Eight

Crepehanger

(N.)

A person who sees the gloomy sides of things.

Jess laughed to himself quietly. He'd seen Isaac's Instagram on his recommended and decided to follow him. About 30 minutes later he got sent a reel video from the boy, which he was not expecting. It was some stupid, funny, animal video and he found himself chuckling a little bit.

He didn't think Isaac would actually talk to him and in a way he wasn't but he was sending him videos. That was something right? Could that be counted as talking? Jess didn't know.

Then again maybe Isaac didn't know either. He had admitted today that he wasn't as good at social interactions as he seemed. Was this his way of interacting with Jess outside of school?

Or wait. Jess needed to stop think about this. He was probably reading far too into it. It probably didn't have any secret meaning behind it. Friends sent funny videos to each other. That was normal.

Wait, friends? Well, he did call himself Isaac's friend in the hallway after turning in that paper for History. So were they friends now?

He thought about school that day. Remembering lunch with Isaac in the library. Yeah, he had come to consider Isaac a friend today. That was something he never thought he'd do.

The boy was nice and easygoing. He was still a mystery and Jess wanted to figure more about him out but he also seemed like a pretty good guy. Jess wouldn't mind spending more time with him.

'You're staring. Am I that pretty?'

'You could be. If you smiled more..."

Jess felt himself blush. Isaac was serious when he said that. He told Jess that he could be pretty if he smiled more. Does he really think I have a pretty smile?

Jess shook his head. No. I've got to stop this. He wouldn't have meant it like that. He isn't like that.

'Admiring my beauty again?'

'Yes.'

He tried to make it sound like a joke, that much was obvious and it did sound like one. Jess really did think he was just joking. But his expression made the boy doubt. He looked serious, his eyes held something that made it seem more genuine.

But Jess didn't want to think about that. Isaac couldn't be like that. He was friends with them.

'That's disgusting!'

The sudden reminder made Jess's face go cold. Isaac was close friends with Ki, and Ki was homophobic. Part of him didn't want to make that connection because it just didn't make sense. Isaac really didn't seem like the type of person that would be like that, but usually you could read a person by the company they keep.

So... that would mean Isaac could be homophobic.

The memory came back of in the library. Isaac admitting to admiring him in a joke that didn't seem like one. The intense look his eyes held.

You make no sense to me Isaac Johnson.

He clicked on the reel button of Instagram to distract himself. He surprised himself when he ended up sending a video back to Isaac. The boy reacted to it with a laughing emoji and Jess smiled.

He decided not to overthink anything. He had a friend in Isaac now so he shouldn't try to turn it into something else. He was just gonna focus on having a new friend for now.

Two hours passed by of Jess chilling on his bed. He watched TV or played on his phone for the time. It was getting increasingly late and he knew he needed to go to sleep some time. He looked over at the time. 11:48, not terrible but he should go to sleep.

The sound of the front door opening distracted him. He remembered that his mother hadn't been home earlier and that made him pull himself out of bed. He scrambled out his door and started down the stairs.

Kleandra was leaning on the wall to help herself walk as she made her way into the kitchen. Jess went over to join her, sliding under her arm to help her. He scrunched up his face at the stench of alcohol coming off her. "Ma, what're you doing?"

"Oh, Jess. Hey, baby." She gave him a drunken smile. "I jus'wanted water."

Her words slurred badly and he sighed. He helped her into the kitchen and made her sit down at the table. He gave her bread and told her to eat it while also putting a water bottle down. She did as told and he moved over to pull some medicine out of the cabinet.

He knew she'd need advil for the hang over tomorrow. He set it on the edge of the counter on a paper towel and put a glass of water next to it for her to find when she wakes up.

He then returned to the table to find the half eaten bread and the water with only a swig drank. "Come on, Ma, you gotta drink it all."

She whined about it but listened. After the water was done and she took a couple more bites of the bread Jess helped her up the stairs. He got her to her room and watched as she laid down. Knowing she was in bed he shut off the light and closed the door.

He went back to his room and after the door was shut a sigh shuttered through him. He pushed off the door and made it to his bed, falling face first.

Jess clicked on his phone to check the time. Twelve twenty-nine. Jeez, he needed sleep. Only sleep could fix the aching tiredness he felt. However the notification from Instagram distracted him.

Isaac had sent another reel five minutes ago. Aren't athletes supposed to go to bed early or something? Is that a thing or did I just imagine that?

Jess unlocked his phone and watched the reel. It was funny, brought out a smile, but then he clicked into the type bar.

Jess:

Why the hell are you still awake?

Zack:

Oh hey. I didn't think you'd be up.

Waiting for dad to get here.

What about you?

Jess:

I was about to go to sleep when my mom got home. I had to help her to bed.

Zack:

Oh so we're in similar boats I guess.

