It started the week before finals when everyone in school looked half asleep and half terrified The air smelled like coffee and pencil shavings and something desperate I was sitting in the library pretending to study when he dropped his notebook on my desk without saying a word

I looked up and saw Liam tall quiet always wearing the same gray hoodie He said you’re good at math right I said depends who’s asking He said someone who’s about to fail He pulled out a chair sat down before I could say no

He opened his notebook full of crossed-out numbers and small doodles I said this looks more like a battlefield than homework He said that’s why I need help I said what do I get out of it He paused looked serious for a second then said I’ll owe you one anything you want I laughed said anything’s a big promise He said I don’t break promises

So we started meeting after school every day The library got quieter each time the sun went down we’d sit by the back window where the light turned gold then dim Liam would frown at equations mutter under his breath and I’d draw little arrows in his notes showing him where he messed up He’d groan but always try again

The first time he got an answer right he raised his hands like he’d just scored a goal I couldn’t help laughing He looked at me said don’t laugh at my small victories I said fine but you look ridiculous He said maybe that’s what progress looks like

Days blurred into each other the rhythm of pencils tapping pages flipping and the quiet sound of him sighing when something finally made sense Sometimes he’d ask random questions like why I liked tutoring or why I always tied my hair the same way I’d tell him because it’s easier that way He said that doesn’t mean it’s better I said maybe easier is better when you’re tired He said maybe easier is boring I said maybe you think too much He said maybe you don’t think enough

One afternoon the lights flickered from the storm outside The power went out for a few minutes the library dark except for the glow from the window Liam leaned back and said maybe this is a sign I should give up I said or a sign to keep going He said you always have to win don’t you I said not always just when it matters He smiled said then I guess I’ll have to try harder

When the power came back the rain had started full force thunder shaking the glass He looked outside then said I didn’t bring an umbrella I said me neither He said guess we’re stuck here until it stops I said I don’t mind

We talked for a long time about nothing important favorite movies dreams that sounded half real He said he wanted to go somewhere quiet after graduation somewhere with trees and no exams I said sounds perfect He said you’d like it there I didn’t ask what he meant I already knew

By the time the rain stopped it was almost dark We packed up our notes he stretched his arms looked at me and said thanks for not giving up on me I said I told you I don’t lose He said no you just don’t know how to walk away

When I got home that night I opened my own notebook and found a scrap of paper tucked inside It was his handwriting messy but clear if I pass I owe you one if I fail I still owe you one and at the bottom deal?

I smiled even though no one could see and wrote back deal