Marcy helped the Boonchuys out at Thai Go for the rest of the week. Now with it being Saturday, Anne was able to take over since she didn't need to work at the aquarium which meant Marcy was able to sleep in, draw, and spend a lot of time pondering over ways to bring in extra money for the household.

"So Sashy. I know I told you I'd get a real job as soon as the new webcomic is published, but I've been thinking about it and since school has just started back up, students are gonna be looking for a tutor, right?"

"Wow that's a great idea Marce!"

"I could meet up with groups of five at the library for a couple hours maybe two or three evenings out of the week?"

Sasha pouted. "I'm gonna miss you though."

"You can join us! You're good at lecturing children."

"Nah, I'd just be in the way. Also I'm kind of banned from the library after spray painting the toilets pink on April Fools Day 10 years ago."

"I was wondering who did that. I sat down and the paint was still wet. My butt was pink for a whole month!"

"Oh Marcy, you don't cover the seat with toilet paper first? Public restrooms are filthy."

"I drank too much boba that day and couldn't hold it. It was coming out both sides!"

"Don't remind me."

"But it was your idea!"

"I know."


Marcy spent the rest of the weekend using her drawing tablet to design flyers for her tutoring sessions. She had Sasha drive her to the library where she printed out several copies and hung them up all over town. She received her first phone call nearly an hour later, followed by several more over the next few hours. By the end of the day, she already had three full sessions booked.


The next afternoon, Marcy entered the library to find a teenage boy already there waiting for her. He just started his freshman year of high school.

"Hi there! I'm Marcy." She shook his hand and sat at the table with him.

"Evan."

"So what brings you here Evan?"

"I got an algebra test coming up but I don't understand most of the material. It's all just gibberish to me."

"I understand. That ain't the first time I've heard that. Lucky for you, I've gotten all straight A's in algebra… and every other class except gym."

"Are you one of those nerds who reads during P.E. instead of having fun?"

"Yeah, but to me, reading is fun! I understand not everyone can relate, but once you find a subject that interests you, you might just enjoy it too," she chuckled and pushed her hair out of her face so she could take a look at Evan's classwork.

"You're cute. After I pass this algebra test, how about I take you on a date?"

Marcy froze and sat in silence for a few seconds then bursted out laughing. She wiped the fresh tears that were forming in her eyes. "Oh boy!" She let out a sigh and looked up at the younger boy and began counting with her fingers. "One, I'm already in a relationship, and two, aren't you like, 14?"

"Oh come on, what does he have that I don't? And I'm 14 and a half to be exact."

Marcy laughs again and smiles nervously. "Actually, it's a she, and she has her driver's license, a high school diploma, and about 10 years on you."

"Dang, how old are you?"

"23."

"Well granny, could you at least give me any advice on how to pick up a girl of my own then?"

"Oh Evan, you know I'm here to tutor you, but I guess I could make a quick exception. You just gotta find a way to sneak into her heart. Got anything you're really passionate about?"

"I really like to play soccer, and watch matches on TV to improve my technique."

"That's brilliant! Maybe find yourself a soccer girl, or someone who at least appreciates it. My girlfriend and I couldn't be more different, but we support each other's interests. Just promise me that you'll get your grades up first."

Evan nodded and the rest of the kids showed up. Two girls named Ashley and Melissa, and two boys named James and Ryan. They all joined Marcy and Evan at the table.

"Welcome everyone! I'm Marcy and ohhh we're gonna have so much fun!" She cheered. "Sorry about that, use your indoor voice Marcy, you're in a library," she told herself. They all looked at her in confusion.

The rest of the students took turns explaining what they needed help with and Marcy tried her best to assist them.

"Miss Marcy, is this right?" Ashley showed her a paper that had algebraic formulas mixed with chemical compounds.

I should've asked for more money, Marcy thought to herself.


Meanwhile, Sasha drove to Anne's house and knocked on the front door. Mrs. Boonchuy opened the door wearing an apron.

"Hey Mrs. Boonchuy! Is Anne here?"

"Sasha it's great to see you! Yes, Anne is upstairs and we're making dinner if you'd like to join us." The older Thai woman stepped out of the way to let her inside.

"Thanks Mrs. B, I'd appreciate that. I'm not sure if Anne told you, but I lost my job and Marcy's currently at the library tutoring some kids for extra money."

"That's too bad. If you ever need anything we're here to help. You and Marcy are like our children too." They both laughed and Sasha thanked her again while heading upstairs to Anne's room.

Sasha knocked on the bedroom door. "Hey, Anne. Can we talk?"

She heard a "Come in!" from the other side of the door and entered the room. It brought back so many memories from their childhood sleepovers. Scare dares, staying up till dawn, minus the nights they watched Marcy's nerdy movies that always made her and Anne fall asleep. Not much has changed besides the bedding and some more up to date equipment. She even still had the glow-in-the-dark stars that have been stuck to her ceiling since childhood that don't glow anymore and the BTS poster hanging up on her wall from her early teens.

"Still an ARMY huh? I've always been more of a BLINK but you already know that."

They both laughed then Anne's tone turned more serious. "There's no escaping the ARMY Sash."

Sasha took a seat on the bed with Anne. "I'm really considering that job at the Aquarium Boonchuy. I know you probably don't even want to talk to me, never mind work with me after what I did earlier this month at the diner, then a few days later when I got arrested, or after what I said to Marcy that made her come here in the middle of the night with my car, but frog knows when or if I'm ever gonna finish anger management so I can go back to pulling advice out of my ass for some spoiled little brats who are probably much less mentally ill than me."

