Breaking Barriers - S.R.

5

A few weeks passed and I found myself hanging out with Spencer more and more frequently. Despite how different we were, conversation always flowed freely and he had finally started opening up to me. He seemed to be much more comfortable the last two weeks, sending me occasional text messages when he was out of town for work and even being the one to initiate us hanging out sometimes. We've been having dinner or coffee at least twice a week by this point and I was really becoming fond of him. He was good company. I had invited him to come along with me to meet up with the others a few times, but he was always either out of town or just flat out busy. Until tonight, that is.

"Can you get the door, Soph?" I asked, as the knocking ceased. "It's probably just Dean."

She stood up from her seat at the kitchen island while I finished placing cookie dough on a cookie sheet to bake. Just as I had predicted, Dean emerged as she opened the door, giving her a

nod as he brushed past her.

"The food isn't here yet?" He asked, looking around the kitchen for our take out order.

"Nice to see you too." I rolled my eyes playfully, sliding the pan into the oven. "It'll be here in around half an hour."

"Is Miles coming?" He questioned, reaching for the remaining bowl of cookie dough. I swatted at his hand, snatching the bowl up and placing it in the fridge.

"Yes." I replied. "He should be here any minute."

"Then why did you wait so long to order the food?" Dean whined. "I'm starving."

"Because I invited my neighbor. He's on his way home from work so it'll be another twenty minutes or so." I said casually.

"Spencer?" Sophia chimed in. "I didn't know he was coming! So I finally get to meet him?"

Sophia was the only person I had really talked to about the friendship I was forming with Spencer. Despite her seemingly tough exterior, she has a kind heart and was very understanding when I told her about him and how different he was from us. I knew she would make him feel welcome, if not for his benefit than at least for mine. Dean and Miles I wasn't so sure about. Both of them had short but uncomfortable interactions with him and they weren't the most welcoming to newcomers anyway. I chocked it up to guys being guys, but I was a little worried about how Miles would react after what happened that night all those weeks ago.

"Yes, you get to meet him." I giggled.

"Wait, Spencer? That weird guy that lives a couple doors down from you?" Dean questioned. "Why did you invite him?"

"Because he's my friend." I shrugged, pulling drinks out of the fridge and handing one to Sophia.

"Since when?" His voice went up an octave.

"They've been hanging out for weeks. Catch up, Deany boy." Sophia laughed.

"Why did you know this and I didn't?" He asked, pointing back at her. "I know you've talked to him a couple of times, but I didn't know you were that close."

"I didn't think it mattered." I laughed, handing him a drink as well.

"Are you guys like...dating?" He asked, almost sounding like he was grossed out.

I leaned against the counter, raising an eyebrow. For some reason I immediately felt defensive.

"No, but would it really matter either way?"

"I mean, I guess not." He shrugged. "He just didn't look like he'd be your type."

I rolled my eyes. "Just be nice to him, okay?"