“I’m no hope, let’s just pretend you tutor me. You get paid for doing nothing and I get to have fun being a dumbass.” I groan, laying my head on the table. 

“I prefer to have money that I’ve worked for,” He says. I roll my eyes, I hate that I don’t disagree with that mindset. 

“Then good luck with this stupid brain.” I hear him shuffle the paper as I still lay my head on the table.

 “Not every brain is equal, just because one method doesn’t work doesn’t imply that you’re completely hopeless…” He hums. I lift my head, speechless over what he said. 

“...Gross, are you trying to be nice?”  That was disgusting, never have I ever heard such nice things said to me! 

He sighs, “If it means you’ll shut up and do your work, then sure.” Phew, he said something rude. I was worried that I had an imposter at hand. Though, I don’t know who’d want to pretend to be Anderson…

***

“Oh, why don’t you stay over for dinner? It’s been a while!” Ms. Rumine asks. I’m about to deny it when I see a message from Ains;

Text Message - From Ainsley

I’m going out, you figure out dinner yourself.

“...Well, if you don’t mind,” I chuckle.

Ms. Rumine beams, “Of course not! I’m making my famous spaghetti, too!” She heads to the kitchen instantly, her excitement is delightful. “Andy, make the guest comfortable!” I look over to see the boy’s already disappeared, how polite.

“I feel like I should–” 

“Shit, where did you come from?” I jump, startled by Faye. 

She laughs, “I do live here.” I roll my eyes at her remark. Faye is another one of Ms. Rumine’s kids. She's about a year younger than Anderson and me. She kind of scares me, I don’t know how to explain it…

“Anyway, as I was going to say before I was rudely interrupted. I feel like I should hate you considering how much Andy despises you,” she teases. 

“I feel so welcomed here,” I mumble with obvious sarcasm. Faye chuckles when she suddenly takes my arm. 

“We’ll make you feel even more welcome!” She smirks. I’m suddenly taken to the playroom, I see Sammy and Benji playing in the kitchen toy set. “Sammy! Kian here said he’d love one of your makeovers!” 

“What? I never–” 

“You don’t want to make her sad, right?” Faye whispers with a smile that has evil intent written all over.  See what I mean? Scary! 

I smile back nervously, “Haha, of course not…” Sammy jumps in joy, shouting “Yay!” It was adorable, but I’m worried. Sammy grabs my hand and makes me sit on those tiny, plastic kid chairs while Faye and Benji watch. I barely fit in the chair, but I keep my mouth shut about it. Don’t complain, Kian, who knows what this little girl is capable of. 

***

After what felt like hours, Sammy tells me she’s done. Faye couldn’t stop laughing the whole time and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have fun. I didn’t enjoy all the hair-pulling, though. 

“All done! Here is your mirror!” Sammy beams, handing me this plastic mirror that makes my reflection appear wobbly. I see my hair divided into 4 parts with hair ties that have tiny flowers on them, and my face decorated with Superhero stickers. 

“Wow…” I whisper under my breath. 

“What do you think?” Sammy tilts her head, waiting for my opinion. You know, it could’ve been worse. Although these stickers will probably cause me to break out, what a pain. 

“Oh…my god, my stomach!” Faye cries, leaving the room as she holds her stomach from all the laughing. I notice Sammy frowning over Faye’s reaction.

“I think you did amazing. Thank you, Sammy!” I praise her, the shift from her emotions was instant. 

Sammy beams, “You’re welcome! Mommy got me the stickers and the hair ties were supposed to be for me, but they are too tiny because I have too much hair, see?” She holds up her brown locks to show as she continues her little ramble when the door opens. Standing there is Anderson, and he doesn’t look too happy to see I’m still here. “Andy! Look at my makeover on Kian, he said I did amazing!” 

The boy nods, his expression turning soft. “You did do amazing, I’m very proud. But let’s eat dinner before it gets cold,”  he tells her with a soft smile. Sammy is the first to run out of the room, I chuckle at the sight. I watch Anderson head over to pick up Benji, and our eyes meet. “The sooner you eat, the sooner you can leave,” he scowls. 

I smile at the boy, “Oh, I’m in no rush!” I hear him click his tongue as he leaves the room. So grumpy…how can I piss him off some more?