Thanks already to brightyeoli and amiva0402 for commenting.

Now... enjoy a long-awaited Flynn chapter (I know some of you have wanted another one from his perspective).

And I'll never complain about seeing Herbert in the banner artwork

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I spent the rest of the week giving Callie the space she needed, despite her sister's insistence that now was the time to keep pressing.

The truth was, I don't think Lexi quite knew Callie like I did. Because there was something really off about her right now... like if I pushed her too far, then she'd just snap. And with Callie, there was a line. Push her just enough out of her comfort zone so that she doesn't shy away from things. But never push her so that she crumbles. At least, that's how I had always played it with her before.

I needed to let her come to me at this point.

How I'd manage that... I didn't know.

But sometimes destiny had its way... or something cheesy like that. Because in maths on Monday, things started to head my way. Just a little bit.

We were in full blown study mode for the external exam, with only two weeks to go.

And to say I was nervous would be an understatement.

I was shitting bricks.

Every single number blurred into one on my page as I realised just how far behind I had fallen over the past term.

Adding to my despair was Miss Fischer's reminder at the beginning of the term that the, "External exam makes up 50% of our overall grade. So it is imperative we study hard."

But how does one study when one doesn't even know what they are looking at?

Shaking my head, I read and reread the example question in front of me for the hundredth time.

My hand itched to be raised again to call the teacher over for help.

But it was the fifth question.

And I had called her over every time now.

I rested my head down on the table, as a wall of shame and defeat started to overcome me as I realised I was stupid for thinking I could ever pursue university. That I would scrape by enough to get there. That—

"Start here," a gentle, lilting voice suddenly said from beside me, pulling me from my self-doubting spiral.

Head slowly lifting, my eyes met her grey ones.

She wasn't looking at me.

Instead, her gaze was fixated on my paper, starting to scribble down the step-by-step process to solve the equation.

Ripping my attention from her and back to the paper, I watched her as she slowly explained the mathematical problem to me, my heart hammering in my chest as her familiar jasmine and coconut scent washed over me.

Concentrate, Flynn. Don't get caught up in her proximity and concentrate.

"Try with this one," she then said, grabbing my textbook and pulling it across the desk, flipping to a specific section.

Her things were left discarded on the other side of the room in her new spot she had decided to take up.

And a part of me felt guilty that she was helping me instead of—

"Concentrate, Flynn," her voice—not my inner mental one—suddenly said.

Meeting her determined gaze that was equal parts discipline and concern, I forced myself back into the present and turned my head to the textbook.

Using her example as a guide, I worked my way through a couple of similar equations, getting fewer and fewer prompts from her with each one.

Having finally conquered it, I sighed in relief and leaned back. "Thank you," I said, unashamedly letting my eyes dance around her beautiful, delicate face. Admiring the slight bump she hated on her perfect nose. Relishing in the way she gently pressed her full lips together as she clearly avoided looking at me. Falling all over again for the crimson colour starting to tint her cheeks.

"It's okay," she mumbled, not meeting my gaze, though tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Now onto the next one, I suppose," I said, trying to not ruin this moment.

But as my hand moved down and my eyes trailed over the next problem, that sinking feeling returned again.

Though before I could step back into the land of self-doubt, Callie's tone caressed my ears once more as she helped me through the next problem.

And the next one.

And the one after that.

And next I knew, Miss Fischer said, "And that's time. Pack up your books and stand up quietly behind your chairs."

I grimaced at the teacher for her choice of words as Callie wheeled away back to her desk—she still wasn't using her prosthetic, though the bandages were now off, revealing large red pigmentation marks over her stump. But Callie seemed unphased, sweeping her things off her desk and into her lap as she waited for Miss Fischer to dismiss us.

And once she had, we all forwarded out.

I expected that to be it.

The full extent of her olive branch just being that one lesson.

But as I threw my belongings back into my bag and turned to head to my table alone, she was still there, chair parked by the portrack, back turned to me as though she were waiting for someone.

Hesitantly, I walked up to her, pausing in step as I wondered if she were meeting someone else here or if—

"I can do afternoons straight after school for an hour at the library, but that's it," she suddenly said.

I glanced around, as if sure she was talking to someone else.

But it was just us.

And she had no phone to her ear.

Then her grey eyes turned to meet mine, eyebrow cocked expectantly.

"For...?" I asked.

"Tutoring?" she replied, as though it were obvious.

My heart leaped in joyful bounds in my chest and my cheeks began to flush at the idea of going back to where we began—tutoring sessions every day. Slowly bonding. Slowly falling—

No, Flynn...

You won't get that back and you know it.

But maybe... just maybe... I can get my friend back at the end of this.

"Thanks, Callie. I'd really appreciate it," I said back to her.

One side of her mouth turned up slightly, but she seemed to catch herself and forced it down. "It's not going to be too difficult for you?"

Shrugging, I turned my gaze downwards before I said, "I don't have anyone to watch in the afternoons anymore."

"Very well... and it won't interrupt your mum coming home because that's later so—" Her hands shot down to her chair as she spoke, as though she were ready to leave the conversation.

But I cut her off. "Mum doesn't do that anymore."

She paused, head slowly turning and grey eyes blinking up at mine. "What do you mean?" she asked, voice full of worry.

"She's sober."

"She's..." And then one of the most beautifullest sights appeared. Mouth growing wider, her lips turned upwards until a kind, warm smile filled her face, eyes twinkling with relief. "That's great to hear, Flynn," she said.

Giving her a small shrug, I replied, "There's some pros to everything that happened."

Just as quickly as it appeared, the smile retreated back into her and she looked away again. "Indeed. Got to take the good with the bad... or whatever that saying is. Anyway, start today? Or is that too short—"

"Today is great," I interrupted her, heart already pounding that I would get an hour of Callie every day again.

Just the two of us.

Side by side.

Not how it used to be... but also, close enough. 

Side note: Callie and Lexi's Kiss List was added to an official Wattpad Reading list last night. ComeSitWithUs Wattpad Page added it to #disability--stigma divides, stories unite.

Yay for recognition!

My other book (Vulnerable: Book One of the Magic Mutations Series, which we all know Callie is a fan of) was added to Wattpad Paranormal's reading list, Blood-Thirsty Beasts, the day before as well. 

Another yippee for recognition!

Anyway, another chapter coming either today or tomorrow. :)