Chapter 12: Study session.
For the few seconds that both boys had been in that room, the silence that followed was charged with surprise and tension, lots of tension, though that tension was quickly broken by a nervous smile on Fern's side.
"Well... now that's a coincidence" the blond teenager with green-dyed tips commented trying to look nonchalant as he approached.
Finn, who was still a bit dazed, simply nodded.
"Yeah..." the other boy answered "I honestly didn't expect to see you here. I thought I'd run into one of the guys from my class"
"I didn't either. I didn't expect my first student to be you but I guess for now... I'll be your tutor" Fern's comment seemed to break some of the tension between them and Finn let out a light laugh even though his discomfort was still present.
"This should be interesting" Finn said, leaning back against the back of the chair. Fern took a seat across from him, setting her backpack aside.
"I hope so" the other boy spoke as he settled his chair in front of the desk "okay, let's get started" Fern could not help but think about how weird the twist of fate was that had brought them to this moment, but quickly shook his head clearing those thoughts, he needed to focus on helping Finn with whatever it was he was having trouble with "first I need you to get out everything you have on the subject you need support on"
"Uhh..." Finn uttered slightly uncomfortable "I just... can't..."
"What do you mean you can't? Can't or won't?" Fern asked who arched his eyebrow in confusion.
"I can't because... well..." the teenager answered, awkwardly opened his green backpack and as best he could he took out the textbook, notebook and notes he had from Chemistry classes, which were not many, all the material was extremely damaged and the notes were full of stains of dubious origin.
"What the hell happened here? How could you come to study in this condition?" Fern asked unable to believe what he was seeing "and what about this?" he asked as he picked up the damaged textbook, which was missing some pages "it looks like a train ran over it!"
"Well... it's not like I'm responsible for that" Finn said with a shrug and trying to sound casual "my stuff has had a few... accidents"
Fern looked at him skeptically, holding the book as if it were a piece of archeology.
"Accidents, huh?" he replied, setting the book down on the desk carefully, as if he feared it would fall apart completely "this is no mere accident, Finn. This is a crime against education"
Finn let out a nervous laugh, though he was clearly not entirely comfortable.
"Yeah, well... I guess I'm not that organized" he muttered, looking away as a slight blush formed on his face from the embarrassment he was feeling at the moment.
"Not organized?" Fern arched an eyebrow and crossed his arms as he looked at him "or do you just not care?"
Finn opened his mouth to answer but quickly closed it, as if he didn't know what to say. Fern smiled victoriously realizing he had hit the nail on the head. Finally, the other boy let out a sigh.
"Look, I know I'm in a mess with this, okay? that's why I'm here."
The blond teenager with the green-dyed tips looked at him for a bit, noticing the mixture of frustration and resignation on Finn's face. Finally, he sighed, relaxing his shoulders.
"Okay, I guess we'll just have to work with what you've got" he leaned across the desk, pulling a pen and notepad out of a drawer "first, let's go over the basics. Tell me what you do and don't understand about what you've seen in class"
Finn shrugged again, playing nervously with one edge of his white bear hat.
"Well... I don't understand anything" he replied apologetically. Fern dropped the pen on the table, closing his eyes for a moment, trying his best not to get mad or frustrated at the moment. He had to stay calm and try to help this boy, no matter how much it weighed on him, and he made up his mind that he needed the money from the tutoring so he could continue living there, otherwise he would be back on the street again.
"Nothing. Are you serious?" Fern asked with disbelief.
"Nothing. I swear, I don't understand anything I get from the classes" Finn answered avoiding his gaze "it's just that... the classes are boring, you know? all we see there are formulas and equations and... I don't know, there comes a point where I don't want to know anything else and I get distracted..."
Fern let out a deep sigh, leaning his elbows on the table while looking directly at him.
"Look, I'm not an expert on the subject or anything but if we're going to do this, you need to do your part, understood? I'll help you but you have to commit."
The boy sitting next to him nodded slowly although he still looked a little uncomfortable.
"Okay, I'll try" Finn said. Fern smiled slightly, picked up the battered book and opened it to the first readable page.
"Perfect. Let's start from the beginning" as they began the session, Fern could not help but be a little intrigued by Finn. Despite the mess he brought with him, there was something about him that made him want to help him beyond the call of duty "let's start with something basic. The structure of the atom, can you define what an atom is?
