Chapter Text
Race wakes up to the sound of curtains being pulls back and a bright light shining in his eyes and he groans, bringing his arm up to cover his eyes. His face hurts like hell, and he winces as his hand brushes up against a sore spot.
"Eduardo. Get up." His father's cold voice is the first thing he resisters, followed by the stern look on his face when he finally manages to open his eyes. He immidiately snaps upright, hands bunching in the fabric of his sheets.
Antonio Senior was a formidable man. There was no doubt about it. It was one of the things that made him such a great business leader, and such a bad father.
"I heard you got into a fight." He says, because of course he had only heard about it now. He was much too busy to bother with the affairs of his many children.
Race doesn't say anything- shouldn't say anything. He'll only dig the hole Spot had buried him in even deeper.
"Answer me." His father snaps, and Race jerks his head up. "You got into a fight, yes?"
Race nods hesitantly before clearing his throat. "Yes."
"And why was that?"
He scowls, bunching his sheet between his fists. He doesn't have an answer to his father's question- He wasn't the one who got into the fight anyways.
"Eduardo. Look at me when I'm talking." Race hesitantly drags his gaze up, wincing at his father's stern expression. He was mad. Very mad.
"Why did you get into a fight?" He asks again, more forcefully this time.
"He insulted me." Race finally answers, tongue heavy in his mouth.
His father exhales loudly, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Dio Santo, Eduardo, will you ever learn?"
Race fights back a scowl, embarrassment stirring in his stomach. He hated it when he father ignored him, but he hated it even more when he scolded him. "Sorry..." He mutters, ducking his head.
"Louder."
"I am sorry for my actions." He repeats, lifting his head and trying his hardest not to scowl. "I won't do it again."
His father gives a little sigh, and Race relaxes, knowing that the worst of it is over.
"Your grandmother is flying in." Race glances up at that, meeting his father's eyes. "Earlier than usual, I mean. She'll be the one taking care of you during your-" He wrinkles his nose. "Suspension. Don't get into too much trouble."
With that, he's gone, leaving Race more exhausted than he'd been last night. He groans, rubbing his hands over his face and flopping back down on the bed. Normally he'd be in school right now, seeing as it was a Thursday, but apparently fate- and Spot Conlon- had other plans for him. He winces, poking one of his bruises.
"Jesus Christ, Oscar can really hit, huh." He groans, letting his arm fall to cover his eyes.
He's only allowed a few seconds of rest before a heavy weight falls on him, knocking all the air out of his lungs.
"Tonio!" A voice calls, and he quickly sits up, pushing the weight off his chest.
"Maria, what did I say about jumping on top of me?" He wheezes out, rubbing his chest gingerly.
"Sorry." His little sister pouts, sticking her bottom lip out. He can never stay mad at her for long though, and he gently pats her head.
"What's up?" He asks, ruffling her hairs slightly. She wrinkles her nose up, batting his hand away before answering.
"You really got into a fight?" She asks in an excited voice, leaning closer to him. He can practically see the sparkles in her eyes, and he internally groans.
"It's not a good thing, Mar." He quickly finds his glasses on his bedside table, slipping them on his face. "Violence is never the answer."
She groans, bouncing her weight on the bed and making the springs creak. "Don't be such a downer, Tonio. You're almost as bad Angelo!"
Race rolls his eyes, gently prying Maria's hands off his arm. "Just because Angelo won't let you drive his car because- let me remind you- you're seven years old- doesn't mean he's a downer. In fact that makes him a good brother. Now get out of my room."
Maria pouts again but obliges, slamming the door shut behind her. Race sighs, flopping back down on his bed.
Today was going to be absolutely awful.
He feels around for his phone a bit, too lazy to get up and actually search for it. Once he finds it he sends a quick text to Albert, although he doesn't receive a response.
"Stupid Albert." He mumbles, scrolling through his contacts. His finger pauses on Spot's, adorned with several hearts and kissy emoticons. Because Spot would hate that, of course. No other reason.
He flips over onto his stomach, cupping one cheek in his palm. To call, or not to call. That is the question.
