Chapter Text
Finney had moved to Denver all of two weeks ago, and since then he had yet to do much else than join the baseball team and spend his lunches in the boys toilet, hiding from Buzz and his thugs. These small towns may all look different, but the homophobia sure felt the same to him. Since he spends so much time in his favourite dingy little stall, he had written down his phone number on the wall, accompanied by the drawings of spaceships that seemed to plague every surface he’d ever written on. Oh, and not to mention how he already had the unfortunate pleasure of having a crush on a straight man. More specifically, on one of the most violent boys in the school. He was most likely a jerk, and he knew that. Robin was the type who got into fights before he had even been to morning registration, and yet Finney had a way of getting attached too easily; too quickly.
Ever since that one day in the bathrooms. Robin had simply taken one look at Finney, backed into a corner by the ‘ three thug hate club’ and threatened to beat them to a pulp if they didnt leave ‘ his’ bathrooms. Buzz and his cronies had shuffled out of the bathroom reluctantly whilst Finney watched Robin wash the blood off his hands in silence. Robin had barely looked at him after that, admittedly; only giving him small glances of acknowledgement here and there. He was closed off and hostile, probably dangerous. And yet he was the only person to have shown Finney an ounce of kindness since he had arrived, quiet and uncertain in the rowdy middle school of Denver.
Finney wasnt ashamed about his sexuality. But he might be ashamed of his type, now he thinks about it. And that was Robin Arellano through and through. Dark hair, warm eyes and tanned skin. Muscles and cocky confidence for days, a smirking, brooding, violent manner. But most of all, Robin was kind. Finney could just tell, even just from that one small interaction. Despite there being an overwhelming amount of evidence to prove him wrong, the countless fights and suspensions, Finney was convinced.
To his surprise, he was snapped from these exact thoughts as his phone buzzed in his pocket while he was walking home one day. He paused, carton of grape juice from the grab n’ go still in one hand, fingers stained a slight purple as he hovered over the text. An unknown number. He frowned, until it dawned on him he had, of course, gone and given his number to anyone who had entered the third stall in the boys’ toilet in the school of Denver. He hadnt expected anyone to actually pick it up.
___________
(+**** *** ***)
Unknown
Hi
I found this number in the bathroom stool at school
You looking for a new friend?
Finney paused. Threw his juice in the bin. Blew out a nervous breath, and decided to reply.
Finney
Hi
Yeah I wrote that
Who is this?
Unknown
I’m Bruce Yamada
You might know me ?
Not to sound cocky
I just needed a new friend tbh
Finney
Ohh yh i know youu
I’ve played against you in baseball i think
I’m Finney :)
Bruce
Oh Finney Blake ??
Your arm is mint!!
You almost had me at last week’s game oml
I dont think I’ve seen you on the team before our last game ?
Finney
Thanks mann
Yeah I’m new
Like painfully so 😭
Bruce
Oh fr
When did you move
Finney
Like literally two weeks ago its been rough
I haven't even got friends yet bro
Bruce
If I’m being honest
I’m very quickly coming to the realisation that I dont even have any either 🙁
Well not real ones anyway
But that works out well for both of us doesn't it ? :)
Finney
Yeah for sure
I’m down to be friends if you are 🤷♀️
Bruce
Fuck yeah
This is like an actual saviour for me rn you dont even know 🙏
We could sit somewhere tg at lunch if u want 🙃
Finney
For suree man
Where do u wanna sit ?
You know this place better than I do loll
Bruce
Okok
Meet me by the tree in the courtyard and we can find a spot 💪
Anyways
How’s your first couple weeks been ?
Apart from the lack of friends 😭
Finney
Honestly ?
Horrific
Those kids like Buzz and his friends lowk bully the shit out of me
They keep calling me gay...
I js spend most lunches in that stool my number was on icl 💀
Bruce
Shiit I’m so sorry man, that sucks
I didn’t know you were gay ?
