New Boy (A Javid Story)

Once and For All

Monday morning, Jack stood outside the school building holding a sign. There was paint up and down his arms and an angry look on his face. All of his friends stood around him, and they all had signs. Jack's read: Write it in ink or in blood it's the same either way on the front, and on the back he wrote: You're gonna pay. Race and Albert carried a long banner with the word freedom written on it, and Spot's poster had the phrase Brooklyn's here. Katherine's read: This is the story we needed to write and Davey had written Seize the day! on his own. Jack made his way over to his boyfriend and grabbed his hand. 

"We is gonna win this, Davey." He promised. "I know we is. You is gonna make it into a good college and have a good life." 

"Any life I live will be a good life, Jack. As long as you're in it." Davey smiled down at his boyfriend. Jack kissed him quickly before focusing on the building in front of him. 

"Let's go." He mumbled before spinning around to face the crowd. "Thank you all," He yelled to begin his speech. "For coming today! This fight started because my boyfriend and I got suspended for kissing in the hallways. Now, I know that sounds like it's all about me. And at first, it sounded like that to me too. But now, the more I think about it, we're fighting for equal rights. Pulitzer had no problem with me kissing someone in the halls when I had a girlfriend. So, to those of you fighting this fight with me today, thank you." Jack nodded, looking back to the building. "So, let's show Pulitzer who really runs this school!" The crowd burst into cheers, and Jack turned back around proudly. A few minutes later, Katherine ran up to him. 

"That was some speech, Jack Kelly." She smiled proudly. Jack just rubbed the back of his neck. 

"Yeah, well, let's hope it works." 

"I'm sure it will." Katherine encouraged. "Everyone out here today, they're out here for you. They're out here because they believe in what you believe in. My father may not agree with you, but I do." She kissed his cheek. It was an old habit, one she had started doing even before the two were dating. 

"Hey, Kath, slow down. I'm a taken man." Jack laughed, and Katherine rolled her eyes lovingly. 

"Oh, I get that. Let's just say, you aren't the only one who finds a Jacobs sibling attractive." She implied.

"You do realize it's illegal for you to date Les, right?" Jack joked, and Katherine lightly shoved him. 

"You know, Jack, it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to go inside and speak to my dad. Hannah would let you right in." Katherine suggested. 

"Thanks for the idea, Kath." Jack smiled gratefully. 

"Never a problem." She ruffled his hair. "Go get 'em, tiger." Jack groaned when she ruffled his hair, but Katherine walked away before he could do anything back, already texting Hannah to let Jack into the office. Jack turned to his boyfriend, and told him the plan. 

"I'm gonna go talk to Pulitzer. I want you to come with me." He explained. "You started this just as much as I did." 

"I'm not going to be super helpful." Davey protested. 

"I want you in there with me." Jack insisted. 

"Fine." Davey nodded. Jack spun around to face Race. 

"Racer!" He yelled, and the Italian boy turned to face Jack. "I'm going inside to talk with Pulitzer. Keep an eye on things out here, alright?" 

"Got it. Oh, and take Spot with you." Race suggested.

"Why?" Jack asked. 

"Cause Spot is intimidatin'." Race shrugged. 

"Fair point." Jack nodded, and turned to Spot. "Conlon, come with me."