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Sarad nodded, "i see, so maybe i'll meet them and maybe i won't." it sounded like they probably wouldn't come, and he wasn't sure if he was relieved or not. they arrived at their dorm room and Sarad held the door for Dale, "regardless, you need to spend the next day or two healing. nothing too strenuous, ok? go and take a nap or something, i don't want you moving around too much."

Sarad glared a little at Dale when he suggested parkour, "dare you to try it. i'm pretty good with knots and i've no qualms about tying you to your bed." it wasn't until after the words had come out of his mouth that Sarad realized the other meaning behind them and he blushed bright red, "homework! let's get our homework done so that we won't have to worry about it over the weekend." what was he thinking?

Sarad shook his head at the mention of parkour again, but decided it was best not to comment. "why did you put it off so long if it was due tomorrow?" he asked, pulling out his AP Biology, AP Chemistry and various medical books. he was still three weeks ahead on his homework, but he could work on his final projects since his teachers had given out the pamphlets on what they were expecting earlier that day. "if you need help, let me know. i'm pretty good at those subjects." he'd taken them his freshman year, but it was always nice to have a refresher.

Sarad chuckled, "you've no self discipline, though you still seem to get done on time so i've no reason to reprimand you." he glanced over at the mention of his subjects and them looked back down to his notes, the smile gone. "No. Taking this level of classes is only to be expected. i'll still attend high school next year, there are courses only offered to seniors i have to take, but i will be taking college credits as well. anything less is unacceptable." his voice was flat and lifeless, even to himself. Sarad liked learning and liked being challenged mentally but it didn't matter how well he did, he would never receive praise for his work. his teachers may make comment, but it was his family he wanted to hear them from, not the people paid to keep him on the 'right track'.

Sarad's pen stopped as Dale spoke. his eyes widened slightly to hear the compliment and for some absurd reason, tears prickled the back of his eyes. "what are you talking about?" he asked, smiling as he struggled to keep his emotions out of his voice, "i'm nothing special, i'm actually a little behind. my parents would be ashamed if they knew how far, they were already taking college courses by the time they were my age." at least, that is what he'd been told.

It was too much. Sarad lowered his shin so his hair hid his face as the tears fell. he moved his paper a little, not wanting it to get wet and quickly wiped his eyes, hoping Dale wouldn't see, but the tears wouldn't stop. "i'm really not," he whispered, "i'm just lucky to come from a spart family. it's genetics, not me." he was smart, but it was because he'd been born to a good family. had he been born to anyone else, he'd have ended up stupid. he was just lucky.

Sarad's efforts to stop crying were shattered when Dale came over and told him what he'd never dare to believe. that he actually was smart. Him. not just his family, but Sarad himself was smart. how many years had he heard he was the idiot of the family? how many times had he been called stupid and mocked for being a disgrace? and yet here was Dale, telling him he was intelligent. the tears came down harder and Sarad had to cover his face with his hands, embarrassed to be seen like this. "No one-" he swallowed to clean his throat, "no one has ever told me that before...thank you, Dale. thank you."

Sarad laughed a little and pushed the sweater away in favor of a tissue. "i'm not so sure that will work, but thank you for the advice." he blew his nose and threw the tissue away, "sorry. didn't mean to break down, i just-" he shook his head and hugged himself, "when you grow up hearing how pathetic you are, it's-it's nice to hear someone tell you different, you know?" he rubbed his arm and gave Dale a small smile, "i think that's enough crying for now. you're no good for my self control. i'm pretty sure i've cried in front of you more than my family-well, except when i was a baby but that doesn't count." he pulled his paper's back and picked his pen up, "homework, no more distractions. deal?"