As every day passes, Mom gets more sick. She just sits in her chair and drinks tea.

She is ready to die. Mom doesn't even seem scared.

How can she seem so calm? I'm not even the sick one and I'm freaking out.

It just seems like there isn't a point anymore.

"Class dismissed," Mr. Kerri announced.

"Mr. Holmes," he started before I could leave. "I need to talk to you."

I walked up to his desk. "Yeah?"

"Your grades are slipping."

"Yeah I know," I sighed.

"I'm not mad," he reassured me, "I'm just concern for you."

I ran my fingers threw my hair. He was right. I've really let myself slip. Ever since Mom told me she was sick I've done nothing but worry.

"It's just that there's just a lot going on right now, you know..."

"I understand that you're a freshman and this is a senior class, but school is your number one priority at this point in life."

I couldn't help but let my eyes get watery, "In the end, what does it even matter?"

Then he got it. He simply just nodded. "It's okay, just hand in your homework by the end of this month and you can make up your tests when you feel you are ready."

"Thank you," I wiped my eyes and began to leave.

"Hey, if you need a tutor, Parker is pretty smart," Mr. Kerri pointed to the back of the room.

I looked and saw Peter sitting in his seat getting his things, still.

My face flushed. Why was he still here? Did he see me cry? Oh God, kill me now.

"Yeah, I can help you if you want," he offered.

"That would be nice," I smiled.

We began to walk to our next class, only to find we were following each other.

"Oh right we have lunch," he reminded himself.

"Well since we're here, could we start now?" I honestly didn't want to study right now. I just wanted to sit with him.

"Sure," he actually smiled a real smile.

We sat down at my table and he got out his book. He started to explain the topic we were on in class but I really didn't care.

His neck was slightly red in a rectangle. It must be from the strap on his camera. But it isn't a new camera. It is old and weighs a bit. He had to dig it out of old boxes but ended up getting paper cuts on his fingers.

"Why didn't you get a new camera yet?" I asked.

He looked up confused. I must have cut him off.

"What?"

"Your old camera that you use now is indenting on your neck. Clearly it's sore, so why don't you just get a new one?"

He looked at me confused. Almost unsure if he heard that correctly.

"How did you know that?"

"I ... uh... just noticed," I'd explain how, but that takes too long. Plus, from what I heard, it kinda makes me sound like a tool.

"Are you one of those spiritual mediums or something?"

"No, that's ridicules. Why?" I asked, "Oh, I see. Someone close died.

"It was male, perhaps your father. That would explain the glasses. The glasses were his but you wear them because they help your eyes a bit and you look like him with them on.

"But you actually don't. Someone just told you that. Judging if that picture that you had in your bag is your father. Someone close told you that. Maybe your mother.

"No your mom is gone too. They didn't die. Well not to you. If they did the picture would be in your wallet or someplace more protected. Do you not care that they're gone?

"No you care, but pretend not to. Maybe because the fact that you are no longer orphaned.

"So that would explain the money income situation. You are comfortable in these clothes but have expensive material things, due to your new parents wanting to spoil you.

"But you don't want it because you feel like you'll upset your real father-

"Shut up!" Peter yelled. The room seemed to fall silent.

I looked at Peter, tears in his eyes trying to stay still.

"I'm so sorry!" Damn it!

Why can't I just learn when to shut the fuck up? This always happens. This, truly, is why I have no friends.

"I didn't mean whatever I just said. I just space out when I do that and I never stop talking!"

"I don't know how you can tell all that. But I can tell that who ever is sick in your family isn't going to make it, so stop pretending!" He got his books and left.

I really just wish I could keep a friend for more then an hour.

- Hamish Holmes