Chapter Text
Sean was a transfer student, but he'd been at the school since 9th grade. Apparently, before that, he'd lived in England, but he was from Ireland originally. His accent wasn't as strong as Mark remembered it being when he first transferred, but it was still Irish, and it was the only reason Mark recognized him. Well, maybe not the only reason.
They hadn't talked before, but everyone at the school had known about Sean when he started going there. They didn't get a lot of foreign kids at their little high school in Ohio, so Sean was the subject of a lot of gossip for a while. He still was, really, but for different reasons. Yeah, Mark knew of him.
"Hi. I'm Mark."
"Oh, I know! We have physics together."
There was a very bright smile on Sean's face, and Mark tried not to show his surprise at being recognized. He knew they had physics together, he just hadn't thought that Sean would remember that. Now he had to act like he was the one who'd forgotten so he didn't sound like an asshole.
"Oh, right."
He still sounded like an asshole.
"Anyway."
At least Sean didn't seem too deterred.
"I was hoping you could help me out with my math homework, because Mrs. Robins said you'd done really well in that class. I know it's super lame, but I have kind of a hard time with it."
"Really?"
Sean was blushing a little; he really looked embarrassed.
"Yeah... I know it's lame."
"No, I just- You seem fine with the math in physics, so I was- I can help with it if you want."
"Thanks, man! Physics is a pain in the arse too, but it's a lot more interesting, so it's a little easier. Do you want to study at my place? It's free on Fridays because me ma will be at work most of the day."
"Sure, that's fine. I usually go to the library after school, too, so we could meet there."
"Alright, cool! I have to go, but I'll give you my address. Shit, I don't have any paper. Can you just put it in your phone?"
"Yeah."
Mark fumbled his phone out of his pocket and opened a note taking app to type in the address.
"I'll give ya my number too, in case you can't make it or something."
"Sure."
Mark didn't have time to think about the fact that it was his first time getting a guy's number before Sean was walking away. And it was just so he could be Sean's fucking tutor.
Like any teenager who had been officially designated as a nerd, Mark went home and told his mother.