NOT WHAT I EXPECTED

As I woke up, I noticed someone lying next to me — it was Ivy. I hadn't realized she'd slept here last night, but seeing her in the morning filled me with a strange sense of warmth. Without making much noise, I quietly got off the bed. It was already ten past seven — I needed to get ready for school.

While I was brushing my teeth, my mother called out, "Wake Ivy. She's joining you today."

I don't know why, but that made me a little nervous. Without thinking much, I went and woke her up. We both got ready and had breakfast together.

It had been a long time since Mom had come to drop me off at school, but I had this feeling — she didn't come for me. She came for Ivy.

We reached school, and since Ivy still had to go through the admission process, I waited with Mom. She was supposed to be enrolled in fourth grade, but my mother enrolled her in the fifth instead — my class.

"Mom, she needs to be in the fourth grade. Why did you put her in my class?" I asked.

"Everything is new to her. She might get bullied by other students. This way, you can look after her," she replied.

I didn't expect my parents to show this much concern for her. Suddenly, I hated it. I regretted bringing her home.

We walked into my classroom. Since Ivy couldn't speak, I introduced her to everyone on her behalf. I went to my usual place, and she followed me. But there was no extra seat.

"I will sit with you," she wrote on a piece of paper and showed it to me.

I asked her to sit somewhere else, but she wouldn't budge. So we ended up sitting together.

Even during the sports period, she made me play with her. Usually, I just walk off with Jonathan — he's the only one I bother with. I don't waste time playing silly group games or pretending to be part of their fun. They know I'm not interested, and I like it that way. But Ivy… she didn't give me that space. She followed me around, tugged my hand, and handed me the ball — all without a word. And somehow, without saying anything, she got me to play. I wasn't even sure why I was listening to her. But I did.

It was tiring — not just the games, but having to be there the whole time, for someone.

I didn't like this. If I couldn't handle her for just one day, how could I do this for a lifetime?

By the end of the day, I had made up my mind — I would tell Mom that Ivy should be sent to a different school.

Our driver arrived to pick us up. On the way, Ivy said she wanted to eat ice cream. I asked the driver to stop at a nearby convenience store. We both got off. She picked mango flavor, and I chose the same.

She looked so happy while eating that ice cream. That made me feel… better.

Maybe I didn't hate her. Maybe I just hated the idea that I had to give her all of my time. I was angry, I admit it. But seeing her smile made me rethink everything.

I decided I would take care of her — at least for now. A lifetime? Nah… that still felt like too much. But I could be there for her until she settled in. I'd help her get used to the people around. I'd help her find friends.

We finished our ice cream and headed home.

Once we got back, the dreaded part of the day arrived — homework. Ugh. I hate doing homework, but I still had to.

We freshened up and had snacks. I sat down and started working. A few minutes later, there was a knock at my door.

It was Ivy.

She probably wanted help. She came up to me and held out a piece of paper.

"Can you help me with my math homework?"

I already knew what she meant. I've always been good at mathematics — in fact, it's the only subject I'm good at.

"I'll help you," I said. "But finish your other work first."

"I'm done with all of it," she wrote.

I was shocked."Al… already?" I stammered.

She nodded.

I didn't believe her at first, but she showed me her completed work. Then she wrote again:

"Math is the only thing I'm weak at."

I grinned. "Okay, I'll help you with math. But in return, you have to help me with the rest of the subjects."

She nodded again, but it was hard to tell if that meant yes or no.

"Yes or no?" I asked clearly.

She nodded again.

This time, I knew it was a yes.

We both started studying together.

That night, after dinner, I was in my room when Ivy came in again. She didn't say anything — she just placed a small notebook on my table and pointed at one page. Then she walked away.

I opened it.

"At school, you're not like others. You don't follow all the rules. You talk back. You walk like you don't care what anyone thinks.Some kids look scared of you. Some try to copy you.But at home... You are nice. You look at me like I'm not strange. You make me feel safe.I like that version of you more."

I didn't know how long I stared at the page. But for the first time that day, I smiled without forcing it.