Expect The Unexpected

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| E X P E C T  T H E 
U N E X P E C T E D |
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     Blake couldn't stop smiling, as he sat beside Gwendolyn at their kitchen table. She had cooked them a small breakfast, a serving left in the refrigerator, ready for Brooks whenever he would wake up. As Blake leaned down to take another bite from his breakfast, Gwendolyn cleared her throat, expecting answers.

     Blake ignored her for a few more seconds, simply biting at the bottom of his lip, with the mere thought that Brooks was still sleeping purely in his bedspread. That was an image he'd been having a hard time getting out of his head.

     "Blake Fredrick Warren, why are you smiling so early in the morning?" Gwendolyn's question seemed vague, although Blake still didn't know how to quite answer her. "What? Have you heard back from any of the scouts or Penn?"

     "Uh, no, not yet. I'm just really happy to see you off before you go to work. It's been a good day so far." Gwendolyn leaned in closer, her eyes narrowing in on the boy she knew best out of everyone else in the entire world.

     "Mm, I can't remember the last time I had one of those. With all of these crazy hours at Luanne's, it feels like I just won't ever have enough to keep up with all of the bills—"

     "Mom, I already told you, I can pick up some work outside of town. You know Uncle Earl wouldn't hesitate to give me some hours at the factory." Gwendolyn shook her head firmly, reaching out for Blake's now empty plate.

     As she twisted the sinks handle, she spoke once more, "no, Blake, I want you focusing on how to get into college—especially with late emissions. I want you to be able to get out of this town, like I never had the chance to. And I'm serious, Blake, you will never work at a place like Earl's factory, or Luanne's. Am I clear?"

     Blake nodded with a sad, "Yes, Momma."

     After having washed the dishes, Gwendolyn leaned over toward Blake, and landing a swift kiss at his cheek, before exiting through the front door, prepared for her very first shift of the day.

     Blake stood from his chair, and made his way back over to his bedroom, smiling down at his now partner, that he so badly wanted to spend the entire day with. Brooks shifted in his sleep, as the sunlight finally began beaming down onto his cheek.

     Blake had both arms crossed across his chest, as he fully took in Brooks' sleeping figure, that he hadn't quite known would be able to sleep through the movement of both him and Gwendolyn.

     "Hey, Brooks," he poked at Brooks' chest, which had automatically aggravated Brooks, him finally prying open his eyes.

     When Blake's face had come into sight, his heart began to beat faster, as his fingers instantly reached out for Blake's cheeks. And for some reason, Blake found himself laughing at the gesture. "Why are you touching my cheeks?"

     Brooks shrugged, his thumbs rubbing soft circles around Blake's round, plump cheeks. "I don't know, I just—I feel weird."

     "Me, too, but I think I know what it is," Blake smiled into the crook of Brooks' hand, "we're happy."

     Brooks nodded along, pulling Blake's slightly overlapping figure down onto his, as the two of them tightened their holds on each other for what seemed like forever. "Yeah, maybe that's it."

     The two had never felt such a way before, and after the entire ordeal with his parents, he was glad that after losing the two of them, he had gained Blake. The Blake who wouldn't hesitate to lift w finger for his now boyfriend.

     But Brooks still couldn't seem to keep his mind off of Jackson. The Jackson who had seemed so heartbroken, and distraught due to finding out that Brooks didn't carry the same feelings that he did.

     And the mere thought of hurting Jackson like that, made Brooks want to hurl into the nearest garbage can. But if Brooks had simply told Blake no, and held back on his own feelings, due to Jackson's, then Brooks, too, would be miserable.

     Especially if he could only ever see Jackson as a best friend, and a brother.

     Blake leaned back, eyebrows furrowed slightly at the sight of Brooks not being able to take his mind off of something. "What's the matter?"

     Brooks shook his head, leaning his cheek into Blake's chest, "nothing, I'm just worried about Jackson."

     Blake's jaw clenched, as he tried his absolute best to keep his composure whenever hearing about Jackson Fuller. "You can't keep worrying about his feelings for you, Brooks. Because if you, you'll hurt the both of you."

     Brooks knew that Blake was right, but he couldn't quite wrap his head around the fact that maybe he had just seriously ruined the chances of he and Jackson ever being friends again. "Okay."

     "Now, come on," Blake pulled back from Brooks completely, pulling Brooks along with him into the kitchen. "Let's get some food in you."