Jess snorted. Not quite, but also they were in a way. He smiled a little to himself as he sent another reply and Isaac started typing again.

Jess:

Sorta.

Zack:

Do you want to go to sleep? I just realized you said you were going to.

Sorry if I'm keeping you awake.

Jess:

You're okay. I'm fine talking to you.

Zack:

Cool.

There was only a moment where Jess contemplated what he should say next. He didn't want to just leave the conversation at that. But then Isaac sent another text.

Zack:

I think my dad just got here, I can hear a car outside so I'll let you get back to sleeping.

Talk tomorrow?

Jess:

Yeah. See you tomorrow.

Zack:

Goodnight.

Jess:

Goodnight.

Jess smiled as his phone clicked off. He put it over on his side table and plugged it in. Then, he rolled over and pulled the blanket over him.

Now that he wasn't smiling at texts the tiredness took over again. He closed his eyes and felt as sleep washed over him. He felt himself relax before he was fully out.

He was okay when he slept. Sleeping was the only thing that he knew would always be okay.

○●○●○

Tuesday morning seemed like it was normal. Jess had only seen Isaac once, and the boy was surrounded by his friends so he didn't even think about going up there. Although hazel eyes did find him too and while Isaac didn't come over he did smile wide at him.

Jess had returned the smile then scurried off before the other athletes could turn to see who Isaac was looking at. He didn't care for anyone in that group other than the boy that grinned at him. The rest of then could fuck themselves for all he cared.

It wasn't until lunch when the day seemed to turn more abnormal than usual. He went to his locker to put a binder up and sitting in there was a McDonald's bag. A sticky note was on it.

'Not eating isn't healthy btw. Hope you find this because I went through some trouble to get your locker number. Ray thought I might be trying to play a prank on you.'

- Zack

He grabbed the bag and peaked inside. A burger and fries. When he looked back up he saw a bottle of Dr Pepper that was behind the sack. He couldn't help the smile that came to his face.

He put his extra binder in the locker and grabbed the bottle of soda, then he made his way to lunch. Ray was relieved when he saw the bag of McDonald's as Jess sat down.

"I'm glad he wasn't lying. Since when are you friends with Zack?" Ray's words caught Alice's attention and then Hailee, another sophomore that's also friends with Ray, perked up to.

"Your friends with Zack? Like Johnson?" She looked surprised and suddenly Jess wished they'd all stop acting like that was so shocking.

"Uh yeah, kinda. We bumped into each other and hung out last week a little bit and I guess we're chill now." Jess tried to make it sound like it was nothing. He wished they'd all act like it was nothing. He was friends with someone, so what?

Ray smiled and nodded. "He seemed chill when I talked to him."

"Yeah from what I hear he's cool." Hailee agreed. They all then moved on from the topic and Jess was grateful. He hated being the center of attention. He ate his burger in peace and just listened to the kids around him talk. No one minded that he didn't join in on the conversation, they never really did.

When he finished his burger he snacked on the fries. Ray ended up stealing about half because he kept taking them and Jess gave up on glaring at him. He didn't actually mind because he wouldn't have been able to finish them himself. Before they left he crumpled up the sack and got up to throw it away. When he reached the trashcan Isaac was walking up at the same time.

The boy smiled wide when he spotted the sack. "Was it okay? I wasn't sure what you would want so I just went with your order from last time."

"It was good. Thanks." Jess gave him a small smile back and was met with a ear to ear grin.

"Yeah. My dad said he was buying me lunch and bringing it so I just thought I might get him to get you something too. Sorry, it was kind of out of nowhere and I didn't even tell you about it." He suddenly looked slightly nervous. Jess just shook his head.

"No it's fine. It was a pleasant surprise." Pleasant surprise? What the fuck is wrong with me?

It just erupted a chuckle from Isaac though. "Good. I'm glad."

"Zack! Let's go!" Dean's voice came across the cafeteria and when they looked over they saw the group heading towards the door. They were leaving and going back to class as the bell was about to ring.

"See you later." Isaac flashed Jess one more big smile before running off to join his friends. Jess also walked off to head to class, feeling lighter.

He went on to his fifth hour quietly but happier than usual. No one noticed, of course. Jess still blended into the crowd, which is how he liked it. It made it more special when people noticed him. It made those people stick out more.

People like Isaac.

He noticed a lot more about Jess than Jess's own friends seemed to. He was also concerned about him apparently because he got him food for lunch.

This whole situation was wild.

A foot stuck out and caught Jess up in his walking. He stumbled a little and looked up with a glare. Jace's eyes widened. "Sorry man, not who I was aiming for."

Ki, clearly the intended victim, laughed and walked up from behind Jess. "C'mon, man, don't worry about apologizing to the fag. Let's go."

Jace smirked which completely contradicted his words to the other boy as the pair walked off. "That's rude, Ki."

"Like I give a damn. Call it how I see it."

