Chapter Text
Joseph nervously ran a final hand through his soft, ruffled hair before slipping on a worn jean jacket, polished aviator shades, and the most self-assured smirk he could manage. It wasn’t very convincing, but it would have to do. He checked his profile in the mirror a final time, performed a few frantic shirt readjustments, then hurried through the empty house and down the stairs to the foyer. Shoving a final few folders into his messenger bag, Joe ran out the door.
Even with the glasses, the morning sun was absolutely glaring, forcing Joe to navigate the long driveway to his car in relative blindness. His eyes crinkled into a sort of half-squint as he groped his way to the drivers side door. Once safely within his corvette, Joe checked his watch for the time - starting a new school senior year was a shitty situation regardless, but the least he could do was be punctual. Alas, punctual he was not. Wincing (and hastily adjusting his rearview), Joe tried to recollect where in his routine he had wasted fifteen extra minutes. He slipped a cassette into the tape player and tried to calm his nerves while shakily turning the ignition. The original schedule had built time into the thirty minute commute for a coffee stop, but now, even skipping that, would see him arriving at school dangerously close to the bell. Joe put his foot on the gas. A couple colorful swears were exchanged as the car quickly accelerated down the long, winding driveway and out onto the main drag trying desperately to make up for lost time.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of town, Andrew Yang was tumbling out of bed, cocooned my a homogenous mass of comforter. He began a weary waddle across the hardwood floor, but all efforts were thwarted when his sock slipped on a particularly polished floorboard and his body was sent careening backward.
“Son of a fucking bitch”
Through the ringing in their ears, Andrew heard the faint sound of laughter out in the hallway. Out in the hallway, Lawrence broke into an unstoppable fit of giggles, “Awwwee, did my wittle baby sibling trip and hurt himself? Did you get a boo-boo?” Lawrence opened the door before breaking out into another grin. Andrew swore again, trying to find purchase on the mahogany.
After untangling himself from the blanket-ball, Andrew stood, “Aweee, is my big, strong older broth here to kiss it better?” At that, they both totally lost it - cackling and snorting until tears were coming out of their eyes.
“Okay, you got me, touché - if you still want a ride, I gotta get a move on in 10. I will leave you here if you’re late.” Lawrence straightened his starched collar and turned on an Oxford heel out the door, leaving Andrew alone with unbrushed teeth, unkempt hair, stained sweatpants, and ten minutes. Andrew dragged the mass of blankets back onto his bed and spared exactly one longing glance at his pillows before hauling his ass into the bathroom to make himself look presentable.
Seven minutes, many curse, and one costume change later, Andrew was running downstairs in an oversized turtle neck and ripped jeans. He had to stop briefly in the kitchen to cram a final binder in his canvas bag, but he still made it to the car just as Lawerence was adjusting the rearview.
“Damn, you made it. I wasn’t actually gonna strand you here, but it was tempting. Catch.” Lawrence threw a protein bar to Andrew as they both settled in their seats and began the trek to Merica High.
They rode in comfortable silence before Andrew cleared their throat, “So, first day as an English TA?”
Lawrence rolled his eyes, “So, first day as a senior?”