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Next time class came around, Court sat in the same seat.
There was a seat one row down- before the step he always tripped on- but Court was willing to tell himself just about anything to justify sitting where he was to catch Holland again.
Unfortunately, when you live your formative years in survival mode with your sole focus on protecting your little brothers from your own father, you don’t really know how to connect with another person in any meaningful way.
Court had no idea how to initiate contact- physical or otherwise. Taking advantage of Holland’s natural clumsiness was the best he could come up with.
Maybe if he caught him enough times they could be friends or something.
𖤓˚࿔
Court checked the watch on his wrist.
There was probably another five minutes or so before Holland got to class, so he got out his class materials with the intention of going over some of his notes. He had just flipped his notebook open to last class’s notes when the door opening caught his eye.
He looked up, surprised to see March walking into the room.
Court looked at his watch again, thinking maybe he had lost track of time somehow, but no- Holland March was early.
Holland’s eyes scanned the seats as he approached the steps, his expression noticeably brightening when he saw Court.
He started toward the steps when Court waved at him- his steps quickening with the invitation. He bounded up the stairs, not noticing Court shift to catch him when he reached the steps.
However, this time, he managed not to trip because he wasn’t in as much of a rush.
Court did his best not to feel disappointed.
“Good morning, Court,” Holland said brightly as he took the seat next to him.
“Good morning,” he replied with a soft smile. “You’re earlier than usual.”
“Ah- yeah. I.. I figured if I got here earlier we might have some time to chat before class. I-if you want, I mean! I don’t want to assume,” he said, waving his hand in a panicked attempt to seem like it was no big deal or anything like that.
Court felt his heart skip in his chest as he fought demons to keep his breathing even.
Holland broke his tardy streak… to talk to him? Holland March wanted to talk with him.
“Yeah, of course. I don’t mind at all,” he said with a charming smile, crossing his arms on the table in front of him and looking over at March.
“Oh! Good, good,” Holland said- letting out a breath of relief.
Court watched Holland’s eyes flick away from his face before his expression turned to concern.
“Are you okay? Your ears are all red,” Holland said- sounding earnestly concerned as he reached over, brushing his fingers against Court’s ear.
The contact was enough to send a shudder down Court’s spine as he jolted back- throwing him off balance and setting into the the floor with a grunt.
“Ohmygod I’m so sorry!” Holland gasped, jumping up to help Court back to his feet.
“It’s okay! It’s no problem, I’m okay,” Court said, his cheeks red as he waved his hand in front of himself. “I just- uh, I’m not used to people touching me. I was just startled, that’s all,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Wait, really?” Holland asked, sounding surprised as they both sat back down.
“I mean, my brothers and I hug each other sometimes but.. that’s about it, really. I don’t really know anyone outside my family,” he admitted, fingers fidgeting on the table before crossing on the surface again.
“You know me,” March said with a faint smile.
His message was subtle, but clear.
I’ll be your friend.
Court’s smile softened as he glanced up from the table over to Holland.
“Yeah.. Yeah, I do.”
⋆☀︎.
They started walking together once class was over.
It seemed only natural, since they were going the same way.
Court could still feel the ghost of Holland’s touch on his ear. He was clutching the strap of his bag in a desperate attempt to not touch it.
Just thinking about it made his heart race in his chest.
All of a sudden he felt something slam into his back as arms wrapped around his neck.
Court reacted without thinking.
He grabbed the arms that grabbed him, planting his feet and throwing the person over his shoulder.
Holland shrieked and jumped back in response at the action, nearly stumbling back.
“Owww- what the fuck Court?!” Colt groaned from where he landed on the ground.
“Colt! Jesus, what the hell were you thinking?!” Court gasped, dropping his bag so he could help his brother to his feet.
“I was thinking about how hyped I was to see my big brother but I see the sentiment isn’t returned,” Colt huffed, rubbing the back of his head to make sure he didn’t feel a bump- or blood.
“Oh, this is one of your brothers?” Holland chimed in, looking from Court to Colt and back.
“Oooh, is this the mysterious guy that Ken saw you with?” Colt asked, grinning over at March.
“Colt-”
“Mysterious Guy?” Holland asked, blinking in confusion.
Court could recognize the grin forming on Colt’s lips. Court jumped forward and covered Colt’s mouth with his hand.
“It’s nothing,” Court said, looking over at Holland- knowing whatever Colt was about to say was going to be embarrassing.
Court jerked his hand back abruptly and grimaced.
“Seriously?? Are you 12?” he huffed, wiping his hand on his jeans. “Do you not have a class to get to?”
“Nah, I was just on my way to club and saw you walking with someone,” Colt replied with a grin, looking over at Holland.
“Okay, well we have classes to get to, now go before Tom gets pissed at you and makes Ken listen to him yell about it,” Court huffed, spinning Colt around and giving him a push.
“Oh, don’t worry. I think even Tom would shut up when I tell them what held me up.”
“Colt-!”
“See ya! Nice to meet you, Mystery Guy!” Colt said, waving and running off down the sidewalk.
Court groaned and ran his hand down his face. “Sorry about that,” he said to Holland with a grimace.
Holland chuckled and shook his head. “No need to be sorry. Family is important, so I didn’t mind waiting.”
“Thanks,” Court replied, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck.
“No problem,” Holland said with a smile. “But, actually… my class got canceled yesterday. I just.. figured I’d walk with you anyway. I hope you don’t mind.”
Court felt his heart skip in his chest. “I.. I don’t mind. Honestly.. my class got canceled earlier. Apparently the professor got sick or something. So I was just walking with you too,” he admitted.
Holland felt his cheeks warm when he processed what Court was saying. He shifted slightly, clearing his throat before speaking.
“Do you… wanna go get coffee with me…?”