【 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ━━ 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 】

𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝗼𝗻𝗲, a chemical thing
𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗻 - 𝗵𝗶, 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆.
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TAKING ONE LAST DEEP breath in, I get out of the cab. Knowing fully that this is what I want, the financial independence I want. Plus I'll never have an awkward run-in with anyone I might know, as we are in Brooklyn after all.

Having that in mind, I walk over the sidewalk. Catching the glimpse of a fast cycling biker. As he proceeds to do so, I quickly jump back. Before I got hit, "I am so, so sorry." the young man apologizes moving the helmet out of his eyes.

Shaking my head, I quickly glance at my watch. Immediately relieved at how much time I have left, "No, it's fine." I wave off. Glancing up I'm met with beautiful orbs, "I.. I'm Will. Will Humphrey." he introduces, holding his hand out.

Furrowing my brows I look over him, "Are you by any chance related to Dan Humphrey?" I question, slowly taking his hand. Nodding Will looks confused. As our hands shake, "Yeah, that's my brother. How do you know him?" he asks. Which is a valid question, "We go to school together. He never told me he had a brother." I tell him, "I lived with my mom in Hudson."

Nodding at his words something still doesn't add up, "But she's back for a while now." I think out loud, wanting to slap myself for saying it the second the words left my lips, "I know, I had school stuff. But I'm back." he tells me.

"I guess, I will see you in school." I tell him, letting go of his hand. Taking a step backwards, he nods, "Constance, right?" he asks to make sure. Where I nod at, "St Judes?" I question, "Yeah." he breaths out. Making me smile softly, "See you there." I wave.

Turning around I make my way to one of my most nerve recking conversation, yet. As the Humphrey boy goes home.

"I met this amazing girl. She goes to our school, and I-" he starts to rant to his family as soon as they all sit down, "What's her name?" Dan asks shoving more Chinese food in, "She didn't tell me her name." Will curses.

Slumming his shoulders he leans back to the floor, "Gossip Girl?" little J offers her oldest brother. Who immediately perk up at the idea. There by starting their virtual investigation, "That's her. That's the girl I bumped into." William points out to his siblings.

"You bump your bike against Valerie Tesfaye?" Jenny gasps, "Is that bad?" he asks confused. Almost like he forgot about the social hierarchy in New York City, "She is only one of the richest girls going." Dan informs his twin. Whom's brows furrow at the new information, "Well, she was wearing sneakers and a windbreaker." he tells them.

Which leave them to be just as confused as he is.

Hearing all the question I take a deep breath, "To be completely honest I don't have any experience in hardware. Or any store, really. I want to have to be dependent to anyone, and when I saw the offer. It kinda felt like fate." I tell him honestly.

"When can you start?" the man - whom I hope is my future boss - questions, "When can I start?" I ask instead. My question causes a smile to tuck up his lips. Holding his hand out, "Well, you just got yourself a job." he tells me.

Taking his hand in mine, I shake it, "Firm handshake." he notes.

Causing me to immediately let go, "Tuesday afternoon. Does that work for you?" he asks looking over the schedule. Nodding I can't help but smile as he hands me the work polo, "See you then, Valerie." he hums.

Fast forward through the weekend, I'm seated at one of our schools' picknick tables. Trying to avoid all my friends as much as possible. As I do, I'm editing my English Lit paper. Having some sit next to me, I glance up, "Hey, Valerie." William smiles.

Causing my brows to furrow, "I never told you my name."

"I... I-" he stutters. Making my lips tuck up, "You stalked me." I hum amused. Seeing him struggle, I shake my head, "It's okay. Need any help?" I ask instead. Where he nods at, answering all his questions about the school. He has enough anecdotes to last a lifetime, "Can I ask you why you were in Brooklyn?" he asks, breaking the silents, "Uh, I had an interview." I tell him, honestly.

"For what?" he asks confused, having done his fair share of research on the girl. Swallowing I fiddle with my fingers, "For a job." I rush out.

Causing a frown to appear on the Humphrey's face, "You need a job?" he questions, "I don't need a job. I-" I take a breath, "I don't want to be depended on my father my whole life. This job means I can be independent." I explain, "Besides every big corporation is run by someone I know or someone my dad knows." I add.

"When is your first day?" Will asks, "Tomorrow." I tell him. Turning my head to him, "Tell me if I'm overboard. But can I maybe come over, have lunch?" he offers.

Making me nod, "I would love that." I smile, happy to have a friend outside of the bubble, "You would?" he asks to make sure. Where I nod as the bell rings. A notification for the next class starting.

Taking my books, Will takes them from my hands, "I can carry them myself." I raise a brow, "But you don't have too." he retorts, "Because I can do that for you." Will tells me. Humming at the act, I take my almost empty bag, leading him to my locker.

Chuckling at his latest anecdote, I don't see the eyes, "And that's the last one." I say putting in the last book. Smiling at the boy, leaning closer I kiss his cheek, "See you tomorrow?" I ask him again.

Where he nods at, "Yeah." Will breaths out. Smiling softly I turn around. Leaving the boy and to my class. Not seeing the boyish grin, "I'm going to-" the youngest Bass starts. Immediately getting held back by Nate, "And say what? Don't carry my friend her books?" Chuck questions.

Glaring at the boy, he shifts his gaze to his best friends, "Unless she's something more?" Nate offers, "I don't know. But I do know that I want a chance to figure that out. Which isn't possible with other guys." Thomas retorts.

Watching the boy walk away with a grin they turn back to each other, "So, what? Not only is Valerie supposed to wait. While she is, we need to keep all the boys in check?" Nate asks his friend. Where he takes a deep breath to, "It's Val, she's a good girl. She's not doing anything with them." Chuck reassures.

"How do you know?"

"She spend the summer with you and remained a virgin." Charles reminds him, "Virgin, not saint. And I wouldn't want him to do to her, what I did." Thomas says, before leaving to his own class.

Only to have the boy from earlier walk in, "Everyone. This is our new student, William Humphrey." their teacher introduces, "Will is fine." William — Will corrects.

After class, the young Bass caught up to the boy. Not being able to be stopped by his friends, "She just gave me a tour of the school." Will waves off.

Making the boys nod. Later in the day seeing said girl kissing multiple cheeks, leaving it up for debate if Will is platonic.

Or a threat.