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!"

tone was flat, but his words were sharp,

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

packed up her completed homework, "Thanks, Dr.

twirled his pen, eyeing her curiously, "Don't your folks have a tutor

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

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

rejected, Lemira didn't get upset.

desk, adding, "Depends on

mentor!" Without waiting for

his eyes, Orion smiled lazily, thinking teaching

---

home, the night having already settled

went out for

"Alright."

for a meal, enjoying

Facebook post: "Out for a big meal with my brothers." Evelina and the brothers were all there in the picture, their smiles dripping with affection