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Tommy grit his teeth as he drummed his pencil against his desk. The papers laying across the wooden frame stared at him, taunting him.
This was Tommy’s first big quiz of high school. He couldn’t fail. He couldn’t be a massive embarrassment. His family always sung his praises about how smart he was.
He couldn’t let them down right off the bat. He couldn’t let them realize all his As were luck. Everybody could do that. It didn’t make him special.
Tommy rubbed at his face, feeling tears begin to form. He was going to fail. None of this stuff in his paper madesense. He didn’t remember learning about half of this. Was he just not paying attention? Did he miss it? Was everyone else going through the same crisis?
What if he failed?
Tommy sniffled, watching as tear drops dripped into the paper. He quickly shoved them away, rubbing at his eyes vigorously. He let out a growl of frustration, throwing his pencil down. It rolled against the desk, falling to the ground with a light thump.
He stomped on the ground, only growing more angry at himself for being a baby. Footsteps sounded in the hall outside his door, Tommy holding his breath.
Did Wilbur hear him? Phil and Techno were still at work. The only person left in the house was Wilbur, and Tommy really didn’t want to see him right now.
Tommy didn’t want Wilbur to see him right now. He didn’t want Wilbur to in and see him a crying mess over some simple homework that he should know how to do!
And just like that, a knock sounded on the door. Tommy threw his hands in the air. Great. The universe really did like playing games on him.
“Toms? Are you alright? I heard some angry stomping.”
Tommy bared his teeth, growling. “I’m fine.”
There was a moment of silence before the door handle twisted. “Yeah, I’m not believing that for a second.”
Wilbur frowned as he looked over the boy, taking a few steps into the room. Tommy turned away, trying to cover his tears. Wilbur simply hooked his hand underneath Tommy’s chin, turning it back towards him.
“Oh, Toms. What’s wrong? Why are you hiding from me?”
Tommy tried to pull away, Wilbur loosening his grip just enough to give him some wiggle room. “Nothing. I said I’m fine.”
Wilbur clicked his tongue. “Now, forgive me, but I doubt that. Just let me know what’s wrong, maybe I can help.”
Tommy hiccuped, rubbing at his eye with a fist. “You can’t fix it.”
Wilbur titled his head. “How would you know if you don’t even ask me?”
Tommy huffed. “Because you can’t fix me.”
Wilbur blinked, taken aback. He then moved his hands, cupping Tommy’s face and forcing him to look into his eyes.
“Tom. What is going on in that head of yours?” Wilbur’s eyes bounced across his face, as if searching his soul.
“I can’t do it, Wilbur. Nothing makes sense and I don’t remember the teacher even teaching this stuff. I’m going to failand then everyone is gonna realize I’m a fraud and I’m not that smart and—“
Wilbur pulled him into a hug, cutting the boy off as he made an ‘oof’ sound. “Toms. Sunshine. Please listen. You’re not a fraud. You are smart, even if you fail this test. And you won’t. You’re overworking yourself. Letting yourself get all worked up to the point you can’t focus anymore. It’s alright, I promise. Take a break.”
Tommy shook his head from where it was stuffed into Wilbur’s chest. “I can’t. I can’t waste even a moment.”
Wilbur pulled back slightly, cupping his face once more and tilting it upwards. “It’s not a waste if it is what’s best for you. One grade isn’t worth all this, Toms. You aren’t just schoolwork. Your being isn’t tied to school. You’re not a fraud if you fail a test. You can’t be a fraud because who you are isn’t consumed by a couple of grades. You’re a human. Your body requires relaxation and your brain needs breaks from you trying to shove a bunch of useless information into it. Take a deep breath with me.”
Wilbur took a slow breath in, Tommy copying without protest. They did this a few more times before Tommy’s anger had settled and his hiccups had subsided.
“You’re doing great,” Wilbur praised.
Tommy sniffled. “And… you won’t be mad at me if I fail this test? You and Dad and Techno won’t be disappointed in me for not doing my best?”
“Taking breaks is what is your best. Do you think you’re getting any information from those papers by just staring at them?” Wilbur questioned.
Tommy frowned. He guessed not.
“Exaclty, you don’t. Your productivity fluctuates. All we ever ask of you is to do your best. And your best includes for every aspect of your health. It means getting to sleep at a reasonable hour. It means trying your hardest in your classes, and when things get too much, it means settling down for a movie with the family. There are many aspects to the body and mind that make up Tommy. What we ask if that you do what’s best for each part. And it’s okay if you don’t know that balance yet, that’s what growing is for. That’s what your family is for. I promise, Tommy, if you fail that test because you go to sleep at midnight instead of studying until 3am, we won’t be mad. I promise.”
Tommy smiled, bonking his forehead against Wilbur’s sternum. “Thank you, Wilby.”
Wilbur hugged him tighter for a moment, planting a kiss to the top of his head. “Of course. Now, go get some sleep. You’ve earned it.”
Tommy smiled, waddling over to his bed and settling beneath the blankets. Wilbur helped tuck him in, ensuring he was warm and cozy before turning the light off.
With that, Tommy’s eyes fluttered shut. Tomorrow, he would take the test. Tomorrow, he’d be embraced by his family no matter the outcome.
And Tommy was happy with that.