𝙏𝙀𝙀𝙉 𝙓 - Max Mayfield

-second option-

Random note; For those wondering if the title of this fic is named after a song.. yes.

The Carti song or the Ken Carson song?

Also yes.

__________

Jordan headed back home on foot as Robin had taken his bike for him. Beside him was Sam who was sneaking glances at him. She hadn't said anything yet which was surprising considering she was... Sam. The only sound they could hear were their sneakers thumping against the sidewalk... It was weirdly soothing.

Jordan looked at the sky for a few seconds.. the light blue was a massive contrast to the dark blue-ish nightmare fuel he'd seen on the field. He wasn't there anymore... He was safe.

... At least that's what he told himself.

"You seriously don't remember drawing all that?" Jordan asked.

"No, Jordan. I don't" Sam said.

"And.. the bleeding nose?" Jordan asked this very very carefully.

"No" Sam immediately said. "Jordan, don't even go there. There's nothing extraordinary about me"

"Not according to what Will saw" Jordan said. "You were drawing in your sleep, Sam"

"So?" Sam defended. "You remember how many times you walked all the way to Benny's Burgers or the movie theater while napping?"

"... okay, fair point" Jordan nodded. He was worried about his friend but he was going to add this to the 'She's not ready yet' list.

They kept walking a few more blocks in silence.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Sam asked.

"What?" Jordan turned to her.

"You know what I mean, Jay" Sam replied. "I know those episodes just started recently but I've noticed your behavior say before then. Sometimes you're not yourself.. it's like you're always waiting for something to jump out and attack you. You're still on edge... Still scared from last year... and you never told me"

Jordan pursed his lips and kept his eyes on the path ahead. He couldn't look at her... He didn't want to.

That didn't mean her voice didn't almost break him.

"Why, Jay?" Sam pressed. "Did you not trust me enough? Or Maya? Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because it doesn't matter" the words fell out of his mouth before he could stop them. "I'm not the main concern, Sam. I'm not the one who spent a week breathing in toxins and hiding from an alien monster. I didn't have a whole funeral held for me cause the whole town thought I was dead-"

"Jordan.." Sam looked at him as they got closer to his house.

"My case isn't as important" Jordan continued, his tone mixed; annoyance and a bit of... Pain. "I can get over it myself"

"Is that what you believe?" Sam fully turned to face him. "Or is that what you assume we think?"

Jordan looked at Sam for a few seconds, trying not to give away anything from his expression. Unfortunately, his best friend knew his eyes way more than he'd like her to. Jordan shook his head and backed away from her. "I can't talk about this..."

"Jordan, listen to me" Sam stepped towards him. The boy kept backing away from her.

"Sam please-"

Sam's arm immediately shot out as she grabbed his wrist. "Listen to me.. please?"