The Giant Step Family

Apologizes and Homework

"Hey Meg, how was  your first day?" Finn asked opening her office door, "Very good, after finishing and hanging the up the audition papers many kids quickly signed up." Meg said. "Awesome, can't wait to start tomorrow after school. Before than we should talk about something. I discussed with Neal during gym class about what he has something to say, Neal come on in." Finn watched Neal shyly walk under his long legs, the little boy stopped by Finn's shoe nervously gripping his backpack. "Go ahead sport, tell her what you told me." Finn uses his shoes end and nudges Neal gently. "Meg... I'm sorry about spreading lies about you..." Neal quietly said, he tried leaving the room but Finn stopped him. "Nope, your not done yet." Finn picked Neal up by his shirt collard, he sat the child in his open palm. "Finn... I'm embarrassed. She already hates me." Neal believed she had every right to remain angry. "Oh my God Neal, I don't hate you! Honey all I want to know is why you said hurtful lies about me? Did I say or do something to offend you?" Meg asked having Finn put Neal on her desk. "When you guys started spending more time together I got really jealous and worried. My biggest fear was Finn would eventually forget about me, almost identical to what my mom did. He's my only family really, thinking about losing him is scary. I spread rumors hoping they fire you and Finn could focus on me again. I'm super sorry Meg, there's excuse for what I have done." Neal sincerely apologized, he wasn't sure if it's enough getting her forgiveness. "And Neal's willingly getting involved with the musical." Finn added. "Apology accepted Neal, and we are very happy having you on board." Meg said, Neal's happy having her forgiveness yet he has no good acting or singing skills. What qualities would he bring to the table? "Meg...how am I gonna be helpful? My acting skills suck and singing isn't even a option." Neal told her. "We all feel like we can't do any of those, when's the last time you even tried auditioning for a role?" Meg asked leaning her chair backwards. " Yes and no, years ago at my old school, the choir teacher told me I should lip-sing cause I couldn't hit the notes. Then the following year mom made auditions but the teacher wouldn't even let me read the script and put back in the choir." Neal told them. "Would you feel comfortable playing a role?" Meg asked him. "Absolutely not, I have trouble just standing around strangers, but perform for them definitely isn't gonna work out." Neal told her. "At least try Neal, who knows  you may even enjoy playing a role." Finn hugged a finger around Neal lightly. "Finn's right, just take a look at the script, talk with him about what role seems interesting and I'll see you guys tomorrow after school. Gotta run, take care guys." Meg waves them goodbye. "Got any homework tonight?" Finn grabbed Neal setting letting him sit on his head. "Stupid math and science , I'm really bad at both." Neal grabs Finn's head hair getting better sitting support. "Those subjects are hard, want help tonight?" Finn asked tilting his head. "Yes please and stop shifting your head!" Neal shifted sideways each movement by Finn. "What's that? Shift my head again?" Finn playfully slid Neal back and forth. "Wait...slow... WOAH!" Neal flew off Finn, he somehow grabbed Finn's ear lobe with quick reflexes. "Eww Finn, have you ever cleaned your ears out?!" Neal gagged getting a gross look inside the giants ears oozing with wax. "Shut up bro!" Finn jokes grabbing Neal in a fist , the little boy squirmed his arms free placing them over Finn's fingers. "Your completely gross!" Neal said chuckling. "Oh sorry, if my ears seem gross let's clean them. Luckily I have a q-tip ready!" Finn tried sticking Neal inside his ear, but his young brother screamed pure terror. "WAIT STOP! I WILL DO ANYTHING!" Neal begged squirming around, the giant only laughed dropping Neal onto his larger nose. "Anything huh? Even rub my feet after a long day of soccer?" Neal could threw up think about being anywhere near Finn's nasty feet after sweating all day. "I rather be eaten alive!" Neal courageously said. "I'm not hungry, be happy Neal cause next time I won't hesitate eating you!" Finn tickles Neal's side making his brother laugh. "Let's go home please, I gotta read the dumb script." Neal pushes away Finn's finger. "It's not dumb, lets go bud. We have lost of work tonight."
