Chapter Text
Ch.1
Oh my god is this really happening? Eric thought.
Holy shit. Buddy thought.
The pair were sitting in Buddy's car outside the Point Place movie theater, Buddy's arm was resting on the back of Eric's seat and their lips were interlocked. Eric was gripping the handle on the car door so hard his knuckles were white. He wasn't mad or scared, he felt butterflies. Buddy was so relieved this was finally happening, he wasn't even in control at this moment.
This is really happening! Eric screamed internally.
Fucking finally. Buddy triumphantly praised himself.
-
3 WEEKS EARLIER
Eric's POV:
I slept in, I didn't realize how late I slept in until I was conscious enough to brush my teeth. I saw my watch in the mirror and checked it, it read 7:46.
"Shit!" I yelled and hurriedly spit out the toothpaste. I sprinted back to my room to find something to wear. A button up was thrown on the foot of my bed, quick sniff check, aaand it smells clean I'm good. I need a jacket though, it's cold. Uhhhh the blue wool one! Nice choice, Forman.
Today's Monday, school's been in session for couple of months, this is the fourth month in. Yep, summer's over, back to the real world. I have two classes today, Chemistry and PE. The classes I hate the most.
As I was scrambling to get my backpack in order, I remembered I had to pick up Kelso and Hyde, causing me to feel more late. I made sure I had my Chemistry notes, I try to take notes because of my forgetful memory. The more I write, the less I fail.
I run down the stairs, careful not to trip. Bursting through the kitchen door I see Kitty and Red. Kitty was at the counter, Red had his head stuffed into today's newspaper at the table.
"Hi hone-" Kitty starts to say to me.
"Sorry, Mom, I'm gonna be late." I say as I grab a piece of dry toast off a plate on the table.
"Later, Red." I take a big bite and yell to Kitty "LOF YOUGH", crumbs flying out of my stuffed mouth.
I fast walk to unlock the car, a Vista Cruiser my dad gave me just at the beginning of the school year, and hop in. I'm mentally mapping out how I'm going to get to school because according to my watch, I should've left 10 minutes ago, and I'm not quite awake yet.
Kelso's closest, I'll get Kelso first and then pick up Hyde.
I speed over to Kelso's, I pull up and he was already waiting out front for me. Good, less time to waste. He had his arms crossed and was swaying back and forth. Today was cold, it's December 8th, we're nearing the beginning of winter. He opens the door and hops in the front seat.
He sighs and takes off his backpack, he reaches for his seatbelt, "Ooh ABBA." He says excitedly to the radio. I didn't even pay attention to the music I was so focused on the time and getting to Kelso's.
I look at him disgusted, secretly, I also love ABBA but I will never admit it to anyone.
Kelso realized he said that out loud and whispered wide eyed "What?" as if pretending something else happened.
I roll my eyes and drive away to Hyde's.
"What classes you have today?" Kelso asks me, trying to change the subject.
"Agh, Chemistry and PE." I say with a slight repulse.
"Lucky. I want PE today, I need to warm up." He says and rubs his hands together to create heat. "I have English and History. Why do I need to know about history? They're all dead anyway." He says visibly upset and shaking his head, he shoves his hands between his knees for extra warmth.
"Well, I mean. You're not wrong." I respond, what a dumbass.
We arrive at Hyde's house. He was also waiting for me, he was sitting on the steps leading up to his porch. His leg was jiggling up and down and he was holding his jacket so tightly to his body, I couldn't tell if it was because of the cold or if he was impatient, probably both. He sees us and jumps up and wiggles both legs as if trying to get the blood rushing again.
He gets in the back seat, "Dude, you're late. I was freezing my ass off out there." He said irritated and starts blowing warm air into his cupped hands.
"Sorry, let's go." I say and peel out to school.
-
We arrive right as the bell rings, which means there was no good spots left for me in Chemistry. I lightly jog my way over to the classroom trying not to be more late than I already am. I hate being late. Hyde was cruising his way in to the front entrance, he doesn't care if he's late. Kelso skipped to class, he doesn't like running.
I get to the room and open the door, my teacher, Mr. Jet, had already started.
"Mr. Forman, you're late." Mr. Jet says disappointed and annoyed I interrupted him. "There's an open seat over there." He motions to the right side of the room. The only open seat was next to the popular kid, Buddy Morgan. Everyone knows him. Either him or his rich dad. He was looking right at me, smiling. He has kind eyes. I realized I've never spoken to him in this class. I nod at Mr. Jet and apologize under my breath. I walk over to the empty seat, take off my backpack and sit down quietly and sigh, relieved that I'm in class.
