Liam PoV
The next day at school, it took me about 30 seconds of watching Spencer to conclude I had dreamed yesterday up. There was no way such a shy kid was the same one that had managed to look at me with eyes so sad yesterday I actually felt my stomach clench for the first time in years. He was lingering in the back of the room near the desk he had claimed yesterday. When I walked in, he turned to me and flashed me a weak smile that I had a hard time believing was real. I seemed to be the only one who had even noticed he was there. The other kids filling the classroom acknowledged me with a nod. It wasn't that other kids were mean to me or anything, they just knew that a nod was as far as they could go. They all seemed a little surprised that I actually gave Spencer a smile back, as I found my way to my preferred seat toward the middle.
Ms Delacruz came in, and everyone found their way to the unassigned-assigned seats that GT kids tend to accidentally develop. "Alright, I know it's like the second day of school but this is basically your fourth year in this class so we're going right into it. Today I assign the collaborative essay, you have until Tuesday. The prompt's on classroom, it's over the book you all should have read over the summer. I don't care who you work with, you're all adults."
When it came to group projects, in any class really, I always ended up asking for permission to work on it alone. I had tried that on the collaborative essay last year and Ms Delacruz would have none of that. The rest of the students started to pair up with their usual partner, and I became suddenly aware of a presence behind me who I figured would be safe to assume also did not have a partner. I accepted my fate and looked Spencer in the eye. He smiled. It was genuine, I don't know how I could tell but I could. Not like that one he showed me before class stared.
I made my way to his desk, knowing he wouldn't, with his shy of a personality. Surprised expressions were directed at us, taking note of the odd pairing. I could tell he didn't like the attention, and he ducked his blush-growing face. For some reason, I moved so that I was directly in front of him, blocking the class's view of him. I don't know if he noticed I did it on purpose, but when he hesitantly lifted his head and saw he was out of view, he breathed a sigh of relief as his shoulders relaxed.
"Thanks." He muttered it so quietly, I don't think he intended for me to hear it. I could only chuckle in response as I pulled out my phone and read over the prompt.
I scratched the back of my neck and signed, "We should probably get started on this today. Your place or mine?"
He looked at me with wide eyes, unable to stop his mouth for parting slightly. "Y- yours."
"Alright, I'll drive you, so same time and place as yesterday."
He gave a small nod of his head, without looking from the desk. I was a little nervous seeing as I hadn't had a friend over in years. It seems more of a hassle than it's worth. My mom would likely smother either me or him and I didn't want him overwhelmed or myself embarrassed.
He was waiting out side the school where he had been the day before, 20 minutes after school let out. When he saw me his eyes noticeably brightened and he scurried over to me, keeping his hands shoved in his pockets as we walked to my car.
I decided it be best to warn him before we arrived at my house, "Sorry if my mom smothers you, she gets really excited with house guests. And uh... no cussing. Or crude humor."
He only chuckled without turning from the window, "Of course. A- and do you have any siblings that will be there?"
I wondered for a second why he was even asking, then I realized someone like him would probably have to mentally prepare himself for group interaction, "Uh yeah, she's in the eighth grade. Chances are she won't come out of her room though. Especially if she knows you're coming."
"Okay." He almost visibly relaxed at me saying so. Then he didn't say anything more, and I realized I actually enjoyed talking to Spencer which was a really weird feeling because generally I never enjoy talking to anyone. "What about you? Any siblings?"
He seemed to think it over, which was a weird reaction to such a blatantly easy question. "Sort of. My dad has two s- sons that are a lot older than me and I didn't know existed until a c- couple months ago. They're not my mom's though. It was before they married."
"Oh. That's rough."
He laughed. A genuine laugh that I hadn't seen him let out since I met him. Hardier than the small chuckles he seemed to give out. I chanced a glance at him and all I could think was that he should laugh more. His eyes brightened and cheeks turned rosy, as he desperately tried to hide his smile with his oversized sleeve. It was a good look on him.
"You have no idea."
When we entered the house my mom peeked her head around the corner from the kitchen and a bright smile spread across her face. "Hey! And Spencer it's nice to meet you! I've heard so much about you!" Which she was lying of course. She was trying to embarrass me I knew, because the only things I'd said about him was that his name was Spencer and he was coming over. I couldn't help the blush that annoyingly bit at my cheeks.
