Author: veiledndarkness

Title: 3 A.M

Prompt #: 88 - School

Rating: PG-13 for language

Pairing (if any, or gen): None

Summary: Three in the morning is the best time for reassurances.

Warnings: Not mine, no profit made, no harm intended.

For the prompt School at fourbrothers100

xx

"Bobby...?"

...

"Bobby?"

"What?"

"Are you sleeping?"

"I was until someone poked me."

"M' sorry..."

"Go back to bed, Jack. It's three in the mornin'."

"Bobby..."

"Jesus fuckin'...What? What is it?"

"I...wanted to ask you...something..."

"And it can't wait for four more hours?!"

"I...I guess it can..."

"Oh for fuck's sake, alright, alright, get in here then. Jesus..."

"Thanks!"

"I hope you're comfy, stealin' all my blankets. You better not drool on me this time."

"Bobby, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, might as well."

"Did you like high school?"

"No."

"Oh..."

"Is that what you crawlin' in here is all about?"

"I'm...I'm nervous, Bobby. I don't know hardly anyone there..."

"You don't need to, Jackie. You'll make some new friends or somethin'."

"I'm not good at making friends!"

"Jack..."

"I'm not! The other kids always look at me weird. I got beat up eight times last year!"

"Until you finally told me the truth an' I broke that kid's arm for him."

"Bobby...I'm serious. I don't wanna go."

"Well, you hafta."

"No, I don't."

"You look ridiculous when you pout, Jackie. And yeah, you do hafta go."

"Why?"

"Cause Ma'll slap y' upside the head if you don't. And then I will too."

"She would not!"

"Maybe not you, but she always did to me or Angel when we tried to skip school."

"Bobby...Please..."

"Look...you hafta, ok? I know it sucks an' all that, but you just hafta."

"...I guess..."

"C'mere, yeah, now listen ok? You don't wanna end up like me. I didn't finish school."

"Bobby..."

"You're smart, Jackie. Real smart and I'll be damned if I'm gonna let you drop out at 14."

"What if the other kids get rough again?"

"Then I'll knock their teeth out, that simple."

"Bobby..."

"And then you can kick them for good measure, ok?"

"Ok..."

"Yeah, there's that pretty smile of yours. It's gonna be ok, Jackie. I promise."

"Bobby?"

"Mhm?"

"Thanks..."

"Any time, kiddo. Now sleep, some of us got work in the mornin'."

xx