10 Fragile Bonds 3.1

"YOU JERK YOU PROMISED ME!" I was slamming my fists on the booth table shouting in frustration in the middle of the Big Burger restaurant as Alastar sat across from me being pig headed.

"I didn't say any such thing. You said I'd do it. All I said is that your abusing our relationship, seeing as you didn't ever make Briggs do this." Alastar arguing back but I was also bull headed high school girl that he had hitched his wagon to for the time being. Seeing as he knows this i'm not backing down.

"Look, because of you I now have four days of homework to catch up on." I snapped blaming him; because I went with him yesterday to meet with Master Masing. Afterward I somehow ended up passed out from emotional distress and he just let me sleep when he knew I had work to do. "If you're in college you should be able to help." I kept arguing. Geez how stingy this man was. He seriously wants me to do what he wants and he won't even help me out here not even a little.

"I have my own school work to worry about." He finally shouted back. He had never shouted like this before. He lowered his voice trying to calm himself, and proposed a proposition. "How about this," he said in whispered tone lacing his fingers between each other on the table top. "After school tomorrow I'll help you, but you will do the work."

My mouth dropped. My thoughts of yesterday, visions of his kindness vanished before my eyes. This cheap ass; that's five days of school work. At least he can do is half of it. Sitting here arguing is getting me nowhere. I sigh bowing my head. He just sits there twiddling his thumbs with his serious expression where one eyebrow is lifted as if waiting for me to agree. It's as if no matter how hard I try that look says he'll never budge from his decision.

"Fine! I better take what I can get." I caved feeling grumpy sitting back in my seat. I skipped school today, and I had no urge to go to class when my school work was still not finished. That's how I ended up here; in Big Burger with master Alastar for lunch, and began to argue with him about my class work. They make burgers with a variety of ground meats. I always get a venison burger when I have extra cash to eat out. It's not greasy, and is so delicious with a firm slice of Parmesan cheese on it and mayo. My mouth began to water as they placed my burger on the table in front of me.

"Glad to see you have an appetite." Alastar was chucking at me teasingly. His serious look had faded as quickly as I had agreed. I felt like I had been played. He was the type that thought he was so funny he seemed to laugh at everything, and enjoy life.

"Why wouldn't I;" I ask. "Don't tell me you are about to say you're not use to seeing a girl that likes to eat, and not care about her figure." I take another bite. That can't be possible though seeing as I don't see you having many opportunities to wine, and dine a woman considering your job. Gesturing to the robes he would normally wear.

I don't try to come off bitchy, but saying what I want makes me feel a little better with him. He never seems to mind. He laughs with me and smiles happily. This guy is weird, no matter what insult I throw his way he smiles. It's like he's the female me in my double life. I always wearing a mask, and always smile; even when mad or upset When I'm Stacy. I almost feel sick thinking about it

The burgers so yummy. I'm in heaven as I quickly devour it wishing I had savored it now; because it was gone and though I was full I wanted another. I hum as I lick my fingers clean enjoying the taste that lingers. Looking across the table Alastar was still eating every slowly. I haven't had time to eat that slow in a long time I thought. I decided while I waited I'd try to start my homework so I have something to turn in tomorrow.

I better start with my worst subject; maybe if I go back to the last lesson I might remember something or at least maybe I can figure it out. At least that's what I thought. No matter how I look at the assignments for the last five days I just don't get it at all. Frustrated I start chewing on my led pencil and moaning in a depressed sigh, forgetting everything around me. Flipping through pages reading equation after equation I got madder at myself, I felt stupid.

A loud hard laugh broke the screams of my thought process suddenly making me look across the table realizing I was still at the restaurant. "Ok stop!" Alastar was bent over in his booth laughing hysterically. "I can't take it any more my stomach hurts. I had no clue you were this bad at math I'll help you so stop making that droopy puppy face as you look at your book." He was laughing so hard his eyes began to water.

