Chapter 7a

Homeschool was not exactly what you would call a sociable person. Always being so caught up in his work, he didn't have time for other people. He'd never really had many friends in school either. He was seen as a freak because of his natural grasp on technology that put him years ahead of his classmates - intellectually, that is. He never went to the football games or the parties everyone else was so eager to be a part of. He just didn't see the appeal. That explains why on a social scale, he was ridiculously far behind.

Keeping in mind his lack of interest in real people, Homeschool was unable to explain why he'd taken to spending time with Strong Sad. He'd been more open and talkative with him than with any other person. The most likely reason was that in some twisted way the overly awkward adolescent was the easiest person to relate to out of the neighbourhood. How depressing.

All in all though, he'd forgotten what it was like to spend time with someone who actually understood what you were talking about, (or would at least try to and not leave you in mid-conversation.) It was rather…pleasant. Perhaps it was just certain types of people who irritated him. Everyone else was too energetic, arrogant, or pushy to deal with. But Strong Sad has in comparison the most easy-going personality…once you get past his awkward side.

And now, not only was Homeschool going to be spending time with Strong Sad again, but he was going to be making cupcakes. A bit of a strange activity, although it could prove to be quite entertaining. And it would be cruel to leave Strong Sad to do it alone; there's not much doubt that he doesn't have other friends to help him. Or just other friends period.

Which brought up the question…whether Homeschool and Strong Sad were friends now. They'd been on talking terms for a while, and considering the parties involved it made it a reasonably big deal. He'd lent Strong Sad music and given him headphones. They had discussed multiple scientific theories and Homeschool had told him more about androids than he was supposed to. They were going to be spending the following afternoon making cupcakes together. Gosh, he even made Strong Sad smile slightly. The term 'acquaintances' doesn't quite apply anymore.

Homeschool felt as if he were an awkward teenager himself again. Getting so confused about people was why he avoided interacting with them. But the idea of having a friend was, well in a really corny way, exciting. He hadn't quite been friends with anyone since he was in school, and even that wasn't much. Realising he had a smile on his face, Homeschool felt a bit embarrassed. Now was not the time to get sentimental.

He moved down into his workplace, hoping to find something he could preoccupy himself with. He had nearly 18 hours to kill and the time was dragging on at snail speed. However a few hours later Homeschool's lack of sleep had obviously caught up with him. His head rested on the table in front of him, glasses slightly askew and screwdriver still gripped in his right hand; completely dead to the world.

Well that's one way to pass the time.