Chapter Text
It was finally winter break, something that Jackson had been looking forward to for the last month. Things were luckily looking up for the most part, but he still needed a break from all the homework and stress.
His friends and the Reds seemed to be getting along, luckily not trying to force Jackson into hanging with the Reds.
It’s not as if he absolutely hated them, but it was still uncomfortable to be around them.
Jackson lifted his mug and glanced around the cafe he was in. It was a quiet little place with only a few employees and random customers. It wasn’t a place that Jackson visited often, only because he was insanely busy these last couple of months.
Dealing with Exer and all the bullying and shunning, it was hard to even muster the energy to leave his own room. It’s gotten better with everybody no longer hating him, but that feeling in his chest still remains.
It reminded Jackson of his talk with H-, Mr.Campbell; it eased his self-hatred for not entirely forgiving them. Not totally, but just enough that he could get out of bed in the morning.
Taking a long sip of his non-sugar hot chocolate, he glanced out of the window from where he was sitting; the scenery outside was beautiful. The ground was covered in snow, the trees were hanging heavy, and people were walking by heavily adorning jackets and scarves.
Jackson glanced down at his own clothes and winced. He had gotten here much earlier and hadn’t realized that he should’ve dressed warmer. Well, that was Jackson's future problem.
Because it seemed current, Jackson already had a problem.
That took the form of the bell atop the door ringing gently as the door was pushed open, a group of bodies making their way into the room.
It was hard to recognize who the people were with the large beanies and scarves that covered their faces, not to mention all the snow that they were trying to brush off of themselves.
Tiredly, Jackson glanced back down and swirled the teaspoon in his mug. It wasn’t too long until he’d have to leave and head back home.
Unable to help but grimace as he involuntarily shivered, the thought of being outside was already freezing him from the inside out.
“Is that-?” A voice in the distance questioned, “Jackson?” Confused, Jackson looked up at the three strangers as they finally moved down their scarves to reveal Exer, David, and Ron.
Jackson couldn’t help but feel comfortable freezing up awkwardly as he glanced between the three. Exer looked the most uncomfortable out of the three, with what seemed to be any trace of a good mood vanishing. Sure, Jackson was here first, but he couldn’t help but feel guilty.
"Oh-uh, hey?” He did a small wave in response, glancing down at a half-filled mug before looking back up. “I was just leaving, but it was good seeing you.” Quickly, Jackson stood as he began to pull back on his own beanie and jacket, luckily already having paid.
“Wait-” Quickly, a hand reached out for his shoulder. Jackson froze as he looked down at the hand, then to Exer, who quickly retreated his hand. “Shit, sorry!” He threw up his hands in surrender. “You don’t have to go!” Exer said nervously, Ron and David behind him glancing between each other.
“Why not sit with us?” Ron questioned the three, raising an eyebrow at the stares he received. David looked unsure before shrugging, “I mean, I’m not against it.”
Jackson resisted the urge to hide his face in his hands, sighing softly before awkwardly smiling, “Okay, uh.” He looked down at the table he was sitting at, which only had one seat. The others seemed to catch his drift, Ron rolling his eyes as he reached over and plucked Jackson's mug up before making his way over to a booth.
“Problem solved.” He said, Exer simply barring his face in his hands, looking too tired to explain to Ron why he couldn't do that.
Jackson awkwardly shrugged before making his way over to Ron, taking the seat closer to the wall, already regretting it as he was trapped in it. Luckily, David took pity on him and sat beside him. Well, it wasn’t the best thing, but it wouldn’t be as uncomfortable.
“So, how's winter break treating you?” David turned to him, the other two in the background shuffling into the booth, Ron having some difficulty but managing, “Oh, I've been fine, you?” Jackson questioned, watching as David awkwardly glanced away, “Doing better than before, but.” He gestured with his hand, and Jackson nodded sympathetically.
“I’m sure it’ll get better.” Jackson nodded before taking a sip from his mug, not noticing David's gentle smile. Jackson had decided to focus more on his drink, ignoring the other three as they conversed between themselves and then the waitress who took their order.
It honestly wasn’t that bad—not the worst thing he’s had to do. Hell, Jackson would argue that one night with Tim, Ken, and Jolie and a box of fireworks was worse than this, which was definitely saying something.
Jackson could still smell the gunpowder every time he let his guard down.
Jackson hadn’t noticed how zoned out he was until David bumped into his shoulder. Obviously, Jackson looked confused before glancing between the other three and their worried expressions. Tilting his head, he looked around before noticing that everyone was staring at the little television stuck on the counter.
Listening closer, Jackson could very faintly hear the news anchors talking about a major snowstorm, something about not going outside, and dangerous weather before everything finally cut out. It was a little weird, but it wasn’t sudden; the weather was already there right from the morning.
Jackson glanced down at his cup again before taking a long sip, snuggling more into his jacket as the other three looked between each other. “I guess we are staying?” Exer mumbled, his eyebrows pinching together, worried.