Grant's hands are in fists in the pockets of his school blazer. No one ever really wore the school blazer because they were uncool, but this was a special occasion so he'd been told by his Headmaster to wear it. Grant thought it was more likely that the Headmaster wanted less reason for the rich kids at Smeltings Academy to think the kids from Grant's village school were poor.
"Ah, Mr Adler, glad of you to join us," The Smeltings Academy Headmaster said as a boy strolled over, apparently unphased that he was late. Grant swallowed back his laughter when he noted Adler wasn't wearing the orange knickerbockers that formed part of the uniform, instead opting for some grey pants. He looked down at Polly, hoping it would distract him from the hilarious thought. "And you're not in uniform, Adler. Detention this afternoon. Don't be late."
The boy gave a nod, apparently unphased by the detention. In fact, it seemed like he enjoyed the idea. Grant wet his lips, shifting uncomfortably.
"This is Mr Abergel. He, and a few of his classmates, are in the area on a school excursion. Show him around the school, then back in my office at 4. Understood?" The Headmaster didn't wait to look before checking if Adler indeed understood, walking away, cane swinging beside him.
Grant scratched the back of his calf with his toe. "Um.. I'm Grant."
"Bellamy," the boy said, striding forward for a well rehearsed handshake. Bellamy gave Grant a once over. "That's an... Interesting blazer."
Grant blushed, looking down at the sleeves. "Yeah. They said I had to wear it. Usually I just wear a jumper though."
An awkward silence followed, and Grant picked at a thread on his blazer.
"Do you actually want a tour, or do you want to ditch and get some fish and chips? This campus is rubbish anyway." Bellamy said, giving a sigh.
"D-ditch? Like skipping school? I dunno..." Grant said, absently touching his kippah just to check it was still there.
"Oh, don't get all stiff about it. There's some racist white people and a library with old books. That's about it." Bellamy said, knowing that many of the students in the school were quite anti-Semitic.
Grant's eyes widened. "O-Oh. I guess if we were back in time, then..." he said, looking down at Polly, who was obediently sitting at his feet.
"What's with the dog?" Bellamy asked, nodding to Polly as the pair walked, heading to the school gate.
Grant looked down at the labrador. "Oh. She's a service dog."
"Are you blind?" Bellamy asked, giving a double take.
"N-No. I have anxiety." Grant said, and an awkward silence followed. The boys slipped out of the school, strolling down the road. "So... Why'd they have you give the tour? No offence, but you don't seem like the usual choice."
"Right?" Bellamy gave a cheeky grin. "I'm a prefect. My brother was expelled from Smeltings last year so my parents made sure I'd be a prefect to defend the family name."
Grant looked at him incredulously, and Bellamy nodded, "Yeah. Plus, I've got the whole gay card, so teachers don't want to discriminate."
Grant blushed lightly when Bellamy told him. How did he handle saying it?! Grant might actually rather jump in the Thames than tell anyone.
The boys went to the fish and chip shop- Bellamy flashed a fancy card to pay for the food. They sat on a wall near the school, and Polly sat on the floor at their feet, eating a piece of fish. They talked about a range of things. Grant's religion, their homes, Grant's family, Xbox, food...
"Well," Bell eventually said, giving a sigh. "Guess we should head back then."
"... Yeah." Grant said, and the two held each others gaze as the sun began to set around them.
