Chapter 5

For most of the afternoon, Ash and I spent getting lunch in our system and then exploring the campus, or more so she was giving me the tour. Sal and Ash were students last year so she knew the layout a lot better and was able to point out the more important buildings that would be relevant to my classes for this semester, including the dining hall, library, and campus bookstore for supplies or ordering textbooks. While we were adventuring the soon-to-be containment of the school, I noticed a football field, other sports-related areas, and even a large recreation center. "I didn't know our school had sports teams and stuff like that?" Ash turned to me and nodded, "Oh yeah, they even have a Homecoming dance like high school. Of course, it takes place around the final football game, which means there will be plenty of campus parties." She smirked mischievously. "Is that your settle way of saying you will be dragging me to said parties?" I raised a brow at her with a small smirk. "Maaaybe~. Why you don't like parties?" She asked as we started to head back to our apartment. "Mmm, I don't mind them too much. I think it just depends on the company I go with. Otherwise, I much rather stay home"

"Well, luckily you would be with me!" Ash said enthusiastically as she looped her arm through mine, which looked a bit awkward since she was taller. "And of course, Larry and Sal would be there, so we have protection". I giggled softly, "I don't know, Sal seems like he is too gentle to get into a fight with anyone. He seems more like the type to talk things out".

"You think so? I mean you aren't wrong. Sally has always been polite and sweet, so I can see what you mean. But trust me when I say, that if words and logic don't work, Sal is not afraid to stand up to even the biggest person. He certainly has a lot more patience in that part compared to Larry." Curiosity began to grow as I thought about the question I wanted to ask. Larry was a tall guy, standing at 6'1, and from what I could tell looking at his long arms, he had some decent muscle on him, probably from working in a warehouse. "Hello, Earth to Pops?" Ash's voice brought me back from my thoughts and I looked up at her confused, with a dash of embarrassment. "Y-yeah? Sorry, what were you saying?"

"Well, I was wondering if you were okay, you got real quiet there for a moment. What were you thinking about?" As soon as she asked that question, I could feel heat pooling in my cheeks and I looked forward to avoid eye contact with her. "N-nothing just got distracted thinking of classes starting" I lied, but to no avail. "Uh huh, didn't have anything to do with us just talking about Sal and Larry?" She raised a brow and a voice laced with suspicion. Dammit, she caught my lie. I couldn't just admit I was thinking about her best friend, Larry, and my observation of his body. "Come on share" Her voice was teasing as she playfully nudged me. My cheeks darkened in a pink tint as I sighed, "I was just thinking that even though Larry is a goofball and acts like he doesn't have a care in the world, given his size and appearance, he definitely would be more intimidating than Sal." At least it was a better way to explain than what I had in mind, thankfully that seemed to help with Ash's curiosity. "I know what you mean, but you are half 's true that Lar is a big goofball, but I don't know if I would say he is carefree. Though you just met him a few days ago so there's still a lot about him you don't know yet. Like how he's always observant of his surroundings, even more so when it comes to people he cares about. Even with how he expresses his emotions. He's normally relaxed, but when he feels something so strongly, you'll know it. For example, back in high school, there was a bully named Travis. He used to pick on our friend group a lot and was super homophobic. Even though the only one who is gay in our group is our friend Todd. Anyways, Travis was purposely more hateful towards Sal, and even punched him in the face once." I looked up at her shocked, I couldn't even fathom someone hurting Sal with how open and kind he was. "What a dick" my voice annoyed by the bully. Ashley couldn't help but let out a girlish chuckle of amusement. "Yeah, that was all of our reactions too. Larry was ready to kill the kid, but thanks to Sal, that didn't happen. He convinced us that there could have been things going on at home and that's why Travis was always so pent up with anger. Come to find out, he was right. Sal found a discarded confession letter for him in the boys' bathroom and Travis crying in one of the stalls. Turns out he was gay and had a huge crush on Sal, unfortunately, his father was a pastor, super homophobic, and an even bigger asshole. When Sally told us that, things kind of got better between the group and Travis. I mean it was still a little awkward and we didn't become best friends, but Travis did back off and apologize. However, it took a lot longer for Larry to forgive him. Which I don't blame him, but like I said, Lar feels emotions a lot stronger than most people."

"Wow, well now I kind of feel bad for judging Travis too early. I could understand how that could mess up a kid, specifically one in high school." I thought about what Ashley said and began thinking about what would it have been like if I had gone to school with the group when I was in high school. Then the point about Larry being protective and observant of those around him. I remembered the night before when I was trying to reach for plates in the cabinet, however, since I was using my crutch, I was struggling a lot to reach. Larry showed up behind me and reached over to grab them for me, even though he had been in the living room just moments before and I hadn't asked anyone for help. Was he that attentive to his surroundings? I mean when he first noticed my crutch, he already seemed more earnest about my well-being. It could just be how he is with his friends. Even when I turned around to face him, his towering body hovering over me, he looked down and gave me a reassuring smirk with tired umber brown eyes, as a small beauty mark sat under his right eye. He was so close I could remember the faint smell of smoke from cigarettes, mixed with a woody, fresh-scented cologne. His oblong face and distinct aquiline-shaped nose were all complimented by his olive skin and long brown hair. Larry was a really good-looking guy.

