[Jarvis Harding]

Mom and Dad are worried. Honestly, they're right. My grades have been dropping since that incident in the chemistry lab last month, my friends have been ignoring me for a while and, to add insult to injury, I also lost my part-time job due to a mistake I should have avoided.

I'm not trying to make excuses, there's literally no point in doing so, but I can't help wondering what would happen if things had been different.

To make things worse, I'm sure it all has to do with that rumor of me dating Heather Deel. I mean, she has an A-class boyfriend. Why should she want to hook up with me? Now, everyone sees her as a slut and me as someone who's only looking for trouble.

The only way I can survive this hell is keeping my head low and working my way back to at least decent grades. Still, Mom feels that I'm burning out. "Jarvis," she says indeed. "Could you stop poking your nose into that book and listen to me for a moment?"

I pout. "Mom, I need to ace that test! I can't-"

She dismisses my excuse (which is the truth, by the way) simply by waving her hand. "Jarvis, I'm serious. You're wasting too much time overthinking on that test. You're clearly stressed out, and the result is evident." She believes that my slip-up is caused by stress and lack of focus, but I don't really have time for a break. Either I pass this test or my chances to head off to college may become slim.

"Mom, seriously, I don't want to discuss it anymore! I need to study. Please." I beg, but it doesn't seem to work as she insists on her position until she snatches my book and my notes away from me. No way, she can't have done that. If I fail again, I don't want to hear another of her hypocritical remarks on my alleged lack of effort.

"You-"

"Jarvis, tonight you're coming to dinner with your father and me, okay?" I sigh as she says so. I don't want to go to a stupid dinner and possibly make another poor figure. Can't I just stay at home?

"I know you don't like this idea, but since you're not the one to decide, then you're coming with us. Period." Her serious tone is an obvious sign that this matter is no longer a subject of discussion.

I retort ironically. "Great, another poor figure for my collection. I'm sure it's another excuse for you to introduce some random girl-" I cut myself off, realizing that I'm crossing the line and shouldn't have talked to Mom like that.

Her expression turns into a cold glare, after which I bolt to my room to think of a plan to avoid this torture or, as she wants, a decent outfit for tonight.

I'm pretty sure I won't talk to Mom after what she's trying to do.

***

Sitting at the diner booth with Mom and Dad is probably the most embarrassing thing that happened to me since the lab incident. I try not to look around, not even in their eyes. I only stare at my platter and eat in silence. I don't care about the chatter around me, I just want some peace.

Every time they try to have conversation with me, I ignore them. I know, giving them the silent treatment sounds awful, but I'm supposed to be in my room, studying hard for a test I'm certain I'm going to fail, not here.

"Jarvis, are you going to keep ignoring us? You know, young boy, that our patience isn't illimitate." Dad's stern warning, instead of making me cave, only causes me to eat faster and want to leave this abysmal diner as soon as possible.

"Time isn't either. If I don't ace that test, I'm sure you'll call me out because 'I didn't study.' I want to pass it, you know better than me, and doubt you'd accept another failure," I point out, to no avail.

Mom shakes her head. "You keep not realizing why we're here, Jarvis." Why is she insisting on this topic? I shouldn't be here, period.

"Because you're punishing me, maybe?" Sarcasm fills my voice once again. I'd rather hear them say clearly they have some issues with me so that we try to fix it civilly without having to go out on dinner.

"No-one is punishing you, Jarvis. You are punishing yourself by spending way too much time with your head on your books. Why are you so stubborn? I get you want to redeem yourself after that incident, but-" I've had enough. Not because she's uttering absolute bullshit, but because it doesn't look like my problem has a solution.

"I... You know, Mom? When I messed up with the chemicals in the lab, I thought I'd be expelled." As I recall that painful day, I can't help feeling regretful for getting my best friends, Jay and Audrey, punished for my reckless actions along with me, when I should've faced backlash and comeuppance on my own. "I disappointed everyone. My friends, the rest of the class, teacher, the Principal, and you."

"You need to stop wrapping your head around it, Jarvis. It's over," states Dad. "Just move on. Everyone learns from mistakes, right?"

I shake my head. I've made too many mistakes so far and need to be held accountable for all of them. I can't keep ignoring the fact that, every time I mess up, other people are also involved. Jay, Audrey and my parents may be understanding, but someone else might not. This is why I've tried to avoid mishaps as much as possible.

Mom asks, "Did this moment together help to clear your mind a little bit?" Her smile brightens me, it literally lifts my mood up.

I smile back at her. "I'll tell you when I revise for the test tomorrow."

She shakes her head again and sighs. "You'll never change, Jarvis." Then, to end the night on a higher note, she asks, "Who wants some ice-cream?"

Dad and I immediately raise our hands, craving at least a dozen different flavors and wanting to enjoy this opportunity like the dear old times.

***

As I put my Science book in my backpack, I stare at the window, thinking again about my parents' words at the diner. I've been worrying too much about finding validation from other people and, as a result, have since neglected myself.

My thoughts are suddenly shaken by my phone's ringtone. This only means one thing: either Jay or Audrey texted me. As I check, I'm shocked to see that both did. What they wrote is simply unbelievable.

'Jarvis, have you read the school's newsletter? It looks like the test will be cancelled. Someone was caught stealing the answers or something like that.'

'Jarvis, I'm worried. The test is going to be cancelled. Jay told me and honestly I'm freaking out. My Science grades aren't that great and I needed this test to raise the bar.'

Oh shit. Who could steal a bunch of papers containing the answer key to the test knowing that the teachers' office is off limits? What if it's just a stunt from the Principal to make the student body look bad?

I don't really need to think too much about it. The truth will come out sooner or later.