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Few minutes have passed after returning home, usually Neal would watch tv and eat diner before homework, but Finn immediately made Neal start his work upon arrival. Mike and Ingrid wouldn't be home until later so that means Finn and Neal are on their for dinner, the older brother rummages through the kitchen while Neal looking annoyed does his homework at the dining table. Neal starters with math first, he rather get it done and save science until later. His mind aches knowing how much work he has, solving 15 difficult math problems, doing a big science worksheet, and finally reading the musical script. Neither can he screw up, his science grade is slipping terribly, so is his math. In both classes he dropped from A to a C+ all in one day. Hopefully with homework he'll raise the percents back up, his teachers warned if he falls below C- a letter Neal's legal guardian must receive a letter about the poorly done performance skills. Neal feels he's all ready cause Finn enough trouble, failing classes isn't a option. Neal stares at his open math book, his required homework request finishing 15 problems written on another paper and must show all work. Neal's been home nearly 30 minutes, and has about two problems completed that he's not even sure they are correct. Neal asked Finn for help, his brother insisted Neal try alone and Finn would check his work. Neal thought the idea stupid, but he's not feeling like arguing. "Okay eight times six..." Neal mumbled quietly. "Forty-seven?" Neal didn't care what the correct answer is, he just wants to finish. "Dude, eight time six isn't forty seven! That's a easy problem." Finn said who happened to hear Neal when he passed him, Neal erased the answer violently pressing the penciled eraser against the paper. "He's right, now come everyone can get the easy problems correct besides me?!" Neal asked himself frowning, he tried counting mentally still struggling finishing the correct answer. "Screw it, I'll write whatever sounds correct." He scribbled fifty two, and continued onto the next problem. "Did you get the answer Neal?" Finn asked opening the fridge. "Ya...." Neal said. "What's the number?"Finn made sure Neal's answers are correct, the giant opened his soda can and leaned his head closer by Neal. "Fifty-two." Neal sheepishly said. "Hahaha! Real funny kid, seriously though what's the answer?" Finn's not catching how truly bad Neal struggles with math. "I don't know." Neal said irritated. "Bro, what's seven times eight?" Finn asked. "I have no clue! Go away so I can finish!" Neal demanded. "Neal that's a super easy question! Aren't you 12 years old? I wasn't super good with math but I know almost all the multiplication." Neal grew a headache each time Finn spoke, his big brother tried making math sound easy. "I DON'T KNOW FINN, SO SHUT UP!" Neal screamed hiding his face in his arms. "Woah buddy calm down!" Finn said. "I'm stupid..." Neal cried, Finn hated seeing Neal cry. "You are not stupid! We all struggle!" Finn lifted Neal in the air, he dropped him down on his palm. "Ya but I can't even do simple math." Neal sniffled. "Yes you can, some practice will definitely help." Finn said. "Now we're gonna finish this together alright?" Finn smiled sitting Neal back down gently. "Before we start can you get me a soda?" Neal asked. "Sure, here have a taste." Finn belched loudly directly at Neal, Neal quickly covers his noise barely  blocking out the smell. "GROSS!" Neal coughed. "Eww... that does smell! Let's work in the living room." Finn grabs Neal and all his homework. Through the remainder of the night they worked hard, with Finn's gracious help Neal began understanding math better, however the big brother knew hardly about science. He even used the internet here and there. After homework they looked over the musical script, Neal still refuses playing a major role. Finn told Neal all he wants is him to try, he wasn't even sure if Neal would get the part. Than if playing a role wouldn't work out, Finn said Neal could help with back stage production. The times 8:30pm, Ingrid and Mike are watching tv at their living room, meanwhile the brothers sit inside Finn's bedroom. Tomorrow's a big day and would he best getting some good sleep. Finn leaves the television playing, Neal sits across Finn's bare chest reading the script again. "These all suck Finn!" Neal groaned, he threw the script over on Finn's belly. "Good lord Neal, not even one looks interesting?" Finn asked lowering the television sound. "Not one, all the roles are stupid!" Neal whined. "Not all, how about man who sells the beans?" Neal shook his head, "A townsperson?" Again Neal disagreed, Finn mentioned more roles but Neal denied them all. Finn was at a lost, Neal's must audition tomorrow and he has no role he's intrigued by. "Wait we haven't talked about Jack! How cool would it be playing the main character?!" Finn said shooting upwards, Neal rolled from Finn's chest and almost landed inside the giant belly button. "Heck no!" Neal stood on Finn's stomach. "Heck yes, think how perfect you are for the role! Jacks usually seen as short, young, shy boy who meets a giant! Dude that's totally you!" Finn exclaimed smiling brightly. "Thanks Finn..." Neal wasn't sure if Finn understood how offense he sounded. "Please bud, try out for this part. I would be so happy." Finn gave Neal his biggest puppy eyes. "No! The puppy eye dogs aren't working!" Neal said crossing his arms. "I'll unground you." Finn smirked. "Deal." Neal said.