What Makes You Different
Disclaimer: I own no one. Except for Jarrett, that is.
Warning: This is SLASH (male/male) so if you don't like it, don't read it. I don't mind criticism, but I don't want any flames saying that slash sucks because frankly, that's an opinion. You have been warned…happy reading!
Author's Note: Okay well the OC for Bright is introduced in this chapter.
Bright Abbott was an insecure boy. He didn't look very insecure at first glance only because he had years of experience to hide it. He wasn't quite sure when exactly he figured it out. All he knew was it had been awhile. Nobody knew his secret except for his journal. Yes, his journal. At one point, he couldn't take everything that was being thrown at him all at once. Everyone in Everwood took him for some jock without brains. True he was never great at memorizing when the civil war started or the rules in math, but he still had common sense. They all treated him like some dirt bag. And on top of that, he was a confused teen. It wasn't that he wasn't happy with his life because, to the contrary, he was. But the only problem was that he didn't know how to tell anyone his one secret from the world. And that was mainly the reason for his journal. Technically, it was a diary, but Bright felt emasculated enough already and declared that it was a journal. Not that anyone knew he kept one at all.
"Wow Bright, I didn't know you could work so diligently," Dr. Abbott mused, stepping into the kitchen one afternoon. Startled, Bright slammed the book he was writing in shut and jumped.
"Hi dad," he smiled weakly, pulling the book towards his chest in a somewhat protective fashion, "What's there to eat?"
"Ah, well the working brain needs some nourishment sometimes, even if it is yours," he dad smiled, muttering the last part under his breath. Bright heard it though.
"I'll be back soon. I'm going to go out for awhile." Without waiting for a response, Bright dashed out the front door, book in hand. There were times when he was close to telling his father, but he always chickened out. Dr. Abbott already thought lowly enough of his son; why would Bright need to give him another reason to be upset with him?
He was trying his best to torment Ephram Brown until Brown said something utterly confusing. It took a minute for what he said to sink in and when it finally did, Ephram was already speeding away. Bright opened his mouth to yell the perfect comeback. And that's when he saw him. He'd never seen the boy in town ever before. Closing his mouth, all teasing put aside, Bright sank onto the curb. What was it with him? Why did he feel this way about guys? And most of all, why the hell was he so uncomfortable with being gay?
Jarrett Davidson wandered the streets of Everwood. What was with this town? What did people do for fun around here—play checkers? Jarrett snorted to himself and ran his fingers through his chestnut colored hair. The truth was, he missed home a lot more than he would have liked to admit. He missed the keg parties down in Kevin's basement every time his parents were away (which was at least twice a month). He missed hearing his sister banging up the stairs of his old house, complaining about her bitches of friends. Hell, he even missed his prison of a school. At least the kids there had character and it was big. That way no one knew anything about the person sitting next to them. Here, Jarrett had just moved into this rinky-dink town two days prior and already everyone knew he was new. His family moving in had made the front page of the local newspaper. That was sad. But what he missed most about being at home was Kevin. His long-time boyfriend. 'Well I guess it's ex-boyfriend now,' Jarrett thought bitterly to himself. Yes, he was gay and no, he didn't know if anyone would accept it in this small town. Jarrett looked across the street to find a blond-haired boy looking at him. They locked gazes for a minute before Jarrett tore his eyes away, bumping into another boy in the process.
"Sorry," he muttered.
"No problem, Davidson." The
wild-haired boy responded, smiling crazily.
"Okay this is getting to be
really freaky," Jarrett sighed, "Why the hell does everyone know who I am?"
"Because you're in Everwood. Get used to it. Brown had to learn it the hard way. Want a piece of advice?"
"Not really."
But the kid continued anyway, "Don't take Brown's advice."
"Who's Brown?"
"Ephram Brown. The old new kid."
"What?"
"He was the new kid before you came."
"Oh."
"I'm Wendell Loesser," he held out his hand. Jarrett stared at it as if it were a foreign object, much like Ephram had done the first time Wendell introduced himself.
"You shake it," Wendell instructed matter-of-factly.
Jarrett blinked a few times before taking the outstretched hand and lightly shaking it, "I'm Jarrett Davidson. But apparently, you already know that."
"I have my sources. I'll see you around, Davidson." With that, Wendell walked off multiple grocery bags in hand. Jarrett was left to stare after him, raising his hand in a limp wave that Wendell wouldn't have seen anyway. After watching Wendell's figure disappear into a dot of nothing, Jarrett turned and headed in the direction that he assumed was the direction of his house, a small trace of a grin spreading on his face. Maybe this new town wouldn't be so bad after all.
I know it took me awhile and I know it's kind of dry, this chapter. But I need this for the rest of the story. Thanks!
Thanks for the reviews:
Ri: I know!!! Wendell wasn't in it at all! Oh well…I hope you like this chapter!
Maria Christina: Hehe, thanks. I only succeeded in writing one other slash fic for another fandom so I'm still pretty new at this. =D
LB: Yeah, I know what you mean. You were somewhat close, but not really with your guess. I don't know if that makes sense, but it might seeing as you and me have these twisted conversations over these review and response thingies that only we would understand. =D
Hjordis: Thanks! Okay, I'm going to try and get Wendell's home life in there sometime soon. Obviously it has to be in there, but I'm working out the problems in his family. It'll come soon though I promise.
Please review!!