Jaime wheeled himself out of school, backpack slung from the back of the wheelchair he was permanently restricted to. People were in such a hurry to leave, he could barely make it to the ramp. Jaime cursed under his breath, hating how people still treated him like he was worth less than dirt.
The first few days people had been worried, and were actually nice to him. The bullying had completely stopped, and Jaime could finally focus on what the hell he was going to do about everything. Not having to participate in anything, he actually caught up in schoolwork; as always, biology was a cinch.
Right now though, he had to worry about handing in a 2000 word story, as well as the select few bullies that still thought he made good target practise. Also, wheeling himself home wasn't exactly a walk in the park either.
Going through the busy intersections and stupid winding streets… Why do streets have to be so long? he wonders to himself as he tries in vain to avoid potholes and ruts in the pavement and concrete. Using a wheelchair is completely different than walking, and incredibly difficult, since it uses the upper muscles which were definitively not designed for this particular movement he decides moodily.
The signal to cross the intersection doesn't appear and in the meanwhile Jaime wonders about what he should tell the team. Ever since Wonder Girl and Impulse had left they hadn't interacted at all. Not from lack of effort on their part; Jaime was just tired. That's what he'd convinced himself of before telling the team. Always so tired, he would say, or that school doesn't permit it at the moment, sorry. After a few weeks of that and a total of two weekends without visiting, they gave him some space, probably figuring he needed time.
What would I need time for? Jaime would ask himself. Certainly not to think! was often the next thought that appeared within his head, shortly followed by a sarcastic remark from the scarab. It's not like Jaime was considering anything, to him, it was clear and he thought it was obvious to see for everyone else.
Perhaps they are showing what is commonly known as 'emotional support', the scarab often quipped when Jaime felt particularly down. He'd smash that thought just as often as the AI would bring it up.
Rolling over a burnt cigarette butt while finally crossing the street, Jaime crinkled his nose in disgust. He hated all forms of smoking. How could people consciously decided to kill themselves? Well, being is a super hero is the same in that regards… "But at least we make a difference," Jaime muttered bitterly under his breath.
While normal life had sounded great at first, Jaime was suffering from intense boredom and his brain must've been slowly dying because he had more and more difficulty coming up with solutions to his family's situation. Pretty soon, Jaime had been itching for some form of excitement, hoping against hope that it would spark his brain into thinking of something to help them financially.
He stopped at the corner of the road that led to the street his house was on. That place hadn't been a home in a long while. Jaime had an inkling he'd meet his stepfather, although it was early. The bastard had probably asked for some days off to spend with his incapacitated stepson. Deciding he'd rather avoid a confrontation with a decisive height disadvantage, Jaime crossed the street, heading for the park he'd have taken Wonder Girl if they wouldn't have decided to go to the museum.
Following the small paved path, Jaime let the tree-filtered sunlight touch his skin finally feeling as if he could unwind. Making sure the brakes were on, he rested under a great oak children would often climb with excited, daring delight. He pulled his backpack onto his still unfeeling legs and opened it. There was an odd pamphlet sticking out, with a bad sketch in odd colours of a musical band playing in front of a faceless crowd.
It announced that an upcoming battle of the bands style contest would take place at Jaime's school. Barely sparing a second glance at the specifications he skipped right to the prizes to be won. First place would get a $500 prize and a record deal, he didn't pay much attention to the rest.
The paper ruffled in the gentle breeze, the small flapping sound the only noise accompanying Jaime's stunned silence. "F-five hundred bucks..?"
Affirmative, that is what the informative pamphlet reads. A price of 500 U.S. Dollars and a record to the victor. Suggested strategy: enter this competition, eliminate all other contenders.
Jaime huffed, more in sympathy than annoyance. "I really need the money jessé, but that would be against the law, not to mention I don't want to murder anybody…" There wasn't anybody there, but Jaime still spoke softly.
After a small pause he started speaking again, "At least I know Tye will help me out. Although…"
The prize would have to be divided, that is not satisfactory. Our familial unit requires the money.
Jaime simply nodded and stashed the pamphlet away in his bag, opting to pull out his homework. He got started on his work, all the while thinking about the prize money.
Connor was still sitting in the living room watching static. Cassie didn't think it was healthy, especially for Superboy, as he was spending excessive amounts of time doing that now. She sat down next to him and nudged him.
"Hey Supey?" She asked worriedly.
When he didn't respond, she poked him fiercely in the side. "Come on, tell me what's wrong?" Cassie had been doing this for days now, asking him what was wrong and silence would be her only response.
