Silence || Blake Richardson (1)

16

chapter sixteen

"Blake, do your own work."

He chuckles. "Who said I was using your work?"

"I can see you looking over at my paper."

"Busted."

I smile, looking back over to the book to continue the problems.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Blake reach across and grab my cup, taking a drink.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Getting a drink?"

"But that's mine."

"So?"

I shake my head.

"It's not water today."

"I know that. I wanted to change things up a little bit."

"So you bring lemonade to school? What happens when you run out?"

"I get water. Duh." I smile. "But it's the last period of the day. I won't have to worry about refilling my cup."

He rolls his eyes. "What are you doing after school?"

"Hanging out with my dad for a little bit."

Blake drops his pencil.

"Is everything alright back there Mr Richardson?" Mr Cardwell asks.

"That sounds like you're talking to my father."

Mr Cardwell gives him a look.

"I'm fine. It just slipped out of my hand."

He nods, looking back down to the stack of papers on his desk.

"Since when are you doing something with your dad?"

"This morning. He told me that we were going to go eat dinner or something together since we haven't done anything in a while."

"Let me know how it goes."

"You're making it sound like I hate my dad."

"No I'm not."

"Kind of."

He sighs. "But you've always told me that you can't really be alone in a room with him without it being extremely awkward since Erin left."

"I have."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I honestly don't know, and that worries me."

"Do you want to make up an excuse and say that you have to help me with an assignment?"

"No, it's fine."

"You sure?"

I look up from my notebook, smiling at him.