I was so focused on figuring out the problems I had forgot I was with Alastar. I had started looking at it as a way to kill time; while waiting for him to finish eating that's all. I felt so stupid. Within a few days I have carelessly shown him many sides to myself. I'm so dumb losing myself and yet I know nothing about him yet. He stood up from his side of the booth and came too sit on the bench next to me. He stretched his arm across the back of the seat as he leaned in to take a look at my book. Why did having his arm behind me make me feel so nervous?

"Ok where are you exactly?" He said glimpsing over my shoulder.

I handed him my note book and pointed at the text book problems. He agreed to show me how to do a few problems, and explain them too me; then I'd have to do the rest only willing to help if I had questions after. He looked so serious; as he began to show me how to solve the first five problems. It was refreshing from that goofy happy go lucky look he always wore.

"Do you understand?" He suddenly said looking up from the notebook at me.

"Huh; ummm, sorry I wasn't watching!" I wanted to face palm myself of shrink into the booth and disappear. Why am I so stupid I didn't watch or listen to anything he was doing, I missed it all? I was stuck on his expression as he worked out the problems so earnest in teaching me.

"Is your brain that bad, just what were you looking at? You better pay attention if I'm going to help you." I could see his eyes fill with amusements as he grabbed my head giving me a noogie. "If you don't watch this next set of problems I'm leaving you to hang. Got it?" He said half chuckling at my messed-up hair and, half serious I could tell from his tone.

"Do it again, I promise I'll focus this time Master Alastar." I beg, I will never figure it out on my own.

"First," he clicked his tongue at me. "When we're not in the robes its Ben got it." he said raising his finger as if to make a point in teaching me a lesson. "Second," he smiled at me wickedly. "Say "Please show me again I can't do it without you" or I'm leaving." He was teasing me now.

"But...."

"I'll give you till three, two...., one...."

"FINE!" I shouted. I gritted my teeth as I spoke the words. "Please show me again; I can't do it without you."

"What's my name?"

"Ben" I replied I wanted to puke, I was so annoyed why do I let him get away with messing around with me like that. His smile was even bigger than before and even more annoying, what happened to mister serious all of a sudden. I wanted to cut that confident smile off his face.

However, after all the jokes we got to work. He showed me what formulas to look for and corrected my mistakes. I felt like I was beginning to get it a little. Having a personal teacher who sits with you, and can correct you right away when you make a mistake; is so much better than sitting in a class where the teacher instructs everyone the same way. I hate how teachers don't adjust their teaching styles to different learning styles. It was dark out when we finished and I'm surprised the owner didn't kick us out even though all we were doing now was homework and drinking sodas. He went through all four days of math homework, and it was relaxing to know it was all done, and that I could understand it.

"Thanks for helping me." I said hugging my books to my chest joyfully as I skipped out the door.

"Get in!" He pointed behind him to the car parked outside. "I kept you out past dark so I'll give you a lift." I don't know why but his gesture made me feel nervous suddenly. He walked to the car to open a door for me.

"No that's ok." I say waving a free hand around. "I can walk from here. See you later!" I holler back as I run off down the street leaving him there holding open the car door. However; after I felt guilty for just leaving, but I felt uneasy when he pointed out another one of my weaknesses that I hate the dark. Even if he didn't know or mean to, it made me uncomfortable. Briggs would tell me to ignore my fears and suck it up. Alastar though he seemed to notice all my faults and let me show them, yet I knew nothing about him. I ran home as quickly as I could.

Why did having him possibly know the truth that I am afraid of the dark bother me so much, and make me feel insecure? I searched through my thoughts only one voice spoke though. I'm scared that's why, I'm afraid to let anyone in. I don't want to let anyone in. I couldn't take it if someone else left my life. Can I really open up and believe that he too wouldn't leave me alone? I had finally made it home the second I entered my room I plopped down on the bed sprawling out on my back. Laying there in thought I was overcome by exhaustion and sadness dwelling on it.