**OLIVER WEST**
I stared at the math textbook spread across Kieran's desk, my pen moving steadily through the problems.
The shortcut Kieran had shown me earlier was actually working. Instead of getting lost in tricky steps, I could see the solution now.
My pen paused as I double-checked my answer. It matched the one in the back of the book.
"Yes!" My fist pumped into the air, I was finally getting it.
"Mom, your son isn't a failure anymore!" I stretched on my seat, grinning at this victory. It wasn't all about the promise Kieran made to me some hours ago.
"If you get at least a C in all your subjects, I'll take you to that author meet and greet you've been obsessing over."
Yes, the thought of meeting my favourite comic writers made my heart race with excitement, but it was nothing compared to the imagined look of pride on Mom's face when I would finally become successful.