We go together to our next class. Algebra.
We enter and spot still unused desks. 
I shock myself with my next question. "Do you want to sit together?"
He grins, showing dimples. "I thought that was already decided. But yes. Yes of course."
And we do.
He puts his notebook on the desk. 
I shamefully pull out mine too and set it down which is a teeny tiny bit ripped and mostly bare. 
He eyes mine and asks, "you don't understand algebra?" 
"Yes...n't." I cringe.
He laughs. "Clarify?"
"I understood it. But then I stopped paying attention and fell behind."
He nods understandingly. 
"I can help? If you want of course," He adds the last part quickly. His face flushes light red.
I nod. "That would be awesome."
When the teacher comes and gives us work to do Kane patiently and slowly shows and tells me a step-by-step explanation. 1 problem takes us (more like only me) a little longer so we go way slower than assumably everyone else. Kane doesn't complain tho. He looks more than happy to help even though he won't finish his worksheet before the end of the class like he always does.
Multiple times I said that I'm fine on my own so that he could work on his sheet. He refused and denied it. Saying he would rather watch me and point out when I make a mistake so that he could explain why it can't be like that.
If only all teachers were like him.
They expect us to comprehend their PowerPoint presentation downloaded somewhere from Google where are used terms they probably don't understand too.
And I'm not even talking about how fast some of the teachers go through them.
They should sign up for the 'the most mouse clicks in a minute wins' type of contest. I can name teachers who would place in the top 3.
"There! See? It isn't that hard to figure out. Dang, you may even be better than me if you keep up," Kane praises. He draws big smiley faces next to all of my correctly solved problems. 
I smile, excited to do more. 
As my pen goes to touch the paper the bell rings. I freeze. 
Kane collects his stuff and stands up. I expect him to leave but he stays. 
I look up to see him watching me with a small smile. Waiting for me. To not keep him waiting I swiftly shove my things into the bag and stand up. 
☆ ☆ ☆
"You are almost 18! You should know it!" 
I angrily set down my bottle of water. 
"How am I supposed to know something YOU never taught me as a mother!"
She opens her mouth but I cut her off. "How many times have I asked you, huh?! How many?! And you pushed me away. You always found a reason not to teach me and now I'm lost in life! I can't do anything. From cooking to being independent to,--"
"I DIDN'T HAVE TIME," she yells.
"Whole 17 years of my life?"
"You are being dramatic. Why can't you be thankful for what you have."
And what do I have?