All The Ways We Touch [BxB]

twenty-six - a good point pt. one

After arriving at school early so that Jamison could take his time walking across campus, he and Elliot stood outside the science lecture hall with time to spare. While he was still sore, Jamison was continuing to feel better and didn't need as long as either had thought.

It'd been over three days since the stitches and staples were put in, and combined with needing to return to school, he finally took the shower he'd so desperately wanted. Fortunately, doing so allowed his hair to lay down on his forehead again, covering the gash, which, even concealed, he was still somehow more self-conscious about than his black eye.

Worried about the toll a school day would take on him, Elliot had tried to convince him to stay home but was unsuccessful. With his scholarships, he was unable to afford to miss school.

"Don't feel bad. If anything, people are going to be wondering if I beat you up," Elliot said, leaning against the wall, and looking around for any sight of Jack.

"I know this will be very painful for your ego to hear," Jamison teased, leaning in closer. "But people aren't always paying attention to you," he said, poking him in the chest for emphasis. Even little things like that were still practice and he knew that every type of touch, no matter how small, made Elliot feel more secure.

That wasn't entirely true but he didn't want to talk about that, especially not before nine in the morning. Fortunately, the students at UFG seemed to be pretty casual about him being there and he only caught covert pictures of himself here and there before he stopped checking his socials a couple of months prior.

"Just so long as you are," he said, leaning forward and grabbing the pocket on the front of the hoodie that Jamison had claimed from him, pulling him even closer. "No one else matters."

"Wow, you finally meet someone that you want to f—um, kiss, and suddenly I don't matter anymore," Jack teased as he walked up beside Jamison, his hands clutched over his heart.

"Jesus Christ," Elliot grumbled, his cheeks flushing a bright red as he let go of Jamison's hoodie. "Who said you ever did?"

With a laugh, Jack opened his arms and enveloped Elliot in a hug. "I missed you too."

"Who said I missed you?" Squeezing him tightly, he smiled as he pulled away. "God, you're clingy. It's literally only been one day since we've seen each other."

"Feels longer," Jack shrugged and turned around, offering Jamison a warm smile. "Hey, dude. How're you feeling?"

Jamison took a step back and cleared his throat. "Jack, first, I just want to apologize," Jamison said, beginning a short speech he'd thought up on their way to school. While he'd have liked for there to have been more time before he needed to see anyone, the circumstances were what they were. "I am so sorry for my panic. I di—"

"Dude," Jack put his hand up for him to stop. "What're you apologizing for? You're acting like we all haven't gone a little crazy here and there. We're all good."

Jamison could've cried in relief. While he was still most worried about apologizing to Vera, at least he had Jack's support.

Beyond this having been a physically and emotionally painful incident, there was also the utter embarrassment that came with it. Part of that was in how he looked and the other part was in having to apologize to people for his actions.

"Thanks, Jack," he said simply and returned the smile. "You're a good friend."

**********

After class, Jack gestured in the direction of the clearing with his elbow, his hands shoved deep in the pocket of his  beige overcoat. If there was one thing about Jack, it was that he dressed fashionably and stayed on top of the trends, which was a good thing seeing as Vera was a fashion major.