It All Started in Detention

Chapter Twenty-Seven

"You want me to what?"

"I want you to ask Davey if he has a crush on anyone", Jack began, staring into Ike's eyes with urgency, "and then tell me about it."

"No way", Ike answered immediately, shaking his head. "Davey's my friend. I'm not going to betray his trust like that so you can get your rocks off knowing all of his dirty little secrets."

Jack sighed, grabbing his lunch tray and following Ike to their table. "It's not like that. I just...I want to know."

"I wouldn't tell you that information even if he had a massive crush on you", Ike laughed, and Jack figured he thought it impossible. "You'd have to be married first."

Jack licked his lips thoughtfully. "If I could have that arranged, would you tell me?"

"You're annoying."

"Yes, or no?"

Ike ignored him and sat next to his brother, sighing out when Jack continued his rambling. "If you want to know so badly, why don't you ask him yourself? Just become better friends with him, and you can have an all access pass to every little secret he has."

"Who has secrets?" Davey asked, smiling warmly. He looked much better than this morning, but Jack looked as he'd seen a ghost, which Davey tried not to take to heart. Ike coughed.

"No one", Jack stated quickly, staring at his tray. "How was this morning? I know you were stressed."

"I got my affairs sorted", Davey answered. "I'll probably have a busier afternoon, though. Thanks for asking."

Jack looked up and grinned, nodding his head. That wasn't that bad; he could've blurted out what he and Ike were discussing, which would've been Davey, and ruined everything. It could've gone far worse because if Davey knew they were talking about him behind his back, he'd unfriend both him and Ike, and then Ike would tell Davey it was Jack's fault, and then Davey would brutally murder him and his entire family.

He was losing it. That's why Race was currently rubbing his back. He looked down at his fingers and saw the white part of his nails were gone, and he probably ingested them. Jack attempted not the gag at the disgust he felt, and the disappearance of his hunger.

"Wait, Mr. Summers is giving us more homework?" Specs asked.

"Yep", Ike and Davey stated at the same time, but only Davey was involved in the conversation. "It's basically just more math. It counts for a full grade, so you might as well just do it."

Specs groaned, rolling their eyes. Jack looked between them to gauge out a conversation, but their section of the table had gone quiet. Even Race had turned away to join JoJo and Elmer in a more vibrant conversation. He decided to draft one up. "Are you guys going to the game tonight?"

"Yes", Ike sighed, and Jack stared at him with surprise. "Only because I'm staying the night at Davey's. I'd rather not go, but the Jacobs family wants to support their son in his adventure to be a cheerleader."

"That's actually very sweet", Jack chuckled, and he saw Davey light up. "Do your siblings play sports?"

"Les plays soccer with Race's cousin, I just found out", Davey answered, and Jack immediately knew who he was talking about. "And Sarah used to do everything, so she's taking a break this year. I think she'll try out for tennis soon, though."

Jack hummed. "That's cool."

He was begging for someone to pick up their conversation. "Theater is helping out with the snack bar for the game and getting a majority of the profits, so Jack and I will be there", Race grinned, wrapping an arm around Jack's shoulders as he sighed in relief. "It should be fun."

"I'll buy something if you give me a discount", Specs joked, and Race shrugged considerably. "Really? Fine, I'll buy all the things."

"What are you selling?" Ike asked, and Jack shrugged this time. "Ball park it."

"Probably chips, ramen—things like that", Davey mumbled, and Jack noticed he was staring at his phone the way Medda's mother did; it was way too close to his face for safety, and his eyes were squinted into slits. It was cute, in an observable way.

Jack tended to think humanity was pretty cute in general, at least from an artist's perspective. But every time he thought about it, his eyes would well up with tears and he'd have an anxiety attack. But when thinking about Davey, he couldn't help but smile.

"Jack?" Davey blinked at him, waving a hand in front of the older's face. He began snapping until Jack shook himself out of his daze, and he grinned attentively. "Nice to know you haven't died. I was wondering if you wanted to help the cheerleaders set up for the game. We'll pay you in CapriSuns."

"I'm in", Jack agreed immediately. "I think I can manage helping theater set up and you guys. Should be fun."

Davey grinned at him, and Jack smiled back. He swore that smile could kill a man: it was soft and welcoming, filled with genuine kindness. Really, the emotion Davey was feeling was in his eyes. Jack could see gratitude and excitement, mixed with a flavor of stress. Still, his hazel irises shined in the fluorescent lights of the cafeteria. "Thanks, then. I'll meet you after sixth period and we'll head to the gym together."

Jack could feel Race's eyes on him, squinted in that suspicious way they always were, but he ignored him. He could deal with that later. "Deal."

The bell rang sooner than they would've liked, and a chorus of groans sounded out. Davey snickered at them as he collected his tray and back pack, then waiting for Ike to stand up and walk to the trash cans. Ike had choir, and Davey had questions.

"What secrets were you guys talking about?" Ike raised a brow as Davey stared at him, the both of them making their way to Ike's class. He was beginning to wonder how he could make it to his next class at this rate, but he's been late before; there's no harm in being late again. "Tell me."

"You're still on that?" Ike sighed, stopping at his locker and opening it with a speed Davey had only witnessed a handful of times. "It was Jack being stupid. Don't worry about it."

"Jack's not stupid", Davey defended, and Ike pursed his lips knowingly. "Also, the more you tell me not to worry about it, the more I'm going to worry about it."

He watched as Ike grabbed his books and closed his locker, then began walking down the hall. "I'm only telling you this because I don't give enough fucks to stay in the middle of your drama."

Davey nodded understandingly, staying quiet to give room for Ike to continue. "Jack just wants to get to know you more. He wants you guys to be closer friends. That's it."

The taller boy blinked. "Oh. That's it?"

Ike sighed, shaking his head. "I don't have enough patience for this. Get to class before you're tardy. I'll talk to you later."

Davey waved him goodbye and walked away as Ike walked into class. He was overthinking everything.

He could make that happen; he'd like to be closer to Jack. He was a nice friend, and his parents seemed to like him. Plus, he always bought him food whenever they went out. There were questions running through his head: Did Jack have a job? Was it just allowance? There was so much to learn.

All of this could be sorted out tonight. For once, Davey was excited to watch a school sports game, as long as he could watch it with Jack.