Blame

November 24th, 2015

"Hi, bro," She giggled, wrinkling that cheeky smile. Jenny tied her hair up into a pony, sporting a slim-fit charcoal tank and soft blue shorts. This was her way of saying the trek home would be a race.

My lips curled into a grin as I stood from the sidelines of the gym, delicately flicking her swinging locks No matter what, I smiled around her. Even if right before mom called to go off on me about slipping grades, I still smiled for Jenny.

"Hey, Jen. How was school?"

"Amazing!" Jenny laughed, "Mrs. Kinkaide told me my essay on racism was the best in class. Anden bought me lunch from DeNiro's too; spaghetti and meatballs."

"That's awesome, kiddo. You ready to go home?"

She nodded, sighing in that well-I-wanted-to-stay-buuuuuuut way. It was Scott. It was always Scott, since the first time he sat down at my lab bench. Jenny wanted to meet the 'cute new transfer student' who she immediately thought I had a crush on.

If I said it was completely like Scott to forget he had a home, you would laugh and say that's not a real stereotype. But when we opened the door to the library, and I saw that signature jet black, teased up faux hawk, it wasn't very surprising. I heard my voice call out, and the reaction was immediate.

His eyes ripped up quicker than I could shout the name, and a brown leather book already fell clattering onto the table before I walked another two steps, his pen flinging itself into a red and black Swiss Gear pack. They smoldered with curiosity, briefly (although this might have been imagined) guilt, then recognition, then that Scott delight.

"Mason, you didn't tell me your sister was so adorable!"

No matter how hard I fought, Scott could always steal a grin from me at some, weak point of mine where he did something extra boisterous. It was like he had assigned himself a mission of making me laugh.

"Oh my god, are you Gaybro's bf? You're right, Masey, he is hot." She smiled at my awkward jerk of a double take, and they laughed together like old friends.

"Jenny! You can't just go around telling people I'm—"

"Gay?" He glanced up at me, dimples showing off that toothy smile, "Bro. Seriously? Give me some credit."

I nodded slowly, a bit taken aback. Was it that obvious?

Jen saved the awkward situation: "So, Scott, were you born in America? Because your English is impeccable."

I facepalmed.

Scott let out a little laugh, which calmed me down a bit. He didn't seem offended by Jen's abruptness in the slightest, "Yeah, I was born in New Jersey, but my parents moved to Manhattan for my dad's job. He was originally from Shanghai, like my mom, so they moved here to do business with American partners. We lived in the upper East Side for a while."

"Then why'd you come to Wisconsin?"

He shrugged, "My Mom wanted a change from the Big Apple. Dad oversees them through commute. He leaves on a lot of business trips." Scott turned his smile to me, "Where ya headed, Mase?"

"Reicher's. I left my—"

Scott unhooked that black-and-red backpack from his shoulder, "Oh, your computer? I already have it, here."

I took the smooth black device from his outstretched hand, suspicious, "Why do you have my laptop, stalker?"

"I had study hall last period and was just about to call you. Say, I can give you and your older sister a ride," he winked at Jenny, who began giggling, "If you two want, that is?"

Before I could mutter a grateful no, Jenny squealed, hugging his chest as much as possible, "Yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes! We must discuss embarrassing Mason stories, like about the time you first came to school and he stalked around the house, all red and lovey and..."

"We usually just walk home," I admitted forcefully, "It isn't that far."

"No problem." Then he stuck a hand on a hip, my sister threading her arm into his, and took us out the school towards his car, "Ooh, I have to tell you about the first time we had lunch and he led me through the cafeteria, then realized he was holding my hand and practically ran away..."