"Yeah..." Finn cocked his head to one side, trying to remember something of what he had seen in class "I think... they're little things, isn't it? That make up everything"
Fern nodded slowly although his expression made it clear that he was expecting something more specific, but hey, for the first session he'd ever given, Finn was more or less okay.
"Right, more or less. Those "little things" are made up of three main particles: protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons are positively charged, electrons are negatively charged, and neutrons, well... they're neutral" he explained. Finn nodded, but his expression was an open book, he did not understand anything Fern was telling him.
"So protons and electrons are fighting all the time?"
Fern looked at him puzzled, making an effort not to laugh.
"Not quite. But protons and electrons have a love-hate relationship, because opposite charges attract."
Finn let out a light chuckle.
"That sounds like a romantic TV drama. The kind my mom watches in her free time."
"You know what?" Fern said, taking the pad of paper and pen he had previously taken out of the desk drawer "that's not a bad way to visualize it, look" he began to draw some things "here's the nucleus with the protons and neutrons, like the parents. And here..." he traced some smaller circles 'out here are the electrons, the troublesome children, circling around them"
Finn looked at Fern's drawing with renewed interest.
"Oh, I get it. So the electrons are like the rebels who don't want to stay at home."
Fern nodded, smiling slightly.
"Exactly. And those rebel electrons also form bonds with other atoms to make compounds. Like when you and a friend team up to make a team project"
Finn chuckled at such an example.
"Well, I don't have many friends. So I don't usually do teamwork, but I get it."
"It's okay, it doesn't matter if you've a lot of friends or not" Fern reassured him "what matters is that the ones you do have care about you and are genuine"
As they continued, Fern began to get a little frustrated; no matter how hard he tried to simplify the concepts, Finn was still confused by the basic terms, especially orbits and particle charge.
"Finn, pay attention" Fern said gently tapping the book with her pencil "this isn't that complicated. Look, the protons and neutrons are together in the nucleus. The electrons spin around in different energy levels"
Finn looked at the sheet with the drawing, then at Fern, and finally at the book.
"And how do I know how many electrons an atom has" he asked. Fern smiled. At least he was asking questions that were related to what they were studying.
"That depends on the Atomic number of the element. For example, hydrogen has one proton and one electron, because its atomic number is one."
Finn nodded slowly, though his expression was still one of slight confusion.
"What about helium?"
"Helium has two protons and two electrons. Its atomic number is two" Fern replied, pointing to the example in the book.
"This is too much for me" Finn said who let out an exaggerated sigh and leaned back in his chair. Fern sighed as well, closing the book with a soft thump.
"It's because you're not trying hard, Finn. Come on, you just need to pay a little more attention. If I can understand this, you can too."
Finn looked at him curiously.
"You were good at Chemistry?"
Fern shrugged, avoiding his gaze for a moment.
"Let's just say I learned enough while I was in school. Although..." he paused, wondering if he should say something else but opted to leave it at that "I'm no genius, but I know a thing or two"
Finn watched him for a moment longer before smiling slightly.
"Well, then I'm hopeful. Let's try it again."
The teenager could not help but chuckle before opening the book once more.
"That's what I wanted to hear. Now, lets get back to the electrons."
The evening was cool when Marceline arrived at Simon and Betty's house. The small garden was illuminated by warm lights and from inside soft music could be heard mixed with the clinking of dishes. The young woman smiled slightly as she saw the door half open; it was Simon's custom to leave it that way when he was expecting guests.
"Hi, guys" Marceline called as she walked inside, leaving the case where her bass rested carefully next to the door.
"Marceline! How's it going?" Simon's voice echoed from the kitchen before the man appeared with a sauce-stained apron "you're just in time. Dinner is almost ready"
Betty appeared behind him with her trademark brown hair in a messy ponytail and a warm smile.
"Hi, honey" the woman greeted her with a hug "come on in, make yourself at home.
Marceline plopped down in a dining room chair as Simon ran back to the kitchen to check on the food. Betty sat across from her, watching her curiously.
"You look very thoughtful today" Betty commented leaning forward slightly "everything in order?"
