Authors Note: Hey everyone! I can't even tell you how much I appreciate your love and reviews for this story! I'm wanting to update sooner, I just have one chapter left that has been written and I want to have at least chapter 5 done before I post it. Apparently I wrote myself into a hole. I've had help from a personal friend as well as FallingWithGrace who is now my official editor, because I couldn't do it without her. They have both given me suggestions on what to do, now its just writing it out. If its any consideration for you, I'm planning on doing a sequal if not making this a trilogy, but we'll see how far I buried myself first! If anyone else has suggestions I'm all ears! Anyways, here is chapter 3, enjoy!

Chapter 3: Asking for Help

Monday couldn't come fast enough. The entire weekend was spent trying to keep my mind off of Ryan and Riley. For the first time in a month I was all caught up on grading papers, my apartment was sparkling it was so clean, and I actually had dishes in my cupboards instead of my sink. But I still thought of them.

I went for a walk in the park and I saw a mom pushing her daughter on a swing and I wondered what it would be like doing that with Riley. I walked farther and saw two guys sweating it up on the basketball court. Immediately I thought of Ryan and wondered if I would be able to get a rematch.

I wanted to spend more time with them. I wanted to know what it was like to tuck Riley into bed, if she preferred a bedtime story or a song to drift her off to sleep. I wanted to know what Ryan liked on his pizza, or if he sang in the shower. I wanted to know stupid things. I wanted to know everything.

When all my students filed into my class before the bell, I fully expected Riley to come up and start talking to me about Friday, or at least tell me what she had done on the weekend. But she didn't. She just went about saying what she normally did, "Good morning Mr. Bolton."

"Morning, Riley," I replied.

During the entire day nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I taught, and the kids listened. Or at least made it look like they were listening. During free period Riley did her homework, and I watched while making sure the others weren't causing trouble. Then when she was leaving for the bus she said good bye to me in the normal way, promising me that her homework would be done. At least I knew Ryan would make sure of it.

The rest of the week was the same. Riley's routine never changed, Ryan never picked her up from school. Her homework was always done the next day, handed in with perfect script. It was driving me nuts. I wanted to be a part of their lives.

It was finally Friday, and all I could think about was how I would occupy myself all weekend when the class rolled in. This time however, Riley didn't even say hi to me, she just walked to her desk and sat down. I never realized how much I looked forward to it each day, until now. You don't know what you have till it's gone, right? When everyone handed in their homework, Riley was the last one to my desk to hand it in. Definitely not like her. When she handed it to me there was a note written on top of it, not in Riley's penmanship. I read the note as she sat down.

Mr. Bolton,

Riley had difficulty with her homework assignment last night, and needs some extra help. I am hoping you could stay after school today with her and do that. I'm planning on picking her up again this afternoon at four. If this is a problem, please call me at my office, if not I will see you both at four.

Thank you,

Ryan Evans 559-3928

Riley had difficulty with her homework? Since when did that happen? No wonder she was quiet this morning. I began to teach my lesson plan and the morning continued as normal.

During last period, the entire class was focusing their efforts on group assignments as I went through their homework. It was math, beginning multiplication, and a few students had struggled with the work. I looked over Riley's last, and I was shocked at the amount of effort she had put into it, and yet she still struggled with it. I could even see Ryan's writing in an effort to try and help her, but it was minimal. I questioned that, seeing as it was easy work that he could have shown her how to do. But at this point, I didn't care. I would see him again and spend time with Riley.

When 3:30 rolled around everyone practically ran out the door in the typical Friday frenzy. Riley was still sitting at her desk; she hadn't been herself at all today, she had hardly said a word.

"Alright Riley, come on up here okay?" She looked at me and slowly came up to my desk. I pulled a chair out for her to sit beside me. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing," she answered still not looking at me. Apparently her shoes were more entertaining.

"Riley, look at me" I said gently. Slowly she looked me in the eyes. "What's wrong?"

"I'm stupid," she said quietly. My jaw dropped to the floor.