Spencer seemed almost horrified at the idea of me talking about him and he turned to me with wide eyes, "H- have you?"
My mom chuckled as she made her way to shake his hand, his body not responding and the hand she was shaking was limp and uncontrolled. "But of course! My boy here hasn't had a friend in ages, and he just won't shut up about you now," as she shot me a smirk.
"Mother."
I rolled my eyes and dragged Spencer by his wrist to my room, and immediately shut the door behind him. "God I knew that would happen. I haven't talked about you, she just makes it a point to embarrass me."
"Oh good." He looked like he might cry form the relief. His eyes began scanning my room and immediately landed on the tank across from my bed, where two giant goldfish swam peacefully. "Y- you keep goldfish?" He plopped himself down in front of the tank.
I couldn't hold back my chuckle, "Yeah, I'm actually planning on going into marine biology, but I also just like it as a hobby. It's about time I feed them anyway."
He watched meticulously as I pulled out the bag of pellets and a measuring spoon. The look on his face made me want to laugh aloud, he looked so innocent and interested.
"I've always loved watching fish. It's relaxing and kinda makes you forget about everything else." I furrowed my eyebrows at his slightly more than concerning comment.
"I guess it does."
I turned from the tank as the goldfish sifted through their sand, and threw my backpack down. Spencer didn't move from his spot near the fish tank, but turned around so that he was facing into my room. "D- did you actually read the book? Over summer?"
I scratched the back of my neck like I do when I have something to admit, "No. actually." His eyes went wide and I could tell he started mildly freaking out, "But don't worry, sparknotes has more than enough on it, trust me I've been using it for years."
He seemed to relax and turned his focus back to the ground. My mom knocked on the door then, and I let her in. She poked her head in as she spoke to Spencer, "Will you be staying for dinner? I just need a head count for the order, I'm really not in the mood to cook right now."
He turned to me first, as if to ask my permission. I gave him a nod and he turned to her expectantly, "I- if that's okay with you?"
She furrowed her eyebrows like he was being ridiculous, "Well of course it is. I hope you like wings." Her head disappeared back down the hallway as she closed the door behind her.
"You're mom's n- nice, I don't know what you were worried about."
I chuckled as I sat on the floor, "Yeah she is. I'm gonna sit here and read all sparknotes has on The Road which will probably take a while, so I guess you can just watch my fish until I'm done, if you want?" His face erupted in a smile as he squirmed until he was facing the tank once again.
I chuckled and shook my head. This kid.
~~~
It took me 30 minutes to read everything online about The Road, and Spencer had watched the fish the entire time. I poked him once I was finished, and he jumped nearly off the floor as he turned to meet my eyes. "Jesus Christ," he whispered as he pushed his hand against his chest. I couldn't help but laugh.
After we got our planning done and ate, I had to take him home. As I was pulling out I turned to him to ask, "Hospital again?"
He glanced at me before turning to stare into his lap. "Uh, no. I live out near the sonic next to the house with the c- creepy realistic doll things on the porch. You know the one?"
Despite his mood turning solemn, I couldn't hold in a laugh. When I did, he turned to look at me and his demeanor immediately lightened. I was glad, seeing him sad made me squirm, "Unfortunately, I know exactly what you're talking about."
We chatted idly on the way to his house. Through the span of knowing him I had picked up on a couple topics to steer clear of. The hospital, for one. His brothers being the second. I wasn't curious, per say, about what happened. That's not the kind of person I am. I was, however, worried about him. Sue me.
When we got to his house he actually stalled for quite a while before seeming to realize we had even arrived. He took in a heavy breath and looked toward the door. "Uh, thanks. For- for dinner and having me over." He turned back to look at his lap and I swear to god his eyes were welled with tears. I couldn't stop my arm from instinctively reaching out to touch his. Or maybe it's not that I couldn't but I didn't want to.
"Hey."
His arm whipped to his face to wipe any evidence away before he hastily scrambled out of the car. He mumbled a measly "See you tomorrow," before shakily heading to his front door. And then I was really worried about him.
~~~~
Classic paired-for-a-project trope except they picked each other so it doesn't really count oh well - also those are my goldfish lmao there's a lot of stuff sprinkled in here that comes from my real life like the sonic with the dolls
ð it's so creepy