"I guess" Marceline replied with a sigh as she fiddled with a lock of her hair "it's just that... I've been thinking about someone"
The woman arched an eyebrow, but before she could ask who it was, Simon returned with a plate full of pasta and joined the conversation.
"Someone? It's Bonnie, isn't it?" Simon asked with a mixture of surprise and sweetness in his voice.
Marceline tensed slightly, but did not deny anything. After all, the couple was already aware of the story that both woman had shared.
"Yes" the young woman with the long dark hair said "I met her today and it was... weird"
"Weird in what sense?" Betty asked softly, leaning her elbows on the table.
"Weird 'cause... I thought we'd never cross paths again" Marceline took a bite of her food before answering, as if the extra time would allow her to organize her thoughts "and when we did, I didn't know what to say. It was awkward. And...I promised her we'd talk another day"
Simon nodded slowly, adjusting his glasses as he reflected on what Marceline had said.
"That's not necessarily a bad thing, Marcy. Talking can be uncomfortable but it can also be an important first step."
"What if I don't know what to say?" Marceline asked, looking down at her plate "what if everything I say just further complicates things between us?"
"Honey, you don't need to have all the answers" Betty reassured her, taking her hands in hers, her voice carrying a certain warmth as she spoke "Bonnibel probably feels just as nervous as you do. You just have to be honest, say what you feel."
Marceline let out a dry laugh, looking away.
"I don't know if being honest will help. The last time I tried it... well, it didn't end well."
Simon leaned forward, and spoke in his usual reassuring tone.
"Things don't always work out the first time" he assured her "but if you're both willing to try, that says a lot. Besides, Bonnibel has always been a rational person. If you know her as well as I think you do, you'll know how to get through to her."
Marceline smiled slightly, though her eyes still showed a hint of uncertainty.
"What if she rejects me? What if she doesn't want to be friends at least?"
"Then at least you'll know you tried" Betty said, giving her a sympathetic look "that's more than most people can say"
The answer seemed to calm Marceline who finally let out a long sigh.
"Thanks, guys" she smiled and thanked them "I don't know what I'd do without you"
"You'd probably be playing bass in your garage at home and eating cold pizza" Simon joked, earning a soft chuckle from Marceline.
"Or trying to avoid your father, as usual" Betty added, laughing as well.
The rest of the dinner went along in a warm atmosphere filled with memories of the past, anecdotes and laughter. Although Marceline knew she still had a lot to work out with Bonnibel, the conversation with Simon and his life partner had given her something she had not felt in a long time: hope.
Meanwhile, Fern was going over the basics of atom structure. He could not help but notice Finn's expression: a mixture of frustration and resignation. It was obvious that the boy was trying hard, but he also noticed that he was not used to really pushing himself in class.
"Come on, Finn" Fern said, pointing to the drawing he had made "look at it this way: the electrons go around the nucleus like planets around the sun."
Finn cocked his head and squinted at the sheet of paper.
"That sounds easier, but... why don't they fall into the nucleus if they're so close?" he asked. Fern smiled, at least he was already doing his part.
"It's because of the forces of attraction and repulsion" the other boy answered "remember: protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, those opposite charges attract. But electrons also have energy, which keeps them in motion and prevents them from falling into the nucleus."
Finn frowned, processing the information he had just heard.
"So... is it like when you're on a roller coaster? The force that keeps you on the ride?"
Fern paused for a moment surprised by the analogy.
"Exactly" he said, with a genuine smile "it's like that force."
"You see, it seems I do understand something after all" Finn commented, smiling with a touch of pride.
"What a miracle!" Fern joking, earning a short laugh from the other boy next to him. The atmosphere in the room began to relax as they continued working. As they progressed, Fern could not help but be a little intrigued by Finn. Although he clearly did not like to study, the boy had a carefree way of approaching things that made him different from anyone else he had ever met "hey, Finn..." he said after a while closing the book for a moment "why are you failing this subject? are you not paying attention or what's going on?"
Finn tensed slightly at the question, looking away from the table.
"I don't know. I guess... I was never any good at it."
Fern watched him curiously, noticing how Finn fiddled nervously with the pencil in his hands.
"Or is something else distracting you?" Fern asked in a softer voice this time.
