Ren's Perspective-

The next day, Mr. Brinson gave them the class to work on their projects.

Doc looked nervously at Ren.

"Do you... what technology do you want to research?" Doc asked, pulling out his laptop.

Ren shrugged, "I don't care."

Ren logged into his laptop and started making a PowerPoint.

"We could do it on creeper hybrids. Like different robotic parts for them." Doc said, watching as Ren shared the PowerPoint with him.

Ren then looked over at Doc, "But we have to figure out how to improve it."

Doc looked down at his right arm, "I can think of many things to improve it."

Ren chuckled lightly.

They then fell into silence.

An awkward silence.

Ren bit his lip as he started inserting slides.

The rest of the class was talking but they weren't.

A couple of days went by, and it was exactly the same.

The two guys just did their own thing and found a way to do the project with limited speaking.

The next week though, when Mr. Brinson told everyone to continue the projects, he called Ren and Doc outside.

"Ooooo!" The whole class said as Mr. Brinson, Doc, and Ren, walked outside.

Mr. Brinson closed the door, making sure he had his key with him before looking at Ren and Doc.

"Alright." He started, "What is going on with you two?"

"What do you mean?" Ren and Doc said at the same time.

Mr. Brinson hesitated, he looked like he was choosing his words carefully, "Well... you two aren't really talking. Did something happen? It's too late to choose a different partner but I could let you two do a different project, though it would be independently."

"The rest of the class seems to be working with their partners, whether they like it or not. Even Tina and Tango are somewhat talking, but you two... you two are silent." Mr. Brinson said, "I just need to know if something is going on and you two can't work together. It's perfectly fine if that's the case." He added.

"Er- "

Ren paused, thinking.

"Doc, how about you go back inside, and I'll call you out once I'm done with Ren." Mr. Brinson said, and Doc nodded.

Mr. Brinson unlocked the door and Doc disappeared.

"Is something wrong?" Mr. Brinson asked Ren.
Ren shook his head.

"Because I thought you two would get along, but... what happened?"

"We just... got into a bit of a disagreement." Ren said, his ears drooping.

Mr. Brinson nodded, "Do you two need to be separated?"

"It's not like that!" Ren said, "It's just- I just- "

Ren sighed.

"It's my fault." He muttered, looking at the ground.

"What do you mean?"

"I got in an argument with him and..."

"Is it something you can resolve?"

Ren hesitated before nodding, "I think so... probably not though. I kind of shouted at him." Ren muttered under his breath.

"May I ask what it was you two argued about?"

"Just rumors." Ren said, not wanting to go on.

Mr. Brinson noticed this and let Ren back inside.

"Doc, will you please come out here, I want to speak to you."

Doc got up and walked out, not even acknowledging the existence Ren.

Ouch.

-

After class, Ren and Doc packed up in silence.

I just need to apologize.

Ren took a deep breath and he turned to Doc.
Right as he opened his mouth to speak, Tango walked over and carried Doc away in a conversation.

Ren stood there, frozen, he felt as though he had just got punched in the stomach.

He took a shaky breath and tried to blink back his tears.

I don't understand- why the fuck am I crying? He wasn't even my friend.

A different voice suddenly started talking to Ren.

'Yeah, but you did kind of shout at him the other day for no reason. And he did back off, but he seemed hurt by what you said'

Ren sighed and balled his hand into a fist.

"Aww, what's wrong Ren?" Tina and Lena walked up to him.

"Seriously though, you look as though you're about to cry." Lena said, actually looking as though she cared.

"I'm fine." Ren growled.

Tina looked over at Doc and Tango who were nearby, deep in a conversation.

"Oh, I see." Tina said, "You're mad about your boyfi, aren't you?"

"HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!" Ren shouted before growling, looking like a wolf.

The room went silent, and they stared at Ren, who looked as though he was about to attack Tina, who had fear in her eyes.

Mr. Brinson looked at the clock and said, "Class dismissed. Tina, Ren, I would like to speak to you after class."

Just then the bell rang, and the class filed out.
Ren and Tina walked up to his desk.

Ren noticed that Doc wasn't in a hurry to leave.

He looked at Ren with full concern.

He looked as though he was sympathetic and wanted to help him.

"Doc, you need to get to class." Mr. Brinson said, "Have a good day."

Doc hesitated and then nodded before leaving.