Notes

Brendon had many moments where he hated himself. This moment was one of the moments in which he really, really hated himself. Brendon had done quite a bit of observation on Royce the next days after talking to Elvy, and he quickly noticed a particular time the gymnasium would be occupied. Brendon had excused himself from class without a clear explanation, nonetheless, he waited for Royce against the wall quite anxiously. He would never have the guts to face Royce if he were to be there before him. Brendon's heartbeat was quickening, as he was feeling extremely nervous as to how this was going to go. He wasn't prepared, nor was he sure what exactly he wanted to accomplish. He knew for sure Royce wouldn't talk, and he could beat the shit out of him for all he knew.

Elvy had actually warned him against Royce, he stated Royce was like an angry beast. In his defense, Elvy had asked about Hayes and if Royce had heard about Hayes' ex-boyfriend suddenly commenting Hayes' pictures. Elvy wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed if he had to say so himself. Brendon stared ahead at the big, digital clock many hours too late. Sure, it was 9 pm, 1st January 1990. Apparently, the basketball team ruined the clock. They got drunk and used the clock as a blink.

A creaking door opening disrupted his thoughts, his eyes widening at the figure making his way in. Oh hell, this was it. It took a few seconds for Royce to gaze back at Brendon. Hell was surely at his feet at this point. Royce paid no mind, tossed his water bottle onto the floor and started exercising on his own. Brendon felt beyond stupid for just standing there and watching him. It wasn't as if Royce was snickering at him or harassing him. He was listening to loud music, bursting through his earpieces.

Brendon felt very dumb, to the point where he actually attempted pushups in jeans and a hoodie. He wanted to attempt blending in, and seem like a guy who liked exercising as well. When he readied his posture, his arms straightened and ready to support his weight, Brendon calmly began just pushing himself down and planning to take at least one pushup. Of course, Brendon fell to the floor within two seconds. Brendon cussed at the sudden impact his chest and stomach made against the floor. Now he was thankful Royce was ignoring his existence. Brendon breath had gotten quicker already, his body not used to this kind of sorcery. He was about to try again, but Before he knew it, Royce decided to interrupt Brendon's .. 'exercise'

''lower your ass a bit, hands slightly wider than a shoulder-width distance.'' Royce corrected his posture and chuckled for himself. He silently reentered his own bubble again. Was Royce watching him? Well, Royce wasn't too much of an ass about his failure. Brendon had almost forgotten why he was here in the first place. Royce looked so calm, even when releasing his anger at a boxing punch bag. Oh, Brendon had forgotten to thank him for his help. His embarrassment wouldn't really let him. Of course, the brunet had to converse the moment Brendon fucked up. To complete his objective at some point, Brendon got up on his feet and attempted to speak with the tiny amount of confidence he had,

''You seem to know your shit, you here often?'' Brendon questioned, surprised when Royce was able to hear him through the music. Thank god, Brendon wasn't good at repeating what he said with the same confidence.

Royce raised his eyebrows, Brendon was almost scared he was gonna make fun of him or shit. ''Looks like you've done your research'' Royce said, amused by how Brendon was speaking up. It wasn't as if Brendon hadn't been very discreet. Brendon had been caught looking a few times over the month.

Brendon didn't know what to respond to that, so he just hummed shortly and nodded shyly. Not a chance in hell was he going to attempt any exercise again. Not in front of Royce at least. The guy made every exercise look easy as hell. The sunlight seemed to complement his glistening muscles as he did the shit. He was effortlessly demonstrating how to do a proper pushup. Oh, Royce was showing him. Wait, was he talking?

''You'll eventually have to start by doing push-ups against a wall, using a box as a prop, or doing the easier knee version of a push-up.'' Royce explained slowly, standing up from the floor and reaching for his bottle. Oh, Brendon missed half the shit he explained. Not that he cared to exercise, but it was awkward as fuck to be distracted by his body and not tuning in to what he had to say.

''Brendon Carter, right? Elvy's buddy'' Royce asked after taking a large sip of the bottle. Seemed like he was taking a small break from the practices. How the hell did a guy like him know of Brendon's existence? What?

''Yeah, how'd you know?'' Brendon asked and furrowed his eyebrows, he couldn't recall ever meeting the guy before. Yeah, he knew they had seen each other in the halls and shit. Hanging out with the guy, genuinely meeting him before today, nah.

''My buddies know Elvy well, say he has information about everybody. I think some of them mentioned you being his best friend. They said it was ironic how Elvy was loved by everybody and that you hated everybody'' Royce chuckled as Brendon scoffed at the mention of people trash talking him. Wasn't something new. Brendon death stared everybody, not the way Royce did. Royce death stared everybody because he was heartbroken. Brendon death stared everybody because he sincerely hated everybody. He rolled his eyes at them, scoffed at them, looked at them weirdly, etc. It wasn't really a secret people questioned the guy's antics.

''Assholes, but sure. Yeah, I'm Brendon Carter. You're Royce Allen, nice to meet you'' Brendon confirmed, reaching out his hand to politely greet him. Royce took his hand, too harsh for his liking, and shook it even harsher for his comfort. Brendon almost winced but traced his own arm as if it were to release the small amount of pain he felt.

''Oh, shit, sorry. Wasn't supposed to do it so roughly'' Royce sheepishly apologized, smiling apologetically at the smaller guy. Brendon waved it off and continued joking with the guy,

''It's fine, I know you did it to discreetly brag about how muscular you are,'' Brendon said in a monotone tone, but a hint of humor still recognizable. Royce let out a laugh, thinking it was because Brendon was funny, but his next reply embarrassed the guy beyond words.

''Your words, not mine. Thank you, though.'' Royce thanked, not looking cocky and confident. Rather, he looked genuinely pleased. Even if Brendon didn't mean to compliment him. Man, it was meant as a roast or an insult. Brendon didn't want to confirm it was a compliment, because that'd be awkward.

''Anyway, what brought you here'' Royce asked, continuing the conversation after the awkward silence. Brendon had dreaded this question. He couldn't exactly reply 'yo, I've seen you go insane over the month and I decided to follow you and make sure you're kind of okay no not make sure because that's none of my business but uh I wanted to see what you did here no okay you exercise okay-' his thoughts rambled as his hands were getting sweaty. Before Brendon could think, he lied straight through his teeth.

''I've decided to exercise, and realized you were the right person to ask for help'' Brendon lied, regretting the decision immediately.