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Then, I lug it back out of the apartment

“I’ve got this,” Zane says and relievesme down to my car “You’re flushed Are you okay?”

“I’m busy,” I reply and push a lock of hair out of ht because the students are co to take a while, so I have to run Thanks for your help”

I smile at him and drop back into my car I shift into reverse, but Zane knocks on my

“Yeah?” I ask after rolling it down

“I can come help”

I scowl “You don’t need to do that I’ve got it Just don’t wait up”

“That’s it Do not move this car”

He jogs back up the steps to the apartment, and I check the ti by

But he quickly returns, jogs to er door, and climbs into the vehicle

“I had to grab my wallet,” he informs me

“Zane, this is silly You don’t have to do this”

“Do you think that I can’t help?”

“Of course, not”

“Then off we go” He taps his fingers on his knees and raises a brohen I don’tor what?”

“If you get bored, I can bring you home”

“Aubrey?”

“Yeah?”

“Now you’re annoying me”

I laugh and pull out of the parking space, heading for the school We h empty hallways to my classroom, and I usher him inside

“This is it”

Zane sets the tote down, and I pile s next to it

“It’s pretty…institutional,” he decides

“I’ to make it look so cute, the kids won’t even notice that it’s old and dingy I bought all kinds of things, along with extra supplies to keep stored for when so on the supply list”

Zane frowns down at me “So, you buy it all? Like, out of your own pocket?”

“Yeah” I prop my hands on my hips and consider the wall space above the dry-erase board “I think I’ll put my alphabet up there”

“You have socks in this bag,” Zane says with a confused frown