Garrett Herbert

“What’s wrong with cute?”

“I don’t know- I guess I just don’t want to be considered cute. Cute isn’t exactly hot.” 

“And that’s why I’m going into Engineering. I could never have a desk job I think I’d literally fall dead of boredom. Imagine my obituary: Cause of death— budget reports.” 

“If that was your cause of death, I want to let you know that I”ll laugh at the funeral whenever they say it.” Garrett had a small smile on his face. Tyson was fun to talk to. He was refreshing. “but then I’ll start a campaign in your honor about stopping the boredom. It’ll go national.” 

“Well, I guess not everyone can be me or Volkov. But, hey, we need cute ones, too.”

“Great- just what I wanted to hear: I’m cute.” 

"Oh, come on, how would you know?"

"Look at me. I don't look experienced. I don't act like it. I don't outwardly flirt with guys or hit on people. I'm not like you or Sander." 

"Well," Grant said, "if you want to do something besides Netflix, just uh, just let me know I guess?” 

"Oh- uh yeah sure. I'll let you know. I don't know what I"m doing fully. I have no idea if Alek has even planned anything. But I'll definitely let you know." he felt a bit awkward. "And uh- well I guess I'll just let you get back to being happy about college acceptances." keep it casual he thought.

"They are, I think, but I just kind of get things faster than the other kids so while they’re going into extra explanation is when I stop listening in class usually. Just for math though. Things like English and History I have to actually attempt to pay attention in without like— falling asleep." 

"I think that history is the class that prepares your for whatever job you go into. Because it's boring, and repetitive, and doesn't really change." 

"Saturday? As in this coming Saturday?" Grant asked, raising an eyebrow. "What are you doing to celebrate that?" 

"Yeah, this coming Saturday. Turning eighteen..doing that legal thing." Garrett wasn't sure how to feel about it. He and Ben had been planning their 18th birthday for a long time (though at the time they had planned to both be at home and not separated). That and their 21st, and then their 50th. "So far, we're going to buy lottery tickets, and a pack of cigarettes. He's going to smoke them on skye and then pick up whatever girl he gets and do God knows what with her. And I'll- probably watch Netflix."

"Yeah, that’s true." Grant said. He wasn’t entirely sure what else to say. He and Garrett didn’t exactly do much talking. “How have you been, then?” 

Glad for a change in subject, Garrett thought about what he'd been up to. "Well...Leonard Nimoy died, so I had an entire Star Trek night...I got some new bruises on my legs from lacrosse practice...that's about it." he really wasn't sure what all to say to Grant. The whole point of their arrangement was that they didn't talk, because that wouldn't be casual. "Oh- and my brother skyped me so we could plan our birthday this Saturday." 

"Right, okay." Whatever it was that was bothering the other boy he clearly did not want to tell Grant so Grant decided to drop it. "And now that I’ve actually been accepted to college… I guess it’s time to start thinking about where I’m going next year."

"Yup, the future is important." Garrett didn't know what to say other than that to Grant. The future usually meant something far off, and it was always implied that things in the present were going to get dropped for the future. "Though I guess looking for next year will depend on which college you pick." 

"I counted thirty-four full ones, fifteen half ones on the sides of the room, and those awkward corner ones which because of the weird shape of the room there were eight of. So all in all its forty three and a half." 

"Wow, you weren't kidding when you said you were bored. Are they even trying to challenge you in the class?" 

"Right, thanks," Grant said in response to Garrett’s congratulating him. He pressed his lips together, still noticing that Garrett’s attitude was a little off from normal. "Well, if you aren’t mad at me, what’s wrong?" 

"There's nothing wrong, Grant. I don't know why you think there is." though if Garrett were being honest there was something wrong. "Stop thinking about it, you should be thinking about college, it's a big deal." 

"I counted all the ceiling tiles in Pre-Calculus today. I doubt anyone can beat that kind of complete waste of productivity." 

"I once counted how many collective watts the lights had during religion class. But how many ceiling tiles are there?"

"Your tone of voice says otherwise," Grant replied coolly, raising an eyebrow every so slightly. Nevertheless he answered Garrett’s question. "I got into Princeton, thank you for asking. I’m still waiting to hear from Brown and Cornell but now I can breathe a sigh of relief."

"I'm not mad Grant, just forget it." Garrett didn't want to fight with anyone today. "Princeton's a great school, so are Brown and Cornell. Looks like you don't have to stress anymore. You should celebrate." he was still a bit frosty, but his compliments about the schools were sincere as well as the fact that celebration was in order. College was a huge thing. 

Grant’s eyes narrowed a bit. “You’re not even going to congratulate me? Are you mad at me or something?” 

"What? Me? Mad? I'm not mad." Garrett was a bit miffed that Grant had gone all week without so much as a text. But he really didn't need to be so mad about it- it wasn't like they were serious. That didn't mean it didn't still hurt. "Congrats on getting accepted to college, which one did you get into?" he let some enthusiasm into his voice. 

"Sounds like someone was worried about me." 

"I don't know who would be." he said with a touch of sarcasm. 

"Now that I’ve officially been accepted to an Ivy League I can maybe sleep at night for a change." 

"Wow, I think people were going to put up 'missing keeper' signs tomorrow." 

"Yeah, I know, you’ve already said you’re not telling me about that."

"True, I have told you that. and besides- people wouldn't believe you anyway. I doubt that when they look at me they think experienced."