Altruistic Acquaintance – by Brophy
Disclaimer: FNL ain't mine, just so y'all know -giggle- Sorry, needed to get that out of my system. Watching the episodes for two days straight made me talk like a Texan. Father dearest was even questioning whether I was his legitimate child or not -more giggles- I don't blame him though ;)
Whilst I'm working on my two covenant fics I thought it might be nice to get into a new fandom. It's a little more than unnerving, so thank you to those who've encouraged me along the way :)
Wrote up a oneshot for this story (just for the fun of it) and then I thought, what the heck, I'll use it as a prologue instead!
Picture of our leading lady is in my profile. Hope you enjoy!
Prologue
She's in trouble.
Big trouble.
Sitting with that Riggins boy.
Funny how a simple thing like sitting can mean a whole lot of trouble.
A hell of a lot of trouble.
He knew Jennsen was at the library. She didn't like to eat in front of people. Only ever snuck food in occasionally during class or at the library and stuffed herself silly at home. It was just a habit for her. Just like it was a habit for him to call her Jenny, which annoyed the hell out of her. But she'd annoy the hell out of him, too. It was no wonder that they argued with each other all the time. No massive tantrums or anything, just the average bicker and quarrel.
Until yesterday night, during dinner.
That was like, the granddaddy of all arguments they'd ever had.
He felt pretty shitty for saying all those mean things to her, so when he woke up the next day, he thought he might take Jenny's suggestion to heart and visit her. She'd said it might be good for him. He didn't know how it would do any good, seeing his sister at school when he saw her at home. The only difference was the amount of people; and all those people saw was a half-crippled guy trying to make his way through a school. The teachers seemed nice though, said occasional hello's or gave polite smiles; but the students were all for blatant staring and strange looks. He knew he made the right decision not continuing school.
Jennsen didn't want to come to Dillon. The 'rents knew that. And she kind of drifted apart from them after the move. He supposed it was his fault, getting injured in the game. There weren't many fond memories at that old place in Austin, and Mom and Dad just wanted to start it fresh.
They weren't looking for her consent.
One thing was for sure, Jenny hated school; hated that he didn't want to go back and that was that, yet she had no choice in the matter and was forced to go, kicking and screaming.
Things changed after that.
Jennsen didn't talk to any of them, except maybe the occasional bit of gibberish to her baby brother. She would make her appearance in the morning to eat breakfast and say goodbye before going to school. He barely even saw her in the afternoon, cooped in her room as she was. In the evening it was worse, especially when the TV was switched off for dinner, creating an even more unbearable silence. Mom would send him looks, too, trying to force him to say something to Jenny, just to initiate some sort of a conversation. Either way, she'd answer with a short reply, entailing either a yes or a no or a mumble. And that was it. She'd say thank you for the dinner, excuse herself, and head back to her room again.
The habit didn't seem to break, no matter how many times they went out together as a family or how many times they persisted as the months dragged on. Didn't help that Mom and Dad were pro Christian, trying to suck her into going to church. She'd stopped going when he did. But he had an excuse. His friggin' career was thrown out the window! It was only right for him to be bitter. Could anyone blame him?
But still...
He supposed she just wanted to prove a point. Show him how sucky school life was now that he wasn't there to tag along with her, now that he chickened out and left his little sis all alone. He hated the guilt trips she'd throw at him.
That was why he listened to her for once...
In truth, he was just going so she could get off his case.
And then look what he finds...
Her and Riggins, sitting next to each other, talking.
And talking isn't just a simple thing. No. It's like, a higher level above sitting. The communication between speakers and listeners, unconscious maintenance of eye contact, hand gestures and small touches. It can get real intimate, sensual almost. Forms an energy around them that leaves them oblivious to everyone else.
That's what's happening before his eyes.
And he's beyond shocked from it.
Jennsen smiles a tight-lipped smile that shows her dimples; something he's never seen from her. It's like a special smile, just for him.
And there's a smile on him too, one that lights up his eyes, makes him look like he's hypnotized by her; watching everything she does with a hungered curiosity. Tim's right hand plays with the pencil resting along his ear, his left hand tapping along the edge of the desk, almost as though he's keeping them at bay from touching her.
Then he pulls his seat closer.
She rests her chin on the palm of her hand, looking down at her work as she speaks. Riggins can't seem to get enough of her, bending his head down to meet her eyes as he licks his lips and asks another question, mouth turned upward to show a bit more of a grin as he talks. Jenny meets his eyes and presses her lips to prevent a laugh. The sound bursts through like a raspberry on a baby's stomach, and then she can't help but laugh. And he's laughing back, as if pleased.
There's an art to talking and Riggins sure is playing her like a finely tuned guitar. Or painting like he's a regular Dali or Van Gogh or someone else like that. Yeah. Someone artsy...
And he's well aware of Riggins reputation on and off the field. He didn't block his ears for the past four years. To other guys it's as though Riggins has this trophy cabinet of all these girls he's bedded. Truth is he wouldn't be surprised if Tim didn't know any of the girls' names. The fullback didn't look like he cared too much; drank beer more than he did breathe. What was more obvious was what the girls had in common him: football or sex – cheerleaders, rally girls or some other chicks that were willing to give.
And Jennsen was not under those categories.
Not that he knew of...
Hopes he doesn't know of.
But this is a strange occurrence. More than strange. Usually, it's the girl that sweet-talks him, not him sweet-talking the girl! And this isn't an ordinary girl.
Well, she is, which makes her unordinary... If that makes any sense.
It was Jennsen.
She was just... Jenny, y'know?
And now that he's watching he realizes that it's too late. His baby sister is growing up. He always thought she detested boys, like when they were kids and she'd say they had cooties. But she grew up, and rather than cooties, she'd say boys were idiots. Not like she was a lesbian or anything – even though she was a gay rights supporter (something Mom and Dad weren't too pleased on; another story for another time) – but she stood her ground when it came to males. Hated football players after everything that happened. He couldn't blame her. She was the kind who vouched never to date.
And now she's sitting with that Riggins boy!
So if she's going to be the typical teen girl and crush on a boy than he's going to be the typical annoying older brother and tell on her.
He grins as he makes his way out of the school and to the parking lot.
Turns out the visit to Dillon High was a great idea.
So, anyone interested? Anyone at all? Please? -puppy dog eyes-
