Fix You ~Completed~

Act Thirty-Seven-Point-Five

"My, my, just look at you!" Jimmy gasped when Eddie and I entered the café the day after I got out of the hospital. The long haired boy was leaned over the counter, gaping at my arm, while Gale, Alto, and Lyric were helping sort cupcakes on a platter. Chocolate went in the middle, carrot cake on the left, and vanilla on the right. Of course, there was more chocolate because- according to Jimmy- that was the café's best seller. The middle was a place of honor. "I don't see you for, like, a week and you get your arm broken! Ah, cupcake, come give me a hug!"

When the boy twirled around the counters and threw his arms around me, a few patrons laughed and some awed. I turned bright pink and hid my face so nobody could read my embarrassment. "Hey, Jimmy," I murmured, allowing him to release me with a tepid smile.

"We need to talk," he said in a soft voice, touching my cheek. I'd dug around in the closet until I found my old make-up kit. It had been so long since Kyla bruised my face this badly. Couldn't even remember the last time I needed cover-up. If it happened again, I'd need new supplies. I was running out of the old stuff. "And you need lessons on how to hide a bruise. That stuff you got on is already rubbing off."

Alto was staring at me, startled, but Lyric didn't look too concerned with Jimmy's words. He was too caught up with cupcake placing. "Are you okay, Clem?" the shorter blonde worried, offering me one of the reject cupcakes. The frosting on it was totally messed up and the shape lumpy. Jimmy refused to sell those kinds of cupcakes; he usually gave them away and let the café take the price off his salary. The boy had a lot of pride.

I nodded weakly at Alto.

"Nice Dear Evan Hansen reference, breaking your left arm," Lyric spoke up. When I refused to take Alto's cupcake, he snatched it and slid it over to Gale. "This doesn't mean we're friends, Asher. I'm just giving you a cupcake. Wipe that grin off your face."

If I wasn't mistaken, Lyric actually smiled here.

"Ignore him," Jimmy murmured, guiding me over to the stools. Eddie followed, his hand touching my good arm. "You, sweet boy, have so much to tell me, don't you? So, maybe, our dear friends should give us a minute alone?"

It was obvious by Eddie's pursed lips he had no intentions of leaving me.

Gale, Alto, and Lyric just went on with their cupcakes duties, ignoring Jimmy just the same.

I fiddled with a lock of my hair after Eddie helped me onto a stool. He sat beside me. Jimmy went round to the back of the counter, doing his bartender bit. "Guess I can't get rid of the spares," he sighed in a faux-southern accent. Staring at the special's board, I laughed. "Clem, seriously though, let me help you with the make-up thing sometime, okay? I'm in drama. I know every trick in the book."

"Okay, Jimmy," I agreed, fiddling with my thumbs.

"Jim-Jam, I think Lem needs a cinnamon latte. He's had a rough week," Gale said, sliding a five in the direction of the boy with the flamingo scarf. Jimmy stared at the ginger, then back at me. He asked if I wanted some coffee. "I just told you he did! Do you not trust my judgment, Jimmy Reis?"

"If I'm being honest?"

Sighing, I pushed Gale's money away. "I'm okay," I told Jimmy with the shake of the head. Eddie's hand landed on my back. "Not thirsty."

"Nonsense! Coffee, ASAP!" Jimmy sang, swiping Gale's five and rushing to make change before he made up my coffee.

I stared at Gale. "Please, don't pay for me."

"You don't have any money yourself. Let me help you out," Gale responded, not the least bit offended at my hesitance to accept his hand-out. I shook my head, but he wasn't having it. "Ed, knock some sense into our cupcake. We love him and we will buy him as many coffees as we want. End of discussion."

My curly haired friend ran his fingers through my hair. The act had me tensing. "Sorry," he whispered, realizing his error. Before he could move his arm, I squeezed my fingers around his wrist. "He's right. We like taking care of you. We're good at it. Let us be of assistance!"

Alto offered me yet another cupcake. "Same here! Never ending cupcakes for the cupcake!"

I took it just to make the sweet guy happy.

Lyric swiped some frosting off one of the reject cupcakes once the job of arranging was done and sucked it from his finger. "So, where's the old ball and chain, Clem?" he brought up, referring to Kyla. For some reason, he refused to use my boyfriend's name. It was always "the old ball and chain" or "Hot Topic Trash."

"He's working," I said. I was shocked when Kyla got me up at five o'clock that morning to tell me he had an early shift with Claude that day. He never went out before seven at night, but I didn't question it. A kiss was applied to my lips and he made a promise to be back before dinner.

That was why I'd texted Eddie, asking if he wanted to spend the day together. Meeting Gale & Theater Boys for brunch. Wanna join? he'd messaged back and, of course, I said yes. I missed Jimmy and his friends.

"That guy better be taking care of you," Gale said, giving me a pointed look. "You are an injured baby bird who deserves cuddles and candy."

"I'll keep that in mind, Ginger Ale," I teased.

Gale's eyes lit up. "Holy crap, Ed," he breathed, "do we have ginger ale at home? If not, we're running to the store! I need it!"

"But you hate ginger ale?" Eddie pointed out.

"I don't hate it. I just have never really had it before. I wanna try it."

"Gale, please," Lyric chuckled, shaking his head. I think he liked Gale a lot more than he let on.

"Hey, how did you break your arm, anyhow?" Alto hummed, smiling proudly when I took a bite out of the flaky frosting on top of the chocolate cupcake. It was one of the best things I'd ever eaten, no lie. Jimmy knew how to effing bake. I was jealous. "Clem?"

"Oh, sorry," I stammered, realizing I'd dozed off during his question. "What did you say?"

"How did you break-"

A coffee cup was slapped down in front of me. "Violà!" he cheered, cutting Alto off halfway through his question. I tried to stop my giggles, but Jimmy just looked too damn proud of himself. "A large cinnamon coffee with extra whip. You deserve extra whip, my dear friend."

Dear friend.

I accepted it, looking to Gale then Jimmy. "Uh, thanks, guys," I whispered sheepishly. They both bowed, accepting my words happily.

"You better feel loved," Gale teased, reaching over to pet my hair. I felt the heat fill my face.

Eddie leaned into me, setting his head on my shoulder playfully, "Yeah. You are so loved, Clemmy."

In that moment, I knew that, too. I knew my friends loved me just as much as I loved them.

That never happened before.