Jess stood there for a moment, unsure how to take that. He wasn't sure whether he should be offended about what happened or not. He decided he didn't care enough to think about it and kept going to class.

But no matter what he told himself that couldn't stop that nagging feeling in his chest. He could act like he couldn't care less but the sinking feeling would still take over.

Damn, and I was having a good day too.

He tried not to let it affect him. He tried to go about his day. He tried to go back to being happier and feeling lighter. It didn't work.

It never really did. Jess was a bitter guy with a bitter soul. He didn't really like that about himself but he could acknowledge it because it was true.

Once his day was ruined, that was that. Very few things could make it better.

He could wish he was different all he wanted but it wouldn't change him. That's just how he is. How he always has been and how he always will be.

Jess went through fifth hour with a scowl and then in sixth hour he felt himself finally calming down. He wasn't angry, but not happy either. He was neutral, his usual emotion in school.

He asked to go get a drink of water just because he didn't want to sit in there. He saw Isaac up ahead, coming out of the office, but he just averted his eyes and focused on taking a drink.

The other boy saw him though and smiled while walking up. "Hey."

Jess looked at him and couldn't help but think about him being friends with Ki. Was he like that? "Hey."

Isaac's face immediately dropped from Jess's dry voice and Jess found himself looking at his feet. "Are you okay?"

He opened his mouth to reply but froze when he looked up. Isaac's eyes made him stop. They were holding that same intense look as the one he had in the library. Something about the look had his insides churn and he wanted to look away, say he was fine, and just go back to class but he couldn't. Not when Isaac was looking at him like that.

"I- uh. I'm fine." The hesitance made it unbelievable. What the fuck? He never stutters.

Isaac's face grew more concerned and Jess felt more conflicted. His eyes were so genuine but Jess didn't trust them. He grew up learning to have a raised guard but this guy was making it hard.

"Jess." Isaac refocused his attention, making him zone back in. "What happened? You were good at lunch, I thought."

Why did he care? Why was Jess feeling a little sick over the fact that he cared? Jess spoke and again wondered. Why am I even being honest with him. "I'm just- I get overwhelmed by people easily. One bad interaction and I'm done with them I guess."

Isaac didn't look like he fully believed him but he gave up on prying. He looked in thought for a minute and chewed on his bottom lip while contemplating saying something. Jess watched the action for only a moment before making himself look away.

"We could- I mean if you wanted to- I could like- well its just because we had fun the other day right? So like.. we could do something like that again?" The boy was tripping over his words and the nervous look on his face brought a smile to Jess that he didn't know he was capable of having at the moment. "Do you get what I'm saying?"

"Was all that just in an effort to ask me if I want to hangout with you?"

Isaac looked like a deer in headlights. "Yes?"

Jess burst out laughing. He couldn't even control himself. The thought of someone like Isaac getting nervous at the thought of asking someone that was hilarious. No matter what he says he was still Mister Popular, at least a little bit, in Jess's eyes so that made it better.

When Jess opened his eyes Isaac was staring at him again with a little smile on his face. That made Jess slowly calm down. "Yeah, we could hangout after school I guess. What about football practice?"

"Well it usually doesn't last too long after school, like 30 or 40 minutes. You could hang around or go home and I could pick you up. I'd have to know which street you live on because I can't remember if it was Ash or Clark but I do remember the blue door."

Jess chuckled again because he spotted Isaac's slight blush as he talked. "I'll probably just go home. It's on Ash Street."

"Oh, ok, cool." Isaac nodded and smiled. "So, I'll pick you up after practice?"

"Sure, as long as you don't smell like B.O. I don't care." Isaac nodded quickly and Jess smiled as he started to walk away.

"See you later." Jess didn't respond but he turned around and waved a little.

He almost made it to his classroom when he let out a little huff of air. He felt better now. Is that what happens when you have friends? They make you feel better? Jess hadn't had an actual real friend that he was close-ish with in a very long time. Is that what Isaac's trying to be?

He faintly remembered his worries of Isaac's friendship with Ki but he decided to not think about it. Isaac seemed genuine so Jess would give him a chance to prove himself. He would, however keep him at least semi at a distance.

He had to be careful. If he got too close with Isaac and then his worries turned out to be true he'd be hurt. He didn't have time to be hurt right now, he needed to focus on other things.

So, he had to keep Isaac at arm's length. As long as he could do that he would be fine.

Although Jess was worried that those eyes would get him. Their memory lived with him, shook him to the core. Something about then gave him chills but like, in a good way.

Wait, that was a weird thought. Focus back on school you idiot.

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Fun fact: this chapter is just a little bit over 3000 words, which is the length I want all my chapters at but have been failing. So, as the other chapters are more or less around 2500 words, this is officially the longest chapter in the book so far lol.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed.

Love you ♡

- Z