What if?

Chapter 73: The mysterious drawing

Michael

“How do you get this one?” Nick asked who is now beside me. We are right next to his desk. We decided to study on his desk because he will be the one to be taught with. We both agreed on this one pretty well. 

“Wait, I will give you the formula.” I replied to Nick. I don’t want to teach him every time he asks me something. I want him to understand the formula on his own.

I remember that I wrote down formulas just for him. Because last time we studied together. After that time I told myself to write the formulas of what our Math teacher is teaching so I can let Nick see it when he asks me to teach him again. 

“See? I was right to keep all these notes.” I said to myself.

“What?” Nick asked me. I think he is confused. “I have a notebook here full of formula notes from our class. Just patiently wait there because I will look for it. Okay?” I said to Nick.

“Fine. I will.” Nick replied without hesitating. Why the hell is he being so cooperative with me now? The last time we studied together he was really not cooperating with me. Well, I guess that because his scores turned out well he is now being like this with me. 

I continued to look for the notebook where I write all the formulas. “Finally!” I said as I saw the notebook where I wrote all the formulas. 

“Here.” I said as I handed over the notebook to Nick. “Whaaa! Thanks.” Nick said and immediately opened the notebook. 

“Oh!” Nick said as he saw something in the notebook. “Wait!” I said and quickly took the notebook from him. “s**t! I almost forgot that I once drew him in the notebook. It was the time when I was reminiscing about the first time I met him.” I said to myself as I excused myself from him. 

“Why? Okay. You get the drawing that you drew in that notebook. I don’t care though.” Nick said to me. I don’t quite understand what he really means with those words but one thing I know. I would really feel embarrassed about it.

Nick knows how much I treasure him. Actually not just him who knows about it but also the people that are close with us. Including our parents, Janice, John and the helpers. But! I would really freak out if he saw the drawing I did. Like literally. It is so embarrassing and awkward at the same time.

“Good.” I said and took out the drawing that I made and put it in my drawer. My drawer has a lock so is Nick’s. Mom and dad bought it because of this purpose. Mom and dad are very meticulous, especially in this part.

“Give it back to me after you finish.” Nick said to me without even looking in my direction. I like how he doesn’t pay attention to such things. He also prioritizes privacy. 

“I surely will.” I replied while walking back to my place. “And… here it is.” I said as I handed over the notebook again to Nick.

“Thanks.” Nick said and opened the book. “I want you to understand it all by yourself and answer all the problems in this paper.” I said while giving him a piece of paper with problems. 

“What?! But why are you giving me this? Can’t you just teach me?” Nick said to me. “Unfortunately, I can’t. I don’t want to make the same mistake I did last time.” I replied back to Nick. 

“What do you mean? I got a good grade last time.” Nick said to me, confused by what I just said. “You don’t understand. What I meant was… last time I taught you and you must have gotten good grades but it is not enough for you to last until this time. You did not study it that well all you did was memorize all the steps that I taught you. Because of that time, I want to change the way that I teach you… and it is this way.” I said to Nick. 

I want him to teach himself using the notes I gave him because I believe that in this way he will be able to remember how to solve the problems I made.

Nick’s capability is not like mine and John so I just gave him 10 problems for him to solve and practice.

“Are you serious?” Nick asked me while looking like a person who desperately needs help. I am helping him but in this way. 

“I am. After you finish, tell me so we can check all your answers.” I said to Nick.

“What about if I don’t understand it?” Nick asked. “There is no way you will not understand it because I already put everything in that notebook. Believe in yourself Nick. I will be here playing.” I said to Nick and immediately went to my desk and started playing.

Before I started playing, I turned to look at him and saw how he was struggling already. “Trust yourself Nick. You can do it on your own.” I said to Nick.

All the things I am doing for him are for his better. I know that this will make him grow. I don’t want him to be so much dependent on me in this one because if I continue to do so it will add up until he will be dependent on me in everything… “Just thinking about it already scares me.” I said to myself and started playing. 

I turned the volume down so he cannot hear the sound of the game I am playing and I did not use an earphone too so I can hear when he calls me already to check his answers. 

I just remembered the time that I first started to write the notes for him. I was thinking about the moment where he will become an excellent person in this field. Nick might not be that smart but he has a lot of potential. I know him, when he sets his mind on something, he definitely gets it.

“It is something that I really admire and envy about him.” I said to myself as I again turned to look at him. 

“s**t!” I said as soon as I turned my attention to my phone. I lost the game because I was not focusing on the game. 

“Excuse me. I am studying… ON MY OWN.” Nick replied, which made me smile. He really tried to put more emotion on those words.

“Sorry. Have a good study… ON YOUR OWN.” I replied back to him. 

“I have to stop playing and just stay still.” I said to myself.

“Pftt!” Nick replied and continued what he was doing.

“I will be on the bed.” I said to Nick and went to bed. 

While I was on the bed, I was just silently staring at Nick and what he was doing. 

“I hope I have the passion like him too.” I said to myself while looking at him. Because of the way I am, little by little I am losing joy in what I am doing. 

A lot of people applauded me which made me work harder because I am afraid that I will make them down. Mom and dad are not forcing me but I am the one who forces myself. 

Luckily, life came to me and everything was fresh again. The time I taught him mathematics was really heartwarming. I liked the time when I was just teaching him, checking his answers and correcting them made me feel happy about knowing about mathematics a lot. 

He brought me joy that I never experienced before. 

(After an hour)

“Michael! I finished it.” Nick shouted with his two hands up. “Let me see.” I said while I got off the bed and walked towards his desk. 

“Whaa! Finally. It was hard.” Nick said to me. An hour was already quick for him. The problems were getting difficult as the number increased. If he gets at least 8/10 correct answers will literally lose my mind. 

“Let’s see what you got.” I said to Nick. “I don’t know if I understood your notes the way it should be but I hope that I answered even 1 problem is enough for me. I still have a long time to improve though.” Nick said to me which made me melt my heart. 

“So humble… no! Down to earth is the right word.” I said to myself. I hope he will get at least 1 problem correct as what he says.

I started checking his answers. “Wait!” Nick said, which made me stop checking his answers. “Why?” I asked Nick.