I Like Your Laugh--Spanna
“Hey Spence, what do you call a bear with no teeth?” Hanna asked. The two girls were sprawled out on Spencer’s bed, studying for the SATs. Scratch that, Spencer was studying, and Hanna was trying to distract her.
“Unless the answer is lachrymore, I don’t see what this has to do with anything,” Spencer replied, not looking up from the prep book she’d bought. She had known it was a mistake to study with Hanna, but she’d called her anyway. Emily and Aria had both been busy, and she needed someone to quiz her.
“I don’t know what that means, but the answer is a gummy bear. Get it? Gummy bear?” she laughed. Spencer rolled her eyes.
“Hanna, what are you going to do if you come across a question asking you to pick the word that means tearful or sad, and all you can think about is gummy bears?” she asked. Hanna shrugged.
“I’ll guess, obviously. I mean, it’s not like this stupid test is important,” she said. Spencer pursed her lips, but resisted the urge to lecture Hanna.
“Besides, didn’t we already tell you that you don’t need to know more big words?” Hanna joked. Spencer threw a pillow at her.
“Ask me the next question,” she ordered. Hanna sighed and opened her own practice test. It was one her mother had presented to her a couple months ago and Hanna had never planned on actually cracking it open until Spencer insisted she help her study. She acted like she was perusing the page, and then very seriously began to ask the question.
“Okay, what is the difference between a snow man and a snow woman?” she asked. Spencer groaned.
“That’s not what you’re supposed to ask me!” she exclaimed in annoyance.
“Snow balls!” Hanna answered, giggling to herself. Spencer rolled her eyes again.
“Why are you telling me these ridiculous jokes? The SATs are tomorrow, Hanna, and we’re supposed to be studying!” Spencer reminded her friend, frustration creeping into her voice. Hanna shrugged again.
“I’m trying to make you laugh,” Hanna said. Spencer raised an eyebrow.
“Why exactly are you trying to make me laugh?” she asked. Hanna blushed, a shy look crossing her face.
“I like your laugh,” she said, as if it were obvious. Spencer straightened up a bit, flattered by her friend’s admission.
“Oh. Well. Help me study right now, and tomorrow night we can have a movie night and watch Bridesmaids. Then you’ll hear me laugh for two hours straight,” she offered. Hanna stuck out her hand.
“Deal,” she agreed. Spencer nodded, and they shook hands.
“Okay, so let’s go to the next word. What’s the definition of blunderbuss?” Spencer asked. Hanna gave her a blank look, and Spencer sighed.
“There are two possible answers. A blunderbuss is an ancient type of weapon, or it can also refer to a clumsy person,” Spencer read aloud. Hanna rolled her eyes.
“Why’s it such a dumb sounding word? Who would ever use it?” Hanna asked. Spencer shrugged. She had to admit, Hanna had a point. But it was on her vocabulary list, so she was determined to know it.
“The SATs would use it, that’s who. Your turn,” she said. Hanna sighed and started reading from the book.
“What is the definition of tweetment?” Hanna asked seriously. Spencer frowned, thinking. She’d looked at hundreds of vocabulary lists, and this wasn’t familiar at all.
“I don’t know…” she admitted.
“You mean I’ve stumped Spencer Hastings?” Hanna asked with a straight face. Spencer nodded.
“The definition of tweetment is the thing you give to a sick bird,” Hanna said, bursting out in laughter. Spencer groaned.
“Hanna!”
“Sorry, sorry. I’ll be serious now,” she promised. Spencer glared at her.
“One more joke and I won’t watch Bridesmaids with you tomorrow,” she threatened. Hanna held up her hands in mock innocence.
“Okay, okay. I promise,” she agreed.
To Spencer’s relief, Hanna actually helped her study and didn’t crack anymore jokes. And, as she promised, the next night they watched Bridesmaids, and Spencer laughed the whole night.