"Well, that's all for the day. I'm sure you are all excited for the weekend" The teacher said in a deadpan tone

"I know I am. But unfortunately, before that, I have to return your sorry excuse for exam grades." He said bluntly 

"Starting in no particular order, Benjamin Andrews. I must say I'm surprised Mr. Andrews managed to bring his grade up to a D+. Please give him a round of applause" he said sarcastically

"Thanks, Teach couldn't have done it without you," Ben said leaving the teacher only to let out an exhausted sigh before looking at the papers

"Next Alexander Freeman. Another disappointing grade, D-" 

"You're kidding," I said

"Haha dude I got higher than you" Ben laughed from behind me

"There's got to be some mistake. I'm gonna ask after class" I said but Ben just shrugged not really caring. Ben had never cared about school before which made who he is now even more ironic

"Knock yourself out," he said nonchalantly

"Samantha Jones. C+ unexpected" the teacher said still sounding surprised

"YES! New car here I come" Samantha said jumped up excited

"Sam you don't have a driver's license or even a learner's permit," Wendy said ever the realist

"Don't be a buzz kill Wendy" Samantha said

"Back in your seat Ms. Jones" the teacher sighed annoyed 

"Hmph" Samantha scoffed and returned to her seat

"Next Wendy Willians, one of the few good students in this class. Another A. Splendid work Miss Williams keep up the good work" He said cracking one of his rare smiles

"Well do sir," Wendy said

"And finally the person with the highest grade, both in the class and for the grade, Elizabeth Monroe A+. With a hundred percentage average. Congratulations Miss Monroe"

"That's only to be expected of a genius," Elizabeth said

"Whoa pretty and smart. I'm seriously wondering what she can't do" Ben gushed

"Take a damn hint" I whispered to myself

"What was that?" Ben asked

"Nothing," I said

"Alright, brats that's all for today. Get lost" 

"But the bell hasn't rung yet?" a girl up front sat

"GET LOST!" Mr. Francis yelled pointing to the door before everyone got up and left

"You gonna talk to Mr. Francis," Ben asked

"Yeah," I said getting out of my seat

"Well, you better hurry. He's leaving" Ben said before I followed Mr. Francis who was walking out of the class

"Mr. Francis, can you wait up for a minute,"  I said as we walked through the empty hall.

"Mr. Francis" I repeated but he still chose to ignore me. So I just kept calling as we entered the teacher's lounge 

"Mr. Francis" 

"WHAT! What could you possibly want Mr. Freeman? You've been following me ever since class finished. What on God's green Earth?!" he asked his face red with fury

"Um...well," I said terrified 

"SPIT IT OUT!" he yelled through gritted teeth

"I wanna talk about my grade," I said before the angry look on his face immediately turned into one of annoyance

"What about your grade?" he asked irritated

"I got a D- on the exam and I want to know why?" I asked

"Simple, you failed. Now get out" he said packing his briefcase 

"But how I answered everything on the paper?" I asked confused

"Most of which were gone. Just because you answered everything doesn't mean you'll pass. Take for example your delinquent friend. He only answered half of the question"

"That's because he fell asleep," I said

"Whatever the reason, those questions he answered were all correct," he said and I wasn't surprised. While Ben hated school he was actually very smart

"Okay, but isn't there a way I can bring my grade up. Like some extra credit of sort. I promised my mom that I'd do better this year" I said trying to get him to sympathize which is pretty funny considering who I was talking to

"Do you see that clock Mr. Freeman?" he asked 

"Yeah?" I said confused

"What time does it say?"

"I can't read analog" I shrugged

"Of course you can't. It's fifteen minutes to three or in layman terms it's 2:45" 

"Yeah so?" I said confused

"That means my work has been finished for minutes. So for the next two days. I don't want to listen to any student talking about grades. If you want a higher grade just study like everyone else" he said

"I suck at studying" I groaned

"Can't you host a slow learner's class or something?" I asked not seeming to remember who I was talking to

"Mr. Freeman aren't you friends with Ms. Williams, just get her to help you," he said picking up his bag

"We aren't exactly friends anymore. She said she doesn't want to be my friend" I admitted

"Smart girl. I knew there was a reason I liked her" he said 

"Isn't there some other way I can get my grade up?" I said 

"No. Get out of my office" he said

"Come on please"

"Good day Mr. Freeman," he said 

"But sir"

"Good day!" he said louder

"Maybe I-"

"GET OUT!" he yelled

"Fine" I sighed leaving

"How did that guy become a teacher" I cursed as I entered the hall

"Alexander" I heard Elizabeth call from down the hall

"Just what I needed" I sighed sarcastically, rolling my eyes

"What do you want Elizabeth?" I asked

"I'm here to remind you that you are in charge of the date this evening and I'm sure you've already chosen our destination," she said

"Sure whatever. Remind me why I'm doing this again" I asked

"Because I planned the first date so you must plan the second. You can't expect me to do everything in this relationship. A man should know how to take responsibility" she scolded me

