Chapter Text
Things I Can’t Do:
- Somersault
- Cartwheel
- All other gymnastics, really
- Ice skate
- Roller blade
- Skateboard (tried and failed)
- Ride electric bike
- Rock climb
- Bowl a strike without bumpers
- Hit a baseball
- Make a basket
- SPORTS
- Climb a tree
- Monkey bars
- Cannonball
- Diving
- Catch a fish
When Cyrus said that he had a list of easy things he couldn’t do, TJ assumed he was joking, until the other boy actually sent him the note with the list. He had only glanced briefly at it on his phone, seeing the aforementioned somersault at the top of list, before turning his attention back to the conversation. He had all but forgotten about it through the course of events of the afternoon and being able to help Cyrus finally achieve the somersault. But later that night, when he was relaxing in his room, he remembered it and pulled up the list on his phone.
He found himself alternating between chuckling in amusement and disbelief as he read through the activities. Some of them he wouldn’t have necessarily classified as ‘easy’ like a somersault was; lots of people didn’t know how to snowboard or rock climb. Others were surprising to him: climbing a tree and ice skating were things that most people learned how to do as kids, and he couldn’t believe that Cyrus couldn’t do them. Of course, he mused, there may have been a failed attempt at some point, which was why they ended up on the list.
SPORTS made him chuckle. After seeing Cyrus in the gym, he could tell that the other boy was not the most coordinated person in the world. Knowing first-hand how competitive people could get when it came to sports, it didn’t surprise him that Cyrus hadn’t joined a sports team if he didn’t feel confident in his abilities, but that was the best way to get better. A lot of the other ones were more recreational hobbies or just general things that people did for fun.
Skateboarding (tried and failed) intrigued him a little bit as well. He had the feeling there was a story behind that, and he made a mental note to ask Cyrus about it at some point in the future before he turned his phone off and started to get ready for bed.
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It wasn’t until a while after their dirt bike riding excursion that he realized he had helped Cyrus cross something off his list. It had been going so well, as Cyrus had been able to successfully ride the bike for a bit. If only Reed hadn’t gone and ruined everything with his stupid gun. He would just have to ask Cyrus if he wanted to do it again in the future, without his idiotic friends coming along. But his realization gave him an idea. Cyrus had proved that he had the ability to do at least some of the things on his list; he just needed the right encouragement and support. And while TJ couldn’t do all the things on the list, he was pretty good at a lot of them.
The idea simmered in the back of his mind for a while, and he started to think up ideas of how to help Cyrus cross things off the list. Comparing the two different outings, he realized that Cyrus was a lot more relaxed and willing to try the new activity when it wasn’t put in the context of something he couldn’t do. He had been so hesitant when trying the somersault, and TJ had the feeling that he was a little embarrassed at first. But with the dirt bike, he had gotten into it fairly confidently, and had managed to successfully ride the bike faster than he had learned how to somersault.
So, he decided to not tell Cyrus about his idea. He would just casually invite Cyrus to do something with him and try to pick activities that would help him cross off the things on his list. Plus, it gave him more excuses to hang out with the other boy. He had been so psyched when Cyrus had agreed to go dirt bike riding, and the fact that the whole experience had been ruined still bothered him, despite the fact that the two of them had ultimately made up. TJ just wanted to hang out with no drama or problems – the fact that they had such an issue getting to that point was kind of ridiculous.
After scanning the list, TJ decided to rewrite it and divide it up a bit. Some of the activities were season-specific, and there were a few things he didn’t personally know how to do, so he wasn’t going to focus on those. A few minutes of rearranging later, he had a tentative plan laid out. He did a bit of Googling, and found an indoor rock climbing place near them. Then he shot Cyrus a quick text.
Wanna hang out this weekend?
Sure! What did you have in mind?
TJ sent him a link to the rock climbing place. Cyrus sent back a scared face emoji which made TJ laugh.
Don’t worry, it’s easy. They have a system that’s for
people who have no experience.
If I die, you’re giving the eulogy at my funeral.
TJ laughed out loud again. He had an inkling that Cyrus would be hesitant to try the activity, but he wasn’t outright refusing which was a good sign.
Does 10 on Saturday work for you?
Yeah, I’m free.
Do I need to wear anything special or bring anything?
Athletic shoes and gym clothes might be a good idea.
My adventure shoes have been pretty neglected lately.
Have they ever been used?
YES. Dirt bike riding, remember? And maybe like one or two other times.
Well they’re gonna be getting some use soon!
Aahhhhhhhh
TJ couldn’t keep himself from grinning widely throughout their entire conversation. This was going to be an interesting experience. And he found himself more excited for the weekend than he thought he would be.