When the Leaves Fall [bxp] ✔

8

Scrabble Shenanigans 

When Felix went to school the day after he met Jupiter's dad he expected questions. But he didn't expect the questions that he got. He finally saw his friends sitting around the lunch table, this time Nils also there. But no one appeared to be smiling. Felix frowned, sitting down next to Jupiter. Tarla was glaring at her phone, watching as it buzzed on the table in front of her, and Wren looked like he wanted to put an arm on her shoulder, but knew she didn't want to be touched.

"Hey," Felix said softly, making Tarla look up.

"Hi," she said softly, not quite meeting his eyes. Felix knew exactly what that voice meant.

"Do you wanna stay at my place tonight," he murmured, tilting his head. Tarla finally met his eyes. She just dipped her head once. Felix quickly texted his moms, just saying Tarla, code red. They knew what it meant as well. Which is why he knew they'd be okay with it. Felix turned towards Quinn, urging her to start a conversation, because he knew that Tarla definitely did not want attention right then.

"Guys, important question. Country or heavy metal?" Quinn said quickly, turning to look directly at Nils. Jupiter just leaned back in their seat, as if waiting for everything to unfold. Their arm brushed against Felix and he felt himself get goosebumps. Felix ignored the group- and Jupiter- turning towards Tarla. He tilted his head, and she nodded, the two of them getting up. They walked out of the cafeteria, heading towards the library.

"My grandparents are in town," Tarla said softly. Felix pursed his lip. Great.

"Dad's side?" Tarla only nodded.

"They never say anything about him, ya know. He tries to defend me, and that's when they say stuff. And mom's always on her feet, and dad acts like nothings happening," Tarla's slow steps just stopped. "It just sucks. So much. Every time they show up, it's like a reminder. Of everything that can never happen."

"Your brother, do they listen to him? When he tries to defend you?" Felix asked, standing close enough that she knew he'd stay there with her, but giving her enough space, because she did not want to be touched, and he knew that.

"Nope. And he's the only one who tries. Dad always sides with them of course. And mom always tries to tell him to respect his grandparents. I'm just..." she just stopped, as if all her energy and excitement had been drained out of her. "I'm so tired of just dealing with it everyday. Yesterday, they saw a pride flag, and the absolute bullshit that they said..."

Felix winced. "Do you think they'll say anything when you tell them you're staying over?"

"My mom'll probably say I made plans a while ago, because I am not staying there tonight. I can't. And she may not know the reason, but I know she'll know that." They finally made it to the library, Felix pushed open the door, and the two of them took a table near the back, setting down their bags.

"Are we stopping at your house? Or dropping Wren and going straight to my place?"

"I'll stop to get my stuff I think. I mean I need books for tomorrow. Mondays fucking suck," Tarla groaned, leaning back in her chair.

"How long have they been here?"

"Two weeks," was all she said.

"How long till they..." Felix trailed off. They always showed up without return tickets.

"They say end of the month, but the tickets aren't booked."

"Well you know my family loves you, so you can come by whenever." Tarla only hummed.

"I don't wanna be a burden and shit."

"Please at this point you're practically part of the family, it's fine."