"Hey Tom?"
Tom looked up, eyes focusing on Alex.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"Can you help me with some history? You've already done it," said Alex. He had been back in school about ten days now, and was hard at work making up everything he'd missed.
"Sure," said Tom, "what's it on?"
"Portuguese naval exploration."
"Ah, of course! What is more important to our futures than knowing Portuguese naval exploration?!" Tom cried sarcastically.
Alex cracked a small smile, and Tom cheered internally. Alex was quiet these days and it was rare when he smiled. Tom always treasured it when he did.