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“It figures you would be the type of guy to go to a pool party and not, you know, actually get in the pool.”
David groans, pulling the magazine he had been using to cover his face off himself. “Aren’t you supposed to be the polite one in this class?” He thwaps the magazine against Xander’s arm gently. “Besides, I know that Arei and Whit are just going to shove me in if I get close to the edge. Don’t be bitter just because you fell for it. Considering you’re one hundred seventy pounds of muscle, I’m impressed they pulled that off, actually.”
Xander chuckles. “That’s true. I just think it’s a shame for you to spend all your time out here sleeping.”
“I apologize, oh righteous God of the poolside. I didn’t realize British etiquette demanded that I get my itty-bitty toes wet.”
“Is this entire class ever going to let that British joke go?”
“Nope.” David pulls out a bag of chips from his tote bag and rips it open. “Want some? I promise I’ll let you scrape the bottom of the bag so you can taste a bit of salt.”
Xander sits himself down on the adjacent lounge chair. “Gee, Mr. David. How generous. Thanks.” Xander doesn’t take a chip. “Not in a pleasant mood today, huh?”
“Am I ever?”
“You’re a better person than you think you are.”
David sighs, biting down on another chip loudly. “Sure, sure. Whatever you say.” He looks out at the pool towards his classmates, all enjoying themselves, even the more uptight ones like Min. “Shouldn’t you be out there tiring yourself out?”
“I think I’d rather keep you company.”
David pushes the half empty bag of chips back in his satchel before looking Xander dead in the eyes. “You make me sick sometimes, you know that?”
“That’s fine. I’m not with you because I want you to like me.” Xander breaks his gaze, laying back on the chair. “I mean, I would be happy if you did, really happy. But I just think that if you’re in this kind of mood, it’s better not to be alone.”
“I’m not getting in the pool.”
“I wouldn’t force you to,” Xander replies.
“And I’m not going to be nice to you.”
“I figured.” Xander looks up at the sky. It’s overwhelmingly bright. “When everyone is so happy and everyone pretends that things are okay, it always makes you feel even more miserable, since you feel you’re failing at acting when everyone else isn’t, and that sucks, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah, I guess.” In the distance, Whit and Arei ambush Charles, laughing as he sputters and shivers in the cold water of the pool. The Charles of yesteryear would not have taken that kindly. But now, Charles just grabs Whit by the ankle and drags him in as Whit squeals.
“I don’t really like summer,” Xander confesses suddenly.
David blinks. “Oh yeah?” David comments unhelpfully, avoiding the obvious fact that Xander’s birthday is in the summer, near the solstice, when the sun shines the longest.
Xander understands that he means how come?
“... For many reasons. Too many to count.” David understands this too. “But at the same time, you were there for me.”
“You’re delusional.”
“Definitely a little bit,” Xander admits. “I’m sorry I upset you, Mr. David. I know you’re tired. But don’t worry about slipping up. Our classmates are abrasive, but they’ll like you even when you’re not able to smile.”
David grits his teeth. “Easy for you to say. You… you’re honest, even when you’re being an asshole.”
“Isn’t that how you know I’m telling you the truth?”
“I would just ruin things for everyone.”
“No one is happy all the time.” Xander keeps looking at the sky, at those endless clouds, stretching out beyond either of them. “And none of our classmates expect you to be. But I do hope you’ll get in the pool at some point.”
(And be with everyone.)
David closes his eyes. It’s too bright here. “Alright. Whatever you say.”
Xander will still be there when he opens his eyes.