Suddenly, I snapped out of my thoughts when Ash and I's phones went off at the same time with singular pings, meaning we both got a text. We stopped walking and took a look at our phones to see that we had a message in our group chat with Sal and Larry. Seeing Lar's name and having the previous thoughts swimming around in my head, caused me to blush. "Looks like the guys wanna meet up one more time before classes start and Neil and Todd will be there too! Sweet you'll be able to meet them" Ash said excitedly as she quickly responded to the chat with approval. "Todd is your friend from high school, right?" I recalled her mentioning him when she spoke about Travis. "Yup yup! Neil is his boyfriend and they are so adorable together. They both attend the same school as us too, so you may see them around." She smiled and looked back to her phone. "Larry's gonna pick us up since Sal lives with Neil and Todd, those three will be driving over together." I gave her a nod as we crossed the street to our building. "Should we get changed?" I asked, to which, Ash shook her head. "I'm fine and you look cute in your outfit. Besides Larry doesn't live too far from our apartment, so he won't be long. Honestly, we can just sit on a bench and enjoy the weather before he gets here." I smiled at her as we took a seat on a nearby bench. As much as I felt like I should change my clothes, Ashley was right. Lar's apartment was about a 15-minute drive away and it would take me forever to find something else to change into quickly. My hands rested on my lap and started to mess with the hem of my light blue overall shorts. I wore a dark grey T-shirt underneath, with an oversized red, blue, and black plaid flannel, matching with a red beanie, and completed it with my black slip-on Doc Martens. I had a black necklace with the Deathly Hallows symbol hanging from it and a couple of dainty silver rings on my middle fingers. Took a while to just put this simple outfit together and all we did was go get lunch and walk the campus.

Soon enough, Ash nudged me and stood up to her feet, "Larry's here", she gestured over to an old white Ford 150 1995. As we walked up to the truck, Larry had the window down and smiled at us, "Hello ladies, hope I didn't keep ya waitin' long". Ashley opened the door and climbed inside, the seat being able to hold at least three people. "Not long at all, besides it's nice as hell outside," She said while I climbed in after. Once I closed the door, Lar pulled off and headed back towards his apartment. "How are you doin' Pops? Thanks again for lettin' me and Sal crash at y'all's place last night," He said in a sincere tone. "Anytime, figured it would be better than trying to sneak you and Sal out of the building. I don't think Sal and I would be able to get you back to the car without making a bunch of noise" I giggled softly, which made him chuckle. "Yeah wouldn't be a good look to be dragged away by two dwarfs I suppose," He stifled another chuckle to which I glared at him. "Oh really? I suppose I should let Sal know just how much you think of us and how thankful you are" I smirked back. "No! No, don't tell him! He promised me he would grab more drinks and even stop by Todd's parents' place for more weed!" He begged with a panicked yet playful smile, giving me quick pleading glances while he drove. Ashley laughed at the interaction since she was stuck between us. "Ooooh Lar, you better stop playin' with Pops, remember she has Sal's number now," she added to the teasing, causing me to laugh with her. "Okay, okay, I apologize. Please don't tell Sal" He finally laughed with us.

Eventually, we made it to Larry's apartment, and the rest of the ride with filled with more laughs and listening to variations of metal and rock music. As we walked inside and got to the elevator, the doors opened to reveal Sal and two other guys behind him. One man had coffee-colored skin and his dark brown hair was braided into cornrows. He wore a yellow V-necked long-sleeve and black jeans with black tennis shoes. He looked to be about an inch or two shorter than Larry. My eyes shifted down as I noticed he was holding the other guy's hand. He seemed about the same height, wore glasses, and had curly reddish hair, that reached to around his chin, which stubble sparkled around and up to his cheeks. His outfit was relaxed compared to all of us as he sported khaki cargo shorts, a long-sleeved two-toned teal shirt, with long socks and sandals. "Hey, you guys got here just in time! We just got back from Todd's parents' palace, we were about to head down to Larry's unit." Sal announced as we all joined them in the small elevator. "Hello, you must be Poppy, Larry and Sal mentioned you were going to be joining us. My name is Neil, it's very nice to meet you." Neil gave me a warm smile and I returned the gesture. "My name is Todd, Neil's boyfriend. Also, forgive me for saying this, but your eyes are fascinating. I've never seen someone with complete heterochromia. Does one of your parents have it too?" I let out an awkward giggle, "Uh yeah, my dad had the same thing."

