|| Friday, early afternoon ||

     It took Callum three days to work up the guts and walk up to Elliot as soon as he stepped out of the school building.

As usual, Mrs. Ainsley was in the spot under the tree, close to the car, while waiting for Elliot and Raleigh to finish their day in school. As usual, Elliot walked up to her without showing much emotion.

As if he was a robot with no feelings whatsoever.

He still was handsome nonetheless. It was the way Elliot moved. While he walked, he seemed to be floating. While he was using his hands whenever he spoke, it seemed as if he was conducting music.

And the few times Callum had seen Elliot show emotions, he was always happy; he always smiled.

Just like every day, Elliot walked straight towards his mother while other teenagers around him were animatedly talking to one another. Kids were acting out, parents were telling them to behave, and Elliot was simply ignoring everything.

Before Elliot could reach his mother, Callum had cut him off. Elliot immediately came to a stop, while his bright brown eyes slowly settled on Callum’s face—after he had shamelessly checked Callum out from head to toe.

“Hey, Elliot,” Callum greeted the boy with a smile, “how’s your day been?”

Elliot was simply staring at him. He didn’t look confused or surprised, annoyed or glad. He was just staring, until he opened his mouth to answer.

“Fine,” was his simple answer.

“I don’t know if you know me, but I’m—”

“Callum Marlowe,” Elliot answered before Callum was able to finish his introduction. “Everyone knows you. You ended primary education 5 months early.”

“That’s true—”

“Then why are you talking to me? I’m not like you,” Elliot again gave him a once-over, before his eyes settled on something behind Callum.

Callum assumed he was looking at his mother, who was still politely keeping her distance when Callum looked over his shoulder shortly.

“I know, but I want to help you,” Callum said, shrugging a shoulder. “I mean, I could tutor you. I could help you to catch up on your education.”

“Yeah, we don’t have the money for that,” Elliot told him, before he brushed past him—even bumping his shoulder against Callum’s—walking to his mom with small yet fast steps. “I’m fine without the required level, by the way.”

Callum cocked his head to the side and for a few seconds he was fully focused on Elliot’s hips, ever so slightly moving with every step he took. Then, Callum shook his head to wake up from his stupor and followed behind Elliot.

“Callum, right?” Mrs. Ainsley stepped in front of her son as soon as Callum approached them. “We can’t afford a tutor, and it would be best if you leave Elliot alone.

“No, I don’t want any money,” Callum held up his hands in defence. “I want to become a boarding school teacher and tutoring Elliot would help me get some experience, and it could help Elliot in the same time. I mean, we all know those who finish primary school get better jobs.”

Mrs. Ainsley, as expected, didn’t show any emotion, though Callum knew she did feel emotions; she just didn’t control them. She could lash out in anger any second, or start crying for being grateful. It could all happen, but it didn’t.

It remained silent while Mrs. Ainsley turned to face Elliot.

“Mrs. Ainsley, don’t you want your son to have a better future?”

And then she cracked, and so did Elliot.

“Why me?” Elliot asked, “why not anyone who’s younger, still salvageable?

Callum shrugged, flashed a charming smile and answered; “I like a challenge.”

A mixture of emotions flashed through Elliot’s and Mrs. Ainsley’s eyes, and they were visibly unsure what to feel in that moment.

It was a little girl around the age of 13, Raleigh, who broke the silence.

“That’s a great opportunity, Elliot.” She smiled, and her calm behaviour, her warm smile and the fact her eyes showed the same emotion, gave Callum the impression she was far better of than Elliot.

Callum knew she was, because Callum’s sister Ayla was in the same class, and despite Raleigh’s family, she was a slightly above average student. She knew her emotions, she knew how to handle them.

She had a brighter future ahead than any of her relatives.

“So, do you want me to tutor you?” Callum directed his question directly at Elliot, who was biting his lip.

“Are you sure you know what you’re getting yourself into?” Elliot hesitantly asked.

“Hey, you know emotions in theory. You just need to learn how to control them,” Callum shrugged yet again. “And I can help you with that.”

“Are you really sure?” Mrs. Ainsley asked hesitantly. “Nobody ever helps people like us for free, so I’m not sure what to make of this.”

“Like I said, it’s good practise for me, and I love helping out less fortunate families.”

“Which is a rare occurrence, seeing you’re a Marlowe.” Raleigh smirked while she nudged him in his side.

“Raleigh…” Elliot warned her, though his words sounded flat.

“What?” She frowned, then giggled. “I just wanted to say I like him, despite his family.”

“Thanks, I guess,” Callum chuckled because he liked the little girl full of energy.

“So, you approve of him helping me?”

“If anyone could help you, it’s Callum,” Raleigh nodded happily. “I’d say we have to take this opportunity. How often does a chance like this present itself? Imagine how the world will open up to you once you learn how to recognize and control your emotions?”

“Exactly,” Callum gestured towards Raleigh. “Let me help you. I promise I’m only doing this because I really want to help you.”

“If Raleigh thinks you can help me, and she trusts you, I trust her judgement.” Elliot faced Callum, shaking a bit. “So, if you really want to tutor me, I accept your offer.”

“Cool, we can start on Sunday.”

“Do you know where we live?” Mrs. Ainsley stepped forward, handing Callum a little business card. “If not, this is our address.”

“Thank you, ‘mam,” Callum politely answered, putting the card in his pocket. “I’ll be there around noon.”

“I’ll be there,” Elliot said, and after that, the conversation was over as quick as it had begun. The Ainsley’s walked up to their car, while Callum joined Freddy and Ayla in their own car.

“And?” Freddy asked curiously.

“They accepted. I’ll start on Sunday.”

“Start what?” Ayla leaned forward, snatching the card from his pocket. “Why are you visiting the Ainsley’s? Mom and Dad will never agree to this.”

“I’m going to tutor Elliot, just like Freddy is tutoring you.”

“Why?” Ayla smiled, even though the gesture didn’t fit her question. She sounded angry, she smiled, and she asked why.

Callum slightly shook his head and shrugged. “Because I want to become a teacher in a boarding school, and tutoring Elliot will help me practise my teaching skills.”

“Well, I’m telling Mom as soon as we get home. I’m sure she doesn’t want you to waste your time on people like him.”

“And I’m going to do it anyway.” Callum stubbornly answered. “No matter what Mom will have to say.”