𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 | spencer agnew

9. two's company

♫ someone new - hozier

❝ would things be easier if there was a right way?

honey, there is no right way ❞

♫  anyone else but you - the moldy peaches

❝ i don't see what anyone can see

in anyone else but you ❞

--

"thanks for doing this, bud. you really didn't have to invite me."

spencer never thought he'd be driving to the grocery store with gracie sitting shotgun, but here they are.

"i know." he smiles at her with closed lips and looks back at the road in front of them. why would he not invite her? she was sad and he wanted to do something nice to make his friend feel better. he jokes, "oh, you think i'm doing this for you? no, i just get lonely at ralph's."

gracie laughs out loud. a real, genuine laugh -- something rare that spencer finds so easily.

they drive in comfortable silence, classic rock playing low on the radio and cool air flowing from the vents. gracie subtly pulls her sleeves over her hands to defrost them.

spencer reaches to press some buttons on his dashboard and the air settles down.

they've both accepted that it's been a long day, so the quiet is welcome. though, after some minutes gracie breaks it. "i love days like today," she says, gazing out of the window at the passing action; people walking dogs, umbrellas and raincoats not needed just yet, and storefronts flipping signs from open to closed. "the clouds, the breeze, the chance of rain."

"me too, it's so cozy." spencer agrees. he's in awe of her ability to find something beautiful in her surroundings, even after her shitty boyfriend made her cry.

"i just wanna curl up in a ball."

he raises an eyebrow. "is that a related thought?"

she smacks his arm playfully. "nice one. i mean, like, imagine being under a blanket right now. like with a cat or something, oh my god." she mumbles the last words as she covers her face with her hands. "fall is just the best season."

"lucky for you, winter is pretty warm here in la. so it's like an extended fall."

she snaps her head at him, wide-eyed. "that's amazing. i can't wait for it to officially cool down."

spencer nods in agreement. "and, of course, the best holiday is in fall."

she furrows her eyebrows. "halloween?"

"dude, thanksgiving!" he raises a hand as if to say duh!

gracie starts laughing. "spence, that's crazy. what are you, a pilgrim?"

"wait, wait, hold on. i do not condone the origin of thanksgiving. frankly, i just love my family and food. i don't really care about football but it's crucial to the vibe. that's what i mean by thanksgiving. that's my definition, straight from my dictionary. fuck merriam-webster. why are you laughing?" his frantic explanation makes her laugh even more, and he responds similarly.

their conversation hangs in the air for the remainder of the drive.

she thinks about the contrast between him and jamie. spencer is just so well-adjusted, and he has a good relationship with his family, something he clearly cherishes.