So… 7B

="You said all that?" Peggy was extra excited. Sure he ghosted Laura and apologized but Hannah felt different. But... "Did you really not want to help her?"

"Not unless she'd asked."

The flaw. There was always one. He wasn't always entirely considerate. "Shane."

The disappointment in her voice. "It didn't cross my mind."

"And calling Laura back didn't cross your mind either. You were raised better than that."

"Who are you talking to?"

So clearly Tanner's voice. "None of your business. Go back to your annoying girlfriend. She acts like this is her house..."

Shane sighed. When Peggy starts scolding Tanner, she forgets everyone else. Including him. "Peggy." Still talking to Tanner. "Peggy. Peggy. Sid!"

"What? Oh." That got her attention. "Sorry. Let me know what happens next. After your date."

"Date? Whose date? Is that Shane? Shane? Date?"

"Go away! Moooom!!!"

"She's not home." Tanner laughed wickedly.

Shane sighed again, "I'll call you later."=

The next day, all three of them, strolling down the street after a class. They walked in complete silence. No true destination in mind. "Has she called yet?" Otto asked.

"No one calls anymore. Who's calling?" Noelle asked.

"People say that, but I don't think that's true." Sawyer contemplated.

Otto looked at Noelle. "Hannah Barbra came to his room yesterday." Her eyes widened on hearing the news. "They're going out some day soon."

"When she calls me."

Noelle clapped once. "I told you. So effortless."

"Why can't you call her? She's picking the place and everything."

"She took my number, I didn't take hers."

"Ah." He nodded. "So we can't double date."

"Double date?" Sawyer looked at Otto.

"Otto works fast. He met this girl and they're going on their third date." Noelle said proudly.

"Can I speak?" Otto looked at Noelle, she shrugged. "We met at that party last week."

Noelle made air quotes, Otto nudged her. "Ow!"

Now he knew why he was just finding out. "Okay." Hoping they'd know not to mention it.

"Can you imagine one minute he's disappointed about Hannah choosing you and less than an hour later he sees this girl and she goes up to him."

"It was more like a meet half way thing."

"So he says." She rolled her eyes.

"What's her name?"

"Wendy."

"I bet if Hannah saw you first, Sawyer would be you."

Otto turned to Noelle. "I don't get you sometimes." He squinted, shaking his head.

"Can I not appreciate how beautiful you are?" She stood on tipped toes and ruffled his sandy blonde hair. He tsked, rather annoyed while Sawyer laughed at them. She dropped down on her heels. "It's like you both don't see it." Could two people be so oblivious to how they looked? Otto and Sawyer looked at each other then faced forward. Neither one curious enough to know what she meant.

"So no double date then."

"Just not yet."

"Hannah Barbra." Otto toyed with the name. "Feels like saying Hanna Barbera doesn't it?" Sawyer's body shook with silent laughter as he nodded. It did, just a little.

***

One more time. Another day in class, bright and early in the morning, it was barely eight. Sawyer didn't exactly know what he would say to his brother but he couldn't leave him upset. Sure a week had passed give or take and he hadn't made an effort since. But he has to try. In ten minutes Tom would be in class and unreachable for most of the day and well... he was ready to make the call so why not? He watched a student take a seat in the chair right in front of him as he called. "Tom hey."

"Hey."

Silence. It seemed unbearable. "How are you?"

"It's early." Tom pointed out.

"It's unusual." He pointed out as well. More silence. He had to try harder. Toby was right. And Tom was cold to him. He never really use to call or chat with him, it was their thing. Peggy on the other hand insisted they communicate and he didn't mind at all. He set the rule. But Tom here and now... this is different. "I heard you've been fighting."

"Dad tells you everything now?"

"Toby actually." Tom scoffed. More silence. "Tom-"

"It's unlike Toby to go blabbing."

"He wasn't blabbing, he was worried."

"Did hell freeze over?"

Sawyer smiled at that. "Probably." Tom chuckled. Toby was not one to show any sort of affection much less emotion to his boss's children. "So it's true?"

"I'm fine Sawyer."

"I didn't say you aren't. But no therapy and fighting."

"I don't need therapy."

He didn't need to be in front of Tom to tell he was annoyed. He wanted to tell him to go. But he was only going for his father's sake, who is he to judge?

"What did you tell Toby?"

He knew what Tom meant. "I" he sighed and shut his eyes for a second. This is why he called after all. "I told him I don't know."

"Really?"

"You're going right? Maybe I'll just go home or I won't."

"You're literally explaining your lack of a choice to me."

"I know. And maybe I am running away. I am actually. I don't know how you're doing it, but being there terrifies me right now."

"Right now."

"Yes, right now. But that might change in two weeks. Might. So don't give up on me yet."

Tom sighed. "I'm fighting and you're afraid of home." He scoffed.

"We'll figure it out. For their sakes." He heard a bell ring on Tom's end.

"Call you later."

Tom hung up before he could speak. But that was done now. Not particularly handled. And anyway, five minutes to eight, time to spare. He sighed. Honestly, he wasn't ready to leave school at all. Two weeks is just not enough time. But then again, is there ever enough time? He took in a deep breath, he would have to brace himself when the time comes.