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"Mate, you really need to get out more. I think always talking to me is turning you into something else."
"Ron, I'm content having just you. Nothing will change that. Not like I'm finding a boyfriend or meeting anyone new any time soon."
Eric rolled his eyes and chuckled, fiddling with his lanyard while he stared down at the psychology text book in front of him on the table and tugged at the tie in his hair. "And with the flack I get for liking men, I don't think that fact will change, even after school." Ronald scoffed at his best friend, putting his elbow on the table and his chin on his hand. "Maybe you're just not looking not looking the right guy?"
"The right guy? Yeah right," Eric brushed his hair back to put it back in a low pony tail, "You're the only guy I like talking to. However, I don't think that should be your concern, lad." He flicked Ronald nose and got back to his text book to scribble down more notes.
"Hey! I'm a great wing man, I'll have you know, I can give great dating advice"
"You own a body pillow." Eric remarked, not looking up, "hey- well, I know my way around the works. Cmon, tell me. What guy are you even remotely interested in? Like, just a little bit."
He glanced up from his notepad, raising a brow "fine... if you wanna know so badly..." Eric looked over his shoulder to the group of loud, obnoxious students at the other side of the room, ones who were popular, and somehow a lot of women were interested in. Though, two stood out, they seemed more quiet and reserved than the lot. One had long red hair, and she was wearing a beautiful blouse, matched with some mom jeans. She had her arm wrapped around the smaller student beside her, who had shorter, brown hair, and was wearing a new-looking leather jacket, with chains all over, paired with ripped jeans and some very shiny ladder-laced combat boots, one with yellow laces, the other with purple.
"I just can't help but think he's already taken..." Eric sighed and picked his pen back up, before having it slammed back onto the table, along with Eric's knuckles "ow! The hell was that for?" He rubbed his hand gently.
Ronald kept his voice hushed "you have a thing for Alan?! Are you crazy?! Do you know what could happen to you if you tarnish his reputation???"
"I know, I know, got swirlied at 12, don't need to relive that memory"
"Eric you're too young to go :("
"We're the same age."
"Yes, obviously but- ah, fuck it, knock yourself out, but don't cry when you get rejected, cause that makes me cry too." Eric chuckled at this "doesn't matter, he seems to be taken anyway, with the amount of flirting he can do in a day."
"By who? Grell? Oh no, no, no, she's actually-" Ronald flicked his hand and Eric got the point, yet, he still couldn't help but sigh. "Still, he deserves someone better than me. Yknow, someone who wont ruin his life." Eric flinched at the feel of an paper aeroplane hitting the back of his head, huffing when the sound of giggling erupted from the group behind them, leaving Eric a little embarrassed "I'm getting my art folder-"
Ronald perked up "want me to come with?"
"Its just down the hall, and it's getting to break time, so we might lose our table, you potato. Now stay here." Ronald chuckled as Eric left, leaving the man to do his business without question. He doesn't wanna baby him.
Eric quickly tucked a hand in his pocket as he took the key from his lanyard and opened up his locker, picking up the A3 folder awkwardly crammed in there, though, still in good condition. As he closed his locker, locking it back up, he ignored the group of giggling and snickering children around him.
Until his head bashed against the door of the locker. As much as he wanted to put up a fight, it would only draw attention, and Eric hated that. So he ended up enduring the abuse instead. "Ow-"
"Hey! There's our man!" One of them shouted, slinging an uncomfortable arm around Eric's shoulder, making him tense.
"Lay off him, lads. He's got shit to do, and so do we." The tall redhead, Grell, butted in, it was nice that she was at least trying to help. "Mate, I'm sure we told you rhis before, it's hard to take an opinion from someone trying to be a woman. Besides, we just love our little f-"
Eric internally cringed, but Grell didn't falter "enough with that word, you know Aland and I hate it. And a repeat of last time isn't what we need to be dealing with."
"Fine, cause you don't want that midget pulling a switch on you. You're so boring G." Eric got shoved out the way and they walked off, laughing and talking about something else, but Eric couldn't even give a thank you to Grell, which upset him. So he only sighed and patted his pockets, hoping his phone was still on him and they hadn't taken it. Thankfully it was still there and Eric sighed, again, in relief, taking his leave quickly down the hall.
Once Eric calmed down completely, a yell from where he came, and coming closer, echoed in the hall, causing Eric to pale, and turn around to look at who was shouting.
It was Alan.
Approaching fast.
And that blank expression only looked like anger to Eric.
So naturally.
He freaked the fuck out.
And yet, his legs took him nowhere. They practically stuck to the floor, leaving him to just regret a whole 10 seconds before a tap on his shoulder caught his attention.
It was also Alan.
He looked less scary up close.
And before Eric could even stutter put a sentence, he was beaten to it.
"Hey- Eric, right? I'm so sorry about what happened earlier, you okay?"
The close vicinity only made Eric more nervous than before, stuttering out random noises before coming to a simple nod. Alan chuckled at his response "I'm glad you're alright. By the way, I've been wondering. That pin on your backpack, the green one, where'd you get it? I'm..." Alan hesitated "asking for a friend."
Eric knew that phrase was the universal language of 'I want to know', and suddenly, as if magic, Eric gained a little confidence "The pronoun pin.? Oh its from... etsy, I don't remember the seller but... they're a good shop"
Alan seemed to acknowledge the information, and nodded thankfully, giving him a friendly smile, and patting his shoulder, starting to walk away "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks!" He turned away, before doing another 180° "oh, and if those guys bother you again, don't be afraid to come up to me, aight? I'll have a word with em."
"Yeah... yeah... I'll.... I'll do that..." Eric only stared at the man as he left while shoving his hands in his pockets. It was a strange feeling, and he hadn't felt it in a while, considering Alan rarely speaks to him.
But he just HAD to tell Ron.