Note:  I haven't updated this in forever. Had a major writer's block. Honestly excited to write this more. I know where I want to end up but not how to get there. I have a little better idea now. Hope you guys enjoy it.

Ch. 16: School  

So I was overreacting about what D'Shaun was going to do. What we did was bad, but not like we could be thrown in jail bad. We just snuck into the kitchen and ate desserts. The chocolate cake was the best.

It was all good until Julie and her roommate came in with the same idea. There may or may not have been a fight over the last cupcake. I'm happy to have escaped with my eyes. Julie and her friend were scratching D'Shaun like no tomorrow.

He was saved by Mr. Tanks who heard our arguing. He didn't seem mad but said for the next few days we'll be helping with kitchen clean up. Not a big deal unless you have D'Shaun with you who makes things worse by throwing water on all us.

So that's what we're doing now. Cleaning up all the water D'Shaun spilled. That kid needs to know his limits. He's a great person when he isn't annoying anyone. I mop up the floor as Julie brings over some towels so we won't slip.

D'Shaun, Julie, and Kate - Julie's friend- wipe the water up. Mr. Tanks wanted us to clean the "old" way. The old way to my knowledge is not cleaning at all.

I glance at the clock. I wish the night would never end. Why? I was told not long ago that I would be going to school. D'Shaun and Julie are so happy. Mr. Tanks even had my schedule for me so I don't waste time in the morning getting it. Instead, I can use that time to learn where all my classes are.

Two classes with D'Shaun: Statistics and Theatre and three classes with Julie: English, Anatomy, and, well not really a class, Home Room. I didn't even know that D'Shaun liked Theatre. He's already telling me so much about it.

School can't be that bad. I get to finally learn something valuable and maybe get a real job. A real job that pays so that Charles and I won't have to do bad stuff anymore. Probably won't get a million-dollar job but a simple one. Maybe work at a grocery store and work my way to being a manager. Then I'll be the best manager. Make sure things run smoothly and then get the life my brother and I deserve. I smile at that thought.

"Hey, Clint? Clint? Clint; you still there? You've been mopping the same spot for a couple of minutes now. I think it's clean enough," D'Shaun tells me.

I give him a sheepish smile. "Just thinking."

"Well stop thinking and get to work," Julie says with a hand on her hip.

Kate laughs and I resume working. This will be my time.

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I hate it here already. Why would anyone want to wake up so early just to start the day off with math? My brain doesn't want to be thinking about numbers and deciding what are the chances Bobby makes at least half of his shots in the basket.

D'Shaun is surprisingly great at this. The teacher practically loves him. He's usually the first to answer the question and get it right. Suck up. I'm proud of him, but he needs to tone it down. Coming when the semester already started isn't in my favor.

I came in before class and was handed many work packets and a textbook. D'Shaun told the teacher not to worry about me. He'll help me get it all done. The thing is I don't want to get it done and there's already a promise for me to do it. I sigh and put my pencil down.

"You need help man?"

"No."

"You put your pencil down and only wrote your name and number one. Not really convincing."

"I'm just taking a break. Writing that took a lot of work."

D'Shaun smiled. "Oh no, your poor hand must be hurt," he says mockingly. "Bro, I can seriously help. Please let me. It's the third thing I'm best at."

"What's the first two?"

"Making ladies fall for me and theatre."

I crack a smile at that. "Whatever. I'll accept your help."

He grins and leans closer to me. "It's fine if you don't finish the assignment today. In-class assignments are due the next day. So let's start with your packets. That way you know the basics."

I nod and pull the packets out. D'Shaun is such a good guy. The plan makes me sad once more. People like him deserve the money more than me. Why can't Charles see that? What's a couple thousand going to do? Buy a nice place; some food. Then what. There are bills. Water, electricity, gas. That money won't last forever especially with him sitting around most of the time.

He explains statistics to me in a baby voice. I give him a small shove and he laughs.

"Just messing with you. I'm not about to have this lesson be boring."

"Hmph, I think it already is."

"Hey!"

"Just messing with you," I say his words back.

"Whatever man. Let's get this done."

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Theatre was actually pretty cool. Though there are not many guys in it. D'Shaun surely stood out and was amazing. Today was just practice with random scenarios. When he pulled his paper out of his hat he got so excited.

Instead of telling us what it said he just decided to turn it into a game of charades. I was embarrassed when he pulled me up with him. So of course I stood there awkwardly and let him do his thing.

He pretended to open a door all mad and slightly screamed at me. He had tears rolling down his face. D'Shaun then grabbed my hand and got on his knees looking down. Shaking with a full-on sob. I wish he used words cause I most likely looked like a stick.

Surprisingly the other students knew what was happening. They explained it. Said D'Shaun was playing a heartbroken man. He found out his wife cheated on him and was crying and begging it isn't so.

Now that I think about it there were plenty of girls to play that part. Ones who are also used to this I might add. I'll get him back later.

So it leads me to now. Apparently, Home Room is different times for everyone and mine happens to be at the end of the day. The teacher did a grade check for everyone but me. Just told me if I need help, don't hesitate to ask. She's really nice too. She sometimes brings snacks for everyone. Today she brought all kinds of doughnuts.

I take the last bite of my doughnut as Julie complains English class is stupid.

"I don't get it, Clint. Why in the world do I need to know how to properly use a semicolon. I think my mouth is good enough. I can talk. No need for me to write," she says hands now in the air.

"What do you want to do after you graduate?"

"What kind of question is that? I am going to college."

"To do what?"

"I am going to become a businesswoman. I don't know what yet, but I want to run my own business."

"Don't business people do a lot of writing?"

She puffs out her cheeks. "Si y no. Yeah but I figured I would do all my business stuff in person."

"I guess you can do that."

"Guess? You're just trying to justify English. Everyone knows Spanish is the superior language."

I laugh. "Not doubting that, but you're not trying to write in Spanish. It's English you need to pass.

"Whatever Clint."

"Hey, Julie?

"Hmm?"

"I never asked D'Shaun, but what grade is he in? It seems like almost everyone in Statistics is older."

"He's a freshman. He's lucky he's tall and smart for his age. And cute. He doesn't get treated like the other freshmen. I won't be surprised if he graduates right now."

Interesting. So he's ahead of the game. Julie and D'Shaun have dreams. A future that can be accomplished with money. The more I think about it; I should try talking to Charles again. Tell him about how amazing they are and there are so many more amazing people out there too.

"What do you want to do after you graduate?"

I look her in the eyes. "Just to be happy with my brother."

She smiles at that. "Not an ambitious goal but an admirable one. Maybe add your future girlfriend into it. I think the more people the better. Laura would be very happy to have you.

I feel my face get warm and turn away. She pushes my shoulder slightly and laughs.