He ends up pressing the call button, letting a grin creep onto his face. It was Spot's fault, in the first place, so it was Spot's duty to keep him entertained.
Spot however, doesn't seem to realize that, because no one picks up the phone. Race scowls, rolling off the bed.
"Stupid Spot." He grumbles, rubbing his back and picking himself off the floor. He sends Spot a string of teary-eyed emojis before tossing his phone onto his bed and opening his closet, rifling through his clothes to find the right outfit for today.
Once he's dressed, he picks his phone up again, checking the home screen.
Nothing.
"Stupid Spot." He grumbles, shoving it into his pocket where he'll be able to feel if he gets a response.
He makes his way into the living room, stretching his arms above his head. He's pretty sore- probably from the fight- but he's used to being sore so it doesn't nearly bother him as much as it probably should.
"Yo!" Romeo greets from his usual spot on the couch, a bowl of cereal balanced on his lap. He waves at Race with his spoon, before pointing to the kitchen. "I left you some Lucky Charms, if you'd like."
Race grunts in acknowledgement, making his way into the kitchen to pour himself a bowl of cereal. He grabs the milk from the refrigerator, pouring it with a yawn. "Anything good on?" He asks, tilting his head so he can see the TV.
Romeo hums, shaking his head. "Not unless you like Cutthroat Kitchen."
Shoving the milk back into the fridge, Race makes his way to the couch, sitting next to Romeo. "Good enough, y'know?"
Romeo gives a silent shrug, eyes darting between the TV and Race. Race can tell he wants to say something- probably to ask about the fight- and he's glad Romeo has enough common sense to not ask.
Romeo finishes his cereal in silence, standing up once he's done. "I'll see you after school, then?" He offers, and Race gives him an absentminded nod.
"Yeah, sure. Have fun." He pulls his phone out again, checking the time. It's almost ten, and yet he still has no messages. He opens Spot's contact again, finger hovering over the call button. He hesitates, biting his lip, before clicking the message button instead.
To Spottie<3 ^3^<3-
Spottieeeeeeeeee entertain meeeeeeee
There is- of course- no response, and he pouts, tossing a leg over the armrest of the couch.
Stupid Spot.
On the TV, the commercials roll. He suffers through two consecutive Outback commercials before turning the TV off with a suffering groan.
He kicks his legs up to the top of the couch, letting himself slump down until his head is touching the ground. It isn't very comfortable, but he's too lazy to move.
His phone pings with a notification, and he almost falls over, scrambling to grab it. He smiles slightly when he sees Albert's name on the screen, swiping to open his phone.
Albo-
How's suspended life?
To Albo-
About as boring as you'd expect
To Albo-
Anything interesting happen?
Albo-
Oh yeah aliens invaded Johnson's class
Race quirks a smile at that.
To Albo-
Bummer
His phone buzzes again, this time a call notification. He's about to answer when he notices the abundance of emoticons next to the name.
Spot.
He buries his face into the couch, wincing at the pain the action causes. He's hesitating and he doesn't know why, so he quickly presses the answer button before he can think about it too much.
"Yo." Spot greets, and Race lifts his head, placing the phone against his ear.
"You're so mean, Spottie, I was waiting foreeeever."
He can almost hear Spot roll his eyes and he stifles a grin. "Sorry, some of us have school and can't always be on our phone."
Race gasps at that. The AUDACITY. "And who's fault is it that I'm not in school?" He fires back, and Spot goes silent. "Yeah. Exactly."
"How's your face?" Spot asks, at least sounding regretful. "Did you get some ice for it?"
"What are you, my mom?" Race rolls his eyes, pointedly ignoring the question. His cheek throbs, and he finally gives in, getting up and heading to the kitchen.
"Fine then, I retract my worry. Die, for all I care."
"Aw, Spottie, don't do this to me!" He says dramatically, opening the freezer and pulling out an ice pack. He hisses as it makes contact with his bruised skin, which apparently Spot picks up on. (Damn him.)
