Disclaimers: I don't own them, I'm not making any money off the story… I'm just trying to play well with others.  And as for 'Faust' by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe…don't own it either.  And I do realize it's highly unlikely that Hunter would be reading that for school…it's the book I'm currently trying to read, so it's what I know.

~~ I want just a day to make it all OK.  You, could you teach me how to cry. ~~

Just a Day- Reamonn

Just a Day

Chapter 3: School Projects & Interpersonal Relationships

"Reading again?"

"Yeah."

"What?"

"Faust, but some German guy…"

"Goethe."

"Yeah, him.  It's for school."

"You mind keeping me company in the main room?  Dad's off to meditate."

Hunter recovered from the shock of the request quickly, answering, "Sure.  It beats the silence of the room."

After getting his book and the accompanying worksheets from his room, Hunter sat at the table and read while Cam worked on the computer.  Every once in a while, Cam would turn to check on Hunter, who never budged. 

"How's the book?" Cam asked when he finished his Zord programming.

"Unbelievably slow," Hunter sighed.  "I just can't concentrate on it.  Now I wished I picked something easier to read."

"You picked it?"

"Seemed like a good idea at the time," Hunter shrugged.  "At least I'm learning a little German while I'm at it.  Though if I tried to actually say anything I'd mess it up."

"Are you reading it in English or in German?"

"It's a dual-language book.  It was the only copy they had at the library.  Just for kicks I also borrowed an English-German dictionary."

"How ambitious."

Hunter smirked.  "I think it's less ambition and more stupidity."

"It's ambition," Cam said pointedly, which made Hunter look down to his book.  "Tell me about the book so far."

"Nothing interesting's happened.  Just a lot of people yapping about random things.  I'm sure I'm missing the deeper, philosophical meaning behind all of it.  And there's angels talking too.  I'm just waiting for Faust to meet Gretchen and sell his soul to the devil."

"Who's Gretchen?"

"Some woman he falls in love with."

"Is this a book report?"

"No, not really…" Hunter answered, his eyes narrowing a bit.  He really hated feeling parented by someone who wasn't his parent.  

Cam saw the look, but didn't know why he was getting it.  So he chose to ignore it and asked, "What kind of project is it?"

"I have to introduce the class to the characters and tell them about the book.  That's all written too, along with a list of vocab words from the book."

Cam knew that Hunter didn't want to talk anymore when he started reading again.  Cam turned his attention back to the computer, but didn't work.  He thought about how he was going to get Hunter to trust him enough to open up.  He thought about asking Blake for advice, but decided against it.  He wasn't sure how Blake would react and if he'd say something to Hunter.

The silence was disturbed a while later by Blake bounding down the steps.

"Hey Cam, do you still have that Calamine stuff?" Blake asked when he ran into the room.  "I got eaten alive at the picnic at Tori's house."

"It's in the bathroom cabinet," he answered. 

Leaving his things on the table, Hunter got up and followed his brother.  He found Blake dabbing lotion on his arms. 

"Need some help, bro?" Hunter asked, unable to stop the chuckle that followed.

Blake tried to glare, but couldn't since his mosquito bites itched too much.  "I will in a minute on my back."

After Hunter had asked for the details about the picnic, Blake told him everything.   While Hunter applied the lotion to Blake's back, he told his little brother about his non-eventful evening with Cam and Sensei. 

"Sounds like you and Cam are bonding nicely," Blake teased.

"I wouldn't really call it bonding.  We were just talking a little."

"Ah, déjà vu," Cam quipped.  "Just making sure you found it."

Blake looked to his brother, confused, while Hunter simply shrugged.

"It should be a sign of a true friend when they'll not only help with the calamine lotion, but make sure you don't scratch too much either," Cam explained, referring to his bug incident.

Blake nodded in understanding.

"I've had plenty of practice," Hunter replied.  "Like when Blake had chicken pox…"

Blake elbowed his brother in the stomach.  "Let's not go there."

Hunter rubbed his stomach a little, but said nothing while Cam laughed.  When the brothers were finished, the three headed back into the main room.  As Hunter read, or tried to, Blake and Cam played a game on the laptop.  When something disturbed his concentration, Hunter would look up and witness the dynamics between Blake and Cam.  And he wondered how his little brother could become close to people so easily.

After this process went on for a while, Hunter gathered his things and went into his bedroom.  And neither Blake nor Cam noticed his departure.  He changed from his street clothes into a pair of crimson sweatpants.  With his books and worksheets, he sat on his bed and forced himself to concentrate on the book.