I walk away from Jonah. He doesn't follow. Either to respect boundaries or I scared him a bit.
Eh, most likely the second reason.
I search for Jeffrey who evidently does not want to be found because it takes a little less than twenty minutes. Though I finally find him.
He sits near a booth. The booth sells a bunch of crystals and jewelry that claim to be good for attracting positive 'vibrations.'
What ever that means.
I guess you could say I'm trying to fix some of my own vibrations at the moment.
He has his hands sitting to the sides of him picking at pieces of grass and his head dangling.
I place a hand on his neck and sit next to him, his expression - numb, "I wonder how long it'll take for them to grow this grass back."
He remains quiet.
"Jeffrey-" I continue.
"Why would you talk to him again?" He asks bitterly.
I distract his hand from picking at the grass as I place mine over his.
I cautiously respond, "He went up to me."
"He hurt you."
"I'm trying to get over that."
He squeezes my hand but it doesn't hurt and it wasn't meant to, he does it to show he's trying to protect me.
"You don't need to."
He blinks, "What?"
"Protect me."
"I know but I want to."
We sit in silence with our fingers weaved through each other's, engrossed in the moment.
Though the air becomes thick when Jeffrey starts to say something, "Uh."
"Yeah?" I push him to say.
"Did you guys do anythi-"
I cut off, "No." I pause to let it sink in then continue, "Jeffrey I know you want to hear that something happened because maybe that's what you expect but.. no. Nothing happened. Though he wanted something to. I didn't let him. I wouldn't let him."
His hand grows stiff. I run my thumb over his nuckles, "Do you trust me?"
He nods in response.
"Can you show me?"
His hand loosens and releases from the hold.
Doesn't he trust me?
I think too soon because he stands up, dusts of the grass, and gives me a hand up, "Let me."
