Wednesday, September 22

   Holed up in my room again, I was doing my homework. The time reached 10 PM just as I finished writing the last sentence for my Chemistry lab. I wondered if Alex was doing alright on it. Just as I thought that, I got a message from Alex.

Alex: I need help w/ chemistry
Me: What do you say?
Alex: Please? I rly need ur help
Me: Fine

   For another half an hour, I helped Alex with his homework over the phone. He seemed to know what we were doing in Chemistry, but didn’t know how to explain it. Despite that, I understood what he was talking about, and helped him without giving direct answers. When I finished helping him, he just thanked me and stopped texting me for the time being. I was quietly reading my book, not wanting any more disturbances.

Ding!

   I rolled my eyes, glancing at my phone. I did not want to put my book down, especially since it was Alex.

Alex: You should come to the soccer game on Friday
Me: Why would I go to a loud sports event?
Alex: Bc i’m the star😉
Me: …
Me: No thanks
Alex: Aww come on
Alex: It’ll be fun
Alex: There’s even a party afterwards
Me: I hate loud events, such as sports games and parties
Alex: Hmm
Alex: Then come for me
Me: No
Me: I’m not going to the game or party
Me: Now leave me alone

   Alex left me alone, and I was grateful. I was almost done with War and Peace, and wanted to finish it before I went to bed. My eyes traveled from one line to the next with amazing speed. Only a few more pages.

   My phone was ringing. It was almost 11 o’clock. The only person who would call me this late was-

   “Hi, Mom,” I answered my phone.

   “Paul,” she started, “How’s school going? How many AP courses are you taking again? Three?”

   “No, I’m taking five AP classes.” It was true. I was taking AP Government, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus, AP Literature and AP Spanish. The only Honors class I was taking was Mandarin.

   “Oh. That’s good.” Mom didn’t seem fazed by mistaking my classes. She never really did pay any attention to me. She would just send money to a savings account every month and think I’d be fine on my own. Each month was the same amount. Even after it started stacking up, Mom said it would be my savings for college.

   “So why are you calling?” I asked.

   “Your father and I are stuck here in Europe for an extra month,” Mom said. “Work has really been piling up on us. I hope you can understand.” Mom and Dad would have been coming home at the end of the month, but now another month has been added. Honestly, why am I still keeping count?

   “Yeah, Mom. I understand.”

   “I love you, Paul. I hope you still know that.” She hung up, and I lay quietly for a few moments before turning my phone off.

   “I wish you came home soon, Mum,” I whispered, falling asleep.

   The next morning was the same. Packing lunch, Auntie picking me up and driving to school. I noticed Alex waiting by my locker, and hid inside one of the classrooms. I watched him check his watch and blinked. Why was he waiting for me? I sighed, and walked over, pretending not to notice him.

   “Paul-” Alex started.

   “Go away, Alex,” I said. “I’m not interested in the soccer game.”

   “But-”

   “I said go away!” I snapped, glaring at him. Both of us were kind of taken aback, and I looked at my locker. “I didn’t mean to snap.”

   “I’m sorry,” Alex said. “I was getting on your nerves. I won’t ask-”

   “No,” I said, taking a binder out and closing my locker. “I’ll go to the game, but not the party, alright?” Alex just smiled at me and nodded his head. The warning bell rang and the two of us headed to class.