Author's note: AU continuation of Nerd, Wind, and Fire (4x16)
Today's Disappointment, Tomorrow's Dream
Ralph stared at the contents of the refrigerator. He wasn't hungry, but knew
both his body and mind needed fuel to operate at maximum capacity.
He hadn't felt hungry since he found out Patty wanted to ask another boy
to her school's Sadie Hawkins dance. And if that hadn't been devastating
enough, to find out the object of her desire was dumber than a brick (which
was an insult to bricks). . . Well, it made him feel even stupider for thinking
she'd ever be interested in him. Not when taller, older blond jocks were
everything he wasn't.
"Sylvester! Let's go. You have a meet and greet at the senior center in twenty
minutes."
Oh, crap. Patty. Closing the fridge, Ralph darted his eyes from side
to side, looking for an escape route so he wouldn't have to. . .
"Hey, Ralph." She bounced into the kitchen clutching a couple of books and
a sheath of printed paper.
"Oh, hey, Patty." He lifted his chin awkwardly as he tried to casually rest
against the refrigerator door.
"I want to thank you for tutoring Jesse. He passed his test. Barely got a
C minus, but still. . ." She shrugged.
Ralph sighed inwardly. Honestly he was surprised the older boy had received
that good of a grade. "That's great," he said, staring at his shoes. "Guess
you guys had an amazing time at the dance."
Sneaking a peek at her, he raised his head when he saw the disappointment
etched on her face. "I, uh. . . I didn't go with him. Rylee Madison asked
him before I had a chance."
"Oh." Ralph heard the trace of malice in her voice. "I'm sorry. . ." he said,
even though he wasn't. His mom had taught him it was the polite thing to
say when something bad happened to someone.
"No, it's okay," she said dismissively. "I was stupid for even thinking he'd
ever be interested in me. Not when blonde cheerleaders with big. . ." Breaking
off her words, she took a swipe at her eyes before reaching out and placing
her hand on his shoulder.
Suddenly it became hard to breathe. The skin under her fingers burned, even
through the layers of his shirt and sweater. Heat crept up his neck and spread
to engulf his entire face.
"Well, thanks anyway for helping him." Lifting her hand, she started to turn
away. "I need to get Sylvester to the center on time. I've never had a tardy
before. . ." She paused, waiting for him to complete her sentence.
"He's the one who's stupid," he replied instead. "And not just because he
sucks at trigonometry," he added when she looked confused. "You're better
than any cheerleader. You're smart, and organized, and pretty. . ."
Oh, damn, he didn't just say she was pretty, did he? Thinking a few more
curse words his mom didn't know he knew, he aimed his gaze at the floor again.
"You think I'm pretty?"
Catching the disbelief in her tone, he glanced up at her, saw the blush on
her cheeks. "Yeah, I do." Might as well go all in since he'd showed his hand,
which was some gambling metaphor he was sure he'd heard Toby use before.
"Thanks, Ralph. That's very sweet." She took a deep breath then leaned toward
him, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.
With a shake of her head, she continued, "I gotta go. I've never had a tardy
before. . ."
"And you're not starting now," he said a bit breathlessly. Smiling at him
for another second, she then swiftly pivoted on her heel and marched toward
Sylvester's desk.
Two minutes later, she was shoving the human calculator out the garage door.
Ralph stayed where he was, feeling as though he was rooted to the floor but
at the same time soaring high in the air as he watched her leave, her long
black braids swaying as she walked away.
"What was that all about?"
Ralph spun around to see Walter coming toward him, mug in hand. "Nothing."
"Didn't look like nothing to me." The older genius headed toward the coffee
pot. But Ralph stepped in front of him and wrapped his arms around Walter's
waist. "What. . .?"
"Thanks for making sure I didn't mess things up like you did." Feeling slightly
embarrassed by his impulsive display of affection, he let go and took a step
back. "Uh, I gotta go finish my homework."
He fled up the stairs to the loft where he flung himself upon the sofa. The
spot on his face where her lips had brushed against his skin still tingled.
He reached up and placed his fingers on it, letting the enormity of what
had happen sink in.
He had to concede he was too young for her. . .for now. She was sixteen.
He was only thirteen. The three years between them may as well be thirty.
When they were older, three years would be so unimportant, it wouldn't even
matter. Walter was three years older than his mother and no one ever mentioned
their age difference.
So while today he may have to live with the disappointment of not being old
enough for her, it wouldn't always be the case. A boy could always dream
of tomorrow.
With a contented sigh, he got up to see what was in Walter's refrigerator.
He was starving.