#nerdiness

While the Breakfast Club wasn't the best of buds, they were still friends. Acknowledging each other in the halls and having pleasent conversations. They had each other's backs when it really mattered. Especially when life got to heavy.

Really Andrew and Allison were the closest. They had been dating since that fateful Saturday. In all honesty there was a part of Brian that was jealous. Wanting someone to look at him the same way that the couple did with each other.

But now wasn't the time to think about that. Shaking those thoughts from his mind, he greeted the other boy. “Hey man, what's up?”

He knew Bender well enough that this wasn't a social call. The guy was never to school on time. Especially not on a Monday. So he wasn't shocked when the talker boy feigned a hurt look.

Placing a hand to his chest, he frowned. “You wound me Bri. Can't I just want to check in with my buddy.” When the red head only stared at him, expression unchanging. He finally told him the real reason he was there. “OK, so my cousin is moving here. And I know how hard it'll be on them. So I wanted you to look out for her.”

The look of confusion that had settled on his face was palpable. Who was this person that Bender cared about so much that he would ask such a thing. Not only that, why come to him for this? Though all that came out of his mouth was. “Uh, what?”

Rubbing a hand across his annoyed expression, he sighs. “Look she's in advance classes, like you. Not to mention she's into the same kind of nerd shit as you. So help me out and keep an eye on them. Ok?”

He was surprised at the almost pleading tone from the boy. It was unlike him to not out right demand something. Instead he was asking as politely as he could muster. This caused a part of him to feel prideful. He came to him for this request. It was the least he could do for a friend.

So nodding, he said. “Sure, when will they be here? I'm sure they'd like a tour of the place.”

Patting the shorter boy's arm, his grin widened. “She's in your first period, I already checked.” The tardy bell suddenly rings, causing the pair to jump a bit. Darting his eyes back and forth, he nodded and took off. Probably off to skip, but who's to say really. It wasn't as if they shared any classes.

So there Brian stood, in the rapidly emptying hall. Wondering just what kind of person Bender's cousin was.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To say that you were nowhere near what he was expecting would be an understatement. He didn't have an exact image in his mind what his criminal friend's cousin would be like. But you were somehow the complete opposite of what he thought of.

He entered the classroom just as you were called up to introduce yourself. Muttering a quick apology, he rushed to his seat. He was in a stupor as you spoke. Eyes glued to your plush form as you shyly told everyone your name. He tried to retain everything you said. But it was difficult to keep his mind from reeling. You were the one he was supposed to spend time with. This bubbly beaming angel of plump proportion.

By the time you sat down and class began. He knew he was in trouble. What kind, he wasn't sure of yet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As class ended you glanced around. It shouldn't be very hard to find the red head that John had told you about. You should have done a better job at paying attention while at the front. Though it was hard to meet any of the new faces with your anxiety. While your cousin may have all of the confidence between the pair of you. You'd like to think you make up for that with kindness. From what you've heard John was lacking in that department. That was a bit of a shock to you. With the way he doted on you, you found it hard to believe. Chalking it up to people not looking past his prickly exterior.

Gathering your things, you paused in surprise. A red headed boy was waiting at the door. It seemed to good to be a coincidence. Him waving awkwardly at you proved your thought to be right.

So this was Brian. He was cuter than your cousin had described. While he did have a dorky quality to the way he dress. You found it endearing in a frumpy sort of way. But his clear skin and styled hair made him look handsomely put together. As you came closer his deep blue eyes sparkled enchantingly. It brought back out that shyness you wanted to avoid.

Plucking up your courage you introduced yourself. “Hi, I'm (Y/N). Your Brian right?”

He was stunned in your presence. Such a cute girl had never given him the time of day before. It was a moment he never wanted to forget. Then reality shifts back in and reminds him. The reason you knew his name was because of Bender. The guy that was his friend and who seemed very concerned for your well being. Meaning that you were strictly off limits. And he had to remind himself of that repeatedly.

Suddenly shooting his hand out, he responds to you. “Yeah, Bender said that you might want a tour. I'm happy to show you around.” He shakes your hand enthusiastically. Then he begins rambling about the different buildings that make up the school.

As you walked through the halls, the two of you have similar thoughts going through your minds. Each thinking of how the others hand felt shaking their own.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It didn't take long for a friendship to develop between the two of you. Sharing most of your classes was a factor. But there was something that seemed to always bring you back together. As if you were pulled towards each other, like a moth to a flame.

Your interests were similar and anything that differed was easy to discuss. It was like you could listen to each other's interests for hours. Which is why you were headed to the library.

Only to be stopped by your cousin. “Where are you headed off to in such a hurry?” It was no secret that John Bender cared about you. Now that you and your mom moved to Shermer, he was a constant around the house. Which neither of you minded, knowing his home life and all. He spent most nights on the couch and had space made for him in your closet. It was always nice to have him around.

