Disclaimer: I own nothing, Disney does. cries
Warning: absolutely nothing!
Paring: Javid (and a surprise one, first one to guess gets a cookie.)
Dream Me Away From That City in Cali
He could do nothing but sit there as his father was imprisoned and as his safety was being arranged. He would have to testify in court against the man who killed his mother and who his father had been ripping off for years. The Witness Protection Program was something he never thought he'd ever be in and why would he? His father had been an accountant and his mother a teacher. Two pretty respectable jobs for adults, besides the fact that his father often ripped off his clients or embezzled. No, now it was just him. He'd be shipped off somewhere far where no one he knew could find him. He'd have no friends and no family.
Now he was on a plane to California for his fathers sins, even if they were in good reason. Under the name of Jack Kelly he had to live on his own with a made up past to go by and an empty house. In a few months he'd go back to New York to testify against the man who shot his mother. In a few months he'd have his small well of justice. Even if it couldn't bring his mother back or his dad out of prison, at least the guy who started it would get to pay.
XXX
He stepped foot into a pet shop that day and smiled at all the small animals calling for his attention. Jack was wanted and he wanted them just as badly, but he could only afford to get one. He walked around the shop and attempted to pet a chinchilla, but found that its fur was so soft he couldn't even tell he was touching it till he hit skin. His eyes came to rest on a tan short-haired cat sitting by itself in a cage just staring at him quizzically. He walked up to it and said hi, the cat lazily lifted its tail up and down. This one was his, he knew it. He'd immediately bought the cat and some food for it and named him, Sully.
The cat seemed to make itself at home quite quickly and claimed Jack's bed as his own. Jack didn't mind though because his new home was empty. They were letting him live on his own. He had a set amount of money he was allowed to spend each month. On what, he really didn't know. He didn't eat much and wasn't really into shopping for clothes. He more or less invested in videos because they weren't boring. He only had one set of kitchen ware and enough towels to last him a month before he'd decide to do any real laundry. How he was going to survive in this small town he had no idea. He turned to his cat on his bed.
"You know, Sully, so far you're my only friend here. Though, really that's only because I bought you," he smiled to himself as the cat crawled his way next to him and fell asleep.
"Sleep well, Sully," and he turned out the lights.
XXX
When he got to school he found out he was "severely" behind in a lot of his studies. So for the most part he was a senior in mostly junior classes till he could catch up. They'd give him what they called credit books to work on and he'd take a test on it, if he passed the test then he'd get moved up to regular senior courses. The counselor insisted he get a tutor and one of his teachers just so happened to volunteer one of her students because he was ahead in his studies and needed something to do. She took Jack to her class and asked him to introduce himself.
"If it will make you feel better I could introduce myself first?" said the teacher.
"No that's ok I can do it," said Jack, then turned to the class hating having to do this, "the names Jack, Jack Kelly. I just moved here, I live by myself with the exception of my cat Sully. I like the color red and John Wayne films."
"Who?" asked one of the students.
To which the teacher replied, if he has to ask then he's not worth explaining it to, which made the class erupt into a round of Oooooh. Right before the bell rang to leave for second period, the teacher called both Jack and another student, David, to come see her afterwards.
"Yes ma'am?" asked the other boy.
"Since Jack is new he needs someone to help him catch up with the class and I was hoping you'd be willing to tutor him," she asked it in a way that simply said 'I may be asking, but it's really not a question if you catch my drift'.
"Of course."
"You'll need to decide what time is best for you both to meet; it has to be outside of school time, but still not interfere with your own grades. Have fun figuring that out and hurry off because second period is about to start," and she shooed them out of the class with hallway passes.
They both walked and for a second Jack wasn't too sure if David was really that nice or just pretending to be polite to the teacher. Because as far as he knew, most smart guys tend to be asses a good sum of the time and he really didn't want to spend his time with some jerk with a I'm-better-then-you complex.
"So, what time would be best for you?" asked David looking at his hallway pass.
"Doesn't really matter to me, what ever works best for you," Jack shrugged a shoulder and noticed the look on David's face, which really screamed 'please don't be one of those guys'.
"I guess any time from after school on really," said David.
"We're gonna talk in circle's aren't we?" laughed Jack already liking him.
"What do you mean?" asked David tugging on his backpack strap.
"I don't want to inconvenience you with a time, you don't want to do the same to me either because you don't know if I'll even show up," said Jack as he watched as someone with blond hair quickly come up and put his hands on David's shoulders and wiggles his eyebrows suggestively in his direction before hightailing it.
"So not what you're thinking!" yelled David then turned back to Jack, "sorry about that, stupid friend of mine, but no really um……I guess three-thirty to four-thirty is fine if you're ok with it."
"Fine by me, do you take the bus or get a ride home?" Jack pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to David.
"The bus, but sometimes I get a ride, why?" he was writing down his number and address.
"Well, I mean, I figured since I'll be going to your house right after school anyways I could give you a ride," said Jack looking at the paper then putting it in his bag.
