Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jake Webber walked through the halls with his head held high. The feigned confidence of the tall boy radiating off onto everyone around them. He approached his friends Adam and Jacob who were talking about some sport thing he didn’t really care about. They greeted each other and they went back to their conversation.

Jake had zoned out when a short, anxious, black haired boy had bumped into him. “I’m so sorry” the short boy said panicked. “No it’s okay I’m sorry I should’ve been paying attention.” Jake replied kindly. “Whats your name” he asked the small guy, “It’s Johnnie, I gotta get going” Johnnie replied seeing who was with the taller boy was with.

“Where do you think you’re going” Adam asked with a devious smile on his face. “Uhhh to class” Johnnie asked, panic picking up. “No your not, we’re not done here, you fucking freak.” Jacob sneered punching smaller in the arm. “You gotta be really fucking gay to be wearing all that makeup” Jacob finished. Shoving Johnnie into a locker before laughing his ass off.

Jake looked at Johnnie’s anxious face and decided to step in “Cmon guys leave him alone” he said, a sign of genuine concern in his voice. “Whatever, see ya round scumbag.” Adam said before knocking into Johnnie knocking him over harshly.

The short boy winced before getting up and walking to class.

*LATER THAT DAY*

Johnnie was walking to his locker when he saw Jake, he didn’t see Adam and Jacob so he thought it was safe.

As he walked past him, Jake stopped him.

“Hey Johnnie!” He said with a radiant smile, a smile like Johnnie had never seen before. It felt warm and welcoming. He felt himself offer a kind smile back “What’s up?” The boy asked, clearly nervous about the possibility of getting hurt again.

“I want to apologize about earlier, don’t listen to those guys. Their dumbasses.” He said with full sincerity in his voice. Johnnie smiled sadly and replied “it’s okay, nothing to worry about.” Jake looked at him and hesitantly nodded.

Johnnie glanced behind him and saw Jacob and Adam walking towards the two. “Uhh hey I gotta go see ya later maybe” He stated hurriedly before rushing off.

“Jake what’s up man, why was that freakazoid talking to you?” Adam asked sounding kinda pissed as if Johnnie had done something illegal. “Ohh uhhh- we have a class together and he was asking me about the homework.” Jake replied thinking quick on his feet. “OF COURSE THAT DUMBASS NEEDS HELP” Jacob yelled before cackling at his own joke.

Jake shook his head ‘I probably just made it worse for him.. sorry Johnnie’ he thought. “Yeah haha let’s go to class though.” He said before walking away.

*END OF THE DAY*

Johnnie was leaving the school building when Jacob and Adam had walked up to him, mocking his walk. “Stay away from Jake, he doesn’t wanna talk to gay freaks like you. You worthless fleabag. You probably have no friends.” Jacob teased shoving Johnnie harshly on the ground.

Hearing his words made the short boy flinch. He zoned out after the words “he doesn’t wanna talk to you.” It made him tear up a little bit but when he felt the his body make contact with the ground it pulled him out of the trance.

“Aww look at him, he looks like he’s about to cry!” Adam sneered, giggling at his comment before kicking Johnnie in his stomach.

Before he knew it, warm tears were streaming down Johnnie’s face. As he felt the punches and kicks making seemingly endless contact with his body.

“LEAVE US ALONE SCUM!” Adam added one last kick before they both walked away, laughing to themselves.

Johnnie got himself up and started walking away, thinking harshly about the boys words. The tears still lingering in his eyes. He looked at his body and saw the bruises on his arms and legs and sighed.

“JOHNNIE!” He heard a happy loud voice call for him. ‘Shit.’ He thought to himself. Jake was calling out to him with that beautiful voice of his, the smile that could light up any room filling his head, and that warm atmosphere that made anybody grin.

He didn’t want Jake to see him all bruised up so he had pretended like he didn’t hear him and briskly walked away.

“Hmm. Maybe he didn’t hear me.. oh well.” Jake said with a confused expression.

*AT HOME*

“IM HOME” he called out, nobody responding. That’s right, his mom was out of town for a while on family business. He set his belongings on the table before grabbing an ice pack. Icing the wounds on his body before wrapping them.

After a while, he would catch himself thinking about Jake. That beautiful dark brown hair, the kind eyes that someone could get lost in, the smile that could light up the room, and the warmth he radiated.

Johnnie felt his face heat up from the realization that he had developed a small crush on the tall boy. He didn’t want anyone to know, he didn’t want the bullying to get worse. So. He suppressed it and decided that he would have to do something painful. He would have to stop talking to Jake permanently.

