A/N Sorry I know I haven't updated in awhile but I've been pretty busy with acting camp, celebrations, and chores. I'm also trying to fit in time to finish re-reading the 7th Harry Potter before the second part comes out Friday (YAY)! Anyway, on with the chapter!
I had been tutoring Jared for two weeks, and was about to finish this week off with Thursday. Luckily, there hadn't been as many intrusions as the first day and Jared didn't pull any stunts, but he still didn't really cooperate. Last Wednesday, when I told him to add x and y instead of subtract them he glared at me and called me a prissy know it all. I know I probably shouldn't have, but I punched him in the gut in return. He lost his breath for several seconds, until wheezing, he reached for my hair to yank.
I cried, "What are we in? Kindergarten? And will you act mature for once?"
"You punched me." He wheezed in disbelief.
"What did you think that because I'm a "prissy know it all" I can't punch? For your information, I have an older brother." I retorted, and for my satisfaction added, "There was no power behind that yank, you might as well be in Kindergarten the way you fight." He stared at me and even though I felt pretty bad for my last statement he didn't pick on me as much afterwords. To him, at least out loud, I definitely wasn't a "prissy know it all" anymore.
I didn't see Jared at school the entire day so when the bell rang I wasn't sure if I was supposed to take his bus or not. I decided to try my luck, take it, and if I couldn't tutor him today I could always walk home.
I got off at his stop, and made my way across the yard to the door where I knocked three times. Mrs. Ride, no, Max answered.
"Wren." She said in a tone that showed she clearly wasn't expecting me.
"Max, its Thursday."
"Right, it's just that Jared's sick."
"Really? What does he have?"
"The flu, so I think it would be best if you went home."
"Don't worry about me. I've never been sick in my life. One time my brother caught strep throat, and everyone else in the family followed, except me."
She thought for a minute, "Well, in that case, I guess you two could work on your lessons today. He does need all the practice he can get. Go on up stairs his room is-"
"I've been in it before, last week when Chris and Mr. Ride were in the kitchen."
When Max admitted me, I climbed the stairs. Jared's room was the second door on the left. I noticed the first door was open and curiosity over came me. I had never seen that room before. I glanced in and saw a bedroom painted yellow, there was a Winnie the Pooh border lining the top of the walls, a white crib stood beside a tall window with a mobile hanging over it, and a toy chest was over flowing with what looked like second hand toys that probably belonged to Jared once. I tore my gaze away and hurried to Jared's door, thinking. I walked right in without even knocking and saw him sprawled out across his bed playing X-Box.
"Umm, yeah, I don't think so. After school on Thursdays its my time to torture you."
"What are you doing here?" He asked warily.
"As I said, I've come to torture you." He grunted. He hit play on his game ignoring me and I, irritated, turned the power off on the T.V.
"What the heck?"
"Sorry, math time."
"This isn't fair! I would prefer nap time!"
"I'm sorry, life isn't fair."
"I'm sick."
"I know, but that doesn't mean you can't utilize your brain." He grunted again as I sat at the edge of his bed.
I didn't mean to ask the question, but I blurted it out anyway, "So your mom's pregnant?"
He stared at me in confusion, "How do you know?"
"Um," I didn't really want him to know I was nosy, "Just answer the question." I replied tactfully.
"Fine, yeah, she is."
"How far along?"
"Five months."
"She's not showing much."
"Have you not noticed how baggy her shirts are?"
"True."
"Plus, some women are just like that. So are you going to torture me with talking about a subject I hear enough about on a day-to-day basis or are you going to torture me with math? Because quite frankly I would prefer the later."
I raised my eyebrow and went on into his lessons until a coughing fit racked over his body.
"Would you like me to get you something to drink?" I offered.
He nodded as another fit over took him.
"Just don't burn the house down!" He called after me weakly.
In the kitchen, I searched the cupboards for tea bags. I found camomile and began to boil water. When the tea pot began to whistle I took it off and let the camomile seep. After a few minutes I took the tea to Jared. He looked into his cup and asked, "What's this."
"Camomile tea, its good." After a few more seconds of him just staring at the tea I added, "Just drink it!"
He took a sip then spit it out by the side of the bed, disgust evident on his face.
I rolled my eyes and took the tea from him deciding to have a sip, "I guess its just really not for everyone."
A/N So what do you think? The tea idea came from my friend. I love tea and that scene is pretty much what happened when I decided to make us some at our last sleep over.