Honey and Spice | ✔️

Chapter 22

Ryder

"Do you think animals speak animal or do they actually speak English and we just perceive it as gibberish animal sounds?" asks Mae randomly one day in the library. Nathan and I look up from our books.

"Maybe," he replies. "I've watched some animal movies so . . . I suppose they speak English too? But then again it's unrealistic, but we'll never know."

Then, Mae nods thoughtfully and returns to her book, mumbling something about a wolf named Lego or something.

"Anyway, guys, do you wanna study together at my place?" I ask them. Our exams are just around the corner and we're either half-assed studying or procrastinating. But I just ask them this because I need help.

Mae looks up. "Wait, today? After school?"

I nod.

"Oh, I can't go today," she says. "I'm so sorry!"

"That's fine, no worries," I assure her and she relaxes, turning back to her book and twirling her black-and-green hair. I turn to Nathan. "What about you? Are you free?"

He glances at me and nods his head. "Yeah. I'm free today," he mumbles, avoiding my eyes.

There's something weird about him. I touch his arm. "Hey, hey. You good?"

He nods his head and gives me a small smile in response but I can see through it. I don't push it, though.

"Okay," I say, turning back to my book, but I look up in time to see Mae wink at me.

*

The bell finally rings and we are released from our prison. Ugh, I fucking hate school so much. But Nathan makes it a little more bearable every day.

We arrive at my house, talking about random topics as usual (he's not so tense now). After I hastily clean my desk - it's just hard to consistently keep it clean - we sit side-by-side with our notes out on it.

"Okay, so, uh. . ." I start. "I really need help."

Nathan raises an eyebrow. "You - the top student in almost all our classes - need help?"

"I'm not- I just need help in math. I barely passed it." I cross my arms defensively. "Numbers confuse me." And yet, ironically, one of my coping mechanisms involves numbers.

"Well, I'm not really good at teaching. . ."

"Please?" I pout. "Pretty please with aged organic milk tossed over seasoned tomato purée spread on baked whole wheat?"

"That sounds delicious - "

"I'll buy you any book you want."

This catches his attention. ". . . Are you bribing me?" He squints at me.

I shrug, leaning back on my chair. "Yeah, maybe. I guess."

He holds my gaze for a beat longer than I wanted and sighs in defeat, smiling. "Okay, I'll help you."

I grin at him.