SCORPION - GRAVITY - CHAPTER 3
At the end of the day, Walter walked into the garage, which he hoped would be his one day, and went straight up to his loft, still wearing a smirk on his face. He passed the door and was surprised to see that Toby was already here, chatting with his sister. Megan was often at home because she had a condition which authorized her to do her job with an remodeled timetable. Even if she wasn't one to self pity, Walter knew she was afraid that her illness progressed, but since she was the big sister and the one supposed to protect him, she never complained. She still managed to pass all her exams each semesters when she was still studying and she was allowed to a scholarship in addition to the one Walter already had for his brilliance in class, and then some financial help so that's what payed their rent. She was Walter's biggest inspiration. He thought she was so strong, and is biggest goal in life was to find something to cure her. But for now he didn't have a lot of money to make progress in his researches and it wasn't going to the university that would change that. He tried posting announces in the newspaper about fixing computers or giving private lessons of mathematics and science but he didn't have much answers. One time a woman asked him to help his son, who was in high school, with his studies but Walter rapidly went out of patience with the boy who couldn't understand a single thing he said and the mother told him that it was best if they found someone more pedagogue. After what he dropped the private lessons things.
But for now, what concerned him was that Toby was in his apartment with his sister whereas they were only supposed to meet later this evening.
« Why the hell are you here? »
« Why the hell did you have this stupid smile on you face when you walked in here? »
Toby absolutely loved to play the smart ass. And it was his specialty not to answer questions when he was asked something, and asking something else in return was like his special move. In fact Toby talked a lot but it was rarely about him.
« I'm not answering you question unless you answer mine. »
Toby sighed. « Well I just got bored. I already know everything we're going to do in class for the five semesters to come. I don't see the point of going to listen to things I already know. So I figured I'd come here and wait for you. »
« Toby are you aware that Harvard will kick you out if you keep missing classes? »
« They'll never kick me out as long as I go to the exams. I'm major in all the classes. I'm good for their reputation. Now your turn.»
« What? »
« I answered your question you answer mine. What was this satisfaction look all about? »
« It was nothing. That's my normal face. »
« Oh trust me Walter, you mouth forming a smile is definitely not your normal face. »
« I'm not allowed to smile? »
« Of course you are, I just want to know why you were. »
Walter was about to answer but Toby cut him short.
« And don't tell me that it was for no reason. We are geniuses, we don't do things for no reasons. »
« Fine, fine… I'm satisfied with myself because I'm… sorta hanging out with Paige tomorrow. »
« Really?! » shouted Toby, « Pal you asked her out? Man I never thought you'd have the guts, that's a shame I bet against it with Hap and Sly… »
« You mean, Paige like the Paige? The one you always talk about? » asked Megan.
« Hey I know you like to gamble but don't do bets on me! And well… there is only one Paige but for the record I don't always talk about her. »
« Yes you do. » said both Megan and Toby in unisson.
Walter didn't mind answering. He just went to his desk, opened his laptop and started to work on a new software he was building. But Toby wasn't done with him. He sneaked into Walter's direction and sat on the corner of his office.
« So… you two are going on a date or something? »
« No as I said we're just going to hang out. » answered Walter, still looking at his computer screen.
« And what about her perfect boyfriend? »
This time Walter stopped what he was doing to look at his friend with an exasperated face. « I said hang out Toby, not make out. »
« Dude no one hangs out with someone of the opposite sex without something behind their mind. »
« Sure they do. See you were just hanging out with my sister, as far as I know you're not into her. »
Toby raised his eyebrow and took the face he has when he is about to say something that he knows will piss off Walter, but says it anyway because he has to much fun watching his friend enraged.
« And how do you know she isn't into me? »
« I swear to god Toby I'm going to kill you. »
Toby laughed and moved away from Walter to go crash on the couch.
« So you want any dating advices? »
« For the last time Toby this is not a date. Now leave me alone would you? We were not supposed to see each other until 8 pm and I have some stuff to do. »
« As you want 197. But don't complain to me if the girl never wants to see you again. »
In fact Walter was very tempted to hear what Toby had to say. He wanted to make a good impression on Paige and his friend had far more experience than he had in girls. He even had a pretty long relationship with this girl named Amanda and when she dumped him for 'being a pain in the ass', he was heartbroken and said to Walter that he would understand the day he'll find love. Of course Walter thought that it was absurd and that Toby was over exaggerating, after all there was no such thing as love. Men of science like them knew it, what normal called love was irrational and they didn't believe in irrational things. For now Walter only wanted to be friend with Paige, right? But friend or more than this, he was really bad at interpreting girl's signals so maybe he should listen to what his friend had to say. And of course, since he was to proud to ask him anything this sort, he would have to figure it out on his own.
I hope you're still on board with this story, I'm keeping my advance on the chapters and I can't wait to publish what's coming next to have your opinion on it! :)