Chapter Text

The next couple weeks were horrible, he wanted nothing more than to talk to Jake about anything and everything. The bullying kept up no matter how much he tried to avoid Jake.

But this day.. this day was the worst day of this. Johnnie tried to keep himself as unseen as possible and he hadn’t seen the two all day so he thought he was in the clear. That was until he was at lunch and he was sitting alone at his usual table and he felt the cold sensation of water being poured over his head and hearing the loud sounds of laughter of Adam and Jacob.

“WHAT THE HELL?” He yelled at the two jumping up from his seat, soaking wet. “Thought you looked a little warm in all that black.. just wanted to cool you off!” Adam retorted. The entire lunchroom was silent. Watching every move the three were making. “Yeah! Don’t be so sensitive you fleabag!” Jacob added. His cheeks prickled with embarrassment and his eye pricked with tears.

“Awww look at the little baby.. he’s gonna cry!” Adam teased before shoving him on the floor. The lunchroom was laughing at this. “Freak! Look at how pathetic you are!” He continued before kicking him in the side.

This continued for another minute before a loud voice could be heard over everything.

“HEY! GET THE HELL OFF OF JOHNNIE YOU FUCKING LOW LIFE!!” Jake yelled. Running over to the scene “Why are you defending this scum? He’s so fucking stupid! Here Johnnie I’m sorry have my lunch as an apology!” Jacob mockingly said before dumping his soup on him.

Tears streamed Johnnie’s face as he got up and walked briskly out of the room and into the hall to find a place to lay low.

“WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?” Jake bellowed at the two, “chill dude.. it’s just a joke, plus that loser deserves it.” Adam argued, “No he doesn’t, and you two are so fucking pathetic..” Jake told them lowering his voice in a stern way. “Whatever dude.. just shut the hell up.” Adam said back.

“No. You’re not gonna sit here and pick on someone for no fucking reason. I’m not gonna allow it.” The tall boy sternly said. “Oh yeah? And what are you gonna do about it tough guy?” Jacob questioned.

Jake picked up the boy by his collar before speaking “You really wanna sit here and ask that question? We can see. But know in the end. You’ll be the loser.” The boys face turned a pale white and he shook his head with fear. “Whatever dude.. if you wanna hang out with that freak then go ahead. But don’t hang around us anymore.” Adam stated. Jake dropped Jacob and said “That’s fine. I wouldn’t want to be seen with pathetic losers like you anyways.”

The two boys walked out of the lunchroom and Jake soon followed suit, rushing to find Johnnie.

____

Johnnie had gone into one of the stairwells, wet and cold. Tears streaming down his face while quiet sobs wracked his body, the embarrassment from that scene replaying in his head. He could hear yelling in the cafeteria and the covered his ears. He didn’t want to hear it.

After a while he uncovered his ears and heard the thumping of footsteps approaching his body. “Johnnie are you okay?” A kind and gentle voice asked him.. it was Jake.

“Yeah I’m fine.” Johnnie said, a cold tone to his voice. “Listen I’m so sor-“ Jake started but Johnnie had interrupted “SHUT UP! I don’t want your fake apology! I’m not some weak-link that you can use as a popularity stunt.” He yelled at Jake, voice cracking and breaking while tears filled his eyes once more.

“I don’t think that- I genuinely want to be friends with y-“ He tried to say before the shorter boy interrupted again. “No you don’t! Just- leave me alone.” Johnnie finished. Warm tears trickling down his face once again, storming off, leaving the building.

“JOHNNIE WAIT!” Jake called out. But it was no use. He couldn’t stop him.

*JOHNNIES HOUSE*

Johnnie cleaned himself up and he sat on his bed. He thought to himself as he remembered what he said to Jake. Guilt filling his body.

He know Jake would never do that, he just… took all his frustration out on him. He needed to apologize to him.

*THE NEXT DAY*

Johnnie walked into school as he looked left and right for Jake but he couldn’t find him. Until after 2 period.

He walked through the hallways and looked around and there he saw him. His heart started pounding and the beauty of Jake. The kind eyes, the gorgeous hair, and the smile that caught his eye in the first place.

He walked up to him and breathed, trying to calm his nerves.

“Jake.” He said, voice riddled with anxiety.

“Hey Johnnie! What’s up?” Jake replied, the joy in his tone made Johnnie turn a slight shade of red. Not enough to be notice however.