Until he starts prying into your private life. It's like he could sniff out when you're interested in someone. Even in a different state, he somehow knew. Many late night phone conversations had been interupted with his prying questions. That was just John though. If he cared about you, he cared hard.

Shrugging your shoulders, you shoved your house key into your pocket. “Just the library. You want me to pick something up for you?” While the offer was genuine. You also hoped it kept him from interrogating you further. As he raised an eyebrow your way. You realized that this may have had the opposite effect.

Shaking his head, he steps closer to you. “Nah, you know I don't do that nerd shit. What are you going there for?” It wasn't unusual for you to head to the library. But that seemed to be your answer for every outing lately. That just didn't sit right with him.

Turning towards the door, you hope he didn't notice your wince. It's not that you wanted to hide that you were meeting with Brian. You just didn't want the stressed boy to have to deal with an overbearing cousin too. He had plenty on his plate already. “Mostly browse. Oh and work on that history report due Tuesday.” Some truths and half truths.

Clenching your hand on the door knob, you released a breath as he nods. “OK, well be safe.”

Returning his nod with one of your own, you rushed out the door. It never felt good to keep things from your cousin. But you didn't want anyone to worry. So as you tried to calm your racing heart, you walked down the sidewalk. Feeling a smile settle on your face as thoughts of a certain read head came to mind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The pair of you peeked around the corner. While what you were doing wasn't bad. Neither of you wanted to get caught taking graph paper from the supply closet. Brian had reassured you that students were allowed to take what was needed. Hence why all of the math club members have access. But you weren't a member of the math club. Or using it for school activities. No you had something else in mind.

Clutching his arm as he opened the supply closet door, you said. “Are you sure this won't get you in trouble. I know how much you hated a detention on your record.” You worried you lower lip with your teeth. The thought of causing him demerits making your nerves bad.

Shaking his head, he smiled down at you. “No way, these supplies are for students. Therefore as students we're allowed access to them.” He was happy to get that out without stuttering. With you this close to him, it was hard to keep his composer.

Shifting into the closet, you closed the door quietly behind you. “Yeah, I guess you're right. Though I'm not sure they would be happy with what I'm doing with it.” You leaned closer to the boy and whispered conspiratorially. “What with it being Dungeons and Dragons and all.”

While D&D had been a bit more accepted at your old school. It still had groups of people that hated it. But it seemed Shermer had never heard of it. As if it was in it's own universe away from the game itself.

That didn't mean that you had to stop loving it though. You still gushed about anything new to your friends over the phone, back home. On top of writing your own adventures.

Hence the need for the graph paper. While you were more than happy to purchase your own. You had yet to find any in town. Complaining to your red headed friend about your dilemma. He was quick to offer a solution. Which is why he was rifling through the stacks of paper.

Exclaiming in triumph, he holds the paper out towards you. “Just as malady asked, for you.” He beamed at your giggles and smile to match. Watching as your round cheeks darkened. Only to become concerned as your expression drops a bit.

Clutching the pack of paper to your chest you slump slightly. “Thank you Brian, this means a lot to me. I just wished more people were interested in this kind of thing.” This was truly the issue with such a niche interest. Finding anyone else who might enjoy it. Leaning against a shelf in the closet you sigh.

Joining you against the shelf, he says. “That must suck. You still have your friends at home though.” He hated seeing you in such a dower mood.

Shrugging, you tried to muster a decent smile. “Yeah, I guess so. Sometimes John let's me rope him into a quick game. But it's not the same.”

Seeing you curl even more into yourself really upset him. You weren't your usual vibrant self. It was if someone had rained all over your parade. Without considering the awkward consequences he blurted out an offer. “I would love to play.”

While that was true, he internally cringed. The thought of sitting across from Bender as you all played worried him. But the way your soft face light up at the offer made that drift away.

Throwing your arms around him you squealed. That may not have been your intention. You only wanted to complain about the situation. Though this was a much better outcome. Pulling back, you began to ramble about the possibilities. “I have to write something for this. Oh, or it might be a better idea to start with something pre-made. You are a new player and all.”

Your excitement became infectious. Even if he didn't understand half the things you were saying. There was still something bothering him though. “Sounds great, do you think Bender would want to play too.”

Your face pinched in a way that he would describe as adorable. Then you smiled and took a step closer to him. Your plump body pressing into his own lanky frame. Your thoughts shift to a different subject you had been considering recently. “Actually I was thinking that a two player game would be best. Just you and me that is.”

He shudders as you wrap your plush arms around his neck. There was a part of him that was convinced this was a dream. The kind that he had embarrassingly been having more often than not. But the logical part of his mind knew it wasn't. For one he would never mention your cousin in a dream. And on top of that, you were much to warm and solid to not be real.

