It was Wednesday. Jack had gone through all of his classes, though nothing eventful happened. His history class just started. He looked around and noticed the class seemed to have doubled. He realized that it was the first day the AP human geography class was joining them for their project about fear. Jack looked around for anybody he recognized from the other class, and he didn't find anyone. He was a few minutes early, though, so some of the AP human geography students wouldn't be there yet.
The teachers told the class to research their need to knows for the project as they discussed what all they wanted to do.
A few minutes after the class had started, the door opened as a few more of the AP human geography students came in. Jack looked up again to see if he recognized any and noticed David was with the group of students, but didn't seem to really know any of them, as he was more separated from them. Jack waved at David, catching his eyes.
David, after seeing him wave, quickly walked towards Jack. "Is this seat taken?" He asked, motioning to the empty seat next to Jack's at the table.
"Yeah, by you," Jack said with a chuckle. "Have a seat. We ain't doin' much, just researching our need to knows that we listed on Monday."
David thanked him as he sat down. "So… My teacher said we get to choose our groups."
"Ah, she did? Mine hasn't said anythin' about it." Jack leaned back in his chair. "Got someone you want to partner with?"
David scratched the back of his neck. "Well... Do you?"
Jack chuckled. "Yeah,"
"Oh." David looked down at the table. "Who? If you don't mind me asking, that is."
"Well, none other than the David Jacobs," Jack said.
"I- uh- oh I, uh," David sputtered, his face red. "Thanks." David pulled his laptop out and pulled up his need to knows. He started reading articles on how fear affects humans and how it works.
Jack would normally goof off, but seeing how ready David was to start on his research, Jack decided he would take a look at a few articles. He looked at articles on how fear is used to persuade people into doing things they may not have done otherwise.
It really was an interesting topic. Jack was already learning a lot about how it can be used to manipulate people. He never thought about it before, but it definitely was something you see a lot. He wrote down his findings in a google doc. He would surprise his friends by actually having something to share during class discussions.
The teachers spent the rest of class discussing the project, but informed them all to keep on researching their need to knows so they could be as prepared as possible. They also informed them that they needed to email them with who their partner is so they could make sure everyone had a partner by the end of class on Friday. Immediately, Jack and David emailed both teachers saying that they had chosen each other as partners.
"So, David," Jack said. "Any ideas for a final product?"
"I was thinking a skit," David said. "Or informational posters; those are a much easier route. But skits are more fun. Unless you don't like acting, then we could do something else, but... Yeah."
"We should wait to find out the parameters for the final product, but I like both those ideas," Jack said with a smile. "We got plenty of time to come up with ideas, too. Was just curious."
"Well… Yeah." David said. "I like to stay ahead in my classes... So I'm going to try and finish all my research that I need for my current need to knows before next Wednesday."
"Oh, uh.." Jack paused. "Do you want me to do the same?"
"If you can. You don't have to, but it makes things a lot easier." David fiddled with the hem of his shirt. "You don't have to."
"Nah, easy," Jack said. "Anything that makes things easier, I'm down for."
David smiled. "Thanks, Jack. I know it might be a lot to ask, so I appreciate it."
"No problem."
Jack had tried his hardest to get his research done as quickly as possible, but he had twenty-two need to knows and it was only the start of the project. Normally, he would barely research what he needed to and just blow it off till the end of the project. He wasn't sure why he cared so much about this project. Maybe he didn't want to let David down, or maybe he was actually interested in the topic. Either way, he got to work right as he got home, surprising both Medda and Crutchie.
"Hey Jack, mom already left," Crutchie told him. "She didn't wanna bug you while you were workin' so hard."
Jack closed his laptop. "Did we get plans for dinner?"
"Yeah, she came home and cooked a casserole during the break she has before her two o'clock show," Crutchie said. "Just has to be microwaved." He walked into Jack's room and sat down on his bed. "Why're you already stressin' about school? I thought you didn't care till you got a D."
"I promised Dave I'd work on the need to knows for history and have 'em done by class on Wednesday," Jack explained. He swiveled in his chair to face his brother.
"Oh ho, David? As in, David Jacobs is your partner for history?" Crutchie lowered his voice. "Someone got a crush?"
"God's sake, Crutch. He's just a friend," Jack said. "And why do you keep bringing this stuff up? We are only friends, that's it, and that's all it will be!"
"Hey, no need for yellin'," Crutchie said. "I didn't know it bugged ya so much."
"Well, it does."
The boys sat silently for a moment. "Well," Crutchie said, standing up. "I guess I better leave you alone."
"No, Crutch, it's okay," Jack said, also standing. "I'm sorry for raisin' my voice."
"Ah, don't worry 'bout it," Crutchie said. "It's nothin'." He started walking for the door.
Jack set his hand on his shoulder just as he was about to exit. "Hey, it isn't nothin'. And I'm sorry, really." Jack gave his brother a quick hug. "You wanna take a look at your need to knows so we can knock out the research together?"
Crutchie smiled. "Yeah, lemme run and grab my laptop."
A few weeks had passed. Every night, Jack had always tried to get in touch with Amelia. Some nights, she would respond. Others, she wouldn't reply, without so much as a message in the morning either. The nights she didn't respond were the nights Jack had the most issues sleeping. He always worried something may have happened to Amelia.
Jack sat at his desk, awaiting a response from his girlfriend. He texted her a bit early, so he tried to not stress about her response just yet.
He waited a few hours, doing sketches in his artbook while time passed. At about one in the morning, he decided she wasn't going to respond, so he went to set his phone on the charger. Before going to sleep, he checked his phone. Still no response.
He had managed to get a few hours of sleep, but not much. He woke up around six in the morning, a half hour before his alarm was supposed to ring. He rolled out of bed and got ready for the day quickly, then grabbed his things and headed downstairs to the living room.
Medda was already awake. She normally woke up fairly early to make breakfast for the boys and to make sure she was awake enough to drive them to school, then be on her way to the theatre. Medda and Jack talked about how things are going in the theatre. She brought up that she needed a new backdrop for the next set of shows they were doing, and she wanted Jack to do it for her. He agreed, and they decided they would discuss more another time.
Crutchie came down the stairs and the three ate breakfast together. Before heading out the door to go to school, Jack sent Amelia another text asking if she was okay.
Jack's school day was very normal. He didn't have much work he was supposed to do, so he got to goof off with his friends for most of the day. David was now hanging out with all of Jack's friends. David had originally been shy to join with them, but he slowly started sitting and eating lunches with them in the commons area. At this point, he was just as much a part of the group as any of them.
Jack and David spent some of their shared free time working on their project, though they didn't have much to do. They finished everything quickly after it was all assigned, and even worked ahead when given the chance.
When Jack got home, he checked his phone to see a text from Amelia.
Amelia: We should break up. You're too overbearing, and obviously don't trust me on my own.