Big Time Meet.
"Mom, I'm headed for the library. I'll be back later," I shouted into the kitchen.
" 'kay honey. Don't be out to late."
Luckily the library was close to home, only required a five minute bus ride. I made my way into the library and headed straight to the front desk. The woman got me a library card and I set out to find a table in the back. I threw my backpack on the table and went to search for my book. I skimmed through the shelves when I heard an odd noise coming from the other side. It sounded like someone was mumbling. I peaked around the corner and saw Carlos sitting at a table alone, staring at a book. He had an angry confused look on his face. He stared at it as if it were in a foreign language. He was struggling, barley getting the words out. I turned back to the shelves and took the book I had searched for. I took a deep breath and walked towards Carlos. I stopped at his table, he didn't seem to notice.
"Hey," I said.
He looked up at me with another confused look.
"Can I help you?"
"I'm Kendall. We have first hour English together."
He nodded and turned back to the book, giving it the same confused look again.
"Is that the book we have to do the report on?" I asked, trying to make conversation again.
He nodded again, not looking away from the book.
"Can I sit here and read with you?"
He looked up at me this time, giving me an even more confused look.
"I guess," he whispered.
I pulled up a chair from another table and took a seat across from him. I slowly opened the book and studied it, pretending to be interested. We sat there in silence, until he started to mumble again, but this time softer. There were moments when I looked up and studied him, instead of the book. He seemed to have so much trouble getting through the sentences. He never turned the page. He was stuck. He looked up and caught me staring.
"What?" He asked.
Um, n-nothing, um, do you need help?"
His body went stiff.
"No," he said looking away.
I knew he was lying. He really needed help and I wanted to give it to him. I had to find a way for him to ask for it. I didn't want to be too pushy about it. I skimmed through the paragraphs and found a semi-difficult word. A word someone my age should know.
"Hey," I whispered, almost a bit too loud. "What's this word?" I pointed at the page.
He looked angry again. He looked like he wanted to kill me at that moment. I panicked a little. He groaned and stood up from the chair. He began to walk away, when I took a hold of his elbow.
"What's wrong?"
"I have to go."
"Wait!" I took a hold of his elbow. "I can help you."
"I don't need help!" He pulled away and walked out.
I leaned against the table and stared at the word I pointed out to him.
"Solicitude," I read it out loud and threw the book down on the table.
I took a deep breath and released it softly. I dug in my brain for the definition. Once I realize what it was, I felt something go off inside of me.
"Solicitude," I repeated. "to show concern for someone in trouble."