The Days That Count

1. The Day They Broke Off

Right back at them with his lightheartedness and a personality so bright that it could even blind him, Jordan Parker never allowed anyone to make his life difficult. Even if there happened to be bullies, and there always are people who don't like us and are trying to breathe down our necks with negativity, our boy here never really took them seriously. He is a happy-go-lucky, kidding around kind of guy who makes everything in life a big joke. His medicine for any hard feelings- laughter. With laughter he managed to separate the emotional side of him and the surroundings that tried to influence it. Really, you could even say that his brightness got so good that he could not even notice anymore when someone was trying to be mean, and just threw kindness back at their annoyed faces.

"Hey, Jordan. Do my homework for me this weekend. " this mean kid in his elementary, Derek Hughes, used to try to convince him. Yes, Jordan was a brainer. He had this instant understanding of any subject which made him stand out in his class, and sometimes, so much that people would be asking favors of him.

"How much money are you going to give me?" the ten years old boy asked uninterested, looking at his book instead of the other boy.

It got Derek annoyed, so he took the book out of Jordan's hands. "Nothing, jackass. Of course. Nerds are made to do other people's homework. Don't you know that?"

Jordan finally looked at him, confused. "Really?"

The other boy found his confused behavior and nonchalance kind of amusing. How can he be at the top of the class if he does not even understand this situation they are having? Does he really not get that everything Derek is saying is bullshit? Oh well, even dumb, he could be of some use to him.

"Yes. It is what they are best at. " the mean kid tried to get on his good side.

Jordan nodded in approval and reached out his hand towards Derek to claim back his property. When starting to read again, he mouthed. "Good luck finding one, then. "

With a jaw almost on the floor from the kid's words, Derek tried to go for him physically, but that was when the bell rang and the teacher walked into the room.

"Everyone to their seats. " middle aged brunette said.

After Derek had no choice but to sit back on his chair, Jordan's lips curved into a small smile in his little victory. Oh, he was aware, so aware that Derek was trying to get the good side of him. Nerd? Really? Is that what they all thought of him? Jesus. He only studied on weekends and did his homework on time. Jordan did not think that he wasted so much time on studying, considering that he trained soccer and played with friends in afternoon.

Suddenly, a note fell to his desk, crumbled in a small paper ball. He looked at it with a frown and unfolded it, but it was not a threat. It was a praise.

Nice defense. - Heav

Jordan turned to his side to find the girl on the desk next to his, who was his first neighbor, smiling. He knew her too well. Heavenly Brooks. She was a really nice girl and one of his best friends. Returning the smile, he felt a bit of blush coming to his cheeks. Of course he liked Heavenly. Everybody liked Heavenly. Her very name even says it. Very good looking, talented singer, and a very approachable little girl had someone confess their crush on her almost every two or three weeks, even in elementary, and many more guys that liked, but did not confess. Jordan was one of those in the second group. Not that he was scared but just in that age, confessing or doing anything about it just did not cross his mind, because, what would happen after, then? He just was not able of thinking through the things that follow after the confession. True to his age, he did not think of dating girls. She was just this one person that made him feel very good, kind of excited, but he enjoyed in the very feeling of it, so he was satisfied with being friends and not talking about it. After all, Heavenly played mostly with him. He was top one on her list of close guys and he knew it. They met almost every day in the park near their houses to build sand fortresses or play hide and seek with other kids. They always hid together, on the same place, giggling and whispering about it being the best hiding spot. It was enough for him. It was all that mattered.