"Kids! Time for school!" Claire yells from downstairs.
Adrian can hear Manny and Luke groan from the bunk bed as he stretched out the sores from sleeping on the floor. Carefully wrapping the sleeping bag he heads downstairs, uncaring of the two other boys drifting back to sleep. He did slam the door though, hopefully it woke them up some more.
Once downstairs he is greeting with the sweet smell of waffles. Alex was already seating with a book opening. Upon seeing Adrian she mumbled a greeting and continued reading.
"Morning Claire."
"Morning Adrian, is Luke and Manny awake yet?"
"Last I saw they were going to back to sleep.."
Claire sighs, "Phil, honey, can you please.."
Phil pops up from the couch, "of course honey!" And runs up the stairs, only to stumble, "got to fix that step-"
Uncaring, Adrian approaches Claire, "did you need any help?"
"Oh no that's okay-"
"I insist, you're already letting us in your home, it's the least I can do"
"Oh well.. can you help wash those dishes over there?"
"Of course!"
"Mm morning mum" Haley stumbles in, hair messy.
"Haley, school is starting soon are you sure you want to go dressed like that?"
That seemed to snap her out of her sleep as he observed her clothes. "Omg! Why didn't you tell me school starts today?!" She screeched rushing back upstairs.
"Peaceful morning huh?" Adrian comments with a smile.
"Please, this is just the start of it." Claire rolled her eyes.
It's almost a week since Jay and Gloria left to their honeymoon, leaving Adrian and Manny with Claire's family and since the dates coincide with the new term starting, it made it much easier for the family.
More footsteps can be heard as Phil appeared first with a proud face, followed by Luke. They all said their shares of good mornings and settled on the dining table.
"Where's Manny?" Adrian asks, drying his hands.
"He said he needed some time to choose his clothes." Phil said between bites.
"That's idiot." Adrian mutters, storming back up the stairs.
"Hey what's the harm in that? School doesn't start in another 30 minutes" Claire stops him.
"Claire, one thing you should know about Manny, he will take the full 30 minutes to get dressed- if not, more. If I don't hurry him, he won't eat at all" Adrian insists, reaching the bedroom door, he tries to open it only for it to be locked. "Manny open the door"
A shuffle from behind then the door creaks open.
"What do you think of this outfit?" Manny asks. "No wait, I think I have…" before Manny could continue Adrian pulls him out of the room and downstairs.
"That outfit is good! Now eat" Adrian pushes Manny towards the dining chair and places a plate in from of him.
Manny pouts but begins eating. Adrian sits next to him, grabbing himself a few waffles and a hand full of berries. First he places a layer of whipped cream as a base then covers it with blueberries. Then he places a thick layer of honey, picks up a banana and breaks chunks of it onto the honey. Finally he takes another waffle and squishes it on top, the fillings spilling out onto the plate. Holding the waffle sandwhich in his hands and letting the causes and whip cream cover his fingers, he takes a big bite.
Alex frowns in disgust, "Frankly I should get used to this by now, but I still find it revolting."
Adrian grins. "You just don't understand the deliciousness of the waffle sandwhich."
"Look" Luke shouts, waving his own version of the waffle sandwhich.
"Luke, come one bud." Phil says disappointedly, "you can do much better!" He lifts his own huge waffle sandwhich. The three, Luke, Phil and Adrian share a waffle sandwhich cheers and laugh.
"I'm in a house full of kids." Alex grumbles.
"Hey!" Manny protests.
…
Getting to school, Adrian was immediately taken by the principle and shown to his homeroom teacher. She showed him his locker and when the bell rung, she took him to class.
"You stay here." Ms Green insisted.
Confused Adrian stood outside in the hallway as she entered the classroom, the chatter from within quieting down immediately. He can barely hear Ms Green's voice.
"Okay everyone, welcome back to the new term. I have an announcement to make"
"Are you pregnant again?" A high pitch voice says, followed by a few laughters.
"No- we have a new student with us!" Ms Green says then pauses.
Adrian just stands there, unsure what to do.
"New student! You can come in now."
Adrian continues to stand. A part of him wonders how long he can commit to this.
Finally Ms Green pops out of the classroom and whisper shouts, "you can come in now!", with a wave of her hands.
Adrian strolls in leisurely, he makes out the standard classroom interior with pieces of artwork decorating the walls. A few photos of presidents here and there and on the left side of the classroom, opposite of the door is huge windows, showcasing the football field. Making his way next to the class he notes Ms Green smiling nervously at him, hand stretched out with a marker.
"Please introduce yourself new student."
Adrian takes the marker. "Hi, I'm Adrian Delgado. Nice to meet you all." He says.
"Mr Delgado, please write your name on the board for everyone."
Adrian does so. His handwriting quite neat.
"Now does anyone have questions for Mr Delgado?"
Nearly all the female students raise their hands while the boys glare at him.
"Lucy" Ms Green points out to a pretty girl with brown hair.
"Adrian, can I have your number?"
Adrian raises a brow. He wasnt suprised at this since he's gotten many requests from his old schools but was taken aback by her boldness.
""Wait- me too!"" Most of the girls screech.
"Calm down everyone-" Ms Green tries to say.
"Wait!" Lucy shouts. The girls quietend down. "He has a marker, you can just write it on the board" she says seriously, phone in hand and ready to type.
Adrian scratches the back of his head. "No thanks." He smiles.
That seemed to stun everyone.
"Okay back to class!" Ms Green snapped out of it first, ushering Adrian into the back seat next to the window. Adrian noted it was the protagonist seat and chuckled to himself.
The guy next to him gave him a hard glare but overall ignored him for most of the class.
Lunchtime approached quickly and the girls gathered once more to his seat. He smiled at them and answered their questions.
"Where are you from?" "Florida"
"No- where are you really from?" "…I was born in Floria"
"Are you single." "Nope"
"Omg whose your girlfriend?" "Nunya"
"Huh?" "Nunya business"
*giggles* "you're so mean~" "…"
"When is your birthday?" "On the same day every year"
And before they could continue asking (how are these girls so tenacious?) he excused himself to the bathroom and made his way to the cafeteria, where he spotted one Alex Dunphy sitting alone.
Sliding into the seat next to her, she squeeked and pulled her books closer.
"Adrian?! What are you doing here"
"I go to school here?"
"No I mean what are you doing sitting next to me? You'll… you'll lose your popularity"
"Pshh, popularity is overrated." He ignored the quiet "says you" and continued, "can't an uncle keep his niece company at school?"
"Please don't remind me"
Adrian laughs. "Just kidding I was running away from some classmates and spotted you"
"And you're using me as a barrier?"
He shrugs, "it's working isn't it" the girls from his class were glaring at them from across the cafeteria.
"What's in it for me?" Alex asks.
"You gain a friend?"
Alex stares at him blankly. "… fine you've got yourself a deal"
"That's kind of sad Alex… even though I offered" Adrian says.