Stick around (RINNEY)

9

Finney was about to head off to Robin, who was waiting for him under the small bleachers. Throughout the whole game, Robin had been staring at him play. It was a little off-putting, but he didn't let that affect his gameplay.

Finney had been staying with his Aunt Kathy for a few days as his dad was in the hospital. It was anything too bad or life threatening. It was just a drunken accident.

He liked his aunt. Even if she was a little crazy. She was one of those hippies who didn't believe in war, only peace. He remembered hearing about her protesting in Washington DC. She wore giant necklaces that hung all the way down to her stomach and cluncky gold earrings. She had a little white ratty dog. One of them ones with the crusts developing in the corner of their eyes.

Luckily, she wasn't strict like his dad was, so she gave permission for Robin to stay over.

Before he could leave, someone called his name. He stopped in his tracks and turned around. Bruce Yamada, the boy he had just been playing against, came rushing over from the other side of the baseball diamond, his silky black hair blowing around everywhere against the wind.

"Hey, Finney." He grinned, showing off his perfect purely whites as he finally reached the shorter boy.

Bruce and Finney were quite accompanied to each other. Bruce had bullied Finney in middle school, but after a year, he apologised, and they became civil. Finney only accepted his apology as he knew Bruce was only trying to fit in and didn't mean a word he said. To some people, they would think it's strange, becoming friends with your ex tormenter, but then again, life was strange.

"Hey." Finney smiled back politely. "Are you ok?" He asked, curious as to why he had stopped him.

"I'm alright. I was just checking up on you." Bruce explained. Finney thought he was on about his dad, but that quickly changed as Bruce continued to speak. "Don't listen to what everyone else says. They're idiots." Finney scrunches up his nose in confusion.

"What do you mean?" He asked in confusion.

"You know. Why Robin beat up Archie." Bruce said like it was obvious. "Because of what Archie said about you." He mumbled, empathy showing clear on his face.

"W-what did he say about me?" Finney questioned, but he didn't know if he wanted to hear the answer.

"Finney...he called you a-" Bruce didn't want to say it, but he knew Finney would just hear it from someone else. "He called you a faggot. And Robin heard about it and totally beat the shit out of him." So that's why Robin beat him up? Why wouldn't he tell him?

"Oh." Finney looked to his shoes.

"He's just an asshole anyway. Please don't listen to him." He placed his hand onto Finney's shoulder, causing Finn to look up.

"Ok. Thanks for telling me." Bruce nodded and hummed.

"Of course. I'll um-I'll see you around." He said, flashing one more smile before running off to his family.

Finney started to walk over to where Robin was waiting patiently for him by the metal stairs, leaning up against a wooden post with all sorts written on it. He looked so cool and casual. How could one look like that? Finney thought to himself. Then he remembered this was Robin Arellano he was talking about. He always looked cool without having to put in any effort.

"You ready?" He asked in a low tone. Finney nodded his head and tapped his shoulder almost as if he was saying he could move. They both walked in almost perfect sinc with one another, their shoes scruffing the pavement below them. "So your sister isn't going to be there?" Robin asked even if Finney had already told him multiple times. He just thought he should ask again just to make sure.