Hand in Hand || Stanford x Reader

Chapter 1 • Ford

I didn't expect to meet the girl of my dreams by knocking her down in the hallway of Glass Shard High.

I was sprinting towards English, risking being tardy, when I rounded the  corner - and barreled straight into the prettiest girl I'd ever seen.  She fell to the ground, her papers and pens spewing everywhere.

She got up and glared at me, adjusting her thin glasses.  "What was that for?"

Say something, Stanford!  She's looking at you!  "S-sorry, d-didn't see you there-" I said, stuttering like an idiot.

"It doesn't matter anymore," she said, collecting her papers and books. For some reason, she wasn't using her left hand, which was covered by her sweatshirt sleeve.

"Hey, Y/N!" A familiar voice shouted. Huh, that must be her name.  The girl winced, like she knew what was coming but couldn't stop it. 

"Shut it, Crampelter," she growled.

The slightly pudgy teen smirked.  "Looks like you could use a-"

"Don't say it."  She shut her eyes. 

"HAND! Freak!"

Y/N bit her lip, fighting back tears and running the opposite direction.  I had no idea why a bad pun hurt her, but I felt bad, it was my fault she was knocked down in the first place.  No one should have to be called a freak. I should know.

"Hey, wait up!"  I ran after her through the maze of lockers, finally managing to catch up to her in the janitor's closet.  Hesitantly, I turned the knob.  "Y/N?  Can I come in?"

Muffled sniffling came from the inside.  "Go away."

"I'm coming in." I slowly opened the door, closing it softly behind me, surrounding us with darkness.  "I just wanted to apologize for getting you into that mess."

Y/N took off her glasses and wiped her eyes.  "It's fine, you didn't mean to." She fidgeted with her sweater sleeve, subconsciously pulling it up the slightest bit.

Then I saw why the bully's joke was so cruel.

More specifically, didn't see.

Y/N had no left hand.

She saw where I was looking and immediately pulled down her sleeve again.  Abruptly, she stood up.  "I-I should probably go."

"Hey, Y/N, don't leave, look."  Before I could change my mind, I held my own hand out, showing all six fingers.  Her eyes flicked over it, widening a bit when she saw the extra finger.

"You have a birth defect, too?"  Her voice filled with wonder. 

When most people mentioned my sixth digit, I was self conscious, but Y/N seemed to know exactly how I felt.  "Yeah, what are the odds?  I've never met someone else here with one, especially one on the hand."

She pushed her glasses up her nose.  "I wonder if we have ESP or something."

I chuckled.  "That's scientifically improbable."

"But not impossible."

"Fair point."  I held open the door, cringing slightly at the sudden light. 

Y/N followed me out.  "Do I have any classes with you, since they switched up the schedules this semester?"

"Uh..." I dug around in my pocket, producing the new schedule. 

Y/N took it and held them side by side.  "Sweet!  We have science last period together!"

I took my schedule back and scratched the back of my neck.  "See you then, I guess," I said, smiling awkwardly.

Y/N smiled back.  "I never caught your name, stranger."

"Stanford, Stanford Pines."

"Well, I look forward to science class, Stanford."  She gave me a small wave before walking to her next class, leaving me in a blissful daze. 

***

"Woah, I need to get me some sunglasses, 'cause you're glowing," Stanley said as I walked through the door later that day, lounging on the couch. 

"Shut up, Stanley." I said, still smiling. 

"Seriously, what's up, Poindexter?  Why are my making my eyes hurt with your happiness?"

"Well..." I hesitated, unsure how I should put this.  "I met someone."

Stanley rolled his eyes.  "You've been Girlfriend Repellent ever since high school, and suddenly halfway through senior year, you're crushing on someone?! Not buying it."

"I'm serious!  Her name's Y/N, and-"

"Wait, I think I know who you're talking about.  A bit shorter than you, h/c hair, mostly keeps to herself?"

"Yeah."

"Take a look at yourself, would you?  You've got it bad.  Your eyes get this faraway look when you talk about her, and you've only known her for what, six hours?  How many conversations have you had with her?"

I blushed, embarrassed.  "One."

Stanley shook his head, disappointed.  "You're hopeless."

"Get this, Stan, she also has a birth defect!  Y/N doesn't have a left hand!"

My brother sat up straighter, intrigued.  "Now you're talking.  If she's as nerdy and you, you might just have a chance."

"Are you saying I should ask her out? Just a second ago you were trying to talk me out of it!"

He shrugged. "I'm not saying anything."

"You said so yourself, I've known her for less than a day. We have science together, though, so I can get to know her better."

"That's something, at least. Do me a favor and don't scare her off, alright?"

"I'll try, but are you supporting this or against it? You seem to change your opinion every time you speak."

Stan scratched his chin. "I'm against you being a lovestruck idiot, but if you're going to be this way, Y/N's not the worst you could do."

"Hey Stan?"

"Yeah, Sixer?"

"Thanks for having my back."

"Anytime."