'Hey Jackie, any news on Spanish tutee's?' 

'Yeah, matter of fact I'm on my way over with two right now.' I reply whilst smiling at Zeth and Jiaying gratefully. I wouldn't take too much credit for that. Of course it was also their inadequate grades that made them desperate to be tutored by a sixteen year old boy. 

"So it's silver earring boy right? When did you two become friends huh?" Jiaying questions teasingly.

I blush and roll my eyes. "At the library after the shooting I guess." Remembering that day  causes a shiver to run down my spine. Paranoia still plagues me but I don't let it lock me up in my room or be allergic to go outside. Everything that has happened with the Joker just seems like empty threats and a bunch of crap to me. A joke.

So I'm not afraid. Anyone who knows me should also know I've killed before. 

And it wasn't an insect.

It was a spider. And that counts!

"Anything else you wanna tell me?" Jiaying continues interrogating me.

"Like what?" I feign innocence.

"Cut the crap Jackie. I'm your best friend, I know you."

I look to Zeth for help even though he is clueless about literally everything. Since he doesn't go to our school, the only reason he didn't react to me mentioning a shooting is because Jackie and I filled him in on the way here. He simply shrugs so I keep quiet as we make our way to the front of the flat. I'm about to press fifteen on the keypad when Jiaying slams her hand on the door. 

"You didn't think Orabelle would suspect something suspicious going on after having another neighbour suddenly move in when her previous one told her that he's not moving? That he'd be back in some months time? Meaning, the apartment would not be available for another person to suddenly move in."

I widen my eyes.

"What the fuck is going on Jackie? I'm pretty sure this is practically illegal! Right Zeth?" Jiaying looks to Zeth for support. 

But Zeth just shrugs and presses fifteen on the keypad then states, "Let's sort this out once we're all together." As soon as we get to the fourth floor foyer, Leyna greets us in excitement and shouts to her brother.

"Aasim we've got more friends now!" She exclaims happily. 

Aasim opens the door modestly and gestures for us to come in. I'm surprised to see Orabelle already sitting on the couch comfortably. She smiles in greeting. Aasim whispers in my ear, "Oral B agreed to keep our secret." This stirs two different emotions within me. A pinch of jealously that Aasim has a nickname for Orabelle. And a spoonful of pride since he called this whole situation 'our secret'. Unfortunately it can't stay that way since both Jiaying and Zeth know now and I inform him about this in a hushed tone.

At first, worry etches on his face as he bites his lip whilst thinking. But then he gives a small grin, squeezes my shoulder and whispers, "I trust you." And I can't help but smile back.

As I sit next to Orabelle, Aasim introduces himself to Zeth and Jiaying bashfully. He's about to introduce Leyna too who then shushes her hermano and introduces herself. 

"Do you guys mind if I make breakfast for Leyna first before I start tutoring you?" Aaism asks shyly.

"I'll help you." I offer getting up. 

"No problem bro and I'll offer my hands too. But can I use the bathroom first?" Zeth takes of his jacket and rolls up his sleeves.

"Gracias y el baracias y el baño es por ahí." Aasim points to a door at the back left corner.

We all look at each other in confusion knowing he just spoke Spanish but only recognising a few words from it. Me personally only recognising 'Gracias' as thanks makes me raise an eyebrow at him. 

He laughs after seeing our clueless faces. "It means 'Thanks and the toilet is that way' I thought I might as well start teaching the Spanish."

"Oh, merci." Zeth grins.

"Are you French?" I ask Zeth.

"My mum is," he replies.

"Then why're you taking Spanish if you know French already?" Orabelle wonders.

"I love languages and cultures so I'm taking both. Taking French when I know French may be cheating but it gets me the good grades," he winks before shutting the bathroom door.

Jiaying laughs, "That's why I'm taking Mandarin even though I'm Chinese. Anyway, what're you cooking Aaism?"

"It depends what mi hermana wants." Aasim watches as his sister stands on her tiptoes to look in the fridge. I may have helped him to buy a few groceries. But we're being extremely careful so I took a picture of what stuff was in the fridge first so that nearing the librarian's son's return, we can make sure everything is back to the way it was.

"Mi hermana? Does that mean 'my sister'?" I ask.

"Correct!" Aasim claps his hands.

"Looks like the tutor's got a favourite student." Jiaying winks. I glare at Jiaying discreetly as Zeth comes back from the bathroom.

"So what're we making?" he asks. 

"Huevos revueltos," Leyna giggles when Aaism stops her from juggling the eggs she has in her hands. "That means 'Scrambled eggs'."

"We'll do it Mexican style" Aaism carries Leyna to the couch, switches on the television and presses the remote until Dora the Explorer appears, then thrusts the remote into Orabelle's hand.

"Make sure Leyna doesn't get the remote. She always raises the volume too high when Boots comes on."

Orabelle nods and stretches her legs out on the couch.

"Vamos a empezar.  Lets begin." 

-

After the study session and delicious breakfast we all shared together, Aasim got paid £25 in total by Orabelle, Zeth, Jiaying and me. Initially, it would've been £28 in total for £7 from each of us. But Zeth, Jiaying and me paid an extra pound in gratitude for the delicious meal; yet Orabelle demanded a discount for guarding the remote and because she was going to babysit Leyna whilst Aasim went to work.

That left only Jiaying, Zeth and I walking to Zeth's house. 

Always the curious one, Jiaying asked bluntly, "Where's Aaisim's parents when all of this is happening? Aaism mentioned his mum taught him how to make those delicious scrambled eggs so what's the situation with his dad?"

My face involuntarily scrunches into disgust upon hearing about his mum after what Leyna told me.  I'd rather not talk about her. But I realise I never asked Aaisim directly about his parents. It makes me proud of my mum for raising me on her own. But also stirs the question I've always pushed to the back of my mind. Where and who is my dad?

"Actually guys I think I think I'm gonna go home." I say suddenly remembering what happened at Zeth's house the last time. Looking into the mirror, I hated what I saw. Who I saw. And the similarities. It created an unsettling feeling in my chest and even though I didn't want to go home alone, I didn't want anyone with me either.

Zeth and Jiaying share a look but hug and wave me goodbye. "Bye red hood!" shouts Zeth. It been a nickname from him since he realised how much I wear my favourite red hoodie.

"Adios amigas!" I wave then start running.

Once I'm home, I call my mum immediately knowing she's home today.

"Yeah Lynne? I'm in the living room!" my mother shouts back. It may be rude but I'm in a rush to ask something before I decide against it. I turn of the programme my mum is watching on the TV ignoring her exclamation of offence. After all, I haven't asked about my father since I was six and never asked again after seeing her reaction. But I certainly have a right to know after ten years.

"Mum tell me about my dad."

*****

Hiyaa, author note. I know there are different types of Spanish so I've chosen Mexican Spanish and if you are a fellow Mexican yourself please correct me if I make a mistake. Since I've studied French and not Spanish, I'm using google translate.

Bible Verse- Job 7:8
You see me now, but never again. If you look for me, I'll be gone