the scholarships (BRANCE) (RINNEY)

protection

"That'll be fifteen dollars." Vance said as he held out a small plastic bag with three small pills inside, swinging it tauntingly. The guy in front of him picked through his pocket and pulled out some notes, handing them to him. Vance flicked through with his fingers, counting them carefully, checking if it was the right amount. Once he was satisfied, he handed the bag to him. The door opened, and Bruce came in. His body froze. His eyes moved to the boy, and what was in his hand. The guy quickly stuffed it into his jean pocket, giving Bruce a small death stare.

"See ya Vance." He said, coldly, pushing past Bruce. Vance lent back onto his wall and propping one leg up. He stared at Bruce, who was still standing there like an idiot.

"You're drug dealing?" Bruce raised his eyebrows. He was surprised, to say the least. Back in denver, there were a few, but that was just normal for a poor high school in a small town.

"Yeah. So what?" Vance snarled, pulling a cigarette out of a box and lighting it.

"Why? Don't you have enough money?" He asked in suspision. "And what if someone snitched?" Bruce also wanted to ask where he even got it from, but he probably didn't want to know the actual answer.

"You can never have enough money." Vance shrugged, exhaling the smoke. "And no one snitches because they wouldn't dare. They know the consequences." He said, slightly warning Bruce just in case he ever got the idea. Bruce scoffed as he sat down on his bed, mumbling a quick "Whatever." He pulled his phone out. Bruce's face dropped to a sad frown as he scrolled. "What're you looking at?" Vance asked, intrigued.

"Just some old photos of me and Charlotte." Bruce sighed. Vance couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"Dude. Get over yourself. If she really was 'the one'." He started, doing air quotes with his fingers. "She wouldn't have just broken up with you like that. She didn't even try, and that's just proof she wasn't right for you." Vance huffed in annoyance. Bruce pushed his lip out. He knew Vance was right. Vance sighed as he got up, throwing his cigarette out the window and walking over to Bruce. "Alright, I'm only doing this because I pity you." He said as he put his hand out. "Give me your phone." Bruce raised his eyebrow suspiciously.

"Why?" He stared at Vance's hand, wondering if he was being serious.

"Just give it." He scoffed. Bruce hesitated before handing it over to Vance. He watched him closely.

"I've deleted all of the photos and blocked her." He announced. "There's this place across from the school that people from here go to. Wear something nice and flirt with some girls there. I do it all the time." Vance instructed. Normally, Bruce would argue, but maybe this is what he needed.

"Okay." Bruce got up from his bed and over to his wardrobe.

(Time skip)

Bruce and Vance wondered into the bar together. Bruce looked around, recognising a few people from his classes. He saw some people with glasses in their hand. It confused him.

"Vance? Do they serve us here." Vance turned his head to look at Bruce, as small laugh escaping his lips.

"Definitely not." Bruce nodded, still a little confused about how the others got drinks. Vance digged through the inside of his jacket, pulling something out. "That's why people bring their own." He showed his flask. Vance's eyes wondered off to a random girl. "Bruce. Go get a table or something. I'll be over in a bit."

"Oh. Alright." Vance walked away, pulling the girl away from her conversation.

"Hey, Millie." He flashed a charming smile. She smirked at him.

"What do you want, Hopper?" She asked, knowing what he's like. He cracked a grin.

"You know my roommate?" Vance gestured his head towards Bruce, who was talking to Jamie at a table.

"The scholarship? Sure, I know him. Why?" Millie crossed her arms and stared at the blonde with suspision.

"He's been recently dumped." He started. "He needs to get his mind off it, and I was wondering..."

"You were wondering if I could flirt with him?" She raised her eyebrows. He nodded slightly. Millie sighed at him. "Why would I do that?"  Vance bit his lip.

"Well, he's kind, funny, good-looking. I mean, look at him." Vance listed as he stared at Bruce from afar. He stomach felt weird, and he didn't like it, so he forced his eyes away and back on Millie. She had a smug grin on her face.

"Gee, from the way you're describing him, I would think you were fucking him on the low or something." She laughed. Vance rolled his eyes.

"Nah. He ain't my type." Vance stated. He swore Millie was staring straight through him.

"And what is your type exactly." She laughed softly. "Alright, I'll do it. Only if you sort someone out for me." Vance scoped the place.

"Who and why?" People wouldn't expect it, but Vance liked to stand up for his friends. If anyone asked and had a good enough reason, he would kill anyone who wronged them.

"Sam Warren. He's being creepy towards me." Vance balled his fists, getting mad quickly.

"I'll deal with him. Don't worry." Millie smiled, placing a hand on Vance's arm.

"Thank you."

Robins pov:

I searched around the empty halls, trying to find Finney. Bruce told us he was at this bar across from the school, and half the school was there. He invited us to come with him, but I  wasn't going without Finney. I walked into the library looking around. The lights were turned off, and it was extremely quiet. Man, I hate libraries. I hate the smell and the dusty old books. I saw a small spot of light moving around in one of the sections. As I expected, I saw Finn with a flashlight in hand and his nose in a book. I cleared my throat, and his eyes moved up to me.

"Hey." I smirked at him as I leaned against one of the shelves. He smiled back at me.

"Hi. How'd you know I was in here?" He questioned, tilting his head to the side. I chuckled softly. He was so cute sometimes.

"Well, wherever there's books, there's Finn." I stated, and he nodded. He setted the book to the side. "Why aren't you at the bar?" I asked as I sat down next to him.

"Not my kinda place." He shrugged. I nodded. I stared at him analysing his face. His lips. His eyes. His lips again. He copied after me. Fuck. I've wanted this. I leaned in, landing my lips on his. His arms wrapped my body, and he deepened the kiss. My hand cupped his face. A loud noise forced us apart as our heads turned to the sound. Billy stood shocked, a book by his foot. Shit.

"I'm sorry. I'm leaving." He raced out the library. Me and Finn looked at each other. Both of our faces had the same pink tint.

Vance's pov:

I was flirting with some blonde chic. I had forgotten her name but she was good-looking and good enough for me. Though she was quite boring.

"What the fuck are doing?!" Someone yelled from behind me. I turned around watching Roman grabb Bruce by his collar. This was bad.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know!" He put his hands up in defence. His eyes were wide and scared.

"I'm going to kill you! You hear me scholarship?!" Roman screamed, raising a hand. This is when I had to step in.

"If you want to kill him, you have to go through me first." I said. He let go of Bruce and stared at me in fear.

"I'm sorry." He blurted out.

"Come on, Bruce. Let's go." I grabbed his hand, interlocking our fingers as I dragged him out of the place. When we made it outside, I couldn't help but laugh.

"What's funny?" He frowned as he stared at me.

"When I told you to flirt with someone, I didn't mean to flirt with Romans girlfriend. You should have seen your face." I laughed again. He playfully punched me in the arm.

"She never mentioned a boyfriend. What am I going to do? He's going to kill me!" He began to panic. I placed my arm around him.

"You're gunna be fine. You have my protection now." He smiled slightly.

"Thank you."

A/n: sorry this took forever but school is literally killing me 😔