I WAS JUST

" Charlie, that's enough!" Don said, wearly heading back to the house.

" Come on, Donnie," Charlie replied, reverting to his infantile nickname for Don, " Just a few more minutes."

Don sighed.

" No, Charlie, I have to study. You know that Calc test is coming up," he said.

" I'll help you," Charliebegged desperately running up to Don, " Whatever you need to look over. I'll explain it...I'll help you with the asignment."

Don looked down into his brother's pleading eyes. Turning back to the door he yelled, " MOM! I think something's wrong with Charlie."

Mrs. Eppes apeared in the hallway.

" What's wrong?" she asked worriedly.

Don looked at Charlie and back at her.

" I think Charlie's gone round the bend," Don said seriously.

Mrs. Eppes looked over at her older son and said, " Oh, really."

" Yeah, he's offering to help me with my homework."

Before she could stop herself Mrs. Eppes burst out laughing. Don looked at her like she was crazy, too.

After a moment to get back into control Mrs. Eppes replied, " Don, just because your brother is offering to help you...It doesn't mean Charlie's sick."

" But he never helps me," Don stressed.

" Most of the time, you don't let him," Mrs. Eppes pointed out seriously, " So how is this any different."

For the second time that day Don was at a loss for words. Finallly he turned and said, " Fine, Charlie, do whatever you want."

Charlie's eyes lit up as he jogged after Don into the house. He ran up ahead of Don and into Don's room. Don groaned internally. He had made a promise to himself he would never ever again let Charlie into his room.

Shuffling into his room he grasped his backpack and thrust it onto the bed. Charlie stood straight against Don's dresser as Don sat against the bed.

" Are you going to help me or not, dork?" Don asked looking at Charlie.

" Yeah," Charlie said walking over.

Sitting carefully on the bed making sure his head blocked Don's line of sight to his dresser he flipped the calculus textbook open. For the next hour Charlie explained every detail of the chapter to the point that Don thought his head would explode.

" Charlie," Don finally said looking up tiredly, " That's enough."

" But, Don," Charlie said, having forgotten for a moment why he was really there, " This doesn't even cover it."

" Charlie, it's enough!" Don said, " It's official. I'm going to fail this exam."

" Not if you rem..."

" Charlie."

Charlie stopped.

" Ok," He surrendered, " But it's not as difficult as it looks."

" That's because your a math genius," Don mumbled under his breath, but just as bitterly he said aloud, " Charlie, get some sleep. Please."

Charlie looked at Don. His brother did look rather haggard, but Charlie couldn't leave his post. Don would see the trophy missing and then...Charlie suddenly became aware of heavy breathing. Don had drifted off to sleep waiting for him to get out. Quietly Charlie stood up and sneaked hedid he remembered to turn off Don's alarm clock. He wouldn't be needing it.

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