The Pastor's Son

Others' Problems and Realizations

Tuesday morning is a blur for Isaiah. Meanwhile, Jayden is doing better.

Joanna won't talk to Isaiah. She won't even let him drive her to school. It breaks his heart and his mom picks up on it. When Joanna leaves to walk to school, Isaiah heads for the door. Beatrice runs over and decides to have a quick chat with her 17 year old.

"Honey?"

Isaiah looks at her, "Yes?"

Beatrice gives him a sad smile, "You told her about college, didn't you?"

He nods, "I thought that was for the best. Now I'm regretting it more than ever," Beatrice hugs her son. Her husband isn't here to listen to them talk. He left earlier than usual.

"It's okay, dear. You did what you had to do. She's just in shock. Give her time," His mom is right. He hugs her, and allows her to kiss him on the forehead. Beatrice's long brown hair gets in her son's face.

Isaiah looks at his mom a moment longer. He sees the resemblance to his younger sister. They both have green emerald eyes. The both have nice tan skin. He was a little jealous, to be honest. Isaiah has brown eyes and is extremely pale. He looks more like his dad, a cold, harsh, angry man. When his sister looks like their loving mom. (It's okay to be pale and have brown eyes! He's just upset about looking like his dad. Please don't take it personal. I luv you all!)

He leaves to go to school. It is time to begin another long, hard day.

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Jayden is already on his way to school. He isn't late today. Which is a good thing. Life seems good, for once.

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Sam Michaels parks her car in the parking lot. She's feeling good today. Her relationship with Lance is going well. Her grades are decent. Sure, hanging out with Isaiah isn't super great. And Noah has been acting weird.

Then she hears it, she also sees it. Sitting against the side of the school building is none other than Isaiah himself. He's crying. Despite disliking him, despite the fact she feels like he's intruding into their friend group, she gives into her instincts and walks over.

He looks up at her, and doesn't say anything. She sits beside him.

"What happened?"

Isaiah stays silent, "I don't want to burden you with my problems. We barely know each other."

"It's fine. I don't mind," It's actually true.

"Well, I got accepted into college, but it's across the country. And my younger sister is upset about it," Isaiah explains. Sam nods. She knew who his younger sister was and she could see why it would be upsetting for her older brother to move. From what she's seen, they were really close.

Sam starts, "She's upset. I don't blame her. I have an older brother who moved for college awhile ago, too. His name is Jonah, and we were really close. We still are. I think she's just worried that you won't have that special bond anymore. Give her time. She'll understand soon enough," She pauses, "You know, I used to think you were a stuck up jerk. Now that I've gotten to know you, you're a really good guy. Some girl will see that, soon."

Isaiah decides against correcting her. She's just trying to be nice. "Thanks. I can't relate with thinking you were a jerk. But, I am glad I got to know you."

They both smile at each other and walk inside together.

Noah and Jayden are both inside already. Noah still looks tired. He has bags under his eyes.

Isaiah has been wondering why he's been like that. He's 100% sure it has to do with his sulking on Monday. So, he tries to watch carefully, without making it obvious.

During the day he notices small things that Noah does.

That morning, Lance comes over and starts being all close with Sam. Noah looks mad, but also sad. He makes that angry, pained face whenever he thinks no one is looking.

He seems jealous based off of that reaction.

Throughout his classes, Isaiah thinks about what he knows about Noah. He knows Noah is straight. He hasn't had an ex-girlfriend recently. This strange behavior has only been happening for a little over a day. Noah looks fine when Lance isn't around. From what Isaiah could tell, Noah seems to have feelings for Sam and is jealous about her having a boyfriend.

That's what the evidence seems to point to.

Then, during lunch Isaiah thinks it through. It's definitely better to talk to Noah when Sam and Lance weren't dating anymore.

Isaiah can tell that the two of them will be breaking up very soon. They have started arguing more, and neither of them look happy.

Noah doesn't seem to notice through the sad haze that surrounds him. His own heart break makes him notice everything Sam does with Lance that is even remotely happy. But every time they start fighting or looking upset in their relationship, Noah is completely unaware.

Isaiah is starting to do something similar without noticing. He is putting others' problems above his own. And can't see that every little thing he did, like smiling at Jayden, or barely touching him was making Jayden nervous and excited at the same time.

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Jayden is frustrated by the time school ends. Isaiah keeps making him mad. But it's not intentional. He is angry because Isaiah does these little things that make Jayden feel all weird inside.

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Leah is coming to a realization slowly, but surely. She keeps wondering if Jayden is really into her. He keeps looking at Isaiah. Isaiah doesn't notice, but she does. And it's confusing her. She needs to talk to Isaiah about it, soon.

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Joanna feels bad. Her brother is dealing with so much. She knew she needs to apologize. She just isn't ready now. 'I should talk to Cammy about it,' Joanna thinks to herself.