Biography | Quentin Beck

[Communication] - Tuesday, January 15th, 1976

Considering what happened at the hospital yesterday, Tony decided to give Quentin's advice a try. He decided to talk to a girl named Kimberly, who he already had tried hitting on. The reason he was choosing her was because he found the most success when he tried to woo her. She still ended up rejecting him, but she humored him until he made a wrong move.

Quentin stayed close but still far enough away to give the two their privacy. He was proud of his friend for being open-minded and down to try something new. Even if it went against what he had been taught. Beck just hoped it went well, he couldn't bare to see Tony's distraught face if another thing related to romance would fail. But if it did, the young boy was already thinking of ways to help the younger cope.

A few minutes passed before the young Stark started walking back over to the other boy, who waited by one of the garden walls. He didn't seem sad, which was a good sign, but he did look confused. Quentin went ahead and met him halfway on the property before they could discuss what was different. 

"Well? Did she say she'd kiss you or something?"

"Not exactly... she told me to show her that I really care and if I prove myself, she'll give me her number. Is that a win or no?"

"Well, did she say no?"

"I mean... I guess not, but she didn't say yes either. Ugh, why is this so difficult? Is my best not good enough? Maybe I should try harder." Tony did this, often due to an undiagnosed disorder. He would ramble, and ramble without even realizing it. Quentin didn't really know what to do, he didn't want to cut him off, that was rude, but he kept getting more and more upset the longer he would continue.

"Is it even worth trying? Maybe I should curl up in a ball and-"

"Tony, I really do not mean to interrupt, but you need to calm down, okay? You're pulling your own hair out... it's not only scary to watch, but also concerning."

The Stark sighed, "I'm sorry Q-Tip, sometimes I just talk without realizing it. I didn't mean to startle you. I can just get really upset."

"It's okay, I understand. Remember, she didn't say no. So I think that's better than where you were at, right?"

Tony chuckled before cheering up. He ruffled the shorter boy's hair with a smirk, "Gosh, Quentin, I sure wish I had your ability to always see on the bright side. How do you do it after being through so much bad stuff?"

"Um," Quentin paused, thinking about it before laughing nervously, "I don't know... it's just how I am I guess." He shrugged.

"Well, never change, alright? Positively is good to have. People could learn a lot from ya. Now come on, let's get to class." Tony responded while playfully punching his friend's shoulder, "We don't want to be late."

Quentin smiled cheek to cheek, he had never been complimented like that before. It made his entire day and made him feel better about himself. He ran to catch up with Tony, prancing about as Tony skipped with him. 

I won't. 

-~-

Class was boring as usual, but it was much different than any other day. Sitting next to Tony has not only shielded him from the horrors of Tiffany, but it also stopped him from being the other kid's spitball target... at least he thought so. In the middle of History, Tony watched as his friend flinched in the corner of his eye. He watched as a large wad of wet paper was pulled out of Quentin's hair. This type of stuff only ever seemed to happen whenever the teacher would step out, and because Beck was too scared to tell in fear that it would start a fight, he stayed silent.

But that wouldn't fly here.

Another flinch was triggered by Tony's sudden standing. Where is he going? The young boy thought to himself. The fear in Quentin's face when he realized that Stark was walking over to what he could assume was the kid who did it... oh boy. He sunk low into his seat and put up a folder barrier to block himself off.