"Hi, I'm Buddy." Buddy leans in and whispers to me.
"I know." I whispered back, copying his lean in movement.
"You do?" he says confused and caught off guard. I just realized how weird that sounds.
"Sorry, that sounds creepy. You're just kind of popular and everyone knows you."
Buddy was just looking back at me. Man, I made this weird.
"I'm Eric."
-
Buddy's POV:
My alarm clock startled me from a deep sleep. I look at the red numbers on my bedside table, it read 7:00 am sharp. Waking up early gives me time to actually wake up before classes like Chemistry that I have today. Chemistry at 8:00 am, that's so stupid. I slam down the snooze button and roll out of bed.
I get dressed in my usual button up but today, I decided to go with a red turtle neck underneath it. You never know who you need to impress. I smile and throw it on. I brush my teeth and comb my hair with some gel. Can't overdo a nice haircut.
Walking downstairs, I can tell no one's home. Dad left for work and Mom left me a note on the counter that read "sorry for another early morning. Eggs in the oven. Love you x".
I got the eggs out of the oven and pour myself a cup of warm coffee that was made 2 hours prior. I sit down and eat the eggs. The clock on our kitchen wall said 7:28, I have quite a bit of downtime. I get to enjoy my somewhat cold coffee in peace.
I think about my schedule today, Chemistry and Math. Rough classes for a Monday. I did my homework, I'll just have to double check that it's in my bag ready to go. I need to take better notes, Chemistry is kicking my ass.
I start to wonder my eyes around the kitchen for something to read or look at, my eye catches my Trans-Am in the driveway that can be seen from the window. I was never much of a car person but my Dad wanted to bond with me better so he bought me this car for my birthday earlier this year. I love it. I didn't think I'd be so happy to drive a car. It drives so smoothly. It's also my favorite color, red, which is obvious with my red turtle neck today to match.
I decided I didn't want to sit here any longer and decided to head to school. Drive the red hotrod that I was just thinking about. It was only 7:40, that'll give me time to get a decent seat in Chemistry, the good seats fill up fast.
The drive to school is short, only about 10 minutes, but I can listen to my jams and just get lost in the music before having to sit down for 6 hours. ABBA was on the radio, I love ABBA.
I park outside the main entrance and walk inside. People are starting to arrive, hanging out in their little side groups chatting, a few people wave to me or say hi. I don't even know who they are, I wave anyway.
The classroom was open, only about 3 students were inside. Perfect, I can get a decent seat. I get myself situated in the second row on the right side of the room, farthest from the others. I don't like being in the back but I don't like the front either, so second row I shall sit. By the time I get my homework and textbook out, everyone starts piling in. Our teacher, Mr. Jet, was writing down what we'll be studying today on the chalkboard behind his desk. The bell rang and no one sat next to me. Nice, I get to have the double desk to myself.
Mr. Jet starts telling us today's schedule, "So the last thing we learned last week was-" he gets interrupted by the door opening. Everyone turns to look at the commotion, it was a student who looked like he had been running and looked frantically at Mr. Jet. I remember his face but I don't think I've ever heard him speak. All I remember is he doesn't stop writing notes.
"Mr. Forman, you're late. There's an empty seat over there." And motions to me, the only one in the room with no one next to me. He looks at me and I smile. I don't mind him sitting next to me, he's kinda cute. I forgot his name though.
He was breathing a little heavy, he sits down and relaxes.
"Hi, I'm Buddy." I leaned in to whisper.
"I know." He says back.
He knows? Creepy. "You do?" I must've been making a face.
"Sorry, that sounds creepy. You're just kind of popular and everyone knows you." He says realizing he said something weird.
Cute. He's still cute when he scrambles for words.
"I'm Eric." He says smiling.
"Nice to meet you, Eric," I smile back.
"Whoever you're sitting next to will be your partner for the rest of the semester, which isn't very long, hope you chose wisely." Mr. Jet says to everyone and turns back to the board to start the lesson, everyone starts chatting to their partner's, either excitedly or switching seats subtly.
"Looks like we're partners!" Eric says extending his arms to the side and giggles a little bit.
"Looks like it." I say with a smile and admiring Eric and how I'm going to enjoy the rest of this semester.