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!"

was flat, but his words were sharp, cutting

Lemira knew of his reputation because of the sharp tongue, or she might have crumbled under the

her completed homework, "Thanks, Dr. Everhart, you're amazing for remembering

her curiously, "Don't your folks

don't want to owe them anything." Tutoring fees were a fortune, and she didn't want to ask the

cautiously, "Dr. Everhart, can I come to you with questions in the future?" The man turned,

being rejected, Lemira didn't get upset. She

the desk, adding, "Depends

my mentor!" Without waiting for a response, she grabbed her backpack and

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

---

the night having already settled

Ms. Sterling went out for dinner, so they won't be

"Alright."

to the dining room for a meal,

brothers." Evelina and