Strings Attached

Chapter Five

"Honestly? No," I said, rubbing my eyes with my knuckles.

"You need to rest," he said. "Maybe you should take a nap after finishing your breakfast."

Theodore placed a cup full of milk next to my plate, and I smiled gratefully.

I bit the pancake, and it tasted better than it looked. It was not exactly delicious, but it was tasty, and I was surprised that it did not taste like burnt food. I would have never guessed that Theodore knew how to cook.

"So what are your plans for today?" he asked casually.

"I'll just stay home, I guess. I feel like staying in my pajamas the whole day," I admitted.

"Sounds great," he said, trying to be polite.

"I know it's boring, but that's all I feel like doing," I said, taking a sip of my milk. "Why? What are you planning?"

"Nothing, really," he said. "I need to study for the ACT."

"What? You should've taken it months ago," I said.

"I know, and I did take it, but I got a twenty-four, and I want to improve that score," he said.

"What for? The deadline for most applications is January, and the next test date is February," I told him.

"I know," he said. "I've already applied. I just want to improve my score for self-satisfaction. I don't care if colleges don't take it into account. I want to prove to myself that I can actually improve."

I raised my eyebrows. Theodore was the first person I knew who wanted to take a test that would not even count. Perhaps it was his way to impress colleges, or maybe he did mean what he said about wanting to prove himself that he could do better, but whatever the case was, it surely was peculiar.

I had gotten a twenty-six in that exam, and, though I was not entirely happy with that result, I had simply accepted it and included it in my college applications. It was better than I had expected, so it was not that big of a deal. In fact, I was surprised to hear that I had finally beaten Theodore at something.

"You can," I said. "It's not that hard."

"I actually considered the test quite challenging," he said. "But you could help me out, and maybe that way I can understand the strategies better."

"Sure," I said. "It's not like I have anything better to do."

Actually, I had something better to do, and it was to watch a full season of Bates Motel in Netflix, but Theodore did not need to know that. I could watch it while he studied and answer his occasional questions.

"Fantastic!" he exclaimed, grinning. He took a sip from my milk, and I rolled my eyes. What was up with guys drinking and eating from others' cups and dishes? "Maybe we could catch a movie afterwards."

"Um, no, thank you," I said. "I don't feel like going out today. I'm too tired to even move my feet."

"Well, let me assist you," he said, smiling.

Theodore picked up my empty dish and cup and placed them in the sink. He started washing them, and I shook my head.

"No, no, no! It's fine! I can do them myself," I said, getting up.

"Nonsense!" he exclaimed. "You go and take a nap. Your body is crying for rest!"

I sighed. "Are you sure?"

"Positive," he said. "It's not like I haven't done it before."

I smiled. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he said. He pointed at the kitchen's door and grinned. "Out!" he exclaimed.