"You are not stupid Riley." Why would she think that? Certainly Ryan wouldn't tell her that. At least, I hoped he wouldn't.

"Yes I am. I couldn't do my homework yesterday. I promised you I would. I'm stup-" I cut her off.

"Do not say that word in my classroom again, okay? Just because you couldn't do your homework doesn't mean that you aren't smart. It just means you have to ask for help from someone."

"That's what Daddy told me, but I didn't believe him."

"Did he try to help you?" She nodded.

"But I didn't want him to. I shouldn't have to ask for help."

"Hey, everyone needs help with things. I do, students do, and even your dad does. It's not a bad thing Riley. The bad thing is when you know you need help but don't ask for it, okay? Don't ever be afraid to ask for help."

"Okay," she said, still weary of what I was telling her. She took in a deep breath and let it out. "Mr. Bolton, I need help with my math. I don't understand the three times table." She squinted up her face as if she was expecting an insult.

"Well, let's see what we can do with this okay?" I asked showing her yesterday's homework. She nodded. We worked for about twenty minutes before she finally figured it out. Relief was written all over her face.

"So three times two, is like three plus three, which makes six! I get it! I get it!" She was practically bouncing off the chair. I just silently laughed, enjoying the fact that my help got her to understand it.

"See? You are smart!" I said as she put her final answer on the paper. "Never be afraid to ask for help again okay Riley?" She looked up at me and smiled.

"Okay Mr. Bolton. I promise. Thank you!" she squealed. She launched herself off the chair and onto my lap giving me a hug. "You're the best!" I closed my eyes, smiled, and hugged her back. This was why I became a teacher. A knock interrupted us. Ryan was leaning against the door frame with his arms folded across his chest. A smile playing on his lips, but his eyes gave away his tiredness.

Riley turned around and seeing her dad ran over to him as he squatted down and hugged her hello.

"Daddy, I asked Mr. Bolton to help me with my math homework! I get it now!" she said excitedly. He smiled at her.

"That's great Peanut!" He said. "I'm proud of you." He gave her another hug, and told her to pack up her stuff and wait out in the hallway for him. He wanted to talk to me. She grabbed her knapsack, put all her homework in it, and gave me one more hug before she said goodbye and promised to have her homework done on Monday. I smiled at her and laughed. This time however she added to it.

"And if I need help with it, I will ask for it," she said and then skipped out into the hallway. Ryan let out an audible sigh of relief.

"Thanks Troy. She was a wreck last night. She was so frustrated, and when I tried to help her she would tell me not to. I tried telling her that getting help was okay, but she wouldn't listen to me. I have never seen her like that," Ryan said, the panic evident in his voice. I looked at his eyes, and they looked downright scared. It was almost like you could see the fear of failure as a parent.

"It's what I'm here for. I have to admit, she even freaked me out, calling herself stupid because she couldn't get it, and refusing to ask for help." His reaction to her negative comments about herself was the same as mine, complete shock. I knew they hadn't come from him. "I never expected it from her either. We worked it out though, and at least she'll ask for help now. She's a smart kid Ryan, apparently she's just stubborn." I said laughing. He laughed too, looking a lot less tired than he had before.

"Unfortunately, I have to take the blame for that one. But you knew that. Thanks again Troy."

"No problem." I said as Ryan started to leave. I could feel my heart sink lower as he turned around. I looked at the floor, avoiding the fact that he was walking away from me. He was just about to walk out when he stopped and turned around.

"Hey Troy, can I ask another favor of you?" he asked hopeful.

"Sure." For Ryan, I would do anything.

"Next Friday I have a meeting at 3:30 that I couldn't move up, but I want to pick Riley up from school. Would it be too much to ask if you could watch her till 4:30? It would mean a lot to me."

"Of course, I don't mind at all." I tried to not jump up and down from excitement. I would get to spend more time with them, which was exactly what I wanted.

"Thanks."

"See you Friday!" I said almost giddy as he nodded and left.

- Disney-Kid