Just Sh*t: A New York City Story

Chapter 32: Sidelined by the Game

As Jamie sat around the dinner table with the boys, the atmosphere was lively, filled with the usual banter and laughter. He couldn't help but share every detail of his amazing day as a substitute teacher, his enthusiasm spilling over like the pasta sauce on his plate.

"So there I was, standing in front of the class, and the kids were actually engaged! I mean, we ended up talking about TikTok trends instead of the lesson plan," Jamie said, gesturing animatedly. "I even learned what 'sus' means—apparently it's short for suspicious! And don't get me started on the latest celebrity drama; these kids are like walking tabloids!"

But as he spoke, he noticed Ryan and Judah zoning out, their eyes glazed over. And Jackson, completely oblivious, was engrossed in sports updates on his own phone. It didn't matter though. He found a great pleasure in recalling the days updates to Alex who seemed to be fully engaged. An audience of one.

"Uh huh. Uh huh. Uh huh. So, our friend Jamie is popular?! Way to go, man!" Alex suddenly chimed in, giving Jamie a high five that jolted him back to reality. Jamie felt a rush of validation at Alex's support, but he could sense Jackson's skepticism lingering in the air.

"Yeah, it was just... it was amazing," Jamie said, trying to regain their attention. "The kids loved me, and even the assistant principal had nice things to say!"

Judah finally looked up, relieved that Jamie's storytelling was coming to an end. He pulled his headphones out, the sound of music cut off abruptly. Jamie hadn't even noticed he had them in. Judah's long, curly hair had done a good job of hiding them.

Just then, Ryan shouted, "Yes!!" causing everyone to glance at him. The Boston Celtics had just scored, and he couldn't contain his excitement. "Oh, sorry guys. Are you done?" he said quickly, glancing at Jamie before diving back into the game on his phone. The basketball commentary drowning out the conversation once more.

Jamie chuckled, a mix of pride and exasperation. Despite the distractions, he felt a sense of camaraderie. He might not have their full attention, but in his heart, he knew he was part of a supportive group of friends who would always be there, even if they sometimes got lost in their own worlds. As he resumed eating, Jamie couldn't help but smile, grateful for his incredible day and the bonds he shared with these guys.