(Author's Note: This is short. I know, but I think I'll have another short one up tonight, so two updates in one night should make up for it, right? Sorry, Kat isn't in either of them, but they're about her. Also, this mentions her cousins. I'm taking some artistic liberties with her family, so just stay tuned and be prepared for that when it gets here.
Standard disclaimers apply. I own nothing but my own imagination.)
"Hey, you okay Jackie?" Crutchie Morris studied his best friend's face as he jolted back into reality. (He had previously been staring into space, his eyes practically burning holes in the thin, lodging house walls.)
"What? Oh, I-I'm fine," Jack sputtered, "Don't worry about it kid." Crutchie could tell the minute the words left his mouth that Jack was lying through his teeth. He knew his best friend-well, they were more like brothers-and could read him like a book. If Jack was really fine, he'd have made some witty remark, or at least teased Crutchie for worrying too much.
"You miss her, don't you?" He accused, already knowing the answer.
"Huh?"
"Katherine. You miss Katherine. That's what's wrong." Jack gave a slightly embarrassed grin, but didn't deny it, confirming Crutchie's suspicions. Ever since Katherine had left on a short trip with her cousins, he'd been unusually quiet and despondent. Yep, if anyone could read Jack, it was Crutchie.
"You really love her, don't you?" Jack merely leaned against the wall and though for a minute.
"I just…" he started timidly, taking long pauses between his phrases, as if trying to think about how to put his thoughts into words. "I ain't ever felt like this about anybody before, but… well, I-I don't deserve her, Crutchie… really, I don't." A look resembled disappointment brushed Jack's face, and Crutchie limped across the room slowly to sit next to his friend.
"But, you love her, right?"
"Well, sure I do, but-"
"Then it don't matter," he insisted. "Look, so what if she's some rich guy's daughter, and that rich guy don't like ya too much? That don't mean nothin'. I ain't ever seen you so happy as when you's with Katherine. She's good for you. An you's good for her too. She loves you Jack." Jack's face lit up with the biggest smile Crutchie had ever seen.
"Ya really think so?"
"Jackie, I know so." Jack chuckled, mussing up Crutchie's hair.
"Thanks kid," he mumbled, beaming.
"Hey, what are friends for?"
(Hopefully I'll have another update in the next hour or so. See you soon. PLEASE review. I could really use some love tonight...
Much love,
PrettyLittleMonster Xxx)