WORRIES

Tuesday, the 16th of May

Percy tosses the football across the table and loudly laughs. His friend throws it back and it clips the edge of the table and bounces onto the floor. I shoot them a glare and shake my head.

"Can't you do that somewhere else? We're trying to study."

He leans across and smiles, his breath tickling my lips.

"But this is so much more fun."

"I know you don't care about exams, but I do."

"We have plenty of time to study, so calm down."

"Don't beg me for help because I'll remember this moment."

"Come on, Charlie, you worry too much." He sighs.

Percy takes the ball from the ground and tosses it back. He throws it back and the pair continue their game of catch until someone storms across the room and tosses the ball down an aisle.

"What? That wasn't very nice." Percy frowns.

"I would have stabbed the stupid thing." I chuckle.

"Do you have your period or something?"

"Percy!"

He shrugs his shoulders and I roll my eyes. I know I'm wound tight because I'm stressing about scoring well on these exams. Now that college is my future, I can't afford bad scores. I also miss Noah. Dad wants to meet Noah but it's another stress I can't handle right now.

Something crashes and I shake my head. Percy races over to the book shelf and quickly tries to put the books back but the librarian appears with a scowl.

"This is your only warning; behave."

Once she turns around, the pair roll their eyes and sit down. The ball is put away and Percy's forced to stare at his mathematics book.

"Charlie?"

"Leave me alone."

"Please don't be like that."

Something hits the side of my head and tumbles onto the desk. I take the pen and toss it back. He dips to the side and it collides with the bookshelf. Percy groans but I ignore it.

He yanks on the chair and throws me over his shoulder. I thrash against his tight grip but he smacks my butt and chuckles.

"Oh my goodness, you're so annoying!" I grumble.

"Uh oh."

"Don't say that." I grit my teeth.

I peer up and the librarian shakes her head.

"Get out of my library." She points to the exit.

"I didn't do anything." I frown.

"You both need to leave otherwise you'll be receiving detention."

He places me on my feet and I shove my notebooks into my backpack and dash to the door. I'm mortified because everyone is watching us. Percy tries to hook his arm around my shoulder, but I shrug him away.

"I can't believe you."

"Why are you mad? You should be thanking me now that we can study in Uncle Noah's classroom."

"My study group is in the library."

"But Noah isn't." He winks.

When we arrive at Noah's classroom, Percy collides with the door and frowns.

"Since when does he lock the door?"

"All the time?" I shrug.

He knocks a couple of times before kicking the door with his foot.

"Hey Uncle Noah, open the door."

The door opens and Noah frowns.

"Percy got us kicked out of the library."

Noah turns to Percy and frowns. "You can't play in here either."

Percy rolls his eyes and wanders into the room. He picks up a broom and sweeps the floor.

"Now you want to do something quiet?"

"What? I don't like sitting for long periods of time."

"Percy's always been a hands on learner. Usually I ask him questions when he's working out."

"I like peace and quiet."

"Come to my office."

"I don't want to hear anything." Percy wrinkles his nose.

Noah pulls me to the office before I can say anything. His desk is slightly messy, so he throws some of the paperwork into the box which leaves me gasping.

"Don't worry, I needed to sort it anyway."

I place my things on the desk and plonk in the wheelie chair. He slides it across and pecks me forehead. I lean against his warm chest and he wraps his arms around me.

"I've missed you."

"I've missed your hugs, I've really needed one." I smile.

"Do you need help with something?"

"Don't worry about me, I know you're busy with marking."

"I can help you."

"Are you sure?"

"Just tell me what you need help with."

"Can you give me feedback on an essay?"

"Sure." He nods. "Are you coming over tonight?"

"I don't think I would make good company with all of this."

"You're the only company I want."

"Aw." His comment makes my heart flutter. "Dad keeps asking when he'll get to meet you."

"Your father terrifies me."

"Lea terrifies me too, but I think he'll be nicer than her. He loves that you make me happy, so he's excited to meet you. Also just mention football, he loves football."

"Okay." He chuckles.

I drag myself away from his warm embrace to look at the notes I've been making. Noah scribbles some comments on my essay and I do my best not to peek until he's finished otherwise I won't get anything else done.

Once he's done, he slides the essay across and continues with his marking pile. I roll the chair back and lean against his side as I read the comments. He wraps his arm around my waist and kisses my temple.

"We need to work like this more often." He sighs.

I close my eyes and enjoy the silence and warmth radiating from him.

* * * * *

Dad knocks on the door and peers into the room.

"Are you hungry?"

"I'm starving."

"What's your thought on takeout for dinner?"

"What are you in the mood for?"

"Hm! I had Chinese yesterday and Mexican before that, so." He ponders. "How about Indian?"

"Perhaps we should start on some cooking classes before I leave. There's no way you can live on takeaway for the rest of your life."

"I'll just eat a variety of cuisine."

"Oh my goodness, you're just like Noah." I shake my head.

"Is he a terrible cook?"

"Yes, so he constantly eats out."

"Maybe he can give me some recommendations so that I can survive you moving to college."

"Let's focus on the cooking lessons."

"Or that fact it's the first time you've brought Noah up in a conversation. When can I meet the man who's dating my daughter?"

"Um." I look around the room as my cheeks burn.

"Hopefully before college otherwise I don't know what I'll do."

"Let's grab food before we waste away."

I leap out of the room with the hopes he'll forget about that portion of the conversation.

We drive into town and I regret this decision.

"Are you sure you want this? I'm craving Chinese." I smile.

"I'm in the mood for something spicy." He chuckles.

I hope that isn't a reference to the fact Noah's sitting inside.

He strides to the counter while I give Noah a look. I don't know if I want him to run, introduce himself or help me find a hole to die in.

"Charlie, what do you want?" he calls out.

I hurry to the counter and take my time looking through the items. If I kill some time, perhaps Noah will leave before we need to sit down. However, life doesn't work like that.

He pays for the order and sits beside Noah.

"You're Charlie's teacher, Mr. East, right?"

Noah nods.

"East as in Percy East?"

"Unfortunately." He chuckles.

"So are you brothers or?"

"He's my nephew."

"Oh."

I want to be murdered right now for making that mistake.

"I've been telling Charlie how I would like to speak with her teachers. She's very stressed with her studies and I'm worried."

"Your daughter." He looks at me. "Is very smart, I think she just needs a break."

His eyes sparkle and my stomach churns.

"Noah." A woman holds a bag up.

Noah collects the bag and smiles as he wanders past me.

"See you in school, Charlie."

"Goodbye, N, uh, Mr. East."

Dad chuckles which makes my cheeks burn. I sit on the opposite side and cross my arms.

"I can't believe you."

He innocently smiles while I shake my head.