leaned on the desk slightly.

"Awesome! Would you… happen to be free today?" Ciel asked cautiously, peeking over at Melissa. "I know this isn't going to get finished before the end of the period, so…" She shrugged, her face going a bit red. "If you have plans, or don't want to be alone with a stranger, that's fine, though. I don't mind."

“No it’s fine! I’d love too! Where would you want to meet up? One of our places would probably work best but if we need too the libraries close,” she said smiling softly. She couldn’t wait to spend some time with Ciel.

"My house is open if you want to come over," Ciel suggested, grinning at Melissa. "My parents won't mind. I'm good going to your house, though, if you don't want to go to my place." She couldn't stop smiling, even after she looked back at her paper, but she tried to stop. Ciel didn't want to make Melissa feel uncomfortable, but she was so excited.

“We can go to your place if you really don’t mind,” she said smiling wider. “I just have to tell Branden next period.” She was half lying since instead of telling she’d be asking.

"Awesome! I can give you a ride if you need it. Well, my parents can pick both of us up." Ciel grimaced slightly, but went back to smiling a second later. "Awesome! We're going to get so much stuff done!"

“Yeah I just have to pick up Lili. If you don’t mind her still coming,” she said biting her lip slightly. “I Umm if I can’t have her at yours or something we can go to my house.” She was rambling slightly. She’d rather not have her over her-well brandens house. He’s probably be there.

"Oh, no, that's totally fine! I'd love to meet her! And I bet we can get one of my moms to take care of her for a while if you want." Ciel's response was slightly rushed, but she didn't want Melissa to feel bad about Lili. She was still slightly in awe of Melissa for taking care of a child and being in school at the same time.

Melissa let out a breath and smiled. “That would be awesome! I have her car seat at the daycare. It’s practically next door,” she said. The bell rang. “Ok I’ll see you at lunch.” She stood up. “If you want you can meet me right at the library. If you don’t have to buy food.”

"Lovely!" Ciel grinned at Melissa. For the first time in forever, she was actually excited about her homework. She wasn't doing it alone! "Oh, yeah, I'll meet you in the library. See you then!" She quickly packed up her stuff and stood up, waving at Melissa before hurrying out of the class.

“See ya,” she said putting on her bag. She walked off to class getting slightly nervous at the thought of asking Branden. She tried to think of a good excuse.

Ciel wove through the crowd, trying to remember where her next class was. Even though it took her half the passing period to remember, she couldn't help but smile the entire time. Meeting Melissa really seemed like a miracle. Without her, Ciel would be lost and lonely. And her parents would be so happy she'd made a friend already.