(Untitled)

[bluespells]

It would be an exaggeration to say that the pile of books on the bar's surface is taller than the boy beside them, but only just. There's a textbook for every class he has, a few workbooks, some novels for English, and binders to go with each, all stacked neatly and all being ignored by Billy. Instead, he's got his head nestled in his arms and

Comments

[heyfootballhead]

Arnold rolls in on a wave of serenity.

"School troubles, Billy?"

[bluespells]

"A month's worth," Billy agrees. "And I'm pretty sure the teacher added extra."

[heyfootballhead]

"Why would they do that?" That's not a very nice thing to do to a cool kid like Billy, after all.

[bluespells]

"Because they all hate me," Billy declares.

[heyfootballhead]

"What? Why?"

[bluespells]

He shrugs, uncomfortably.

[heyfootballhead]

"That's stupid," Arnold declares. "You're too good for stuff like that."

[bluespells]

"...Thanks, Arnold," he says, quietly.

[heyfootballhead]

"You're welcome, Billy."

Arnold sits on the stool beside him and examines the pile of books.

"I think you need help."

[bluespells]

Billy huffs. "Probably. I mean, I haven't been to class in ages."

[heyfootballhead]

"No, no, that's too broad. I meant just with this pile."

[bluespells]

"Yeah, maybe." Billy looks at Arnold dubiously.

[heyfootballhead]

"Do you have anything...say, around fourth grade level to do?"

[bluespells]

"Er." He considers. "Not really?"

[heyfootballhead]

"Well, that makes things a little more complicated."

[bluespells]

Billy ruffles Arnold's hair.

"You could just distract me."