Chapter 28: Lessons

He loses by about half a second on a blue shell that somebody else threw. He still blamed me, since I got first, and tackled me anyways. After that, he comes over to sit closer to me so he can bump my remote if I get too close to beating him (or so he can see if I press the power-up button a few seconds before he gets bombed with a blue shell). Somehow, I end up sitting in his lap- I think we were wrestling for my remote, and then couldn't go back to our previous sitting positions because we had to finish the race. He's not complaining because it makes it easier for him to keep an eye on me, and I'm not complaining because I can interfere with his view of the TV.

After a few rounds, Darla comes down to tell us that Sharla's here, and asks if we'd rather go upstairs to the usual tutoring room or stay in the basement. He says stay in the basement, because it'll make it easier to go back to Mario Kart between tutors.

I move back to the empty bean bag chair before remembering that Sharla asked me for his name last time, so I lean towards him. He does the same, though a lot more conspiratorially. I roll my eyes at him.

"What should I tell her your name is?"

He shrugs. "Henry. Just don't act weird about it like my parents did and it'll be fine."

"So... did you actually want me to know?"

He shrugs. "I dunno. It just felt like my name."

"Is that how you choose?"

"Kinda. I just think through a bunch of names until I find one that feels good for my mood."

I nod. "So, do you consider Henry to be your real name, or whatever feels right?"

"Usually whatever feels right. Henry is my birth name, which some people would classify as my real one. But I don't like the idea of chaining myself to a name. It feels so permanent, then, and everyone's going to constantly associate you with whatever they thought of the name before they knew it was yours, or other people they know with the same name, and I know several people named Henry. And I'm just... a different person. And I'm a different person from day to day, too. People change, nobody's exactly the same all the time. So..."

I look at him for a moment. He looks really real right now, and it's kind of touching that he's willing to share that with me. Share himself.

The moment's broken when the door to the basement opens and Sharla comes down, making her way over to us.

"Why am I not surprised that you decided to stay down here?"

He flashes her a toothy grin. "Because you know how much I like Mario Kart."

"Yup, that's it. Oh, and hi. Todd, was it?"

"Yeah. Henry," I say, jutting my thumb in his direction. She nods and sits on another nearby beanbag.

"Alright then, Henry, how're you feeling about the state of nature project?"

"Good. Did you read my notes?"

She smirks a little. "Yes. A very entertaining read, though your handwriting still sucks."

"I can't write fast enough if I have to make every letter perfect!" he protests.

"You're just lucky I can read it. Now, care to summarize the fraction of your notes that were actually relevant to the project?"

He smirks. "No huge desire for violence just because it's not illegal, but that could be because Todd's a moral person. Governed by needs if there's no government or society. Concerned about lack of protection and potential lack of food during the winter."

Interesting. He didn't mention whatever he was writing about at the speed of light, only our conversation. And Sharla said a fraction of his notes that were relevant to the project- so what was he writing about?

"And who do you think that best supports?"

"Montesquieu. State of nature would be peaceful because humans would be scared and would join society for food."

"Good. Your assignment is to make a nice, interesting project that you don't hate and that I won't hate marking."

"About Montesquieu?"

"The state of nature, the different philosophers' ideas, your project, and why you support the one you do. And what that means for the social contract and other things."

"Okay."

This is so crazy, to see him actually caring about his studies. I can't stop smiling.

Sharla's visit lasts maybe five minutes in total- she gave him back his notebook and called the school to tell them about the extra credit project for both of us, and then she left. We play Mario Kart until his next tutor shows up, sitting on separate bean bags this time. It's a bit of a shame, because he's really warm.

Henry's next tutor teaches astronomy. His name is Benjamin, and he's super interesting. Just from listening to him talk about astronomy, I want to learn everything about it. Henry is super engaged, too- he knows the answer to every question Benjamin asks.

At the tail end of the lesson, Henry becomes a little less involved in the lesson, smirking a lot more and glancing at the basement door. I learn why pretty soon: there's a knock on the door before Raymond appears on the staircase. He pauses when he sees Benjamin teaching.

"Sorry, should I...?"

"Oh, no, please, we're almost done here," Benjamin says hurriedly.

Raymond comes over and gives me a smile. "Hello, Todd. How're Noah's lessons going?"

"Very well. His tutors are all amazing, so far."

Raymond smiles and glances at Benjamin, who's seeming a bit distracted now. Henry catches my eye and smirks, looking between Raymond and Benjamin. I roll my eyes at him, and he grins before hopping to his feet.

"Hey, Raymond, Benjamin- Todd and I are actually going to have a snack real fast."

Benjamin nods. "Okay, I'll pack up."

Henry smirks a little. "Great. Raymond, you can stay down here. We'll come get you when we're ready."

"Oh yes, please consider me at your beck and call," Raymond says drily, and Benjamin smiles. Henry grabs my elbow and pulls me towards the stairs.

"Why are we actually going upstairs?" I hiss at him. He smirks.

"To give them some alone time."

"What? What do you mean?"

He closes the basement door behind us and breaks into a full smirk before starting towards the kitchen. It's very suspicious.

"They're very attracted to each other. I like leaving them in rooms together alone as much as possible."

"Well, if they like each other, why don't they, I don't know, go on a date or something?"

"They're both in denial. Benjamin had a divorce about a year and a half ago, and Raymond thinks it's too soon to make any kind of a move, though he's been saying that for at least a year now. Benjamin doesn't want to assume that Raymond is gay- he might have actually persuaded himself that Raymond's straight, at this point. So now they're both trying to convince themselves that they're indifferent to each other."

"Have you tried telling them that the other is interested?"

"I've hinted at it, but they're both pretty stubborn. So now I just leave them alone together as often as possible."

"And how often is that? Don't you call Raymond over the day before you have like, special appearances? You can't see him too much."

"I'll have him over regularly for my friends and such. And half the time I'll actively structure my schedule around them seeing each other."

"Really?"

He opens the fridge door and gives me a very serious look. "Really."

"And they haven't noticed?"

"They think I'm trying to torment them by constantly renewing their attraction. Want a plain crepe for a snack?"

"Sure."

He takes two out of the fridge and passes one to me. I fold it into quarters and chew on it while he talks.

"But yeah, probably expect Raymond to whine at me for leaving them in the basement together alone once Benjamin leaves. Hey, since you're here, you can tell Raymond not to bleach my hair in retaliation, which is his usual threat."

"What if I just told him that I think Benjamin likes him?"

"Hm, he might actually listen to you. You should try. But now while I'm around, because then he'll think I put you up to it."

The basement door opens, and Benjamin comes out, holding his bag of teaching materials. He holds the door for Raymond, who blushes a little and thanks him, causing Benjamin to blush as well. They look at each other for a moment, then Benjamin clears his throat, waves to Henry, and leaves. Raymond comes into the kitchen and gives him a look.

"I'm going to bleach your hair for that, someday. Now come on, you've already kept me waiting."

Thoughts on the chapter? Todd sitting in Henry's lap at the beginning? What do you think of Henry's tutors? And Raymond and Benjamin? Let me know!

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