100% Straight

Part 14 (Jackson)

It's pathetic to sit down in front of your childhood home crying on the steps, and Jackson knew this.

He's a man, and men are supposed to be strong. Men aren't supposed to cry, there supposed to be a shoulder to cry on. Yet, in this moment, all Jackson wanted was a shoulder to cry on.

He wiped his eyes furiously. It was despicable that he was bawling over one comment. It was his fault for antagonizing his father, he's the only one to blame. Despite this, he wouldn't change that for the world.

No matter how hard Jackson tried to calm himself down, he continued to cry, his sobs filling the silence in his old suburban neighborhood.

It was empty, at least. Jackson didn't know if he could take the shame in seeing others watch him cry. He's 26 for fucks sake! That didn't stop the tears from rolling down his face and making wet marks on his pants.

He heard the door of his house creak open and slam shut. Grimacing, Jackson turned his head and saw Matthew.

Matthew silently sat next to him on the steps of the house.

"Are you okay?" Matthew looked worried.

It was a simple yes or no question; one that a regular person would typically ask in this scenario, but it meant so much more to Jackson.

He put his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together, "I'm fine."

Matthew raised an eyebrow, "You don't look fine."

Jackson could imagine what he looked like; face red and puffy, eyes bulging, his cheeks glistening with tears in the street lights.

He probably looked like a hot mess.

Jackson chuckled slightly, "I'm not."

Matthew chuckled and the air filled with silence. For once, Jackson didn't immediately want to fill it with his voice. The silence was surprisingly calm.

"Your dad is terrible." Matthew laid down until his elbows were on the front porch.

"Tell me about it." Jackson ran his fingers through his hair.

"I'm sorry, by the way, about bringing you here." Jackson figured that an apology was long overdue. Matthew didn't know what he was signing up for when he agreed to come with him to the dinner.

Matthew grinned, "I didn't know you were capable of apologies."

Jackson's head sunk down. Matthew wasn't wrong; most of the time, Jackson was too strong headed to give an apology to anyone.

It seemed warranted, in this scenario. His family was one of nightmares, and he felt bad for subjecting Matthew to his father's wrath.

In the end, him being present was in vain. His father berated him once again, making him feel as hollow as he was in his teenage years.

You can see why he wanted to move all the way to the big city; it was as far away as Jackson could get while still having friends in the area.

Glancing at Matthew, he could tell that he was still taking in the events. The dim lighting from the house windows and the street lamps barely lit his face.

Matthew looked tranquil as he took in their outside settings. From an unbiased point of view, he could see the appeal in a neighborhood like this. It was safe, calm, picturesque. Jackson could never live in this neighborhood.

Matthew glanced in Jackson's direction and caught him staring. With a knowing smirk, Matthew stood up suddenly and took out his car keys from his pocket.

He pressed a few buttons on his keys and Jackson saw a white Tesla light up from the dark street.

Holding out his hand, Matthew said, "C'mon. Let's get out of here."

Cautiously, Jackson yelped, "We can't go!" He turned his head back to his house. He could hear faint voices from the house. It sounded like somebody was having a fight.

"What if they see us going? What will they think if I, if I just disappear." Jackson waved his hands around dramatically.

He could imagine his father out the window watching them. He could practically hear the disapproval in his tone, and the punishment he would receive.

Matthew scoffed, "What happened to the workplace Jackson who didn't give a shit about what others thought?"

Jackson sighed. He knew Matthew was right; he was being overly cautious. He took Matthew's hand.

Pulling him up, Matthew smiled and held his hand all the way to the car.

Jackson could feel the warmth encompassing his body, and for once in his life, he didn't want to throw it away.

Matthew opened the passenger door for him and Jackson got in, his negative thoughts nowhere to be found.

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