Chapter Text
Christian is a try-hard. Ander cringed even seeing the guy. But there was also guilt eating at his heart. Ander didn’t exactly agree with Guzman’s way of establishing his territory by picking on the new kids, but he’s glad this way he doesn’t have to see much of attention-whore, overconfident Christian.
He was wrong. The thing about sharing both the homeroom class and gender with someone is that you see them all the fucking time. In class, in the changing room after PE. It was not up to him whether he gets to see Christian or not.
Like when Christian went to the hall buck-naked to find the clothes Guzman had hidden. Ander personally thought that was the worst thing to do at a school where you're new and frankly of a lower class than other students. Normally people would just borrow a change of uniform from someone else.
He, no, his lower half to be exact, changed his mind when Christian took away his hands for a brief moment.
Such endowment…
Ander feels like hitting his head against the wall just remembering the sudden heat that shot up his stomach at the sight. He hates how transparent his body is about the things it likes.
To his detriment, Christian's misdeeds didn't end there.
When Christian dropped the joint after being too busy running his mouth, Ander immediately knew what it was. He picked it up in a flash, and managed to collect himself on time to lie to the teacher.
This was not a good thing.
The moment he turned back to the mostly empty changing room, Christian stared at him with big brown eyes underneath downcast eyebrows. The guy smiled from ear to ear, as if he just saved his life.
For the first time Ander realized how desperate Christian was for a friend in this place.
Before he could even give back the joint, Christian opened his mouth, and talked.
***
Christian talked all the way to the abandoned building near the school. He talked about his old school and his old friends. He asked Ander about his friend, if he has a girlfriend? At Ander’s vigorous head shake, his brown eyes widen.
‘Really? Dude, you’re handsome. I’m surprised you don’t have a horde of girls chasing after you.’
God, Christian sounds like Anders’ aunts. Ander laughs out loud.
‘Looks are not everything, dude.’ He put emphasis on the borrowed term. ‘What if I have a terrible personality?’
Christian half-scoffed, half laughed. ‘Come on now. You covered for me. No way you have a bad personality.’
It was just one instance. Christian didn't know how Ander feel about him before today, or even now. But Ander didn't feel like retorting with that and add to the plate of hurt already piled full by his friends. So he said nothing and let the silence stretched.
Still, the ice had melted somewhat and the two boys walk to the building in relatively comfortable silence.
***
‘Here. The dealer has arrived. He’s waiting for us by the stairs.’ Christian explained with an arm hooked around Ander’s shoulders. Since Ander was a lot taller, he had to hunch over. It was getting uncomfortable.
Fortunately, before he needed to complain, Christian released him to call someone hidden behind the stairs. A Middle Eastern boy, around their age with very bushy eyebrows revealed himself. His already anxious expression worsened upon seeing Ander.
Christian didn't break a sweat. He went around introducing everyone, his arms moving animatedly. ‘Dealer, this is Mr. X. Mr. X this is the dealer. No real names here, for the safety of both parties.’
Hesitantly, Ander took out his wallet. He handed a few notes to the boy, who took it and returned a tiny package.
‘That’s it. Man, you owe me next time for bringing you a customer!’ Christian chimed in cheerfully, breaking the growing awkwardness. The boy’s previously anxious face softened into an exasperated smile before he held up a hand to wave to them both.
‘Okay. Thanks man. Call me if you need anything.’
When the boy leaves, only Christian and Ander were left on the stairs. Ander scrutinized the package. It was made of foil and as small as two of his fingers.
‘Have you ever smoked before?’ Christian asked.
For a moment, Ander considered lying. For some reason, he didn’t want to appear inexperienced in front of his new “friend”. In the end, the habit of honesty won over and he blurted out the truth.
‘Nope.’
‘Really?' Christian’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. There was no condescension in his big brown eyes. 'You pierced your ear but you have never smoked?’
Ander shrugged. “Well’s it’s hard to do that when you’re the principal's son.”
‘Ah. You’re rebelling then?’ Christian cackled, his eyes creasing with mirth.
Ander felt a little called out, but his companion's laughter was contagious. ‘I guess. I've disappointed your image of a rich rebel, huh?’
‘A little’ Christian smiled, hooking his arm around Ander again. This time, he rested his hand on Ander’s shoulder instead of dragging the other boy down. Ander was fine with that. The tiny package of weed stays in his pocket, radiating excitement the whole time.
***
Ander didn't get to try the weed until after dinner. He carefully locked the door and reduces his laptop volume to 0 before connecting it with his airpods, just in case. As soon as he opens Youtube on incognito, he gets a notification from Christian on Facebook.
U tried yet?
I’m doing it now, he sends back a quick text.
Before Ander could click on the instruction video, he received another text.
cool. do you have perfume
Feeling annoyance creeping up, he considered ignoring Christian in order to try out his first high. Still, his good upbringing compelled him to reply.
Yes. Why?
remember to spray it after u done to eliminate the smell
Good tip, Ander thought. He didn’t reply anymore and pressed start on the video.
***
This stuff is good, Anders type clumsily with his other hand holding the joint.
of course. my dealer is the best in barcelona BD
Anders laughed at the sunglasses emoji. He could totally imagine Christian making the expression.
His body felt weightless. There was such a happiness in his heart he felt like he can do anything. For a moment, he considered telling Christian his secret.
It wouldn't hurt right, since Christian is a nobody in the school.
Anders felt bad just thinking that. He typed into his phone, his palm growing wetter.
So, i have a secret.
ohh, juicy. im not a tattertale, so you can tell me. ;)
The mouth zipped emoji propels him on
i liek emen|
His fingers grew so wet they slipped on the keyboard. No matter how many times he tried to type, the words never looked correct. So he gave up.
did u change your mind. awww
Ander couch vividly imagine it, Christian with his downturned eyebrows and big brown eyes looking all disappointed, like a puppy having its toy taken away.
