Imagine: Stan finds you in his favorite spot for birdwatching, but does he make you move?
I sat under the best spot in Derry for not only watching birds, but finding the really rare ones. Usually after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I come here just to watch the birds and relax. I also keep a journal/sketchbook of all the birds I find.
Today, Tuesday, I biked over to my usual spot under the largest tree in Derry Park. I sat down next to my bike and pulled my journal, bird encyclopedia, and my pencil case. I took out a pencil and started looking around for a bird.
I finally found one, an eastern bluebird. They're pretty common in the east, and I have drawn one before. But something about this one made it special. Just as I was about to start sketching, I heard someone clear their throat from behind me.
I turned around to see Stan Uris, from English class. "Can I help you?" I asked, looking at him confused because of the look he was giving me.
"I'm sorry, but you're in my spot," he said rather rudely, quite annoyed. This also confused me, because I'm pretty sure I've never seen him come here.
"You're spot? Last time I checked, I'm the only one here on Tuesdays," I said back at him.
"It's Tuesday? Shit, I'm sorry," he apologized, probably have gotten the days mixed up. "I-I'll just leave you be-"
"No, you can stay. I don't mind sharing," I smiled up at him, causing him to smile back. I didn't care if my alone time was spent with him. Plus he was kinda cute and I was lonely.
I took my stuff and moved it over to the other side of me, making room for Stan to sit.
"Thanks," he said quietly, setting his bag down on the grass. "You're y/n, right?" He asked.
"Yeah, and you're.." I asked acting dumb, so it wouldn't seem like I had a crush on him.
"Stanley Uris, but my friends call me Stan," he said before taking out his binoculars.
I picked up my sketch pad and continued drawing the bird I saw earlier. "Is that an eastern bluebird you're drawing?" Stan asked suddenly, moving closer to me to get a better look.
"Uh, yeah, how'd you know?" I asked.
"Well, I watch birds too, on Mondays and Fridays. The others days I'm with my friends at the Barrens," he explained. Cool, he has a schedule too. I guess we're sort of similar in a way. Except, I don't have many friends, it not, none at all.
"That's nice, who's your friends?" I asked curious, but just an excuse to talk to him more.
"Eddie Kaspbrak, Richie Tozier, and Bill Denbrough. They're cool, I guess. But they don't really get me, y'know?" Stan said sadly.
"I get it I guess, but I don't really have any friends. So I know what it's like for no one to understand you." I shrugged.
"I could be your friend. I mean, if you'd like," Stan suggested with a small blush.
"I'd like that, Stan," I smiled.
We spent the rest of the afternoon talking about birds and our other interests. It turns out, I liked this kid more than I thought.
"Well, I have to go before my parents wonder where I am," I said getting up while collecting all my things.
"Wait! I'll see you tomorrow? In English class-maybe we can work on the upcoming project together?" Stan asked abruptly.
"Sure, Stan, is like that," I blushed, waving to him as I peddled towards my house. All I could think about the rest of the night is how cute Stan is, and that I finally have someone to talk to.