Beneath the Bleachers

2. STUDY PARTNER

chapter two,
study partner.

"Hey, Dad," you greeted. You were stood outside of UA grounds by the staff parking lot, leaning against your car.

"Have I ever told you I hate that you have a license and I don't?" Your dad said, opening the car door to get in. "It's like you're an older sister."

"At least your driving test is next month. You don't have to listen to music soon."

"In my car," he started, clicking in his seatbelt. "There won't be any music."

You gasped. "That's so sad!"

"I'll ground you."

"Please don't." You started the car, turning the music to a low volume. You reversed out of the parking lot and began your drive home, careful of when to ask your dad the question Mina insisted you'd ask. "Dad—"

"What?"

Yikes.

You gently pressed on the brakes at the red light. Your dad had his eyes closed but his hand was holding onto the handle above the door—firmly—like you would do an emergency stop.

It had taken you weeks to convince him to not passenger-seat-drive.

"Mina asked me if I could go with her to study for the physics exam at her friend's house," you said. "If you're alright with it, I'll be home before ten thirty."

His eyes opened. He narrowed them at nothing in particular, thinking deep in his mind. "Did she mention whose house?"

"Is there a house I should be avoiding?" You asked, continuing your drive.

"The flu house."

"I doubt he'd host a study night when he's ill."

"Might be true," he chimed. "Don't go to his house."

You received a message on your phone. You quickly caught it before your phone went back to the black screen on the stand. Mina had just messaged you the name of the person and the address.

"Mina said it's a person called Yaoyorozu..." You trailed off, hoping for a yes.

Your dad pondered for a bit. But after some thought and until you reached the road a couple minutes from your house, he said, "alright."

"Really?"

"Just studying?"

"Yeah!"

"Fine."

"Thank you, Dad!" You stretched out your arm, squeezing your dad's forearm in appreciation.

"KEEP BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL!"

~

You were ready for the study session at Mina's friend's house. On the phone to her as she was driving, your new friend said, "I'm not sure who's exactly coming. I hope you're in the mood to make friends."