Chapter 35: Fascinating

"How'd your presentation go?" he (Jacob, today) asks as soon as I exit the biology classroom.

"Relatively smoothly."

"So you feel good about it?"

"Yeah."

He smirks a little. "That seemed like a noncommittal 'yeah'."

"I mean, I'm sure other people are better at presenting than me. Like you," I say, grinning and gently bumping my fist against his shoulder. He rolls his eyes and puts his arm around my shoulder, starting towards the physics classroom.

"I think that if you joined one of my sessions with Jackie, you'd be a natural performer."

"You say I'm a natural at everything."

"You are."

"I can't be. That's impossible."

"Okay, fine. You're not a natural at being relaxed and in the moment, but you're much, much better than when I first brought you to my house."

I roll my eyes as we walk into the physics classroom. Ms. Jenson eyes us like we're plotting something. She's the only teacher who doesn't seem to be thrilled by Jacob's lack of tardiness or absence this week- I think she believes he's conspiring against her somehow. All the other teachers have pretty much credited me with his good behaviour, but it's really him. Everyone believes he's stopped slacking off, when in reality he's now doing twice as much school as everyone else. My parents would adore him. That might be a good way to introduce him to them (as a friend, this time), if I ever get the chance.

Physics ends, and he accompanies me to my locker. "We finished the English thing, right?"

"Yeah. I mean, we still have tomorrow's class time to touch some things up, if we need, but it's pretty much done."

"Good. Wouldn't want you worrying about that on your birthday," he says in a singsong voice.

I duck my head and focus on putting things into my backpack. "It's not a huge deal. I just can't work after school tomorrow, because my parents will be home early. That's all."

"Todd, you're turning 18. It's a huge deal. You can- legally- drink now! And do things without needing parental consent!"

"I'm still 17," I remind him.

He rolls his eyes. "You're like, a day away. I'm sure it wouldn't kill you to have a beer tonight instead of waiting another 24 hours."

I raise my eyebrows at him, and he smirks.

"I'm kidding. I know you would never break the law. You'd probably spontaneously combust."

"I definitely wouldn't be able to sleep until I turned myself in to the police, or at the very least told my parents."

"You would turn yourself in to the police for drinking when you're one day underage?"

I scowl. "No, I would just never do it in the first place."

He grins at me while I close my locker, before slinging his arm around my shoulders again as we leave the school.

People look at us, still. Initially people were just shocked we were walking together. Now, since it's been much longer than he spends with anyone else, and our almost constant close proximity, I think the common rumour is that we're dating, or at least sleeping together (since he drove me to school on a Monday morning, everyone started getting curious about what we were doing together over the weekend). The fact that I'm not opposed to it (the dating rumour, at least) is pretty strong evidence for Raymond's theory. I choose not to think about that too much.

Jacob, on the other hand, doesn't show any sign of so much as recognizing the speculations about our relationship status. He doesn't seem to even notice the prying eyes and suggestive looks we get leaving school. I see them, but try not to react. I end up leaning a little more into his shoulder, which prompts him to tighten his grip on me a little. I don't mind at all.

He drives me home, same as Monday and Tuesday. In a moment of impulsiveness, I decide to ask one of my questions.

"Jacob?"

"Yes, Todd?" his eyes flick to me momentarily, then back to the road (though, he's grinning a little bit, now).

"I was wondering... you're coming to school during the day, right? And you have tutoring, too."

"Yup."

"Why do both? That seems like a lot of work, especially since you're actually coming to school now, and doing the assignments. I know you like your tutoring, since it's the stuff you care about- so why come to school at all? You're rich. You don't have to."

He presses his lips together for a moment, and I can practically see him taking down some of his walls of privacy and impersonality. "... For... the people. Mostly."

I watch him for a moment, not wanting to push him now that he's kind of opened up but also hoping he elaborates. His eyes flicker over to me again, then back to the road. "I like being around people. I'm not an extrovert, or an introvert- well, I might be an extrovert- but I like being around people because they're so interesting to watch. Everyone has something, even if it's not real. Even if it's made up in their mind, it's there, and that's what makes them tick. It's fascinating to see people thinking and interacting. To get into their mind and watch everything- how they defend themselves, their secrets, what they're hiding, why they feel they need to hide it, whether they're ashamed or feel special for having whatever the problem or secret thing is. It's just fascinating."

"Is that what you mean when you say I'm fascinating?"

He seems to debate that for a second. "I mean, kind of. You're not fascinating like people in general, though- you're so rational and modern and yet so instinctual at the same time. Fear is one of the most basic instincts that we have. It's survival. But you're wired to revert to those survival tendencies for the most modern-day things. School, and laws, and lying to your parents. Animals never have to worry about any of that. But you do, and to a greater extent than most teenagers, who simply don't care about anything."

"Sounds like you've got me all figured out," I comment drily as he pulls into my driveway. He turns to me and takes my hands in his, meeting my gaze intently. He looks so real, so vulnerable right now- my heart swells a little.

"You're fascinating because you're so pure, in such a non-pure age. Society has so ingrained itself in your mind that it causes you to revert to your survival instincts for the most superficial things. It's... a little distressing, actually, that society has bred you to live in fear of things that cannot threaten your physical survival. But when you find a way to escape it, even just for a moment..." his eyes are bright, staring straight through me, into me. "It's the most incredible thing I've ever seen. It's beautiful. And it gives me hope for the human race. Just watching you live."

My eyes sting with tears a little at his words. It's true, I do live in pretty much constant fear of doing things wrong and being the focus of my parent's, or teacher's, or really anyone's disappointment or anger. But it also feels amazing, to feel so seen by someone. And to listen to him tell me that I give him hope for the human race- I've never felt so significant to someone, ever. I swallow, finding a lump in my throat.

"Thank you," I manage to get out in a whisper, and he smiles, reaching across the console to hug me. I hug him back, wrapping my arms around him as tightly as I can and never wanting to let go.

"Are you upset that I analyze people, specifically you, like, constantly?" he asks a moment later, still hugging me.

I bark out a short laugh. "No. Not if it's like that."

He squeezes me a little. "Okay. Good. Now get out of my car and get a good sleep tonight, you'll be drinking a lot tomorrow."

I roll my eyes and pull away from him. "I will not be drinking, tomorrow night is a school night and I am definitely not going to school hungover."

"It's your 18th birthday. No one would blame you."

"I'm not drinking on a school night."

He smirks. "You're a better man than me, Todd."

I snort and open the car door. "I'll see you tomorrow, Jacob."

"Henry."

I soften a little. "Henry. And... thanks."

"For what?"

I smile a little. "The best birthday present you could have given me."

He smirks a little. "If you're referring to my speech, then you're welcome, but that wasn't your birthday present. That's on Friday."

I roll my eyes and get out of his car. "You don't need to."

"I'm rich. I want to, and I have zero reasons not to." He reverses out of my driveway, sending me a grin. "See you tomorrow, Todd!"

Dedicated to @thisbrokenplanet for all of the support on so many of my books! Thank you so much, reading your comments always makes my day :)

What did you think of the chapter? The rumours about Todd and the millionaire? How about the millionaire's reasons for not being homeschooled? And his moment with Todd? Let me know!

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