Finney
I'm actually bi lol
Bruce
Ah I wouldn't have guessed
I have no gaydar lmao
Finney
Can you have a gaydar if you're straight...?
Bruce
Idk
Good thing I'm not straight
Finney
WHAT
Bruce
Haha yea literally no one knows that I’m bi
I have liked the same man for three years straight...
Comes with being kinda popular I guess ??
Finney
Loll I dont think they even know the difference tbf
Although the bullying may be my fault
I must just look gay asf because I got bullied for this shit too in my last school
And that was before I even got caught kissing a boy ?? 😭😭
Bruce
Bless I don't think that's your fault
Not that its a bad thing but you dont even look that gay
People like Buzz just pick on anyone who acts a little uncertain in themselves
A new kid is js straight up easy target tbh ☹️ x
Finney
Yeah ig thats true
Wait did you say that you liked someone ?
Bruce
Unfortunately yes
Finney
Not that I’ll know who it is butttt
Please tell me 🙏
Bruce
Oh you’ll know him 💀
Its Vance
Vance hopper ?
Finney
Wait.
The one that looks like a queen member
Bruce
Um
Probably ?
Finney
The scary ass one ?!
Bruce
Welll
Uhhh
Finney
The one with major anger issues ?
Bruce
Major is a stretch
But yeah that's him :)
Finney
Really Bruce ??
Idek you and I'm a little disappointed
Three years too damn...
Bruce
Don’t fuckinf judge me I’ve known him for ages
He just happens to hate my guts noww ☹️
Finney
Im not judging…that much
What did you even do for him to hate you ?
Bruce
Honestly idk
We used to be friends a bit when I tutored him in 8th grade
Then he started bunking and shit and hanging out with the wrong people
But I never stopped liking him 😞
Finney
Thats actually really sad :(
You're rlly still down bad for him after all these years ?
Bruce
Yeah ik its pathetic but part of me hopes i can have the version of him which was nice to me again some day
Now he just glares at me and refuses to talk
Anywayss thats enough about MY depressing love life
Pleasee tell me you have a crush or something 😟
Finney
Maybe
One sec I gotta cross a road I’m walking home
Bruce
Oh sureeee
Youre totally stalling
Who is it !!
You have to tell me now bc I just dumped my one sided sob story on you 😇
Finney
Okay fuck finee 😭
It may or may not be
Robin
The guy with the bandana ?
Bruce
No way its Arellano
You're joking omg
And you were judging ME ??
Finney
I WAS NOTT
Hes just so
Mmm 😩
You know ?
Bruce
Uh
No ! 💞
But whatever works for you ig 😍
Finney
Oh shut up
You literally like Vance
I saw him rip someones teeth out at lunch today
You think thats cute ?
Bruce
YES
Next question
Finney
BRUCE
Bruce
Anger has some slight issues with him.
Finney
I don't think anger is the one with the issues here
Bruce
Hes just veryyy
Reactive :)
Finney
Mhm okay...
Bruce
OKAY YOU CANT TALK
ROBIN LITERALLY BEATS PEOPLE UP TOO ???
Maybe less but STILL
Finney
Oh yeah
Good point u got me there 😭
Bruce
Yh bitch
I don't stand for hypocrites
Finney
But you'll get on ur knees for a criminal...
Bruce
SHUT UP
OH MY GOD
I THOUGHT YOU WERE SWEET
Finney
Well were both fucked in the head
Think about our crushes Bruce
We have bad taste
Bruce
I prefer unique please 😛
Ah fuck I’m sorryy I've gtg study
But I’ll meet u tmr yeah ?? :)
Finney
Unique is a BOLD understatement 😭
But yess I’ll see u tmrr 🙏
_________
By the time Finney had sent the message he was home anyway. As he picked up an old empty beer bottle from the table and chucked it in the trash, he found it in himself to hope that Bruce Yamada was truly a sign things might be a little different here.