"Ok, sounds fine by me," David looked at his watch then waved bye to Jack as he took off for class.
"I'm in the front parking lot," said Jack as he went off to his class.
After sitting through a few more junior classes Jack felt a little less smart. These kids, as he like to refer to them, apparently were learning things he hadn't even heard of. Even the freshmen at the school were smart, things he hadn't learned till his junior year they already knew. Oh yeah, he definitely developed an inferiority complex that morning. When he heard the last bell ring he was more then grateful to get away from the school-from-hell.
He waited out front for David to show up. When David did show up he was flanked by a small group of guys Jack figured were his friends because the blond guy was with him. They all waved to him as he made his way over to Jack. Jack put out the cigarette he'd been smoking and waved to David.
"Almost thought you forgot," said Jack opening the door to his Chevy Pickup. (1)
"No, just got held up because one of my friends wouldn't stop bugging me for notes," David got in and noticed the truck lacked something, "Um, Jack, you don't have any seat belts."
"Just the way I like it," said Jack, "you know, those things takes more lives then it saves."
"……I should start praying shouldn't I?" said David waving to his friends as they flipped him off from the bus.
"Only if you really believe God can save you from my driving," said Jack speeding and making sharp turns.
When they pulled into David's drive way David's sister, Sarah, was also just getting home. She went to the mailbox while David and Jack went inside. They made their way to the kitchen and settled in. David started off by asking Jack what he was having problems with as Sarah walked into the kitchen.
"Don't forget that Les needs to be picked up from soccer practice," she stopped and looked at Jack and smiled holding our her hand, "David who's your friend?"
"Jack this is my sister Sarah, Sarah, Jack," said David rolling his eyes and Jack simply shook her hand.
She seemed slightly crestfallen at the handshake, but when Jack smiled at her she was absolutely beaming, "So, Jack, you have a class with my brother?"
"Yeah, he's also my tutor," Jack was still smiling at her, but David got the feeling it was fake.
David was sure he was going to gag anytime soon, "Sarah, hit on him later, we have work to do."
"Don't be a jerk David, we were only talking," she got up and left the kitchen.
"She's a funny one," said Jack smiling at David.
"You have no idea," said David sitting next to Jack and started helping him work.
For the most part Jack was getting it. David was a really good tutor, but he did seem to get annoyed that his sister kept going into the kitchen to get something. David kept saying sorry, and Jack kept saying it was ok. David apparently reached his limit with his sister on her fifteen trip to the sink.
"We'll get out of your way, Sarah," and quickly carted Jack upstairs to his room.
"Your sister is really obvious," Jack sat down on David's bed.
"I'm sorry she keeps interrupting us like that, I'm surprised you even got any work done with her around like that," said David leaning against his desk.
"Don't worry it's nothing if not flattering," said Jack.
A knock came at the door.
David opened the door, "Yes?"
"I made you both sandwiches just in case you got hungry," said Sarah handing David a plate and smiled at Jack who smiled and waved at her.
"Thanks now go away," said David as he slammed the door shut on her.
They could hear her shouting as she walked off.
Jack looked at David with a goofy look on his face then started laughing.
"Oh shut up and finish your work," said David putting down the plate and clearing the desk for Jack.
The rest of their study session went on undisturbed and even when it started to drag on longer then expected David didn't seem the least bit upset. He just smiled and said it was no problem to keep going if Jack needed the extra hour. After they were finally finished Jack let out a loud yawn as he stretched. David was busy typing on his computer and turned it off when Jack said he was done and asked for him to check it over.
"You did real good," he glanced at his clock, "I can't believe it's almost six already."
"Yeah, it actually went by real fast and here I thought this was gonna be boring," Jack smiled at the expression on David's face.
It got quite for a minute.
"So, uh…..since it's so late do you like want to stay for dinner? I mean, that is, if you don't have to go home," said David sitting on his desk, which was right next to the door.
"Sure, I ain't got nothing else planned for tonight," said Jack playing with David's hacky-sack.
David smiled and just as he was about to say something his bedroom door swung open and almost hit him as Sarah came in, "Fantastic! I'll be helping Mom cook tonight!"
"Sarah, get out my room!" yelled David jumping up from around the door.
Jack laughed at them and Sarah rolled her eyes and said, "Les needs to be picked up from one of his friends' house."
"Do you mind coming with me to pick him up? I mean, you can stay here with my sister if you want," said David grabbing his coat from his closet and spare keys to Sarah's car.
"I'll go with you," said Jack getting up and heading downstairs with him.
Right before they made it out the front door David's mom came home and David introduced her to Jack and she told them to drive carefully. In the car Jack shifted uncomfortably in the seatbelt. David tried to keep himself from laughing as Jack continued to move the strap around till he finally got fed up and took it off. When they got to his brothers friends house David honked the horn and unlocked the door.
His brother hopped in and pointed, "Who's that?"
"His names Jack and don't point it's impolite," muttered David hating that his mothers words rung in his head and spewed out of his mouth more often then he'd like.
