Besties With Benefits (bwwm)

chapter seventeen: valentines

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Spencer rolled his eyes, watching as Brendon happily unstrapped the giant teddy bear from his truck bed.

The six-foot monstrosity was his gift to Alex for Valentine's Day, and now, after seeing just how enormous the bear was, Spencer was regretting the promise he made to Brendon to help carry it inside.

"My baby's gonna love our little baby."

Spencer rolled his eyes again, shaking his head as he braced himself to grab the bear while Brendon unloaded it.

"You and Alex are not a normal couple."

Spencer held the bear up while Brendon locked his truck and closed the cab. He had a playful smile on his face as he picked up the bear's left arm and leg.

"Aww, is someone just jealous because the new kid basically came in and stole his life in just a little more than a month?"

Brendon looked over at Spencer who was silently carrying the bear's right side, a tight-lipped frown on his face as he rolled his eyes.

"Spence, come on dude! I can't be the only one thinking it. And... didn't I tell you to tell her already? Now, it's like..."

Brendon stopped talking, and Spencer looked over to the parking lot, where Jake and Frankie were. The two were walking side by side heading for the main building. 

They were so close that with each step, they knocked against each other a bit until Jake said something that made Frankie stop and laugh.

Frankie responded and Jake shook his head, kissing her forehead before slipping Frankie's hand into his, interlocking their fingers.

Spencer's heart felt like it was being torn apart as he watched them walk into the school building, but shook his head, ignoring the ache in his gut.

"Whatever, man."

"No, seriously. Had you said something to Frankie like-- I don't know-- during the ski trip... that would be you."

Just ahead of them, Spencer could see Jake and Frankie stop in front of the main building. They exchanged a few words before Jake leaned down and kissed Frankie. She smiled against his lips as she placed her hands on his chest.

After another moment, the embrace was over and Jake walked ahead to hold open the door for Frankie.

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"That would be you."

Brendon's words kept replaying in Spencer's head, even as he closed his locker, ready to go to homeroom.

Spencer knew Brendon was right; had he just told Frankie how he felt, they would probably be together.

Instead, Spencer had to fight the urge to roll his eyes when he saw Frankie and Jake ahead of him down the hall, in front of their homeroom.

As Jake handed Frankie her books and left a kiss on her lips, Brendon's words were blasting in Spencer's head.

"That would be you."

Spencer suddenly stopped and turned around, shoving his way through the crowded hallway, wanting nothing more than to get away from this whole fucking place.

Up ahead, he saw Courtney slam her locker shut, visibly upset. Spencer thought for a moment, and his heart softened as his feet dragged him towards Courtney.