A Different Path

Chapter 9 - Stories

Criticism spot! :)

Jack's POV

I woke up just a few minutes before the bell, smiling to myself as I saw Crutchie still asleep. His hair was covering a fair portion of his face, and I couldn't help but laugh a little as I saw how messy it was. I gently brushed his hair from his eyes, watching the sun begin to rise from behind him. His eyes fluttered open, and he smiled as he looked at me.

"Morning," I said, unable to stop smiling.

"Morning," His voice was quiet, and it was clear he was still shaken up about the previous night. His smile faded as we continued to look at one another, looking as though he was in another world.

"Do you want to talk about yesterday?" I eventually asked, and he sighed.

"I tried to fight 'em off," he mumbled, looking away from me. "I really tried." He repeated, sounding defeated.

"Hey, you did a good job, alright?" I tried to reassure him, not wanting him to be so hard on himself. "Your foot okay?"

"It just hurts, that's all," he finally looked back at me, trying to smile. "We should get ready," he said after a few moments, taking me by surprise.

"You're selling?" I asked, and he quickly nodded. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Yes," he mumbled as I stood, and he sat up to get dressed.

"Crutchie," I began, and he turned his head to look at me, beginning to button up the shirt he had picked for himself. "You can't just pretend that yesterday didn't happen-"

"Why not, Jack?" He snapped, standing up. "If I show that I'm upset about yesterday, they'll know that I was the right kid for sure and just try it again." His voice shook as he spoke, breaking my heart a bit. Instead of saying anything back, I just pulled him in tightly for a hug, wishing I could help him feel better.

"Let's go," I said after a few moments, smiling at him and dropping the subject. 

We walked in silence to the square, and it was clear that Crutchie was tired, despite all the sleep he had gotten. Race had joined us, breaking the silence. He and I talked to one another, however, Crutchie kept quiet, looking at the ground as we continued forward. We reached the square and went in, but I quickly noticed I no longer heard wood gently hitting pavement, causing me to turn around. Crutchie was gone, and I immediately grew worried.

"Go on in, send them out," I said to Race, and he nodded, heading in. I left and turned the corner of the alleyway that was directly next to where we had been standing, seeing Crutchie there, looking down. "Hey," I said as I walked to him, making him look at me.

"Sorry," he mumbled without hesitation, and I noticed he had been crying. "I thought..." He began, looking down once again.

"It's okay, Crutch," I spoke quietly, pulling him in for a hug. 

"You were right, I should've just stayed home," he said into my shirt, his voice shaky.

"I think it's real strong of you to even leave the penthouse at all," He looked up at me as I spoke, seeming surprised. "How about we both go home, hm? We can talk for as long as you'd like." I smiled at him, but he didn't smile back, instead burying his face in my shirt again. 

"I don't wanna lose you," he whispered, and I once again felt my heart shatter.

"You won't," I said as I held him tighter yet, feeling as though I should never let go. "C'mon, let's go home," as we began to leave the alley Crutchie stopped to look at me, wiping his face dry.