"you look like shit." robin chastises playfully as jay walks towards their locker. jay throws the smaller a grimace, sticking his middle finger up in response. the dread head only laughs in at his expression, pushing a couple textbooks into their locker before slamming it shut.
"i had to close last night. i didn't leave until midnight and then i ain't get home until 1." jay murmurs rubbing his heavy eyes. he sighs, thinking about how he told his manager he could work a double shift tomorrow. his body was far beyond tired from school everyday and working on top of that, he felt like he could pass out at any moment if he were being honest. despite being exhausted, a smile pulled at his lips every time he thought of the plans he had for robin.
their birthday was coming up on the 24th, they had simply mentioned it in passing but jay wanted to do something special for them. he remembered robin mentioning how it felt like another meaningless day. jay didn't want robin to feel like that this year.
"damn. you're working tomorrow too right?" robin questions the male as they begin to leave the building. "yeah i'm working a double shift." robin pouts slightly at said information, their auburn orbs drifting towards the ground. "why? you gon miss me or something?" the younger teases wrapping their arm around robins shoulder.
"i mean we only get to see each other in our first period and lunch and outside of school you're pretty busy so...a little bit i guess.." they murmur looking away. jays face softens hearing robins words. "y'know....i'd spend all my time with you if i could." he admits pulling robin closer. "you would?" the smaller inquires looking at jay. they look simply adorable with that glimmer of hope in their eyes, cute grin on their lips. jay nods, "all day everyday." he responds pulling the dread head into a hug. the two come to a halt in front of jays apartment complex, hugging each other tightly before they part ways. "call me when you get home." jay murmurs against robins neck. "'kay..." robin whispers letting go.
even when the two have parted ways, their hearts are still racing and they're smiling ear to ear.
however, by the time robin reached their apartment their mood in swiftly soiled by the familiar ringtone of their phone. they pull the device out of their bag, looking at their mothers contact name.
"hello?" the dread head says quietly. "hey richard! how are you doing honey?" the woman says in that all too familiar disingenuous tone; they already know where this conversation is headed. robin let's out a disappointed sigh, walking towards their bedroom and closing their door. "you're not coming home are you?" they inquire, corners of their lips turning downwards. it feels almost peculiar and uncomfortable seeing as they had been smiling so long. "we had every intention to richard but we just remembered that—" robin doesn't really care to hear the later part of the sentence, they already saw this coming. "it's okay mom...i understand." they murmur, sadness sinking into the pit of their gut.
"we're really sorry hon—huh? oh okay! richard i've got to go talk to you later." "okay. love you.." they say quietly. "uh huh you too babe. buh-bye." their mother not even returning the simple words strikes a pang in robins chest. robin drops their phone on their bed, tears blurring their vision as they plop down on the soft mattress.
a shaky sigh escapes their lips as they crawl under their muted blue comforter. robin can't help but feel a little dumb in this moment; no matter how many times their parents claimed they'd come visit on their birthday they never did. they're so stupid for getting their hopes up, they knew their parents didn't care about their birthday — or anyone for that matter. nobody cares about robin or their dumb birthday. no one cares at all.
the dread head eventually falls asleep, eyes still puffy and cheeks wet with tears.
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11:26 𝐏𝐌
robins startled awake by a banging on their door, hurriedly climbing out of bed to see who it could possibly. they hear the loud noise again a few seconds later, irritating them slightly. "i'm coming hollon!"
once they reach the door they hurriedly unlock it only to reveal jay standing their, panting heavily. "jay you scared the shit out of me!" robin says frowning. "you scared the shit out of me nigga! you ain't been answering your phone. i called you before i went to work, texted you on my break and called when i got off but you didn't answer. i thought something happened to you." jay replies frowning. his annoyance seems to dissipate instantly when he gets a glance at the smaller's face though. seeing the smaller's face all red and puffy, eyes still glossy with tears makes his heart hurt a bit.
"you okay? you look like you been crying. is it your allergies? do you need some medicine?" the younger continues to ramble on, gently cupping robins face to get a better look at them. robin only sniffles in response, tears stinging the corners or their eyes once again. "i'm okay." they murmur wrapping their arms around jay. "'m sorry i didn't mean to worry you. i was sleeping." the smaller explains quietly, resting their face against jays chest.
"it's fine. i'm just glad youre okay...i was thinkin 'bout you my whole shift." the boy admits quietly. robin feels a smile pulling at the corner of their lips, but they'd never let jay see them grinning like an idiot.
the two eventually end up in robins room, laying next to each other whilst staring at the ceiling. "you never told me what happened earlier.." jay mumbles letting out a small yawn. "its kind of embarrassing...." robin admits, averting their eyes. "but my um...my parents usually tell me they'll come and visit me for my birthday every year and uh..." "they said their not coming last minute?" robin nods at the males question.
"i don't even know why i get my hopes up anymore y'know? i don't even remember the last time they showed up for my birthday...i guess it made me more upset because i've gotten used to being with you all the time but you were working so i didnt want to call you just to rant about my little fuckin' temper tantrum because my parents are missing another one of my birthdays....but i just felt lonely in the moment.." robin rambles on, tears blurring their vision. "and i know i shouldn't make a big deal about it because who cares y'know? its just an indication im getting older but...i-it doesn't feel good...when your parents don't even seem to care about you...when they can't reserve time for you...it makes me even wonder why they brought me into this world...just for me to feel alone and like an afterthought..."
"y'know i care about you right?" jay says, reaching to intertwine his fingers with robins. "i care about you too..a lot." robin says smiling. jay reaches into his jeans pocket, before turning on his side and handing robin a small red velvet box. "i was gonna wait until your birthday to give you this but i feel like now might be a better time." the younger explains, watching robin open the box. the dread head lets out a small gasp, admiring the diamond heart pendant and matching earrings in the box. "you got this for me?" robin questions, amazed at the fine jewelry they were holding.
"yeah. i got it so you know that i care about you and i'm always here for you." jay murmurs wrapping his arms around robins waist. robin can't help but smile as they put their arms around jays neck, pressing a kiss against the males cheek. "thank you so much."
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hey 🫡 dk if i like this chapter but um hope u enjoyed. dw things finna get interesting soon. mwah <3