Connor sighed, "I guess…" he began slowly, leaving Cassandra to wonder if he would continue. "I miss Blue." he finally mumbled, looking bashful.
Honestly, Cass thought to herself. It was cute how Connor had bonded with Jaime and treated him like a brother. Jaime was one of the few people Connor opened up to, but ever since Jaime has brushed them off for the umpteenth time, Connor had started skulking.
"Me too…" she agreed softly after a few moments. Jaime was supposed to help her with biology homework and she with his history papers. Although, she acknowledged to herself, he was fun to be around and she genuinely missed her friend.
She reclined on the couch, sighing. She was exhausted from all her extracurricular activities. Usually she'd hang out with her friends to recharge her batteries, but lately everybody was high strung because of the accident.
Accident, yeah right. It's all my fault this all happened, she thought bitterly to herself. It really didn't assuage her guilt that Jaime had pushed HER out of the way of a speeding car. She still had nightmares; most of them where Jaime didn't survive or… worse.
Deciding she didn't really want a nap, and that her homework could wait, Cassie made her way to the Zeta-beams. She and Jaime had to talk; the team and Jaime had to talk. But Jaime had to accept to talk to them first for that to happen.
She punched in the coordinates of Jaime's hometown, inspected her casual wear - running shoes, jeans and a plaid vest - and stepped through. She recognised the familiar sting of her molecules being ripped apart and glued back together at break-neck speed. As soon as she stepped out the other end, she regained her bearings. She was in a scrap yard just a little ways away from Jaime's home.
She quickly made her way out and walked the streets calmly. She decided to pass through a park that she knew led to Jaime's home. In the park though, under the soft glow of dusk, was Jaime, dozing off in his chair; backpack slung across his lap, snoring softly.
She quickly took out her phone and captured the moment several times to make sure she had the best picture she could with her phone. She made her way to her friend and gently whispered to him.
"Jaime, Blue, it's me, Cassie." Jaime responded with a small snort, but remained fast asleep.
Time for a different approach then, she thought. "Hey… S-scarab, could you wake Jaime up please?"
There was a moment of nothing and then Jaime groggily opened his eyes and tried to rub the sleep out of his marvellous hazel orbs. He sniffed, rubbed his face, and Cassie could hear the friction of skin and stubble. She had to admit, Jaime looked better with stubble. He finally looked in her direction and his eyes widened considerably.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded, voice still hoarse from sleep. For a second she wondered why boys couldn't always have that raspy quality to their voices.
"We need to talk… As if I need an excuse to come see a friend Jaime!"
He gulped, obviously not wanting to talk. She really didn't want to have this conversation either, but they had to. The Team felt like they were losing him. "What's there to talk about?" he asked her, his voice harsh and filled with thinly veiled... disdain? Disgust? She couldn't place it, but it really didn't belong in Jaime's voice.
She huffed, "Are you kidding me!? Jaime we've been trying to just TALK to you for weeks and you keep brushing us off and making up excuses! Please come back to the Team, we miss you… Connor's done nothing but skulk and Bart's just been eating in your room-"
"Don't care, he can eat wherever his speedster feet can carry him." He ran a hand in his spiky hair.
They look kinda like quills she thought.
"Look, Wonder Girl -"
Ouch, she winced inwardly.
"I'm not part …" he made a very generic hand gesture, which she took to mean the Team, "of any of this. Not anymore."
She felt insulted, that comment having really stung. "How can you say that? Jaime, you're our friend. You'll always be part of the gang!" Of the Team…
He didn't look particularly angry, or upset. He looked at Cassie, right in the eyes and just stared for the longest time before he said anything.
"Wonder Girl, please…" but she begged him with that look that only girls can give and boys have no choice but to cave to it. He sighed. "Fine, but not now. There's a battle of the bands coming up and I'm participating. I need the money. Bring the Team in two weeks to my school. Starts at 7."
Well, it was better than nothing, and Cassie didn't really feel like literally dragging Jaime back to the Cave. Well… she did, just a little, but she trusted Jaime. "Friday in two weeks?"
"Yes."
Satisfied, Cassie ruffled his hair. He didn't respond and simply wheeled off. Somewhat perplexed, Cassie turned on her heel and made her way back to the Cave.
Jaime fixed his hair after leaving the park. Geez, now he'd smell like Cassie, and his stepfather would never pass up this opportunity to ridicule him. He kept moving, finally leaving the park behind.
He so had NOT wanted to talk to Cassie…