The Tutor

6 - Friends?

Warning, this chapter has some angst in it

————————————

The next day during science class, Jacob is able to ace that quiz about photosynthesis. The entire time, he was quietly humming the melody he and Sam had composed. He even hums it on his way to the cafeteria. This time as he's walking up the cafeteria, though, he gets stopped just outside the door.

Sam was waiting by the door, a bit anxiously. But when he sees Jacob, his face lights up as he quickly reaches out to grab his hand. "Jacob! You don't need that gross school food; I brought you something!" He says excitedly as he tries to drag the older boy with him out to the tables to sit down.

Jacob just got hit with a whirlwind of emotions. Does this mean they're actually friends now? Does Sam see him as more than just someone he has to tutor? And what kind of food would Sam bring?

All of those thoughts come crashing to a halt as he follows after Sam, noticing some bigger-looking kid standing by the table Sam normally takes. The blonde also stops dead in his tracks. Jacob doesn't know what to do as the kid approaches.

"Hey, pipsqueak, where's that money you promised?"
Cautiously, Sam takes a few timid steps back. "I-I didn't promise you anything-"
"Oh yeah? Maybe I could help you remember," the kid threatens, stepping towards the younger boy.
Jacob quickly steps in between the two, and Sam hides behind him as soon as that option is made clear. "He said he didn't promise you anything, so he didn't promise you anything! Now why don't you go pick on someone your own size?"
"And what are you going to do to stop me?"
"I have a group of friends at that table right there watching us. You might be able to take on two of us, but you cannot take on 10 at the same time!"
The kid grumbles, thinking about that for a few seconds before scoffing and starting to walk off. "I don't have time for this..."

Once that kid is out of sight, Jacob quickly turns around and places a hand on Sam's shoulder. "Sammy? Are you oka—" Before he can finish that sentence, the blonde hugs Jacob tightly. He smiles, wrapping his arms around Sam too. "It's okay, I'm here~ Do you want to go to the courtyard? Away from all these people?"
Sam nods quietly.

"Okay, let's go~" He pulls back from the hug, taking Sam's hand in his. "Why don't you go to the courtyard normally?" He's trying to distract the other from what just happened, leading him toward the courtyard door.
"I don't like bugs in my food..."
Jacob chuckles softly as he opens the door and follows Sam out. "That's it?"
"And... I don't think it's fair for me to eat somewhere else just because of Mom..." That's why that kid was asking for money. Sam's parents are rich, and he's an easy target.

The brunette brings the other out to a nice table in the courtyard, setting his bag down by the table and sitting down. "It's not fair for you to be treated like that at all..."

Sam sets his bag down too before taking a seat next to Jacob. After a few seconds of hesitation, he gently lifts Jacob's arm up, moves over to be close to him, then lets his arm naturally wrap around himself. He then leans into Jacob slightly. This is all done extremely hesitantly and sheepishly, as if silently asking if it was okay to do this.

"Sam..." Heat starts to spread to his cheeks, but he does put his arm around Sam, letting the younger boy cuddle into him for comfort. He doubts he will even notice his blush. "How often does this happen?" Sam doesn't answer. "Okay. We don't have to talk about it. Hey, guess what? The song we wrote worked~ I think I passed the quiz!"

Sam still doesn't say anything; he just stays where he is silently.
"Oh, come on~ Hey, we could work on your science homework together~ You know, the one about not talking with your mouth full?" He's trying his best. He really is. He doesn't know how to fix the situation.