"Hi Jack, I'm Les, David's little brother!" he bounced around in his seat.
"Dang it Les, put on your seatbelt," said David glaring into his rear-view mirror.
"But Jack's not wearing his!" said Les, once again pointing.
"Well you see, that's only because I have this condition where I get all panicky when I wear one," said Jack turning to face Les.
"Really? What happens when you panic?" he was in awe.
"You have to put your seatbelt on first," said Jack.
Les quickly buckled up, "So what happens?"
"What?" asked Jack pretending to be confused.
"When you wear a seatbelt!"
"That's part of it Les, he forgets what he's talking about. See, even when he thinks about seatbelts it does something to him," said David trying his best not to laugh.
"Oh," Les furrowed his brows trying to figure out how that worked.
Jack turned back in his seat and smiled conspiratorially at David who smiled back at him.
"You guys are pulling my chain aren't you?" said Les looking at them.
"No," they both broke out laughing and poor Les was confused.
XXX
Everyone was sitting around the table. The thing Jack liked most about it was that there was no head of table seat. For some reason, when he sat at tables where the parents each sat at their own end creped him out. Maybe it had something to do with that whole self important complex his father always seemed to have. Dinners back then never seemed so warm. Not like this.
"So Jack, tell us a bit about yourself," said David's mother.
Jack paused momentarily, suddenly remembering that he had to tell people what he'd been told to say by the Witness Protection Program, "Well, uh my fathers a semi rich cattle rancher and my mom is a sign language interpreter for some government official. Since they're usually busy I took care of myself really. So I recently got emancipated or something like that, but really my parents still pay for like my living expenses since they want me to focus on school."
"Well that can't be good, you living on your own," said David's mom.
"No really, it's actually quite…..nice being on my own," said Jack.
"He so stalled momma," said Sarah taking a fork full of food and eating.
Jack sent her a slightly annoyed look.
David noticed and said, "I'm sure he's fine, don't read into things like that Sarah,"
"I was just saying," she shrugged and kept eating.
When they'd all finished eating Jack helped clean up the table regardless of the fact that David's parents kept saying he was a guest and shouldn't have to. Which lead to a strange talk about manners and how there should be more young men like Jack running around. Les fell asleep on the couch watching TV and Sarah was made to go do her homework because of her progress report that had just came in. Jack and David were sitting outside on David's front porch.
Jack was leaning back on his hands staring up at the sky, "You know, you're lucky David."
"Oh yeah, why do you say that?" David looked up from his previous position of pulling up grass by the step he was sitting on.
"No reason really, just not many families like yours anymore if you think about it," said Jack.
David shrugged and smiled. Then it got real quite. The sounds of crickets were chirping widely and they could hear the hum from the TV inside.
"You know, Jack, I mean if you want, you can spend the night,"
"You don't need to save me from my big empty house David," said Jack smiling lightly at him, "Besides, I have some stuff that needs to get done."
"David it's getting late, maybe you two should come inside," said David's Dad from the doorway.
"Ok Dad," said David, then looked at Jack.
"I'll be taking off I guess," said Jack getting up and dusting off his pants a bit.
"Ok goodnight, Jack," David watched him retreat to his truck and waved "…….see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow Dave," Jack waved as he took off and watched David go inside in his rear-view mirror.
In his truck Jack could feel the chill of the night start to get to him. He turned on the heater and flipped on the radio, he hated silence. Too much silence always made him feel like his ears would burst and start to bleed. He changed the station the song was too upbeat for him. And so was the next one, and the next one, and the next one. He turned off the radio. Nothing could take away the feeling that was inside him. He was lonely. He briefly closed his eyes at the stop light and when he heard someone honk at him he flipped them off and drove on.
When he made it home he dreaded going inside. The whole thing looked dark and sinister to him. All the lights inside were out and his trees were bare. He wiped his feet on the welcome mat just outside his door and then went inside. He tossed his keys on the table next to the door and shut and locked his door immediately then went into his kitchen. Opening a cabinet he pulls out a yellow bag with paw prints on it and shakes the bag. He waited a minute before he poured the contents of the bag into a small bowl on the floor.
He sat down next to the bowl and waited then a small cat came in and started eating.
"Hey Sully," said Jack petting him while he ate.
Sully purred.
"I met a real family today, Sully. Not like the one I use to have. No, nothing like that one. No ones yelling. Or saying how much of a failure I am, a real family."
Jack fell asleep on his floor next to his cat who curled up next to him after it finished eating. Sully nudged him with his head to get him to move, but Jack just grabbed him and held him close.
XXX
1: I love Jack's truck so much! How much you say? SO MUCH I USED CAPS! It's a black 1970 Chevy Pickup with an Ivory interior. :makes excited face:
A/N: hah this is the grandness of an outline! Yay! I wrote this in just a few hours. Go me! So this is my first Javid, but I hope it's much liked! Comments are welcomed, criticism will kill me, but send it anyways.
(second chapter soon to come.)