"Actually, that was partially my fault. I wanted to send you over the edge so you'd confess why you were acting so sketchy. The jail thing and Marcy thing was all you though."

Sasha facepalmed. "Gee, thanks."

"You and Marcy huh? How has that been going?"

"I mean, what did she tell you?"

"Not much. We may or may not have been able to stop laughing when she brought your car here."

"You know, I'd be mad but I'm actually pretty impressed she didn't fuck my car up. Turns out those video games are good for something. Maybe I should take her for her road test."

They both laughed. "I suppose you worked that out, right?" Anne asked.

"Of course! I fucking love that nerd, Anne."

"She's a special one, and I'm happy she's with you. No matter how cranky you get, I know she's in good hands."

Sasha cracked a smile. "I'd kill anyone that hurts her."

"I mean… I wouldn't go that far. Do you really wanna spend the rest of your life in jail? Apart from Marcy?"

"Fine Boonchuy. I'll hire someone else to do it then."

"Sasha!"

The blonde laughed deviously in response. "With that in mind, I'd like to explain what happened the other day, and I'm very sorry you had to leave work for me, but I promise it was worth it."

Sasha told Anne everything about the guy she met at the gym and how he ended up in her anger management class, then on the floor fighting for his life.

"Wow Sash, I can't believe he got away with that."

"Do you think I was too hard on him?"

"Possibly… but he had no right to say those things. That's harassment. I'm surprised no one took your side, even before you started hitting him."

"To be fair, everyone thinks I'm delusional, even you. I didn't even know you had it in you to fight for real till you nearly decapitated me twice." Sasha placed her right hand over the scar on her cheek that has lingered for over ten years. "I deserved it though. I feel like I'll never be the friend or girlfriend you and Marcy deserve."

"Don't say that! Sasha, you've changed so much in a good way. Sure you're not perfect, but is anyone?"

"I asked Marcy if she thinks I'm bipolar and she said that it's possible. What if I am? What if this completely takes over my life to the point where I lose all control of my actions?"

"You don't know that for sure! And if you are, you can count on the both of us to support you through all the ups and downs." Anne took Sasha's hands in each of her own. "Even though you had us on a tight leash, you still went more out of your way than necessary to protect Marcy and I growing up. It's time we return the favor."

They heard a voice coming from downstairs. "Dinner's ready ladies!" Sasha enjoyed dinner with the Boonchuys and hung out with Anne a little longer while she was waiting for a call or text from Marcy. Anne showed her a few herpetology books that she briefly flipped through, then her phone rang.

"I gotta go, it's Marcy."

Anne let Sasha take the books and Mrs. Boonchuy handed her a bag of food to bring home for Marcy.


After all the kids Marcy tutored left, she put the wad of cash from all their parents combined into her bag. While she waited for Sasha to pick her up, she checked out a few books and exited the building where Sasha was waiting in her car. Marcy hopped in the passenger's seat and the car started moving.

"How was it?"

"Stressful. Cool, but stressful. Gosh, these kids are even dumber than I could've ever imagined. I did everything I could, but sheesh! At least their parents paid. One boy's mom even gave me a bonus because he was flirting with me. I asked her how she knew and she said he does it to all his tutors." She laughed nervously then looked over and saw the anger in Sasha's face paired with how tightly she was gripping the steering wheel. "Oh you can't possibly be mad at a little 14-year-old boy!"

"Sounds like he needs a therapy session on why flirting with older, taken women is wrong." She effortlessly made a right turn and picked up her speed once the steering wheel straightened itself out.

"I took care of that Sashy, don't worry. I told him all about us and how much older we are than him and he easily understood!"

"Good, because I would've told him to get out of my face while giving him the most painful wedgie he ever had in his life."

Marcy sighs and leans her head back on the seat. "Sooo what's for dinner? I'm starving. I can treat us to some takeout. After all, I got all this loot!"

Sasha laughed. "Don't let it get to your head. You'd be surprised how fast it can be spent. Besides, rent is due soon unfortunately." There was a slight pause before she continued speaking. "I actually went to Anne's and they fed me there."

"Oh. I wish I could've been there. I would've liked to see Anna-Banana and her folks! Their food is delicious. A little spicy though."

"Uh-huh. They sent me home with some leftovers for you in the backseat. They also told me to thank you again for helping them at the restaurant, something about them not being able to move as quickly as they used to. I hope they're okay, they did seem kind of sluggish lately, especially Mr. Boonchuy who had hardly moved from his chair when I was there."

They arrived at home and Marcy grabbed her bag along with the food from Anne's parents and headed upstairs while Sasha followed. They kicked off their shoes and Sasha put on the TV while Marcy heated the food up and sat at the table alone.

Sasha made room on the couch for her. "Why don't you come here Marce? You can sit in between my legs."

Marcy dropped her fork. "I, uh- need to catch up on the latest Cynthia Coven books I checked out."

"Can't Cynthia wait? Sasha's getting a little horny after over a week with hardly any physical contact…"

Marcy looked around the room then back at Sasha. "Nope. I only checked these books out for three days."

Sasha growls as Marcy disappears into her room and shuts the door. "Three days my ass. Even I know the minimum is a week."