When They Beg, I Rise!

"Listen up, I'll only say this once."

Orion grabbed the pen, scribbling on a piece of scrap paper while solving problems.

Lemira froze, her gaze fixed on the man in front of her, her emotions suddenly a whirlwind of complexity.

Because of Evelina, she found herself without friends, even the teachers seemed to keep their distance. No one had ever taken the time to explain things to her before.

Orion's gaze was distant, "With your attention span, I won't feel strange that you daydream through class!"

Lemira snapped back to reality, murmuring an apology, "Sorry, I'll pay attention."

At the sight of her subdued response, Orion's Adam's apple bobbed as he continued to explain.

As evening approached, the warm glow of the lamp enveloped them. Lemira sat, while he stood beside her, one hand bracing the table as he walked her through the solution process. "Can't you see the pattern? It's the same as the last one.

This question's trick is so obvious, can't you see it? Are your eyes just for decoration?

Have you ever had your IQ tested? Are you sure it's up to par? Try again!"

but his words

the sharp tongue, or she might have crumbled

packed up her completed homework, "Thanks, Dr. Everhart, you're amazing

pen, eyeing her curiously, "Don't your folks

were a fortune, and she didn't want to ask the Langstons for

Lemira looked up cautiously, "Dr. Everhart, can I come to you with questions in the future?" The man turned, his voice awkward,

Lemira didn't get upset. She

desk, adding, "Depends on my

you, Dr. Everhart, you are my mentor!" Without waiting for a response, she grabbed her backpack and ran

his eyes, Orion smiled lazily, thinking teaching her was a way to pass

---

night

young master and Ms. Sterling went out

"Alright."

to the dining room for a meal, enjoying the rare

phone, she saw Evelina's Facebook post: "Out for a big meal with my brothers." Evelina and the brothers were all there in the picture, their