Chapter Text
There is probably a word to describe how at him Clay is. There had to be, eyes that hid from his oozed with an emotion he never had the chance to know existed when he walked into school the Monday after Hannah’s shift. His cheek was still sore, light scabbing but nothing to die over Bryce said with a laugh the night after it had happened. The light slap was not as needed from him, but well if a bit of extra colouring made it look better who cared.
Though, he noted as easily as he breathed when he spotted the other, he was still tucked away near his locker. An ever-faithful arm was still around his middle and for a moment Justin wanted to ask how effective Clay thought it was. Hiding, hiding like that only really worked when you were someone like Clay Jensen he supposed. Biting at his lower lip Justin stopped for a moment as him and the trio of his team were close, though not to close to the other.
The boys by his side couldn’t sense it, probably didn’t even care Clay was looking at him. Words of Hannah’s strange actions came easily from their lips. ‘Crazy Hannah, haha no psycho. Bet she can’t handle rejection well heh Justin’. It was typical talk all morning, and as cliché as it sounded sometimes a little bit of teasing was enough to liven up a group chat. After a while however the words got boring, it was nothing he cared to hear again. Bryce made word go out but he sure as hell didn’t tell anyone interesting about it. Well the people he told were typical knuckleheads who could only parrot.
Eyes going to Clays lips he finds himself biting them ever so slightly. Clay’s eyes were so distant yet angry, maybe he was angry. It didn’t really matter. His friend, Jay seemingly aware they were standing as if for the first time put an arm around Justin with a grin. Okay it was time to move on, there was no way the male next to him had the patience for him to just stand there as Justin watched Clay.
“Maybe she cut some dude and that’s why she moved” Justin mocked with a bit of a laugh.
Matching laughs felt confirming and if he didn’t care and only watched how Clay responded did it really matter at all? It was good to hear more than just what your closest friends had to say. That was how things got stale after a while surely. If the other breathing heavier and looking away from Justin did something he probably would have lied and said no. Jensen was the background, always was and seemed to enjoy it. When did he ever want to say something anyway?
Walking past him he almost feels hands graze him, but well that what was what he wanted to feel. That would never happen, that was a dumb part of him that didn’t need to be seen. Soon enough the sight of his best friend fills his eyes and if Bryce leaning over and waving at him makes him miss Clay he doesn’t need to say anything.
“I’m surprised Hannah didn’t jump you, you got some crazy away spray” Bryce says of course people from the hall laugh. Hell, his half-interested laugh was added in because sometimes he deserved to laugh as well okay.
“What can I say maybe she gave up” stating this with a sarcastic tone he couldn’t help but think that indeed he hadn’t seen her. She was so ready to talk to him about the texts maybe she was ashamed. Maybe. Hopefully. But if she wasn’t bothering him…
The others heavy hand is on his shoulder and guiding him to their first class of the day before his eyes can even skim backwards to see what Clay was doing. Or well who he was with. Soon enough the other is adding in saying what other people had thought of the psycho Hannah story and it feels like enough to just listen to the other with an amused grin.
Just as they turn to go into the smaller hall to class he sees her. Hannah. She’s talking to Alex the most gay looking guy he had ever seen, and well no he hasn’t seen that many and it’s better it stays that way. They look to be holding something on paper but he doesn’t really get the chance to read it at all. Firmly against her chest she looks to him with a look colder than death. It doesn’t scare him. She doesn’t scare him.
Entering his class he almost forgets how Clay probably would be sad if she wasn’t single.
O
Tossing the football back it’s hard to not fall into the typical pattern of practise. There was nothing new, bare the coach telling him he has potential before the older man walked over to Bryce to talk to him about the next game. His best friend was good, deserved it maybe if not for the fact his family kept this team running and of course he was the most important person. Swallowing those bitter thoughts he’s rubbing his forehead.
“Hey dude, you should have a break you look like you’re gonna pass out” Cody says this gently, well as gently as a person hurling a ball at you can without it sounding gay.
Hands going onto shaking legs it’s hard to ignore the fact that the only thing keeping him from puking is the fact that there was nothing to eat at home. Fuck, why couldn’t he just ask Bryce. It could just be one more time, one more time than he would figure shit out for real. The other isn’t throwing the ball and well when the young man looks at him like that it is as clear as day he is not going to. Well, to Justin.
“Tell ‘m I’m just going to the locker room okay” Justin answers and the other just nods.
The way the coach is engrossed in the conversation makes it clear he won’t ask for a while, but well he doesn’t really mean him at all if he is honest. Nodding the other gives him a brotherly pat on the shoulder and Justin is running away. Well to the locker room, he can’t exactly just fully leave. As he enters the room it’s quiet and for once maybe it’s okay, he cut practice early.
Eyes scanning the lockers it almost feels redundant to look for his but well when he sees Clay he might as well be looking in a new room. Lips already red, it’s clear by teeth marks he has been thinking. His brows are burrowed, hair too short to be anything but neat—As soon as Clay sees him he looks like he loses all self-assurance. Clay not moving, Justin takes the steps to him well it was his locker so the other was just signing up for it.
Hands reaching out, Justin balls them instead and cages the other in. This was what he wanted right? Stepping into his place like this, because this was no place for people like Clay Jensen. Soon enough his mouth is on bitten red lips and he can’t help it as he presses himself against the other. A shaking hand is more daring and tries to hold Justin back but Clay is here for /him/. He didn’t have to call him or tell him he would get a beating if he didn’t show.
“Just, leave her alone. Justin she just wants you to /stop/” Clay breathes. He doesn’t say her name but the thought of her is enough to make him smack the locker by him.
Maybe it’s the lack of eating anything but staring at the other he can’t help but almost growl. Why her? Why did you have to like her? And he dips back into the kiss.