"What relationship? There's no relationship! I. DON'T. LIKE YOU. I swear to God you're delusional"

"It's quite presumptuous of you to refer to a genius like yours truly as delusional," she said smugly

"Whatever," I said rolling my eyes

"Congratulations on passing by the way"

"One A+ is nothing to a genius like myself" she shrugged as if it was no big deal

"Well, it would mean everything to me. If I got that I'd throw a fricking party" I said

"Of course it is. You're a simpleton" she said 

"Yet you won't leave me alone" I smirked

"Touché" she smiled

"Just remember to pick me up at fifteen minutes to eight"

"I have no idea when that is," I said 

"Seven forty-five, simpleton" she clarified

"Oh"

"If you're a second pass eight you're dead," she said walking away

"I swear that girl is something else" I shrugged

"Yo Alex was that Elizabeth" Ben asked throwing his arm around my shoulder

"Yeah she just wanted to ask me a question" I lied

"Okay so how'd it go with Mr. Francis" Ben asked

"Horribly," I said

"Okay. Explain to me when we reach home. I'm coming over by the way" he said.

"Fine. I have the place to myself anyway" I shrugged

"Really? Your mom left you alone" he asked disbelievingly

"She says I'm a big boy now and should be able to take care of myself," I said not seeing the big deal

"You know what this means right"

"No parties" I rejected his idea before he could even say it

Soon after we got off the bus I explained everything and I had just finished wrapping up as my house came into view

"Dude this sucks. I promised my mom I'd get my grades up when I got into high school" I said 

"Well you were otherwise preoccupied" Ben chuckled

"This just isn't my year" I groaned

"Let's see. You got rejected by Wendy who then ended your friendship and top it all off you're failing classes. I agree this isn't your year" he agreed still laughing

"Thanks, man you're words of encouragement mean the world to me," I said sarcastically

"Anytime" he nodded before he suddenly spotted someone in front of my house

"Who's that?" he asked 

"I don't know" I answered after taking a good look at him. At the time I had no idea who the tall handsome man was standing on my porch

"What's he doing on your porch?"  he asked

"Let's go find out," I said before we hurried to the house

"Hello sir, is there something we can help you with?" I asked making my way up the stairs

"Huh? I'm sorry, do you live here?" the stranger asked. 

"Yes is there something I can help you with?" I asked

"Um...no," he said indecisively 

"So what are you doing on my porch?" I asked

"I...I don't..know" he said

"Well, why don't you come back when you find out?" Ben teased

"Yes...Sure" he said looking at the door one last time before walking. We looked at the man oddly as he walked past us

"Wait," he said stopping just as he reached the last step

"Something I can help you with?" I asked

"Do you perhaps have any relation to a Miss Morgan?" he asked

"Yeah, she's my mom" I answered

"Oh good that's good," he said 

"Sure it is," I said looking at him as if he had a screw loose

"Do you need her for something?"

"Yes but it's a bit personal so I have to talk to her face to face," he said

"Sorry but she's not home" I answered

"Do you know where she is?" he asked

"Work"

"So when will she be back?" he asked

"Normally she'd pick up my sister and come back so around four-thirty," I said

"But she said she's working late today because my sister is at a sleepover," I said

"Okay can you just tell her that someone came to her" he sighed

"Sure. What's your name?" I asked

"Marcus"

"Any last name Marcus?" Ben asked

"Thomson. My name is Marcus Thomson" 

"Well, Marcus. We'll be sure to pass on the message for you" Ben promised earnestly as he smirked

"Thank you I'll be looking forward to her reply and she can reach me here," he said handing me his card

"Thank you again" he smiled

"No problem man," I said putting the card in my pocket

"Wait before you go, can I ask you a question?" he asked

"Sure, what is it?" I asked

"That sister of yours. What's her name and how old is she?" 

"Amanda. She's eight" I said

"Wow eight," he said with a sad smiled

"Is that all?" I asked

"Yeah thanks for the assistance," he said taking out a roll of cash

"What's that?" I asked

"A token of my appreciation" he smiled

"No I don't think I should take it," I said 

"I'll take it," Ben said

"Please it's no problem I insist," he said 

"See Alex, he insists," Ben said shoving me towards him

"Alright fine," I said taking the cash

"How much is it anyway?" I asked

"Not much. Remember to let your mom know I stopped by okay" he said

"No problem," I said stuffing the roll in my pocket

"It was nice meeting you," he said before walking away

"So how much is it?" he asked

"I don't know. I'll check it upstairs" I said not expecting much. We immediately walked into my room and I flopped down on my bed exhausted

"So what do you think that was about?" Ben asked

"Don't know"

"Maybe he's your mom's ex?"

"I don't think so"

"Why not?"

"Because I don't think I've ever seen my mom dating anyone," I said

"So you've never seen her with a boyfriend?"

"Not even once. I haven't even seen her go on a date" I said

"Mind explaining the younger sister," he said

"Did your mom just randomly bring a child here" he laughed

"Yeah" I answered

"I sleep in biology a lot so correct me if I'm wrong don't you need two people to make a kid" 

"Dude she's adopted," I said

"Seriously?"

