The Treehouse Club {On Hold}

Chapter Ten // Johnny

JOHNNY

I keep my glare steady on that Jacob kid as Jessie invites him in. She might not have minded the interruption, but I sure as hell did.

We're all sitting there pretty awkward for a while, while I stare the kid down and Jessie avoids meeting my eyes. Eventually my glare tones down as I study the kid. He does look kinda familiar, and he must be pretty smart if I recognize him from a class, especially if he's a grade below me. Maybe he was in a school play or something. He does have a bit of a drama kid vibe.

Jessie coughs and nudges me. I think she can tell I'm trying to analyze the kid. Why does she care anyway? It's not like I've got anything else to do; we're all stuck in a rundown treehouse out of the fear of what would happen if we left. And I'm fricken' bored. Sue me.

I get the hint though, and let my gaze drift from the new kid to the ratty ceiling. I hadn't even realized I dozed off until Jessie started up talking again, because she apparently can't handle going this long without having a meaningful conversation.

"Marvel or DC?"

Jacob's expression instantly changes from nervousness to dumbstruck.

"DC obviously. What kind of question is that? Have you seen Superman?"

Jessie lets out a groan, and despite my obvious dislike for the kid, I have to crack a smile.

"Told you Jessie. The kid knows where it's at, though I'm more of a Batman guy myself."

She sends a scowl my way. "You're both idiots. Let me spell it out for you. C'mon say it with me: L - O - K - I."

"You mean that prissy wannabe with the antlers?"

"THEY AREN'T ANTLERS!"

Jacob just sits and watches us bicker. He looks intrigued, but I don't think he cares much about our stupid argument. He looks like he's trying to figure something else out.

I am on the verge of cutting off Jessie with another snarky comment when the lightbulb above his head lights up.

"Jess!" He shouts suddenly.

She jumps, startled. "Uh, yeah Jacob?"

"Jess Aristotle! I knew I knew you from somewhere! How did I not see it before?"

"Probably the punk rock makeup." I add helpfully.

They both turn to look at me, Jacob expectantly, Jessie nervously. I have to help her out. For whatever reason, she doesn't really want people figuring out that she sneaks out into the woods at night.

"Chill Jess, the guys not gonna say anything to anyone. Right, kid?" I make sure to let the threat not-so-subtlety translate.

Hurt the girl's image and I'll hurt your face.

By the look on his face, he got the message. I don't quite know why that threat would phase him anymore, judging by the battle scars he's got it wouldn't be the first time it's happened. Some of those are nasty looking, pretty recent if you ask me. I have no idea how this runt of a kid got himself into that much trouble, but I also noticed the 'please don't ask me about it' face he gave Jessie before our comic debate. Whatever this kid's hiding, he doesn't want to talk about it.

He'll fit in well here.

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You can get to know people pretty well by the conversations you have with them at one in the morning in a treehouse, and after a while of talking to him, I actually started to like Jacob.

He was funny and spontaneous, but also cautious and reserved on some topics, which I respected. He also didn't judge when Jessie told him about my slight pyromaniac tendencies.

He actually seemed pretty excited about it.

"That's crazy. How'd you learn to do that?" He asks after I'm finished telling him about some of my misadventures.

"My dad taught me, before he got himself locked away. When we got the news, my mom made me promise to quit, but she hardly cares anymore, so I get away with a lot. With her, at least. The school on the other hand..."

"No good?"

"I've been sent to the Carp's office five times this year. He threatened to press charges if I get another offense."

"Press charges?" Jessie chimes in, "Isn't that a little extreme?"

"Nah, I'm actually surprised it's taken him this long to threaten it. He, better then anyone, knows I only pay attention when something vital is at stake. And there's nothing more vital to me then not ending up where my dad is. I mean, it wouldn't matter much if my mom was capable of taking care of my little sister, but she's not. Not in the state she's in. I couldn't condemn her to a fate like that. She'd have to grow up too fast. I can't let that happen."

They both nod when I've finished my explanation. They understand.