nick knew that after lunch nate had math. ( they had each others schedules memorized, obviously )
and while nate was frustratingly good at everything ( hockey included ).. nick knew that math was one of his weaknesses.
nate silently passed over the study guide he had been working on for the past 10 minutes in order for nick to look it over.
nick’s brows furrowed more than a few times while looking over the paper, erasing every now and then, which caused a pit to form in nate’s stomach. their unit test was today.
“dude, i don’t wanna be mean but… you might be cooked.”
nick said it sincerely enough, brows furrowed that nate couldn’t find it within him to throw a quip back. he simply sighed.
“but hey, its okay. you still have test corrections. and you can always pay a visit to the tutoring center.” nick said cheerily, attempting to fight off his brothers sadness.
nate scoffed, “i thought you said you were going to tutor me?”
“well the last time i tried, you started crumpling up balls of paper to throw at me. i think you need someone else to explain it to you.”
“and… soon, because… if you don’t get your grade up, coach isn’t going to let you play in the next game.”
nate just nodded in reply. he needed someone to make him understand all these numbers, and quick. he was determined to pay a visit to the library after school… even if it meant humiliating himself by begging one of the nerds to tutor him. their practice was delayed until tomorrow morning anyways.
but the next game was a big one. they were going against their rival…. AHS. nate knew that his brother couldn’t function without him on ice, and vice versa. they needed BOTH of their wings, not just the right one.
the bell rang loud enough to rid nate of all his thoughts.
nate tucked his study guide back in his folder, placing it in his backpack before getting up.
“good luck in english, weirdo.” nate said, ruffling his twin’s hair before walking to his doom ( class ).
micah sat at one of the uncomfortable tables in the back of the library, ready to sit for an extra hour after school he could’ve spent doing ANYTHING else.
he just hoped that no one would show up so the librarian would take pity on him and let him leave early.
he needed to get back on the research about alex rivera, and he couldn’t if he was stuck in this too bright room, with too uncomfortable of chairs.
he pushed his glasses back up on his nose, rereading the same line of his textbook for the 8th time, when someone came rushing in.
it was… not who he had expected.
micah wouldn’t know which of the starr twins it was if not for the letterman jacket plastered with the name “nate” on left shoulder.
he only knew the twins by word of mouth anyways, the school was always talking about them in some weird freak-ish way—like they were in the midst of some breakthrough scientific discovery just because two boys were born on the same day and had mirroring features. but he couldn’t deny the two were obviously gorgeous.
additionally rae would talk about them sometimes, so he had gathered the information that they were 1: loaded, and 2: loaded enough that they didn’t mind lending some of their parent’s expensive vodka for the parties thrown.
the boy before him turned his head in confusion before his eyes landed directly on micah.
a shiver ran through the boy, it felt like nate could see right through him.
he swallowed before saying, “hi! are you looking for a tutor?”
his voice was deep, with a raspy like quality.
“well, how about you sit right there.” micah replied, pointing to the seat directly across from him.
nate shuffled towards the chair, before placing his bag down unceremoniously. as he sat down, he stretched out his legs. they were long enough that they were poking micah’s feet.
stupid athletes, always taking up space.
“well… what can i help you with?”
wow, this guy wasnt much of a talker. oh well, it was better than a complete yapper, micah supposed.
“uh…. okay… do you wanna perhaps show me something you’re having difficulty with?”
nate nodded before taking out a worksheet.
eventually, nate started to open up ( not much, but at least he was speaking in more than 3 word sentences ).
at one point he even asked, “hey, aren’t you the guy from that poster? the broadcasting club?”
micah felt put on the spot, but he lit up in excitement. “yeah! i am!” .. ( before realizing that this guy was a jock, and could be making fun of him. he quieted immediately. )
much to micah’s suprise, the boy before him smiled a little, tilting his head
“that’s cool. i would join but.. you know, hockey.”
micah decided then and there that maybe, just maybe… the starr twins could be cool. he didn’t know the other one yet, but he knew that this one was at least civil.
as the boys packed up and nate made a quick goodbye, micah actually felt a lightness in his chest he hadn’t felt all day.
it felt like the beginning of something.