#11 Advantage

"Everyone please take your seats, it's time for roll call."

Ah, this again. Don't the teacher get bored calling our names in sequence every single day? Even I get bored saying 'present' every time my name is called.

Somehow, I felt like something was missing in front of me. Usually, someone would be sitting in front of me blocking my view of the whiteboard but today, I could see it clearly.

"Eric Frederick."

Hm? Is he not here?

"Is Eric Frederick absent today?"

I looked around and it didn't seem like he came. Come to think of it, he wasn't with us during our morning gossip. Don't tell me… he already went on his vacation?

I was happy because finally nothing was blocking my view but sad at the same time for not being able to see him for some time. Dozing off during class would be a problem too.

Sigh. Just when I wanted to sleep.

The person bothering me changed too. For the whole day today, Carl was asking me if I needed any help in the lessons. I told him it wasn't necessary for him to keep asking me like that because I would find him when needed, but he insisted on doing so.

I complained to Mia about it during break time and she chuckled.

"Your best friend is having a hard time here and you're having fun in your own world?" She always had the habit of entering her own world when she imagined what she heard or saw into a fantasy story. Despite that, she would still give good advice on how to confront my problems after she was back to reality and that was what made me stuck onto her.

"You should just tell him directly to stop."

"I just felt rude to do that so I did in a roundabout way." She sighed when she heard me.

"Well, that could depend on the person too. I believe Carl isn't the kind to be able to get your message if you confront him indirectly."

Really? I never thought about that.

After break time was over, I returned to my seat and Carl was already there before me. He told me I could ask him for any help and he would be more than willing to help. It was the second time he told me that and I knew he was taking advantage of Eric's absence.

Jeez. Can't help it.

I kept thinking about what I should ask him about and suddenly, an idea came to mind when we were having Mathematics class.

Every time the teacher gave us questions to do, I asked him, politely, to do it for me. I've done those questions before when I studied at home last time so it'll be just a waste of time for me to redo it.

As I expected, he didn't have a pleasant look on his face when he accepted it. I knew he didn't mean by this kind of 'help' but I thought it would make him think I misunderstood him and would stop bothering me.

It was a great chance for me to rest my head by clearing out the equations from my mind.

"Amanda, are you sure you can't do these on your own?" Carl must have felt annoyed doing everything for me, "It's literally what we just learned a minute ago."

'Yeah, right, you got me. I can do them but I just don't want to,' as if I'd say that.

"But you said you'll be more than willing to help me with anything?" I put on my most innocent look. "Or was I mistaken?"

Hearing that, Carl wouldn't be able to decline my statement since it was him who started it first. That felt like I was a villainess of a story.

I wanted to take back my book from him but held it on tight. I gave him a perplexed face and he was frowning while doing the questions.

"I thought you didn't want to help?"

"I never said that. Besides, I've promised to help you with anything."

Ah, so convenient. However, I too would feel guilty for not doing my own work by myself so I told him to return it to me but he wouldn't budge.

"It's fine, I'll do it by myself, you don't have to help me." I pulled my book in full force and he finally let go. It was kinda disappointing seeing him let go of my book because that meant I have to do it on my own but it was the best for me.

Carl leaned in and told me the answers for all the questions, still continuing his 'help'. When he realized I wasn't listening to him at all, he gave me his book.

"I've done it, you can copy mine."

Another advantage for me but I refused. I was afraid he would stick to me even more if he found out I needed him then that would be a huge problem for me to handle when Eric comes back. They would argue more than usual.

I refused to take his book but it was so tempting. Just thinking that I didn't need to use my brain was so good that my hand moved to accept his book on it's own.

"Just this once, since you insisted."

He was smiling gleefully like he had won but I couldn't care less. All I had on my mind was to complete my homework without even wasting a single drop of my brain juice.

After school, I checked my phone and saw Eric's message. He sent lots of pictures of him in his vacation house. I startled when he suddenly sent another message while I was looking at his pictures.

"Should I send you home?" I turned off my phone screen instinctively when I heard someone behind me. I turned behind to see who it was and turns out it was just Carl.

"No thanks, I have someone to pick up up."

"There's still some time before that 'someone' comes, right?"

Well, that might be true but Alice would panic if I told her my classmate was sending me home.

"My driver is already here, I'm sure you can reach home earlier if I sent you," he added.

Just then, I remembered I was supposed to visit my mother at the hospital so I rejected him. He didn't look happy about it but luckily Alice came on time.

"Then, I'll be leaving now." I waved to him and went into the car.

While we were on the way to the hospital, Alice asked me who he was so I had to tell her. I assumed she wouldn't tell mother about it since she wasn't in full health.

"Carl Smith, I haven't heard of him before."

Figures. He wasn't from any famous family so it's only normal for her to not know him.