Winnie

Sweater Weather

"And that's how you use instagram." Alayna explained. Handing Winnie's phone back.

"I think i'm smart enough to learn a new app." Winnie said. "Besides, i'm the one who's tutoring you, remember? "

"Instagram isn't even new." Alayna mumbled turning back to her math book. 

She was one of the students Winnie was tutoring. Her mother insists she gets into Yale or something but she needed help with math. Alayna was one of Winnie's favorite students. She was already so smart but needed help to focus. 

"Our time's up anyway, i guess you can help me with instagram." Alayna looked up and smiled. "Now, What's a meme?" Winnie asked.

~~~

Spencer was on his way over to Winnie's, with food of course. He had a case he was working on and he always loved getting her input, but something about this case seemed... too intense for Winnie. 

That seem ridiculous but Spencer had a feeling maybe he shouldn't share this case with her. 

He reached her house. He knocked on the door while balancing the food in his arms. 

"Spence, you never have to knock just come in." Winnie said as she opened the door. 

"A gentleman always knocks. And you should always keep your doors locked." He replied, setting the food on the coffee table. 

"Yeah, Yeah. Listen i carry now."

"Pft, Winnie pepper spray isn't "Carrying"" Spencer said. 

Winnie stuck her tongue out at him. The truth is she does own a gun. She got it shortly after moving in. She keeps it hidden under her bed. It's small though. The man who sold it to her called it a lady gun. Winnie didn't care though, the bullets are deadly enough. 

"Spence, you'll never believe this. One of my kids taught me how to instagram. " She said with a smile.

"You have kids now?" He laughed.

"You know what i mean, the kids i tutor." Winnie said, "The point is i'm on instagram now. I think they call it 'The Gram'" 

"They don't." Spencer said with a smile. "I have one too. You should follow me." 

"REALLY?" Winnie was so excited, she grabbed her phone and searched his username. 

Spencer loved when she got excited over stuff like this. Yes, instagram is exciting but the way Winnie smiled and jumped at the chance to follow him. Something so small, an app, can make her so happy. He wondered if he could ever be the reason for her smile. 

Winnie was excited for the new app, but she was mostly excited to have the chance to be like a normal person. Instagram isn't a big deal but to her it's a chance to be like everyone else; to have a social media and friend requests. It was exciting for her to be something other than the weird nerd with no friends. She's still a nerd but now she has people. Her students, Her new boss, the FBI team, and of course, Spencer. 

"Hey Winnie i was thinking. Maybe next friday, instead of takeout we go out to eat?" Spencer asked, nervously. He didn't really know how this whole dating thing worked but he figured why not give it a shot. He supposed that if she sees it as a date then its a date. But if she goes as a friend then they'll stay best friends and dinner would only be a change of scenery from the usual chinese food on the couch.

"Sure that sounds fun!" Winnie says with a smile. Spencer isn't good at reading people so to him it was a friendly smile. Winnie's not to good at signals but she knows what going out to dinner means. Her smile was joy, excitement, nervousness and a touch of fondness, or maybe something more.

The night went on as usual, food, movies and more. 

The week of work continued for the two, Winnie with her tutoring, and Spencer's crime solving FBI work. The sooner the Friday night approached the more anxious Winnie felt. She's never been on a date, or had any male friends until Spencer. She needed help, womanly help. 

"Hey Penelope!... No, i'm not kidnapped again... i know i should call more...i need your help."

Within minutes Penelope was at her door. 

"Don't worry Cinderella, your Fairy Godmother has arrived!" She waltzed in the door with a big bag of stuff. 

"Um what's that?" Winnie asked. 

"Makeup sweetheart."

"Dinner is tomorrow though. i don't need makeup now. " Winnie said picking up a hair curler thinking, this looks an awful lot like...

"That's a bubble wand. It curls hair." Penelope grabbed the wand and plugged it in. "And the make up is for you to borrow for tomorrow and to practice today. What are you wearing?"

"I have a sweater i got the other day." Winnie said. Penelope let a small laugh out.

"Oh hunny... Don't worry, Godmother remember?"

~~~

Spencer was also getting nervous with Friday night fast approaching. He hadn't even picked out a restaurant yet. He was sitting at his desk on his computer researching places on google. The work day had ended for them and most of the team had gone home. 

Morgan came up behind Reid, "Working harder than usual?" 

"I always work hard, but no i'm looking up places to eat." Spencer said while looking at a place called Mi Pueblo.

"Don't you usually bring takeout on your dates?" Morgan said looking at the screen. "That place is gross, i found a hair in my food." 

"You sure it wasn't yours?" Spencer joked. "Those aren't dates. That's just hanging out. This is a real date, I think."

"You think? I've got news for you buddy, anything is a date when you like each other as much as you and Winnie do." Morgan said, taking control of the computer. "Anything but Mi Pueblo."

He typed something in and up popped a nice looking restaurant, Buona Cucina. 

"You know that literally means 'Fine Cooking'" Spencer says. 

"Yeah and they ain't lying. It's great. Garcia and i go out there sometimes." Morgan added, "It's perfect for you and Winnie, trust me. Let me know if you need any dating tips, i've had practice."

"Thanks, do i have to wear a suit? Because i got this new sweater and i think it's nice enough." Spencer looked up at him. 

"Oh man, you really do need me."