The school day wasn’t a long one thank fuck, other than Comp-sci and meeting Davi nothing of note happened. David was able to make his way to the student parking lot pretty quickly after the final bell. He leaned on the hood of his car, a blue Ford. He’d semi-ironically started calling it “Blueford the big blue car” when he got it over the summer, then Shirley heard the name, and ever since the car was never going to be known as anything else. Marcus arrived not too long after him, he waved as he approached,

“Hey Davey, we survived another first day huh?” Oh huh, guess the nickname actually was gonna stick.

“Yeah, how did you and Shirley end up liking the new guy?” He really hoped his friends liked this guy as much as he did.

“Davi? Oh yeah, he’s super cool. Him and Shirley have some classes together too.”

“Oh sweet.”

No sooner had the two been mentioned that Davide and Shirley exited the back door of the school. She was walking and laughing with Davide, damn they must have super hit it off. David was glad, he seemed like a cool dude who needed some friends.

“About time you showed up!” David called to them.

“Listen Davi and I got into a long discussion about photography. We can't be held accountable for our actions.”

“Aw shit known him one day and you already got him hooked on your artsy shit?” David asked.

“My fault, I mentioned having a real film camera,” Davide said.

“Woah really? That’s pretty cool,” Marcus said.

“My mom gave me hers from college,” He explained.

“So, Davi,” David started, “I know it’s your first day and all but how you liking “the public school experience” so far?”

Davide shrugged, “I mean, you guys seem pretty cool. Not used to having to run between classes all the time but, seems like no one really likes that part. I think I’ll survive.”

“Just what we wanna hear! Now, I usually drive these two home. You want a ride?”

Davide blinked a bit, clearly surprised at the offer. “Really? You, you don’t even know where I live.”

“I mean if you go here it can’t be that far.” He shrugs, “Come on, we can get some Wendys or something on the way even. My treat.” What dad didn’t notice on the credit card bill wouldn’t hurt him.

“Uh. Sure! Thank you again you’ve, you guys have all been so nice to me.”

David patted him on the back and tugged him a bit closer, “That’s what friends are for my good man! Now get in the car.”

Davide took shotgun, which was fine, Shirley and Marcus got out at the same place anyway so it wouldn’t super matter in the long run. He placed his backpack at his feet,

“You know you can put that in the trunk if you want? You’re not gonna have tons of legroom.”

“Oh no it’s fine I don’t want to be a bother.”

David shrugged, “If you insist.”

“So you and Shirley have photography together. What else do you have?”

“We also have the same English.”

“Oh, so you’re in the smart kid courses then?” David asked as he started the car. He wasn’t in the honors or AP track but he didn’t let it bother him. He was doing fine just where he was. Sure his dad got on his case about not being as smart as his friends but whatever. His grades would be good enough for college. He pulled out of the parking lot. He drove right past the Mcdonald's that was technically closer, he wasn’t really in the mood to hear his coworker Eric on one of his days off. He also figured Marcus didn’t need to stop by his mom’s work. There was a bit of a line at the drive-through. That wasn’t super surprising though, school letting out and a decent chunk of people were getting off work.

“Okay while we’re waiting, what’s everyone want?” David looked over his shoulder at Shirley and Marcus.

“Cheeseburger, fries, and an orange soda,” Shirley said. No surprise there, for a runner she ate like a quarterback.

“I’m not super hungry. I’ll just have an order of fries.”

“Alright solid, how about you, Davi?”

“Salad and a sprite.”

That was a chick’s order, “Really?” He raised an eyebrow at him.

“I’m trying to maintain my girlish figure,” Davide deadpanned.

“Whatever you say, dude. I’ll get another order of fries in case you change your mind.” He gave Davi a playful wink. Davi swallowed and David found himself staring at his adam’s apple again, what the hell was with that anyway? He didn’t normally stare at dude’s throats or really anyone’s throats.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“David, it’s our turn,” Shirley said, clearing her throat.

“Aw shit, sorry man.” He said to the person on the other side of the intercom. He gave the order, he did in fact order an extra thing of fries for Davi. Once they made it through the drive through David placed the bag on the little stand thingy between the driver and shotgun seats, he didn’t know what the hell it was called,

“Try not to spill on the floor, okay guys?” He asked as the others grabbed their food from the bag and he handed Shirley and Davi their sodas,

“Oh damn, there goes my plans to pour my sprite directly onto the floor,” Davide deadpanned once again.