"Hey Todd, come on don't go all scientifically on our new guest, there's plenty of time for that when your classes start," Larry spoke up as he nudged Todd in a light-hearted manner. "Right right, sorry about that," Todd smiled at me and I shook my head, while we all exited the elevator and walked up to Larry's door, "Don't worry, I'm kind of used to it. My eyes have always drawn in attention. Besides my dad and myself, I don't think I have ever met anyone else with something similar, so I get the appeal."

Entering the small apartment, I was welcomed with the smell of Chinese food and the familiar yet faint scent of cannabis. I had to hand it to Larry, he did a pretty good job of maintaining a decently clean home and minimizing the smell. "We got takeout for dinner and the drinks are already in the fridge," Sal said as we all took off our shoes at the door. It looked like Sal had keys to Larry's place, which made sense since they were stepbrothers. I would assume Sal was often here to hang with Lar or visit their parents. "Alright kids, anyone that wants food, go ahead, but remember my kitchen isn't huge, so take turns" Larry wagged a finger at everyone like a parent lecturing his children, before he left to said kitchen and grabbed himself a beer. Ashley went over to the stereo in the corner and hooked up her phone to play some tunes while everyone got settled in with dinner and drinks. I on the other hand didn't have much of an appetite so I took a seat on the couch and sighed heavily, happy to finally be off my tired feet. I leaned back into the cushion and closed my eyes while listening to the song Ash put on. If I remember correctly, it was "My Chemical Romance: Teenagers". Humming along, my hand went to my hip and gently rubbed it, something I've come to do out of habit since getting my disability. "Hey, is your hip bothering you?" Hearing the concerned voice, my eyes opened and I turned my head to see Larry watching me with a careful expression. "Oh, no it's fine surprisingly! I thought for sure that it would be flaring up from all the walking that Ash and I did, but today must be a good day." I smiled in response. He nodded and seemed relieved to hear me say that as he took a seat beside me. "You aren't hungry?" He asked as he brought his beer to his lips to take a drink. Shaking my head, "Naw, I'm still kind of full from lunch. How about you? Thought you would have made a plate first."

"Same here. I had a big lunch when I visited my mom earlier." I nodded and suddenly started to feel a bit nervous as the silence between us grew with each second. This was the first time I had sat down and had a conversation with Larry without the input of others to help keep the flow going. "You ready for your classes to begin? May feel a bit different since you are going to a big college instead of community."

"I would say I'm between excited and possibly bitter. I'll finally be able to just focus on my main courses but I am not looking forward to the amount of homework and test" I chuckled awkwardly. "Yeah, I can't say that I envy you on that part. Then again my work hours are going to be picking up soon. Meaning I won't be able to see you guys very much. Guess I should be used to it. Whenever the gang starts a new school year, it gets a little boring around here and quiet. Drives me crazy sometimes" Larry expressed as he took another swig of his drink. I felt a frown tug at the corner of my lips. "I kind of know what mean. My hip is a result of an accident I had in my junior year of high school. Sort of kept me from school for a while, but I was still able to do my schoolwork online. You get a bit stir-crazy when you don't have people around." As hesitant as I felt to even share that small amount of information, I had to admit, that it was incredibly easy to talk with Larry. He just had that vibe about him, where you felt comfortable to open up and know you won't be judged or interrupted. "Your friends didn't at least stop by your house to check on ya?" He raised a brow. My head shook before I could even answer, "At first they did, but over time, it became strictly text conversations, and then radio silence, at least until graduation. I guess it got a little awkward and uncomfortable having to ask me every single time if there was anything I needed or how I was doing."

"That's bullshit" Larry rebuked causing me to have a look of surprise. "There shouldn't be anything wrong with checking in on your friends, especially after an accident. It shouldn't even be used as an excuse to keep their distance from you when their support is needed the most. Even if you don't want it in the moment, there's no reason to disappear on you. Just sounds like a bunch of dicks." He finished ranting. Hearing him stand up for me and shame my previous "friends" gave me a sense of peace that I didn't know I needed. For a long time, I blamed myself for pushing away my friends. I didn't want to be a burden or put pressure on them to be around me, even though I craved that closeness. Whenever they wanted to go out, they would complain about not being able to bring me along and guilt trip me into insisting they go without me. I was fine, I didn't have any complaints, and no need to air out the complicated emotions and thoughts swirling around in my head. Thank God, my mom got me the help that I needed.

"Yeah, you're right. They are dicks. Thanks, Larry" I gave him a genuine smile and he did in return. "No problem, Pipsqueak. Just remember if you need anything you can always reach out to us. Best believe we'll probably kick down your damn door." He chuckled making me do the same at the mental image. "And if you ever wanna just talk between us, you got my number." There was warmth building in my face from his sweet offer, with a simple nod I did the same, "And you can reach out to me too."