"Yeah we both are," I said

"Seriously! How am I just hearing about this?" he asked

"You never asked," I said

"Oh yeah, that's true. Anyways lend me your laptop" he said 

"Why?" I asked

"I'm gonna search up that Marcus guy"

"Why?" I asked

"Because no normal person can afford a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch," he said

"What?"

"Plus he could end up being one of your father's. My money is on Amanda since they have the same brown hair color"

"Dude that's a pretty big stretch. Maybe he's just someone Mom use to know"

"Just lend me the laptop," he said

"I don't have one but my mom has a computer," I said

"Where is it?"

"In her room," I said before we went into her room and Ben went to work

"I don't know what you think you're gonna find?" I shrugged

"Me neither. I guess we'll know when we find it" he said

"What was his last name again?" 

"I think it was Thomson," I said

"Okay let's see what you're hiding Marcus Thomson," Ben said 

"You find anything?" I asked

"How much money did he give you again?" he asked with a smirk

"I don't know," I said taking out the roll before taking off the elastic counted. There were five bills there. I didn't think much of it until I got a closer look and saw that they were all hundreds

"FIVE HUNDRED BUCKS! He must have made a mistake or something" I said shocked

"Nope. He wasn't kidding when he said it wasn't much" Ben said

"What?" I asked 

"He's a millionaire dude"

"What!" I yelled going wide-eyed 

"Worth half a billion dollars to be exact"

"There's no way my mom knows someone like that"

"Well, he definitely knows her. I seriously think he's Amanda's father" Ben said

"Why would a guy like that give his kid up for adoption?" I asked 

"Well, it says here that he got his wealth recently. Five years to be exact. Before that, he was a wannabe inventor at Mcdonald's" 

"A real rags to riches story. The only one besides him was his wife" 

"Wife huh?" 

"Yep. Our friend on the internet says that they were married for seven years; dating for ten" Ben said

"That's long,"  I said amazed

"Yep They've been together for a whole decade," Ben said, "That's gotta be one special relationship" 

Speaking of the special relationship I had just remembered the date I was being forced to go on 

"Hey, Dude. Do you have any ideas for the worst possible date ever"

"What?"

"I want ideas for a date so bad that the person would never want to talk to me again," I said

"Why? You have a date?" he asked

"No" I lied nervously

"So why are you asking?"

"I'm asking for a friend"

"Uh-huh," He said not buying it for a minute

"Fine I have a date" I admitted

"Is she in our class?" Ben asked

"Yeah"

"Cool. Anyone I know" 

"Um...no. You've never met her. You don't know her at all. Not one bit" I blurted out nervously

"Whatever. Glad to see you've gotten over Wendy. But isn't this a little too fast" Ben said

"Yeah but she's the one that asked me. I kept rejecting her but she wouldn't take no as an answer. Her annoying persistence is one of the reasons I don't want to go out with her" I complained

"She sounds nuts" Ben chuckled

"So what are the other reasons?" he asked

"Huh?"

"You just said that was one of the reason, what are the others?" he asked

"That's not important," I said

"Come on tell me. Is she ugly?"

"No" 

"What she dumber than you?" he asked

"Definitely not," I said

"Then what other reasons could there be? From what you're describing she sounds amazing" he asked

"You just said she was crazy"

"And you just said she's pretty and smart. As long as she's not a serial killer you should go for it" he said before the doorbell went off

"I think someone's at the door. I'm gonna see who it is" I said escaping the awkward situation

"Don't break anything" I warned him as I walked out. I quickly ran down the steps as the person kept ringing the ball

"I'm coming to stop ringing the damn ball," I said 

"Finally. Do you have any idea how long I was out there" she said

"A couple of minutes at best," I said

"Indeed. Five to be exact" 

"What are you doing here Elizabeth. I still have a lot of time before the stupid date" I reminded her

"Come now Alexander, do you really think I'd trust a simpleton like you with planning our first official date by yourself. I came here to inform you of my preferences" she said

"How do you even know where I live?" I asked

"Simple I asked my idiotic brother and he asked his insufferable girlfriend who asked your crush," she said 

"Wow that's a lot of work," I said amazed

"Indeed so you must compensate me quite nicely," she said

"Look Elizabeth I'm sort of busy right now. Can't we do this another time"

"Absolutely not. I had already informed you multiple days beforehand. So there should be nothing else on that schedule of yours" Elizabeth said slightly glaring at me

"Either way you can't be here right now. Ben's here" I said immediately trying to push her out

"Yo Alex, who's at the door?" Ben asked coming down the stairs

"Oh shit Ben," I said not having enough time to push Elizabeth out

"Elizabeth?" he said confused

"Benjamin" she greeted in a deadpan tone

"What are you doing here?" he asked

"I can explain," I said trying to think of a lie

"So you're the one distracting Alexander from our date," Elizabeth said shifting her glare to Ben

"What?!" he yelled shocked