Jen smacked her hand against her alarm clock. It was only Thursday on the first week of school but Jen couldn't find the motivation for school anymore. It seemed pointless after everything that happened.
Knowing what she knows now about the world and how it could all be over at any minute, she couldn't find a reason to want to sit in a classroom all day.
She was supposed to take the summer to recover from the war and although she really did enjoy how calm her summer had been, truth be told, there is no getting over everything she went through. It was all to much.
To much trauma, to much change, to many enemies made, to many life or death situations. Just to much.
"Breakfast!" Jen suddenly heard her mothers voice yelling from downstairs. Looking over at the clock she had 10 minutes to get dressed. She didn't realize she had been laying there for that long. Jumping up quick she ran into the bathroom, not wanting to have to walk to school.
-
"Are you going to stay today" Jefferson asked as they waited at a red light on their way to school.
"What?" Jen chuckled nervously
"Jennifer you should know by now that im not stupid. You've been skipping-"
"Dad-"
"Now... I let it slide this week because its only the first week of school and I know its been hard dealing with everything, from the ASA to Khalil but-"
Jen slide farther into the passenger seat making a face at the sound of Khalil's name. Everyone avoided talking about him all summer and for good reason. They didn't know Khalil had chocked the shit out of her. No one knew except Brandon and TC. She didn't find it necessary for her family to know. All they needed to know is that it was over between them.
Of course they were skeptical at first bringing up the many time Khalil and her had claimed to be broken up only to end up together again but by now they should know that its for good this time.
"Dad" She interrupted "I got it okay. I will stay in school today but can we talk about this another time"
"Yes we will talk about it after school... with your mother" Jefferson said.
Jen sighed struggling to keep her eyes from rolling back. "Im going to study for a test at Brandons after school, I'll be home by dinner though"
"Brandon huh? Is that where you go when you skip?"
"No dad that is not where I go when I skip. Brandon is just my best friend if you were trying to insinuate otherwise and before you ask we wont be alone. A group of us are going to study over there" Jen said losing count of how many lies she said in less then five seconds. "That must be a record" she thought to herself.
"Sure" Jefferson said ironically. He knew her well enough to know better. Truth be told Jefferson remembered all to well how Jen was when she was locked in the house, and how terrified he had been when she ran away with Khalil. Since then he didn't breath up her neck about where she was and who she was with. He gave her freedom and trusted that she wouldn't abuse it.
And Jen being Jen, she abused that freedom of course, hence the skipping class and spending more time at Brandon's apartment then in her own house.
Walking into the school doors Jeff and Jen went their separate ways. Jen spotted Brandon's full head of hair three lockers away from hers.
Brandon leaned his back against the locker as a girl twirled her fingers at the tips of his hair. Jen chuckled. This was nothing new. Every day Brandon had girls trying to get close to him. Jen opened her locker making herself look occupied while listening to their conversation.
"So are you finally going to tell me what it is you put in your hair?" The girl asked twirling another curl.
"I told you already girl. Water" Brandon said.
Jen rolled her eyes as the girl threw her head back in exaggerated laughter as if he'd just made the funniest joke of all time.
"You're so funny" The girl said leaning into him nearly pressing him against the locker.
Jen took the moment to slam her locker shut, the sound causing them both to look her way. Jen pressed her lips together in a forced smile. Watching as Brandon quickly took the girls hand out of his hair and fumbled to stand up straight.
"I'll see you around okay" Brandon said starting to walk in Jennifers direction. The girl said something in response but neither Jen nor Brandon were listening.
"Good Morning" Brandon said placing his hand smoothly on the locker next to Jennifer's head hovering over her with a goofy smile on his face.
Jen didn't move away from him but she made sure to roll her eyes to show her disapproval. "What time are we leaving?"
"We just got here" Brandon said. Jen blinked waiting for him to answer her questions. "After lunch" Brandon sighed.
Jen smiled in content for the first time all morning. "See you after lunch then" she said placing a soft kiss on his check. She ducked under his arm and he watched her make her way to her class in the crowded hall.
-
"We should" ..... "really be at" ...... "school" Brandon says between kisses. Somehow he was pulling her closer and pushing her away at the same time confusing even himself.
Of course he was enjoying the changes the summer had brung in his and Jen's friendship. Quite a lot but it wasn't summer anymore. It was their senior year and skipping school every day didn't seem like a good idea right now.
"To hell with school" Jen huffed finally releasing the strong grip she had on Brandon's shirt and lips.
Jen dropped her bag on the floor on her way to the sofa, throwing herself as well. Brandon watched from the door concern filling his head. He hid it though. He knew her well enough to know that if she thought he was trying to fix something for her she'd just push him away.
Pulling rolling paper from his bag, he sat next to her preparing the blunt they'd share. He could feel the satisfaction coming from her as she leaned into his side pressing her face into his neck. She didn't want anyone questioning her decisions like her family. She didn't want someone trying to stir her in the right direction like Khalil. She just wanted to enjoy the time where she wasn't at war with whatever was threatening Freeland at the time.
Jen knew something would come eventually. something that would obligate her to put her suit on and fight for her and her family's life. And she'd be ready when the time came but now there was nothing. No one trying to kill them or kidnap her. So she was going to enjoy it while it lasted.
And Brandon. Well Brandon kept her mind off things. Always has. They didn't plan to become... whatever it is they were, during the summer. Its kinda just what happens when two teenagers are constantly getting high in a small apartment with no adult around.
Shaking Jen off of him, Brandon made a gesture to pass her the blunt, snapping his hand back right before she could grab it. The glare she shot him could have scared him had he not known her. "Tomorrow we are staying at school until the bell rings. No skipping, no leaving early." He said, still holding the blunt away from her.
"Whatever" Jen mumbled rolling her eyes and reaching for the blunt.
He gave in, passing her the blunt, watching as she put it in her mouth with a content smile. He couldn't be hard on her for too long, he didn't want to. cause deep down he didn't want to be at school either. He wanted to be here with her.
He sat back in the couch, sliding one of his legs behind her and pulling her backwards into his chest. She sighed, closed her eyes and let her head fall back onto his shoulder blowing smoke up to the ceiling.
