"I guess." He said, shrugging. "Don't feel to tiered, though. But whatever." He waved his hand dismissively. "So, why'd you choose to sit here instead?" He asked before he could stop himself. Cue the internal screaming. No no no no no stupid why would toy say that you fucking idiot no- "I- I mean, I'm good with it, don't get me wrong. You just… don't, normally." He spoke quickly, blushing a bit. Nope, you fucked it up already goddamnit-
"Oh right," Jackson looked at Eric and spotted a slight pink tinge. Probably his imagination, Eric wouldn't be blushing for him, "I just felt like changing things up. Yep. That's the reason I'm sitting here."
"Oh." He said, running s hand through his hair. "Cool." I mean, he hasn't left yet, and he chose to sit with you, for some godforsaken reason…
"Yeah, cool," Jax leaned back and continued eating in silence. For about two seconds, until he asked, "Are you doing anything after school?"
Eric shook his head. "No. Why?" He asked, looking up.
"I was wondering if you maybe wanted to hang out?" Jackson finally asked. He was looking straight down at his sandwich, not being able to look at Eric and ask.
Eric blinked. "Uh, yeah. Yeah, uh… I'd like that." He mumbled the last part, cheeks heating up. "What were you thinking?" Wait why does he actually want to hang out what- shut up.
"Um, maybe ice cream or something?" Jackson suggested. He hadn't expected Eric to say yes and he glanced back up at Eric, confidence slightly renewed.
"Sure." Eric said, giving him a small half smile. "Sounds fun." His fingers drummed nervously against the table, without his notice. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-
Jackson smiled brightly back at Eric not being able to hide his excitement, "Great! Want to just meet up outside after school?"
"S-sure." He said, wincing at his stutter. "Meet by the tree?" Okay wait his smile is stupidly hot and why
"Yeah, sure, that works," Jax kept grinning. He wanted the day over with now, so he could get ice cream with Eric. It wasn't great, or even perfect, but it was a start to something.
Eric smiled back, a bit shyly. "So, what's up?"
"Nothing much," Jax said still grinning like an absolute idiot at this point, "What's up with you?"
"Sleep deprived induced focus issues." He said, shrugging. I'm starting to think it didn't have much to do with sleep…
"I thought you took care of that by sleeping through first hour?" Jax asked him.
"Ah, yes, the second hour of sleep I got this week." He said, laughing. "It was lovely."
Jax laughed with him before dropping slightly, "Wait really?"
"Yeah." He said, smiling. "It's about my average. Actually, a little above it."
"That's not healthy," Jackson commented, "You need at least eight hours, a day."
"I'm still alive, ain't I?" He said, leaning back.
"For now," Jackson huffed slightly, "I wouldn't be surprised if you passed out at any moment."
"I probably would. But I'd be fine, really." He said, smiling.
"I wouldn't think so," Jackson was frowning slightly now, "Is it bad to say I'm a little worried about you?"
"…Ya really don't have to." Eric muttered, looking down. Why does he care…?