Defenceless

16. To Lean On

"You think i'm cute?"
What could she do? She was busted.
"Well, yes? Yeah"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah"
"Alright, thank you for the compliments"
"Anytime friend"
Right. Friends.

That afternoon Jack found himself studying on his own on one of the many tables on the school deck. Since he wasn't familiar with some of the topics in his non-art classes, he had to put an extra effort, even the marine biology teacher had suggested him to find a tutor but the idea hadn't being exactly appealing to him. Until this day i've always managed alone, why should i need help from somebody else now? Still lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice when part of his class approached him

"Hey Jack! Mind if we join?"

"Sure" Jack closed his books and notebooks and arranged them in a small pile, leaving enough room on the table for the other 3 members.

"Have you answered the quiz yet?" One of the boys asked him

"I haven't actually... you?"

"Yeah, it was pretty easy... especially because we had the chance to write it in our own words"

"Yeah, I don't know any definitions either" the other boy said

"It's been ages since I saw this on high school" the girl added

"Were you studying before we arrived? Don't be afraid to tell us to shut up so you can concentrate"

"Oh... i... yeah a little bit I guess"

"Do you want to join our study group? We're on topic 4"

Topic 4 already? I'm between 1 and 2.

"Thanks guys, I think I'm getting a little sea sick... i should go get some rest"

"Oh sorry man"

"Feel better Jack, see you tomorrow in class"

"See ya"

He tossed all of his stuff on his backpack and walked back inside, just before reaching the elevator he noticed his pencils were falling off. It wasn't until then that he discovered a hole in his backpack. The icing on the cake. He thought.
When he arrived he found his Irish friend playing cards with Fabrizio. They greeted the blue-eyed boy and returned to their game. Jack let out a loud sigh as he let his weight fall in the couch.

"Woah, what was that sigh for?" Tommy asked

"I'm a bit stressed"

"Can we help? Is it school? Is it your parents?"

Right. Tommy doesn't know. Fabrizio and Rose were the only ones whom he had talked about his parents, he looked up aiming to see the look on Fabrizio's face and signaled him with his eyes to let him tell Tommy the truth.

"Tommy... i... I don't have parents. They died when I was fifteen"

"Oh, god Jack... I'm so sorry, I didn't-"

"It's okay, don't worry"

"I'm sorry"

"Don't be. It's weird. I don't want you feeling sorry for me"

"Sorr- I mean. Sure, man" Jack nodded thankful "but... what's got you stressed then?"

"I... um... I'm having trouble with the marine biology quiz..."

"Let me help you, I'm done with mine."

"No it's fine, keep playing"

"Let him help you so we all can play" Fabrizio suggested