Fern sighed. “You don’t have to,” she muttered, trying not to cry like an idiot. She already felt stupid. “It’s fine. Whatever.” Her voice regained its edge. “See if I care. I do this all the time.” But that didn’t mean she enjoyed it.
i'm bored who wants to do a one-on-one? (closed)
"Fine." He could feel the guilt in the pit of his stomach. He sat up in his seat. "What exactly do you want me to do?" The bell rang. Shoot. The class began to shuffle out, but he stayed in his seat looking to her.
Fern sighed. “Never mind. It’s fine,” she said quickly, standing up. She just wanted to forget about this stupid assignment for a moment, and especially this boy.
"Hey!" He stood up quickly as well. "I'm trying to help for once!" For once. "Look, we don't have really any time. I just need to know what to do!"
“Okay, then, do you think you could edit the script and help me with the ending?” She asked, her features softening a bit as she handed him several sheets of paper stapled together.
"I, uh." He reluctantly took them. "Sure. Do we have enough time to work on it in class?" He glanced around to see if anyone was watching. Jay had left him.
“Maybe…” Fern replied. “But not today. I have to get to pre-calc.” She gave him a quick smile as she shoved her pencil into her bag.
He sighed. "Okay." He turned around and started to the door. He almost opened his mouth to apologize, but he ueld hod tongue. Jay was leaning against the wall not to far. He walked to him. "She buggin' ya?" He smirked as tuey walked away, past their next class.
Fern frowned when she saw Jay and walked quickly away to her next class, relieved and a little bit surprised that Zavian had offered to help, not to mention grateful. But she was still not too happy with him for ditching her in the first place, or for being rude.
(Shall we skip to the day where they have to work at home?)
Yeah sounds good. You mind starting?//
(Sure!)
The bell was going to ring any minute. "So, how is this going to work?" He had tried to help his best- well, not really, but he was there, which wass different for once. "Are you just going to work on it? Or what?"
“Well it’s Friday, and the assignment is literally due Monday so we’re going to need to work at home,” she explained tiredly. “I’ve done everything I could but I need your help.”
"Soooooo, then what?" Two minutes. He could hear Jay a few seats away, complaining and giving all the work to his partner. Is that what I sound like? He pushed the thought away. "Do we, like, work on it at a place or something?" He didn't really have any experience with working out of school- or in school for that matter.
Fern raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, we work on it at a place,” she said. “We could use my house…wait, never mind. My dad is having some football party or something. So we’d have to come up with somewhere to film it, because that’s the majority of what we have left.” She felt a little bit hopeless, since it was kind of obvious that Zavian wasn’t used to actually working on any sort of project.
"I mean, I have a backyard we could use?" That's when it hit him- his grandma. What would she think of him? What would his grandma think of her? What would- "Or, I mean, we could, like, go to a park, or something." He felt his cheeks getting a little hot. One minute.
“Either of those would be fine,” Fern replied evenly, trying not to care that he was helping. She figured it wouldn’t last long. “We just need a solid plan.”
"I-" The bell rang, cutting him off. "I think a park is good." He walked to the door, glancing out the window just past it. He sighed. "Maybe not." A lightning streak found it's way across the sky, setting everything off. "Well, what now?"
“Just give me your number and we can plan it after school,” Fern suggested, not liking the thought much but figuring it was the easiest way. She doubted he’d like that plan but she had yet to think of another one.
He turned back to her and sighed. "Okay, it's {insert series of numbers here}." Jay came up behind him, scaring him half to death with a shake of his shoulders. Zavian laughed, turning around and punching him. "Dude!" They both took a push at each other before walking out the door.
Fern sighed. At least he gave her his number.
//time skip?
(Oui oui, to where?)
Hmm maybe to the end of the school day? We can show them at home and texting each other//
(Sure, do you mind starting? I'm kind a confuzzled…)
Sure//
Fern finally got home, sighing with relief. It only lasted briefly as anxiety filled her stomach about the project. She texted Zavian asking him when he was available to film the video this weekend.
Zavian stepped off the bus and watched as it drove away. He was always the last one off, which he was kind of glad for. As it drove off, his entire posture cuanged. He wasn't slouching as much or walking without any kind of purpose
He sighed, gently opening the door. "Hey, Nan." She sat on the couch as he greeted him warmly with a smile. "Hello there." A chime from his phone interrupted him from sitting down next to her. He sighed.
Zavian: Really anytime.
He put his phone back in his pocket, sitting down next to her. He began a conversation about her day. She didnt remember bits and pieces, and she'd recognize that she didn't- that's what bothered her. She's not going to be able to live here much longer…
Fern smiled with relief. He was going to actually help her. She hoped this wasn’t some sort of dumb ruse to make her think that he was a decent person when he would really just leave her like before. It had happened.
Fern: That’s great! How does tomorrow morning work? Also where should we meet?
"What do you want for dinner?" He looked to see her staring off. "How does some soup sound?" No response. He gently squeezed her hand and stood up, heading for the kitchen. He stopped to answer.
Zavian: Fine. We can't really do the park bc the storm and all. Where else?
He put his phone back and grabbed all the ingredients. Soup seemed to be his go to food when she was like this. He always kept a little container in the fridge. He opened the fridge and took it out, preparing to warm it up.
Fern's phone buzzed in her pocket as she began working on a half-finished painting, by herself for a precious few minutes before the rest of her family gradually got home from school or work. She set down her paintbrush, and checked her phone.
Fern: Well my house is out since my dad is having his party and he's going to take all day to prepare for it, so I don't know. Do you know of anywhere we can do it besides the park?
"Here you go." He gently handed her the bowl of warm soup. She took it, suddenly aware of reality. A faint ding rang, catching her attention. "Who's that?" He took out his phone and his mind raced to do it. Where else? Not, here. No, if she saw him… "It's just my project partner. We're trying to find a place to work." You shouldn't have said that. "Oh? Why not here?" He sighed, avoiding her eyes. "I didn't want to bother you." She placed her hand on his knee. "I insist." "Really, Grandma, it's ok. I'll just find somewhere." Her tone changed slightly. "I got a call today, and I didn't remember until now. The principal said some things I didn't think were true. You are working on this project, right?" Shoot. "Yes, Grandma." He sighed, turning his phone back on.
Zavian: Idc. My house is open.
"Good." She continued with her soup as if nothing happened. He sighed, heading to his room.