"Tino, your friend Tish is here!" Tino's mother called to him from downstairs before returning to the young girl lugging her school backpack, "Are Carver and Lor coming as well?"
"No, it's just me right now. Tino and I have something we need to work on together." Tish replied meekly.
"Oh, some class project of sorts?"
"Of sorts." Tish replied, even meeker then before. She hated to lie to Tino's mother but there was no way she was going to tell her the truth… at least not yet. And it wasn't a total lie; their problem did start at school.
"Alright, well… why don't you just head upstairs then. I'm glad you are working with Tino on this project. His grades could really use some work and I know how well you do in school."
"Thanks Ms. Tonitini." Tish replied with a forced smile before heading up the stairs towards Tino's room.
'How did I ever get into this…' Tish thought to herself.
'Tish is normally so much more energetic then that.' Mrs Tonitini thought to herself as she returned to the wheat germ cake she was preparing, 'I hope nothing's wrong with her. I also hope leaving those two alone in his room isn't a mistake… I mean, they know better and Tish doesn't seem like that kind of girl but then again…'