Chapter Text
Ken sniffles, his hair in his hands, curled into a rather fetal position on his bed. His cheeks wet, tears streaming down his face. How did he get here?
It was a sunny afternoon, right after dismissal at Jeanes High. “Ken! Hey,” he heard a familiar voice, warm arms suddenly embracing him from behind. Ken chuckled, turning around to find his best friend, Jackson Smith. “Yo, Jack.” Ken turned around to hug Jackson back, and felt a small grin curl upon his lips as the boy held him. “Are we still heading to the Cup O’ Cat later?” Jackson asks. “Yeah, yeah man..I was gonna ask if you wanted to ride with me?” “Dude, of course!” He doesn’t hesitate. “Cool, cool.”
Ken looked to Jackson when he stopped at a red light, but he was looking away, out to the road. He sighed, knowing this feeling was too familiar. He had begun crushing on his best friend for weeks now, but Jackson just had to be oblivious towards him. He knew this was just a stupid crush, he knew it would soon go away..but it just hadn’t. His bond with Jackson was something he never felt before, someone who liked him for who he was and didn’t judge him for it. But, he could never share this anyone. He pushed his feelings down and prayed.
When the two boys got there, they noticed David was sitting in the near table beside the counter, talking to Exer. “Hey guys!” David waved, smiling. They greeted them both, then went ahead and sat down to study and eat. “The usual?” Exer asks, hiding his grin. Ken and Jackson nodded in sync. When Jackson and Ken got their lattes, they started working on their English home. Hours passed with them helping each other and talking, finally packing up at 7pm. The cafe was mostly empty, just them and the employees in the other room.
“Ken,” Jackson spoke, his name naturally sounding soft and sweet. Ken’s head perked up at the sound of his name. “Are you free this weekend?” he asks. Ken tries to hide his blush, but he can’t deny his face was heating up just a little bit at this moment. “Uh- yeah. Yeah, I am. Why?” “I’m hosting a party at my house- Ah, it’s for my birthday-” “Birthday?” Ken felt his eyes light up. “Man, why didn’t you tell me! Now I only have a day to get you a gift,” he slightly shouldered Jackson. “You have got to stop being so mysterious,” Ken joked, smiling.
“Well, I was gonna ask if you wanted to come.. I already invited our close friends, nothing more.” “Of course! I wouldn’t miss it for anything.” Ken replied. “Then you’re in charge of the alcohol,” Jackson smirked micheviously, swinging his bag over his right shoulder and heading out to walk home. “Bye, Ken!”
You could hear music blasting from outside, colors flashing. He opened the door which was unlocked, crowded to the living room with way more than Jackson’s “closest” friends. He gently shoved his classmates, trying to search for Jackson, who was in the kitchen doing karaoke. Ken ran up to him, smiling once he saw his face. “Jack!” He ran to hug him. Jackson stopped mid singing just to greet his best friend, “Hey, you made it Ken!” Jack replied, holding him in his arms. Ken grinned, holding up a paper bag with tops of beer sticking out. “Oh, thank god, I’ve been waiting for that.”