Marluxia

That was too easy. I had finally come up with a plan to start talking to the kid and earn his trust. I had thought it would have been a greater challenge but nope. Vexen had beemed with happiness. Being a master of manipulation, the kid had taken the bait: hook, line, and sinker.

After congratulating myself, I quickly packed up my stuff and left to my car. Walking out the building, I noticed a certain blonde head off in the direction of his house. An idea sprang into my mind. I called out to him, catching him just before he turned the corner. I mosioned for him to come over to me. He reluctantly walked back.

"Want me to drop you off at your house?" I offered. This would give me more alone time with him. It being Friday, I could easily set up a date for tomorrow without him realizing what was going on.

"Thank you very much!" He immediantly responded. It probably never crossed his mind that I could be a creepy pedophile that could easily take him where ever I wanted and do whatever I wanted to him and he would have no way to stop me.

"It's the least I could do since it was my fault you missed your bus." I led the way to my pink Corvet. Vexen stopped and was stund. With what little money he had told me he had, he probably couldn't even imagine owning a used Beetle, let alone a brand new Corvet.

I gentalmanly openned the passenger door for him before walking around to the driver's side and getting in.

"Where to?" I asked him as I pulled out of the High School's parking lot.

"Four Oblivion Lane." Vexen replied, ashamed. He looked down at his legs and wouldn't look me in the eyes.

Several minutes passed without a sound. I tried to come up with a way to meet him tomorrow. Then, insperation struck.

"Have you checked out that textbook I gave you?" I casually asked, breaking the silence.

"I did take a peek at it after you first gave it to me." He confessed. "I didn't understand a thing, though."

Perfect! "Then how about we meet somewhere tomorrow and I can tutor you." I suggested.

"I can't. I have to work all this weekend." Vexen explained, again looking down in embarrassment. So he is embarrassed about me knowing his current cercumstances. I quietly pondered.

"What time do you get off?"

"Seven." He said simply. "But I also have to get dinner, bathe, and study before finally going to bed at a decent enough time to get up for work the next day."

"What time do you have to go to work at?"

"Five." He watched the buildings pass out the side window, not meeting my eyes.

"But your still in high school! You shouldn't have to work such hours."

"I have to pay for rent, food, school supplies, and clothes." At this point, he was turned completely away from me, starring hard out the window like the passing houses were the most interesting thing he had ever seen.

"I'm taking you out to dinner tomorrow." I stated.

"But..." he began to protest.

"But nothing," I interrupted. "Have you ever eaten out at a good restraunt with decent food?"

"...no, but..."

"It's my treat." I interrupted again. "I'll pick you up after work and take you somewhere nice." I pulled up to his beaten up appartment and idled the engine. "What do you say?"

"You don't have to do that. I'm fine. Really." He practiclly pleaded. I think he was afraid of owing me for something this big. It was kind of cute. What? Don't think like that! I berated myself before answering Vexen.

"I'll tutor you afterwards. It my treat because you deserve it. You are on the A honor role at school, top of the class. You work hard at your job, and prabably have no down time."

"I guess." Vexen reluncted admitted. He glanced toward the clock on my dash board. "I need to get ready for work!" He quickly jumped up out of the car.

"Want me to drive you there?" I offered.

"Nah. I have to get ready first and besides, it's just across the street. Thank you again for the ride home. I would have been late for work if you hadn't come along." Vexen closed the door and proceeded up the apartment steps. I watched him for a bit till he turned around and waved goodbye. I started the car again, but not before waving back and glancing at the other side of the street to see where he worked in the first place.

Sitting there was a nice little coffee shop. It was a comfortable, privately owned cafe` with a blue door and green shutters on the windows.