“I’ll make you walk.”

“Damn, hazing the new kid? I expected better of you.”

“Sounds like a you problem,” David smirked.

“Well damn guess I won’t be feeding you your fries then,” Davi said, pulling the container of fries to his chest.

“Aw come on man driver tax!”

Davi chuckled and rolled his eyes as he offered a fry to David.

David bit the french fry, he felt a bit like a cowboy with it half hanging out of his mouth.

“Yeehaw,”

“Save a horse ride a, blue bull?” Marcus said from the backseat.

“Eh, not your best work,” Shirley said.

“He’s definitely said worse,” David said.

“Assholes, see if I invite you on my next outing.”

“How you gonna get there without my car? Checkmate jackass.”

Davi glanced at everyone in the car,

“What are you guys talking about?”

“Oh, one of my main hobbies is breaking into abandoned buildings around the island and painting them.”

“That sounds so cool,” David could practically hear how starry-eyed Davi probably was right then,

“I’ll bring you some time if you want,” Marcus said.

“I’d really like that. Maybe I can take some pictures too?”

Marcus chuckled, “Just don’t get me caught alright?”

“I’m offended you think I would!”

David was so distracted hearing those two talk that he almost missed the turn for the apartment building. With a slight jerk of the wheel, he made his way into the parking lot,

“See you later guys.”

“Bye David. It was nice to meet you, Davi! See you tomorrow.” Shirley said.

“Nice to meet you too,” Davi said with a smile.

“Yeah man, see you around.” Marcus threw up a peace sign as he got out of the car as well.

“Shirley and Marcus live in the same complex? That’s pretty convenient.” Davi said as the other two walked towards their apartments.

“Yeah, they’ve lived here for as long as I’ve known them. Now I just gotta get you home don’t I?” David patted him on the shoulder. He noticed he was a lot touchier today than he usually was. Eh, whatever just one of those days he supposed.

“I guess you do,” Davi said as he glanced at David’s hand on his shoulder with a small smile.

“So, were you always homeschooled?”

“I went to a normal preschool but, that’s about it.”

“Why were you moving so much if your mom is a college professor?”

“Back when my father was in the army we were never stationed in the same place for more than a year.”

Oh shit, past tense, “Sorry for your loss.”

“Oh no! Discharged! Discharged not dead,” He clarified.

David exhaled, “Good good. Now, not that I’m not stoked you’re here, but why did your parents pick Long Island specifically? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“My dad grew up around here. Turns out our house is like down the street from the one he grew up in.”

“Oh, my dad grew up around here too, wonder if they knew each other.”

“My dad’s name is Martin Maloney. Guess you can ask your dad when you get home?”

“Right speaking of home! I need your address,” He pointed at his phone as he pulled up the maps app.

“Yeah yeah, that is probably helpful since I have no idea how to direct you there myself.” He chuckled as he entered the address.

“Oh, nice dude you’re like, fifteen minutes from my place.”

“Guess we’ll be seeing a lot of each other then?” Davi asked.

“I sure hope so,” David smirked at him.

Davide smiled back at him and David started driving. The ride was pretty quiet after that, with Davi looking out the window, probably taking in the new town, and David was occupied keeping his eyes on the road. He didn’t even turn on the radio, just kept listening to his phone spit out the directions. It wasn’t a long drive, David had practiced driving in this neighborhood back when he still had just a permit.

“That’s it over there,” Davi pointed at a humble one-story house with pale cream siding and a maroon-colored roof. There was a reasonable but slightly cheap car in the driveway. David pulled in beside it. He went to unbuckle his seatbelt, then figured he should probably ask before just following the guy into his house,

“Mind if I pop in to use the bathroom real quick?”

“Oh, that’ll be fine. Try to ignore the moving boxes?” Davide asked as he got out of the car.

“Somehow I’ll look past them,” David winked.

Davide’s face looked a little red, must have been David’s imagination. David got out of the car and followed him inside. Davi opened the door, he wasn’t kidding about the moving boxes. The living room had a couch and other normal furniture, but the floor was littered with boxes with sharpie labeling the contents. Davide tossed his backpack onto the couch unceremoniously.

“Mom! I’m home!” He called out.