"You know, I thought you were a lot more athletic." André spoke from beside me.
"Yeah I use to be, then I sat behind a desk for a career." I shrugged.
"Javiers ready let's go." I spoke, eyeing the text I'd gotten.
He nodded and strapped himself in before driving.
We gotten to the school pretty quick, but when I spotted Javier he wore this look, like something was nagging at him.
I decided that I'd leave it alone for the car ride and talk to him about it later.
After dropping André off at the hotel I drove home, and the entire car ride was seemingly quiet.
Once we arrived he did he normal routine before heading upstairs.
After his shower I made sure to talk to him before he could fall asleep, whatever it was I didn't want him to dwell on it too long.
I knocked on his room door before walking in.
He looked up from his phone and made eye contact, once he realized it was me he said put down his phone and sat up.
"Yes?" He questioned.
"I think we should talk about whatever has you all upset today, don't say you don't want to, cause I'm gonna force you." I spoke, it came out as a joke but I was semi serious.
"Just basketball stuff." He downplayed.
I could tell by his body language that he was lying, but rather than pressure him immediately I'd talk until he was comfortable.
"what kinda basketball stuff can stress even you out ." I chuckled grabbing a pillow and laying back on it.
He sighed and stayed silent, and when he finally did speak up, there was something off.
"It was Marquees again, he said something slick in practice today, that led onto the Destin situation and he had the nerve to say he was 'protecting' him," he ranted.
"He's selfish, he can't handle something petty like a basketball team position so he takes it out in Destin and I!"
I squinted my eyes and observed him, there was something behind his eyes, this.....this anger.
The only thing that was familiar to it was Clarence. It wasn't as wild or irrational, at least not yet, but it was there, and for the future, I had to keep that in mind.
"You can't let him get to you," I spoke, "I'm aware it's easier said than done, but he could use that to his advantage."
"As for Destin," I paused before speaking, "do you like him?"
He was silent for a while then responded, "I—Uh, yeah, yeah I do."
"and I'm pretty sure he likes you too, so forget what marquees says, you're young Jave, have some fun." I smiled.
"But what about his dad, ion wanna get him in trouble."
He said sincerely.
I chuckled to myself, then spoke, "don't worry about him."
He nodded, and the corners of his mouth twitched but he still kept his flat expression.
"It's okay to smile," I laughed causing him to do the same with a shake of his head.
As I stood up his voice cause me to stop in my tracks.
"Uh—what about coach, you know when he'll be home?" He asked.
I wanted to say in a week, but with Clares situation things could always change, the best I could do is not give a time period.
"I wish I did Jave." I said sadly.
He nodded, looking down sadly before shaking his head and plastering on a smile.
"It's cool, thank you for the advice, gonna sleep early practice kinda wore me out." He spoke
"I can imagine," I smiled and sat up, "Sleep well Jave."
As I approached the door he spoke up again.
"Love you Mr.Jay."
I looked down an smiled, a warm fuzzy feeling washing over me.
"Love you too."
With that I turned off the light switch and walked out.
The moment the bell rung I grabbed my things and basically ran out of class, We had a five minute interval between classes and Destin usually was in his next one early.
"scuse me," "my bad," I repeated constantly as I bumped and shifted through everyone In the hallway.
The moment I turned the corner I spotted his small figure.
"D!" I called out, speed waking towards him.
He turned around with wide eyes as he looked at me.
"Javi? W-what are you doing?" He questioned, looking around cautiously.
"Can we talk?" I asked.
He stayed silent and looked down before responding, "I-I don't think that's a good idea..."
Again he was looking around, like he was afraid to be seen with me.
I smacked my lips, before grabbing his wrist, causing him to follow.
"Wait what are you doing, Javi we're gonna be late!" He protested.
"You wanna be difficult," I responded.
After a few seconds, we made it to the front of the building.
"We shouldn't do this.." he said timidly.
"Just lemme talk." I sighed.
He nodded and looked at me with low sad eyes.
Problem was, now that I had him alone and quiet, I didn't know what to say.
I never liked someone, I didn't know how to describe my feelings.
"I miss you..." I said simply, with a shaky breath.
He looked taken back completely by my words, visibly unsure of how to respond.
"You don't have to say anything yet, but we got so close over the summer, it's been weird not talking to you, even if it was only two days, your presence means a lot to me D." I confessed.
"I-I, U-Um..." he stumbled, twiddling his shaking hands.
"I miss you too Javi..."
"So why didn't you answer any of my calls, or texts at least." I questioned.
"Cause I'm scared..." he confessed
"You don't have to be though, I can p—"
"You don't know my dad Javi, you don't know what he'll do." He said quietly.
"He ain't gon put his hands on you." I assured.
"Your right, he can't because of my condition, so he'll take it out on my mother." He informed.
"All of that, cause of your sexuality..." I spoke, shocked.
"He's crazy Javi, and I'm afraid of him, it's best this way, for both of us. I don't want you getting hurt."
"Don't worry about me!" I spoke, I wasn't yelling or anything, but I was assertive.
"We can hide, if that's really what you want then we can hide, but I want—" I paused and cut myself off.
"I want you Destin," I finished.
"Yeah we might be young, but I ain't ever felt like this before, blame it on age or ignorance, but I don't wanna lose what we might have."
He stared at me in silence, his eyes connected to mine, slowly he began to walk up, closing the distance between us.
"whatchu do—"
I was cut off when he wrapped himself around my waist, his head resting against my chest.
"Okay.." he said simply.
"Until I'm comfortable, I'd like us to hide, but I want to be tog—, um, I mean I'd like to be around each other again." He said quietly.
I smiled to myself and hugged him back, my arms wrapping around his shoulders and head.
"I wanna be together too." I smirked, resting my head on top of his
•RUIN 🥀US•