He typed out something else instead, this time ending up being fully coherent.
I consider you my friend
That made no sense to the current conversation, but Ander pressed send anyway. The message was read, then reacted with a heart.
that’s a cool secret. me too
***
That was Saturday.
On Monday, Christian greeted him first thing in the morning.
‘Morning man. how did you sleep?’ He said with an arm snaking wound Anders shoulders.
Ander pretended to think about this question for a second. ‘I slept great,’ he replied.
‘Awesome. remember if you need anything you can tell me,’ Christian winked before running to join the friends from his old school.
That came out so flirty Ander thought Christian was hitting on him. Then, he reminded himself that Christian's personality was just like that, if the choice to roam the hall naked the find his uniform was any indication, also he was talking about buying drugs.
‘You’re talking with that guy now, really?’
Guzman’s hands caught his shoulders from behind. Even without seeing his best friend's face, Ander could picture the mixture of disgust and disbelief plastered all over it.
‘Really. he’s a cool guy,’ he said without turning around. Guzman was so shocked he released his hands, then walked in front of him.
He regarded Ander's bored expression for a moment, then sighed.
‘Okay. Whatever. Don't come to me when he drags you in poor people shit.’
Ander’s eyebrows shoot up. That was harsh even for his best friend.
‘That’s stereotyping, man.’
‘But it’s a correct stereotype.’ Guzman replied without missing a beat. His expression was completely serious.
Ander stood still for a moment, not knowing how to retort. He knew who Guzman thought of when he said “poor people” though. Still, not everyone is Marina and her ex-boyfriend. Ander for one does not have a poor people kink.
Taking his best friend's silence as him still not getting it, Guzman shook his head then walked away first, hands shoved in his pockets. Ander barely caught up in time.
It was already class time when they arrived, so Ander has to wait to tell his thoughts to Guzman later.
***
The teacher greeted the class and opened his slides.
"Social Networking" stood tall on the board.
Ander blinked. Isn’t this a literature class?
Somewhere in the room, another student asked the teacher exactly that.
‘Well. Either we demonize social media like other schools or we face it head on. Afterall, social media is more about images and getting to know the other person, no?’
Everyone groaned. They all know what he meant was "you're going to do teamwork where you have to really talk to your partner".
***
Ander doesn’t like team work much. Unlike his friends, who are default pairs with their girlfriend or friend with benefit, he is woefully single and therefore does not have a stable partner. Last time, he was partnered with Carlos, a lazy fucker who couldn’t be assed to show up to any of their group study session or submit his work on time.
This time, Christian stood in front of his table, big brown eyes boring into him.
‘Do you want to be my partner?’
Ander suppressed a sigh. Christian can’t speak any English despite being in high school, one can only imagine how much attention he pays to schoolwork.
‘Hey, can you hear me?’ Christian started scratching behind his neck. The puppy eyes were in full force, and Ander was melting under it.
‘Yeah I can.’ He sighed out loud this time. ‘Okay.’
‘Hooray,’ Christian’s hesitant smile bloomed into a big, genuine one. Ander was left to contemplate his life decision as the other boy moved his chair over.
***
On the bright side, Christian made up for his terrible English with enthusiasm and google translate, even if the results were barely acceptable.
'That doesn't seem right,' Ander said and pointed at the mistake.
Christian looked to him in earnest, but his expression quickly turned confused.
Ander sighed. 'Give it here. I’ll correct it for you.'
Christian passed Ander’s tablet over with no hesitation, his hands entwining on his lap as he watched Ander work.
'So you’re an only child too huh, just like me.' Ander said just to dispel the silence.
'Yeah. I was an accident. My parents realized they didn’t want any more after they had me.' Christian joked.
Ander straightened up. Is he insinuating his parents doesn’t want him?
Christian didn’t notice his discomfort, only talked away. 'Anyway, do you know Samuel?'
'The transfer student?' Ander frowned. Christian, no, Google translate made too many simple mistakes.
'Yeah. His brother Nano is my best friend at our old school. Too bad he went to prison over a drug charge. The system has it against us, man, what’s wrong with a little grass?'
The mention of prison made Ander sweated under his shirt. He didn’t know people go to prison for weed. He thought it was only a threat made by his parents.
'Uhh... So how is Nano now?'
Christian replied brightly. 'He's out now. But he has to work his ass off at the La Cabana because he owes folks in prison money.' He ended his answer with a little laugh, as if owing prisoner money is something mundane.
Ander immediately swore to himself he would never end up prison under any circumstance.
The bell rang, signifying the end of their lunch break. Christian stood up first, then waited there for Ander to collect his things.
'Hey, the party at Guzman this Thursday. You are invited right?' Christian asked out of nowhere.
Ander nodded, still bent down as he put his tablet in his bag.
'Can you invite me too?'
Ander looked up. Christian’s smile was wide, cheeky. It made him want to smile back. He thought over the request for a second and an idea glimmered in his head.
'Sure. You can bring your friends too. Don’t bring too many though, or Guzman will be pissed.' He tried not to let the mischief shows in his voice. Guzman will definitely be pissed. Call this Ander's payback for all the time his best friend invited him to a party only to leave him to dance alone while he had his tryst with Lu.
'That’s awesome. You’re awesome, man. I’m glad you’re my only friend in this school.' Christian said genuinely before patting his arm.
When their eyes met and big brown eyes stared back, he felt something tugging at his heart. Sympathy probably, seeing how desperate Christian was to mingle with the people of Elite. Ander was spared the trying to fit in thing because Guzman declared him as his best friend all the way in first grade and kept his words.