The Stubbornness of Men

Jack was sulking. Oh, he'd never admit to it, but how else would you describe a pouting red ranger sitting on his bed staring at the far wall like you'd just kicked his pet puppy? Syd thought, standing in his doorway with her arms folded and tapping a foot impatiently. "Okay," she said firmly. "What is your problem?"

"I have don't have a problem," he replied defiantly.

"Of course you don't," she agreed. "That's why you've been holed up in here since Z happened to mention she and Sky were--"

"Ah ah ah," Jack interrupted, slapping his hands over his ears. "Don't go there."

"--involved," she finished and he gave her a reproachful look. "What?" she asked innocently. "Look, you can't spend the rest of your life in denial that Z is going to see other guys."

The reproachful look took on the qualities of a glare.

"You're being childish, you know," she snapped. "Why is this so hard for you? I didn't think you had that much of a problem with Sky."

"It's not that!" Jack snapped back, his hands dropping from his ears to land on his lap. "It's just--"

"Just what?"

"Never mind," he muttered.

"I don't think so." She wouldn't be budged on this until she got an answer for why Z was stomping around their room and playing her music so loud you could probably hear it two corridors away. Even Z wasn't usually so antisocial.

"I," he began, "I don't know."

"You don't know," she repeated flatly. "You don't know why you're being a jerk to your sister? Why don't I believe that?"

Jack shrugged.

"Jack, spill, or I'll let Sky loose on you."

Jack snorted. "He wouldn't do anything."

She raised her eyebrows at him. "You sure about that?"

Jack opened his mouth, then closed it again, looking more uncertain. "I can take him," he said, defiant nonetheless.

"Whatever," she replied dismissively. "You know what I think?" she continued, ignoring the muttered 'no' that probably had an 'and I don't want to know either' tagged on the end of it. "I think the problem is that you're used to being the most important guy in Z's life and now she's seeing someone, you aren't anymore." Again ignoring him as he tried to interject, she steamrolled over any attempt to interrupt. "And not only are you losing her to another guy, you're losing her to Sky, the guy who pushes more of your buttons than anyone else. It's understandable, Jack, but you're just going to have to deal."

"Are you done?" he demanded and she glared at him.

"No. Stop acting like a child and deal with the fact that Z's capable of making her own choices, even if you don't agree with them. Oh, and try not to scowl too much if she kisses Sky in front of you."

His nose wrinkled immediately at that last comment. "Did you have to mention that?" he asked plaintively. "I was with you until that."

She sighed and sat on the bed. "Jack, Z and Sky are dating and that's not going change, whether you approve or not."

"I know," he said quietly. "But--" he continued, "if he hurts her in any way--"

"Then you can kick his ass," she finished for him. "I don't think Sky would expect anything less."

Silence filled the room.

"I suppose I'd better go find Z, huh?" he said tentatively and Syd nodded.

"Might be a good idea," she agreed. "We don't want a repeat of the last time she was mad at you."

Jack winced and nodded, hand automatically rising to the back of his head before he jerked it back and shoved it in a pocket instead. "Right." He paused. "How pissed is she?"

"Very."

He flinched again.

AN: Okay guys I have a question for you. Do any of you have experience with mentoring young and/or inexperienced writers? Or know someone who does so I can politely beg for help? Because that's the kind of situation I currently find myself in and I could use some advice so I don't screw this up completely. Thanks.