"Did you seriously not think of putting ice on your wounds when you got up? Dumbass."
"Look, I don't wanna hear that from the guy who put me in this situation in the first place!" Race points out, gesturing with the ice pack.
"Look, I'm sorry, okay? It was wrong of me, and I feel bad about it. Can we stop bringing it up?"
Race sighs, letting his hand drop to his side. "Fine. How are things on your end?"
Spot hums, as if in thought, before replying. "Boring. Never thought Physics could get any more mind numbing but- here I am."
Race laughs at that. "I think physics are interesting!" He defends, earning a scoff from Spot.
"Yeah, 'cause you're a nerd who likes math 'n shit."
Race raises an eyebrow. "I don't want to hear that from mister 'I own a telescope and can name all the constellations in the night sky'."
Spot scoffs at that. "Okay fine. You got me there." There's a lapse of silence before he speaks again. "Hydrids moved up."
Race lifts his head. "The asteroid things?"
"They're meteors, but yes. You're supposed to be able to see them on New Years Eve, now."
Race hums. "Romantic."
"Sure, 'course you'd think that." He can almost hear Spot roll his eyes, and he smiles faintly. "I, on the other hand, am not looking forward to it."
"What? Why?"
"Well, Miss Medda is going to be throwing a New Years party and of course I'm going to have to attend which means socialization which means I won't be able to see the Alpha Hydrids when they peak."
"Ah. Sucks." Race hums, resting the ice pack against his cheek.
"Massively. Hey, how in trouble are you?"
"Why? Wanna sneak me out late at night for a hot date?" He teases, raising an eyebrow.
Spot huffs. "Nevermind then. 'S what I get for being concerned about you, I guess."
Race pouts. "Aw, Spottie, I like it when you're concerned about me! Don't be such a grouch."
"'M not."
"Oh, you definitely are." Race tosses himself back onto the sofa, wincing when the ice pack slams into his face. "It's okay. I think it's cute."
Spot huffs. "Just tell me how badly they punished you for God's sake."
Race sighs, waving a hand that Spot most definitely can't see in the air. "Oh y'know, the typical suspension until after the break, grounded until the foreseeable future, flying my grandmother in a week early."
Spot clicks his tongue. "Damn. They're bringin' in the big guns huh."
Race waves his hand- again, Spot can't see this, he doesn't know why he's doing it- "It's fine. She's chill. Surprising, considering how uptight my dad turned out, but hey!" He shrugs. "She also tells really great stories. About how our family is destined for great things and how fate connects us all, yknow?"
"Oh yeah, totally." Spot remarks in a deadpan voice, causing Race to pout. "I totally know all about cosmic destiny and grandparents. Totally."
"Why are you so meannnnnnnn." He wines, letting his head fall back against the armrest of the couch. "This is why you don't have friends, Spot Conlon."
"So? Who needs friends. They disappoint me."
Race sits upright, eyes widening. "Did you just quote a vine?"
"A what?"
"Did THE Spot Conlon just quote a vine?" He gasps incredulously.
"No Race, I did not. I don't even know what you're talking about." Spot sounds exasperated- tired even, so Race drops it, shaking his head.
"So what- are you skipping class to talk to me?" He half-teases, glancing at the clock on the side table.
"Well, y'know. You wouldn't stop calling me, so..."
Race gasps. "Aw, you do care!" He claps his other hand to his cheek, wincing when he hits his bruise. "Spottie, that's so sweet!"
"Yeah okay I'm hanging up now." Spot says, obviously embarrassed.
Race grins, about to retort, but Spot follows through on his statement. He's met with the dull tone signal, and he sighs, hanging up.
To Spottie<3 ^3^<3-
Why Must You Hate Me Like This Brother
Spottie <3 ^3^<3-
I'm not your brother, don't call me that, I need to go to class.
Spottie <3 ^3^<3-
Try not to do anything too stupid
Race smiles faintly at that, clicking his phone off and letting it fall onto his chest. He feels giddy for some reason, hands moving up to cover his face.
Spot Conlon was going to be the death of him.