Finn looked up, his blue eyes meeting Fern's for a moment. He hesitated, like he was considering if he should say something else.
"Let's just say... things haven't been easy lately."
Fern nodded slowly, not pressing him to say more.
"Well, at least you're here trying. That's progress."
"Thank you," Finn said, smiling slightly grateful for the change in tone.
The silence that followed was comfortable, a contrast to the initial tension. Fern picked up the book again, pointing to another exercise.
"Okay, let's get this over with. Let's practice with an example: how many electrons does carbon have?"
Finn smiled with a little more confidence as he tried to remember what Fern had explained earlier.
"Six, right?"
Fern nodded in satisfaction.
"Exactly. See, it looks like you're really learning."
Finn let out a laugh, though there was a hint of genuine mirth in it.
"Maybe I'm not so bad after all."
Fern couldn't help but smile as he wrote on his block of paper. Although there was still a lot of work to be done something in the dynamic between them was starting to change, something they both could not yet fully identify. He picked up his pen ready to write down another example. Just as he was about to speak, the sound of Finn's phone filled the room.
"Aren't you going to answer it?" Fern asked, arching an eyebrow as he pointed to the phone.
Finn pulled the device out of his pocket and looked at the screen.
"It's my mom" he said with a sigh. He pressed a button and answered the call "hello, Mom"
Fern took the opportunity to check her notes, but couldn't help overhearing the conversation.
"How much longer?" Minerva's voice sounded slightly impatient "dinner's ready, and if you're not home soon, you won't want to get out of bed all day tomorrow."
Finn rolled his eyes, although his tone was more conciliatory.
"We're almost done, Mom. We're just... uh, solving some exercises."
Fern glanced sideways at him, smiling slightly at Finn's attempt to look busier than he really was.
"Well, don't be more than ten minutes" the short blonde-haired woman said on the other side of the line before hanging up. Finn sighed as he set the phone down on the table.
"Everything okay?" Fern asked in amusement.
"Yeah, just that if I don't get there soon, my mom's going to think I'm planning an escape or something" Finn replied with a nervous smile.
Fern let out a small laugh.
"I guess that means we'll have to call it a day."
Finn nodded, starting to pack his things into his green backpack.
"Yeah, but... this wasn't so bad. Can we continue another day?" he asked with a slight hope that the other boy would agree. Fern nodded as she put the pad of paper in the desk drawer.
"Sure" he replied just as excited as him "how about Tuesday?"
"Tuesday would be fine" Finn said, standing up "thanks for the help."
"No problem, Finn" Fern smiled as Finn opened the door to leave the room "see you on Tuesday".
When Finn left, Fern stood in the room in silence for a moment thinking about the strange but pleasant dynamic that had begun to form between them.
The cool night air caressed Finn's face as he walked back home. The road was quiet, barely illuminated by the street lights. His mind, however, was far from calm.
Fern...
The name echoed in his head, accompanied by the image of the boy bent over the book, analyzing the contents, patiently explaining to him what he was to learn. Finn could not help but smile slightly.
"He's kind" he muttered to himself kicking a small stone in his path "and he has something... different... I don't know what it could be..."
It was odd. He barely knew Fern, but he already felt a connection, something he could not clearly define. That thought made him uneasy, but it also made him feel something warm in his chest. When he arrived home, the porch light was on, indicating that his mother was inside. Finn was about to climb up the small staircase leading to the porch to go straight into the house; however, he decided to detour to the small alley on the side of his house before entering.
"Jake!" he called, whistling slightly. The dog ran up to him with his tongue out and his usual enthusiasm. Finn bent down to pet him, letting the warmth of the moment help him clear his mind "you know, buddy?" he said as he tossed a stick for Jake to catch "today it wasn't so bad"
Jake returned with the stick, wagging his tail. Finn laughed and hugged him briefly before looking up at the sky.
A few meters away, in the shadows, a female figure with emerald green hair watched the scene, it was the palmistry of the party, who smiled, crossing her arms as she followed Finn with her eyes.
"So it's already begin" she whispered to herself, she could feel it clearly. Finn's heart was beginning to vibrate with something new, and the energy surrounding both boys was unmistakable "soon... it's only a matter of time" she murmured with a smile before disappearing into the shadows, leaving Finn and Jake to continue with their moment.