Lab Partners (O/O, closed)

"There's so many different things that we could do. But if we want a good mark, we shouldn't do a volcano or elephant's toothpaste."

Zane nodded. Those were toe things he did know about, “Uh, we could do testing the effects of caffeine on plants? I dunno…”

"Caffeine is a terrible thing. I despise it."

“Really? I think it’s great.” He grinned.

"I will only like it in soft drink, which often powers me through long nights."

"That's what coffee and vodka is for my friend."

"First, alcohol is gross and dangerous to your health. Second, coffee is extremely disgusting and I refuse to have it."

Zane waved a hand idly, "You're no fun. I'll have to get you to a party sometime," He grinned, "Hey, there's one Friday, I'll pick you up at seven."

"No. Don't like parties. I'd rather sit and read in my room doing nothing else with my cat Oreo resting in my lap."

"Come oooon, Nemo. Live it a little!" He pouted slightly, "Pleeease? Just this once, you never have to go to a party again, I promise."

Nemo stared at Zane, and almost immedately could feel a thretening burn of his cheeks. "No. Don't want to 'live at little'."

Zane's pout deepened, "I won't make you drink and I'll stay by your side the whole night. We don't even have to go for long. If you don't like it, I'll drop you home when you ask."

"Parties don't end well. They never do. Not for me."

Zane sighed, "Fine fine. Party pooper."

"No. Logic child. Parties are boring. Reading is fun."

He rolled his eyes, "One day, one day I will get you to a party."

"And you think that we'll communicate after this project because?"

Zane shrugged, "You seem cool. You don't talk much but I want to get to know you."

Nemo stared at Zane, flabbergasted. "You think I'm cool?"

"Why? Don't you?" Zane chuckled, "Is it a crime to want to make a new friend?"

"I'm the nerdy gay kid whose name reminds everyone of the clownfish. Why would you want to be friends with me?"

"One, I didn't know you were gay, two, you don't remind me of a clownfish and if you don't want to be friends, we don't have to be friends but it'll be awkward to be stuck with me for the rest of term."

"What? Everyone knows I'm gay. All your friends do. They don't stop tormenting me about it."

Zane frowned, "I didn't know… I'm sorry, if I did I would have put a stop to it ages ago."

Nemo gave a short bout of laughter. "I'm sure you would."

"I'm serious, Nemo. No one deserves to be bullied." He said firmly.

"I guess it would be considered bullying, but I never cared, really. It became normal for me in grade 5, really."

Zane's hands turned into fists, "Well, I'm going to talk to them about it and if it continues you come tell me, okay?"

Nemo looked at him weirdly. "Why would I go to you? I barely know you. I wouldn't even go to my family."

"But I can do something about those idiots and out them in their place," Zane sighed through his nose, "Let. me. help… please."