Chapter 13 ✔️

1 month later...

The days after the incident were spent - in Harvey's part at least - sitting in front of the TV watching a bunch of Jefferson Blake movies with a tub of rich chocolate ice cream in hand.

They were spent crying, crying, and crying, over the lost opportunity that was making out with THE Jefferson Blake. He had his crush, the man he'd spent the better part of three months pining over, right there in his grasp.

The next few weeks were spent in anger, frustration and, most importantly, drowning in self-pity.

It's a sad month, to say the least.

He's shouted at Chris, Luke, and the imaginary Jefferson in his head that just won't shut up about the kiss that never was. About the one thing in his life that might have actually been awesome.

"You're wallowing," Luke says harshly as he struts into the library one morning, after Chris had had enough of the self-deprivation and coaxed Harvey out of his bed, "Stop it. It's unattractive."

"Fuck off, Luke. I don't need your pity." Harvey snarls, shoving the books he's holding roughly down onto the old wooden reception desk.

"I'm not pitying you. You're not worth it. Nor do you need it."

"You got that right." The brunet librarian mumbles, finally looking up at the brit, who has a thoughtful gaze plastered onto his sharp features. Why does  he always look like he's scheming?

"You liked him." Luke says, a smirk growing.

"Well, duh."

"No. I mean you really liked him. You still do."

"Do you actually have a point or are you just here to make me feel worse?" Harvey spits, tired of Luke and his dumb accent saying dumb words.

"I came to see how you were. Chrissy called me and said you were really upset and he didn't know what to do." The look on Luke face is sincere, concerned, and makes Harvey struggle to be mad at him.

"You're really here... for me?"

"Yes, you idiot. Because believe it or not, I'm actually not as much of a twat as you think I am." The older boy teases, a charming smile on his face. Harvey thinks absentmindedly that, yeah, he's right, he's not that much of an asshole.

"So, what'll it take to cheer you up? Coffee? A movie? Annoying the little ones?" Luke continues after receiving a slight smile from Harvey.

The latter considers his options, then a mischievous smirk blossoms upon his face, "I always enjoy in teasing the heck outta Freshmen."

"As do I," Luke full out grins, and picks up Harvey's coat from the side, "Let's go."

~~~~

"Okay, Jeff, you've got an interview at 8 o'clock, you'll be there for an hour. Then you have a meeting with the agency at 10. An appearance at a..." Maya trails off, noticing the forlorn look that's stuck on her friend's handsome face, "Jefferson! Are you listening?"

"Not really." Jefferson admits, his head resting drowsily in his right palm. He's thinking about Harvey and he wouldn't even deny it. The student's been on his mind all month long.

"Alright, what's up?" Maya sighs, flopping down on the couch in the space next to her friend. She scoots closer to him and sets a comforting arm around his shoulders, "You were really down a while ago. I would've said something, but you cheered up suddenly, so I didn't. But now, it seems you're back in a slump."

Jeff says nothing, instead just slouches and fits his head into Maya's neck. It would look like an odd picture to a bystander, considering the notable height difference.

"What happened at that party last month?" Maya questions, her voice sweet and patient, "Is it a girl?... A guy?"

Jeff again doesn't reply, only nods and sighs.

"Does he not like you back? Was he mean to you?" His assistant presses.

"I-I don't know. We.. I was gonna kiss him. I-" Jeff shakes his head and growls in frustration, "I thought he wanted me to kiss him. I thought he was into me."

"Jay, what happened? What did he do?"

Jeff sighs again and rests his head on Maya's shoulder once more.

"He just... left. One minute I'm down for whatever and suddenly he can't get out of there fast enough." Jeff sits up abruptly, then stands and lifts his hands in frustration, "I mean, is it me? Did I do something wrong?"

"Of course not, Sweetie!" Maya rushes to assure him, still sat down, " I strongly believe that he just couldn't get the goods working, so he ran away in shame."

Jeff laughs at that, it's choked and slightly pathetic, but it's a laugh and Maya will take it.

"Ugh, but you should've seen him My! His name's Harvey. He's so adorable. He has these huge glasses and his hair's so messy. And sometimes I wonder if he even owns a brush? And his eyes... Don't even get me started on his eyes My. They're so brown and-"

"You seem to like him." Maya smiles, leaning back in her seat.

"I do." Jeff whimpers miserably, "We were talking for a while. Texting and calling. He kept saying all these things that I thought were signs. I thought.."

Maya cocks her head to one side. Her soft black hair swaying with the movement, "You thought...?"

"I thought he might be the person that wasn't disappointed by the real me." Jefferson says so quietly that you could hear his heart breaking, if you listened hard enough, "But maybe he changed his mind. Maybe the novelty wore off and now he sees me the same way everyone else does. Not worth his time."

"Nope." Maya says, rising suddenly to loom over Jefferson's sulking figure, "We're not doing that this time. No, ma'am."

"What are you talking about?" The man rolls his eyes, fully intent on allowing the couch to swallow him whole, "What do you suggest I do instead?"

"As soon as your press tour is over, you are going right back to that tiny little town and demanding to know what's up." Maya says resolutely, her small body magnified by her large presence, "And he'd better have a damn good explanation for hurting you."

"And if he doesn't?"

The woman tilts her head to one side and lets her signature sweet smile take over her features.

"I'll kick his ass."