𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 │ 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧

𝐒𝐈𝐗𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍

EMBERLY AND SPENCER STROLLED DOWN the hallway at Beverly High, their footsteps echoing faintly against the tiled floors as students bustled past them. Spencer, gesturing animatedly, was in the middle of recounting a recent discovery.

"You should've seen him, baby. It was like the other team was in slow motion," Spencer said, his voice tinged with both pride and disbelief.

"You didn't know your dad was good?" Emberly asked, tilting her head slightly as she looked up at him.

Spencer shook his head, a small frown tugging at his lips. "I didn't know he was great. Back in Crenshaw, everyone talked about Billy Baker 'cause he made it to the NFL. But watching that game, my pops? He was the best player on that field."

Emberly hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing her words. "Well, like they say—like father, like son," she replied with a small smile.

"I wish people would stop saying that," Spencer muttered, his gaze dropping to the ground.

Sensing his discomfort, Emberly gently touched his arm, stopping them mid-step. "Look, I get it. I'm just saying it sounds like maybe you got some of that talent from him. Not that he deserves credit or anything," she added quickly. "Because everything you've done? That's all you. Without him."

Spencer's lips curved into a faint smile, her reassurance lifting some of the weight off his shoulders. "You always know what to say," he said softly, his tone filled with gratitude.

Before Emberly could respond, JJ bounded up to them, a wide grin plastered across his face. "What's up, Spence?" he greeted, dapping Spencer up. "I heard Vega's all over your ass about that essay."

"He's just messing with me 'cause I'm on the football team," Spencer replied with a shrug.

"I'm on the team," JJ said matter-of-factly.

Spencer raised an eyebrow. "Who's your essay on?"

"Dwayne Johnson," JJ announced proudly.

Emberly and Spencer exchanged a look, identical frowns forming on their faces.

"The Rock?" Spencer asked, incredulous.

"Taught me everything I know," JJ said, completely unfazed as he strutted past them.

Emberly, raising a skeptical brow, called after him. "And what exactly do you know?"

JJ glanced over his shoulder with a smirk. "I know I don't have to rewrite my paper, so Vega must've liked it. Hey, let me know if you need any help," he quipped before disappearing into the crowd.

Spencer turned to Emberly, his expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation. "The Rock? Dwayne Johnson?"

"I know," Emberly replied with a laugh, tugging his arm to keep moving. "C'mon, we've got class. You'll be thinking about this all day if we don't go.

Spencer shook his head, a small chuckle escaping him as they walked away. "The Rock."

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ 

HOURS LATER, AFTER SCHOOL, EMBERLY and Spencer returned to her house. Spencer still hadn't written his paper yet, so Emberly offered to help. As usual, the house was empty, so Spencer headed up to her room to get started, while Emberly went downstairs to grab some snacks.

"Alright, I've got Cheetos, Sprite, and Skittles," Emberly announced, entering the room with her arms full. She placed the snacks down on the bed and sat beside Spencer. "I would've brought real food, but my mom hasn't been able to go grocery shopping yet."