La Crêperie

JACKSON | APRIL 20TH, 2010

Jackson despised this urging feeling of heading out of his new house on his second day of being in Paris. Jackson had 9 more days before his school had to start for the remaining semester. A specific place was in his mind as he rubbed his palms against his closed eyes, but Jackson was unaware of what his father was planning for the day. Jackson looked to see that his room still wasn't done - only a few pieces of furniture like his desk and dresser were placed appropriately, but everything else was bare. That was odd.

Jackson rolled out of bed slowly, as he sat up and rubbed his hands through his face, and stroked his messy hair.

Jackson blinked twice as he saw the clock - 10:18 AM. How did Father not wake him up? Jackson shot up from his bed and walked out of his room, face down.

Father and Andy were already in the kitchen.

Jackson nearly scoffs at his father. "Why didn't you wake me up?"

"You're older now, Jackson. You're responsible for stuff like this. Hurry up and get ready, we have to go to your new schools and sign the paperwork."

"You promised me yesterday that my room would be almost finished if I went out," Jackson established, eyeing the delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast, along with orange juice and...

"There's some coffee here if you want some, Jackson. I'll get to your room this week," Father had a blank expression on his face, "Please go get ready, and we'll get going, shall we?"

Andy slowly nods, as he is sitting to the left of Father. His plate isn't anywhere near finished, which catches Jackson's eye immediately. The two brothers make eye contact, and Andy breaks it right away.

Jackson sighs goes back to his room and fishes through his dresser for a basic Nike hoodie and shorts, which was exactly what he had worn yesterday. Perhaps he should change it up?

Jackson's finger rested on his lips for a moment and chose not to waste his father's time. He pulls out his clothes and body towel and goes into the dreary bathroom, ignoring his father's constant stare.

"So where's my new school?" Andy breaks the silence as they drive in their Subaru, through the suburbs.

"It's slightly far from Jackson's, which is closer to the house. You're going to have to take the bus after spring break here ends." Father responds, looking to his right to Jackson in the front seat. Jackson's eyes were pinned on the small pinches of greenery visible in the city, arm leaning against the window.

Father was talking, but Jackson was tangled in his thoughts. God, he wished he could have some coffee right now.

"...Jackson, did you hear me?" Father questioned his son with a high pitch in his voice.

"No, sorry. What's up?" Jackson blinks as his eyes turn away from the bright world around him.

"We're going to Andy's elementary school first. I'm going to need you to take care of some things - because I may be working a lot."

"Dad, I can't even drive. What do you expect?" Jackson could feel as if his tone was delivered too strongly.

"I just want you to know about your brother's life, Jackson! For god's sake, why are you so uptight?" Father yelled.

Jackson's mouth opened quietly, and he closed it immediately as he looked down at his sneakers, and turned his head back out the window. Andy quietly reenacts the same actions.

Guilt struck toward's Jackson's twisted stomach. With his left hand, Jackson grips his oversized hoodie tightly, maintaining the sweat that collects on his neckline. Jackson could feel his father's giant grey eyes piercing him.