Run

Jay Cook (BEFORE)

Class was far too easy for the young one, so easy that he avoided going to class just so he won't be bothered by the idiots in it. After all, his parents won't notice a damn thing anyway. Lounging by the bathroom, a teacher walked by and realized he was one of the troublemakers. It didn't take long for Jay to be sitting in detention along with a couple others.

"... wasting your future!"

The teacher monitoring the three students was ignored and once his back was turned, Jay pulled out his phone and realized Taylor had sent him a multitude of texts for food. He informed his cousin his current situation and then remembered that James had actually stayed out of trouble today. He could bring their sick friend some food.

He sent the message and pocketed his phone just in time for the teacher to turn his attention back to the three of them. His beady eyes lingered on Jay's for a bit, hating the cocky smirk on the youngster's lips but continued on.

Detention seemed like it was dragging on and the boy tapped his converse-clad foot continuously as he stared at the clock. His cousin was currently in bed and he could do nothing about it. There were so many times before Tay had taken care of him when he was younger, when his immune system was weaker than it was now.

The least he could do was watch over Tay and bring him some soup when all he had was a fever.

--

Their electric bill was cut again and James left, promising to bring home some money. Everyone knew that it meant street fighting. Nate didn't even bother to try and stop him this time. All he did was grab some cigarettes and smoke in the room he shared with Mattie.

Tay huddled over Jay and this time, he wasn't sure if he could scrounge enough cash this time for some cough medicine.