JUSTIN ( justinfcley ):
eyes NARROWED at the atkins boy when addressed. the unexpected kindness towards him, GENUINE concern about his well being. something that many people didn’t express towards him due to RECENT EVENTS. truth be told, he wasn’t okay. his mother, for UNKNOWN reasons, actually decided to show up to the PT meeting. but of course, that meant she had to bring the FLAVOR of the week.
“ WHAT ?? “ brow furrowing before grey hues follow his gaze to the stranger TOWERING over his mother. “ oh RIGHT. yeah, you wanted to go over some notes. “ he shrugged, digits shoved deeper into the pockets of his jacket, SHAKING his head when jeff introduced himself to his mother. justin watched the FAKE smile curl on her lips, putting on a SHOW in front of his classmates. doing anything she could to hide the truth that laid beneath the BROKEN home.
Big brotherly instinct was wound as tight as ace bandages around Jeff. He was a miracle baby, his parents pride and joy, and they frequently told him how much they valued him, how he was enough, always enough for the two of them, but growing up, Jeff still LONGED for a brother. Someone he could coach and protect and guide, someone he could teach to flirt, and ride bikes with down to the convenience store four blocks from their house. Someone to go camping with and play baseball ( or soccer or football or hockey or or or ) with.
But he never had that. Instead he had the boys on his little league team. Instead he had cousins and friends from school –– Jordan & Luis & Chase & Clay –– and Justin. Even Justin. Especially Justin.
“ Yeah, I do. ” He aimed a terse smile at Justin’s mother, making only the FAINTEST attempt to hide the worry clouding his eyesight, and that was for the benefit of his mother, her . “ Come on, man, I’ll try to be fast.” He wouldn’t be FAST. He’d be a geriatric old man shuffling his way across a crosswalk. With a limb.
When they were far enough away, Jeff brought his hand gently to Justin’s shoulder. “ You okay? That seemed INTENSE. ”