So he does the only logical thing. Agrees and meets your soft lips with his own. Hands moving to lightly rest on your hips, he sighs into the kiss. This causes you to bump his nose with yours and giggle. Tangling you fingers into his hair, you press a bit firmer against him.

Until the door to be flung open and harsh light fills the closet. There stood Mrs. Hinkley, the very math teacher you were technically stealing from.

~~~~~~~~~~~

It didn't take long for news to get around. While the pair of you weren't the usual subjects for gossip. That didn't stop the uptight teacher from telling anyone who would listen. ‘How could such model students do a thing like this? Canoodling in the supply closet, it was unheard of!’

This was only a half the truth. Thankfully the shock of what she saw kept her from noticing the paper you held.

That didn't keep the school from speculating about what canoodling could be. Some students going so far as to say you two had sex. That the couple had been caught doing everything you could manage in the dim room.

Which is precisely why Bender was rushing around the school. Looking for a certain red head to pummel into the dirt. To think he had trusted that punk to treat you well. And to he didn't even have the nerve to tell him to his face. What if he had pressured you. The very thought caused him to quicken his pace.

As the lunch bell rang. He made a bee line for the cafeteria. It might be harder to find him there. But he had no problem taking care of this in front of witnesses. Your honor was being threatened.

Slamming the double doors open, he scanned the crowd. It didn't take him long to spot him. He was much to close with you at a table tucked into a corner. Just the sight of him whispering in your ear caused his blood to boil. “Hey Bri, we need to talk.”

The two of you are startled away from each other. It's not that you were truly hiding your interest from your cousin. You just weren't sure how he would take the situation. And from the scowl on his face, you might have been right.

He sat stunned in his seat as the taller boy continued to make his way over. He probably would have stayed frozen. If not for your warm soft hand squeezing his arm. With a reassuring nod, you guided him from his seat. He nervously slid his shaky hand into yours. At the gentle grasp you gave his confidence renewed and he faced your cousin.

He glared between your hands and Brian's face. If looks could kill, the brainiac boy would already be six feet under. “What did you do to her?” It was a statement coated in venom.

Confusion came over both of your expressions. You were the first to answer the bizarre question. “What are you talking about?”

He didn't even glance your way. Continuing to stare daggers at the shorter boy. “What did you do to her in that closet?” When the both of you only blushed for an answer, he saw red. Pushing the red head, your linked hands causing you both to stumble.

You were quick to step between the two boys. Eyes nervously darting around at the forming crowd. If you didn't move this somewhere more private. Then it wouldn't be long before a teacher got involved. Grabbing both of their arms, you made you way outside. Pulling them over to the dumpsters behind the school, you whirled on them.

Brian began to stammer out apologies. He wasn't exactly sure what was going on. But he did know that being on Bender's bad side was something he didn't want. He flinched a bit as the brunette stepped forward. Though as you stationed yourself in front of him. He couldn't help but sag in relief and relish in your protection.

Placing a firm hand on John's chest, you frowned. “I'm assuming you've heard about the closet.”

He pushed further into your hand. Then whipped himself away and clenched his fist. You had always been so patient with him. Working with him on his anger issues. Helping him talk things through instead of using his fist. Which is what he wanted to do. But it was so hard when something so precious to him was being threatened. So through gritted teeth he said. “Yes, I've heard.”

Brian's became very flushed at the statement. He knew a couple of people had asked him about a closet. He had no clue what they were referencing though. This made him feel like all those A's he had gotten were not earned. How could he be so dumb?

You came to his rescue once again. “Don't believe the rumors. I kissed Brian and Mrs. Hinkley caught us. We were in there to get graph paper and one thing led to another. But I was the one who initiated.” You met his gaze, forcing him to listen to you. You love your cousin, but he had to let you live your life.

“If it helps at all I really do care about (Y/N). I would never do anything to hurt her. I swear.” The sincerity in Brian's voice was noticeable. He truly meant every words he said.

The anger melted away from his expression. You were important to him. And if that meant letting you make your own choices. Then he would have to ease up on his protective nature. “OK, if you're sure.”

A grin spread across your face as you punched him in the arm. “Of course I am. Now could you stop threatening my boyfriend.”

Your cousin's eyebrows shot up at the admission. “Your what.” You weren't sure if you had ever heard his voice get that high before.

Laughing you linked your arms in both of their as you led them back to the lunchroom. “Yeah yeah. We can discuss it at home. Now come on, I want to talk about our next Dungeons and Dragons session.”

Bender fake groaned, but listened with a small smile on his face. It was a relief to know he wasn't losing his cousin. He wasn't sure what he would do without your support.