“I wanted to apologize.. you didn’t deserve that and that was completely uncalled for and I’m so sorry.” Johnnie said in a genuine voice. “It’s okay man. I get it believe me I’m not mad at you.” He replied with a voice full of kindness.

The shorter boy sighed in relief and Jake let out a chuckle.

“Would you.. wanna sit with me at lunch today?” Jake asked, hoping to make his friend feel comfortable. Johnnie nodded, looking away due to the heat rising to his face. “Okay! I’ll see you then.” He started. “Let me get your number so I can text you when I get to the lunchroom.” Jake finished.

They exchanged numbers and went on their way. Texting each other throughout the day. Feeling a feeling in his chest that he didn’t know. Everytime Jake would text him he would feel giddy, heart racing with joy and excitement.

He soon realized, he liked Jake.

Chapter Text

Over the next couple days Jake and Johnnie started talking more and more, it made Johnnie feel safe and relaxed. Jake could make him laugh like no one else could, his smile grew bigger and brighter the more time he felt with Jake.

When Johnnie was with Jake, he felt as though everything was okay.

However, he felt the love in his heart grow and it only made me feel more self conscious, he knew Jake would never like him back. No matter how much he wished. He wanted to feel his lips on his, to lay next to him while they slept. It made his a pain in his chest grow.

This particular day, that pain grew to big.

Johnnie was sitting in class when he felt his phone buzz. He knew who it was, no one else would text him throughout the day.

*Hey, wanted to see if you wanted to go out after school?*

Johnnie smiled and immediately started to text back.

*Sure, where are you taking me?*

*I need to go to target and wanted to see if you would join me and maybe we could get dinner!*

Johnnie felt a heat prick in his cheeks, it felt like they were going on a date and it made his heart race.

*Oh sure, where should I meet you after school?*

*Meet me by the flag pole!*

*Okay, I’ll see you then*

*Great! It’s a date :)*

That was when that pain in his chest grew to big, his heart felt heavy and it made him sick. He needed to get out of the classroom. Johnnie raised his hand and asked to use the restroom, he left and walked as quickly as possible to the nearest bathroom.

He closed the stall and slid down the wall, his lip quivering a little as tears welled up in his eyes.

‘Why do I have to be this way?’

‘Why am I such a freak?’

As these thoughts raced his head, he felt the pacing of his breathing pick up. He was a monster and no one should ever love him. He hated himself. He wanted to die.

He knew he couldn’t stay out of the classroom for too long though, so he tried to compose himself as best he could and left the stall to wash his face.

However, he ran into someone he didn’t want to see. Adam.

“Oh it’s you, want are you doing in here loser?” He jokingly asked. He must’ve seen Johnnie’s tear stained face because a smirk started forming on his face.

“Dude are you crying AGAIN?” Adam started to ask, mocking him, “YOU ARE SO PATHETIC OH MY GOD!” He finished. Johnnie tried to ignore him, but he just kept going. “Just leave me alone dude.” He tried to stand up for himself but you could hear the fear in his voice.

“Oh whatever. If you tell anyone we had this encounter. I’ll make your life hell again.” Adam said matter-of-factly. “Do that and I’ll get Jake on your ass again.” Johnnie replied, feeling slightly more confident knowing that Jake had his back (despite his feelings).

“That fuckwad doesn’t scare me. But whatever man.” The boy replied. Doing his usual routine of shoving him on the floor, smirking at him. “It’s because of you that Jake lost all his friends. You should just fucking kill yourself. You made his life hell. It’s all your fault.” Adam told him, squatting down to get right in Johnnie’s face. His voice full of malicious energy. He punched Johnnie square in the face.

“Don’t tell anyone about this.” Adam tells him before he leaves the bathroom.

Johnnie got up from the floor and looked at his face, the black eye already forming. Adam’s words made him wanna cry again but he knew he needed to go back to class so.. he washed his face and left the bathroom.

Throughout the day, he couldn’t find Jake. He was thankful though, he didn’t want him to ask about his eyes. He knew he would when they met up, but it would give him time to come up with an excuse.

But with Adam’s words still circulating in his head, his anxiety was through the roof. He hated it. But Johnnie went through the day trying to appear as normal as possible.

*END OF THE DAY*

Johnnie exited the school excited to see Jake, his smile growing and his heart fluttering. He waited by the flag pole for a minute looking around for Jake, he couldn’t find him. Until he felt someone’s fingers taser his sides.

He shrieked and turned around and looked at Jake with fake anger and slapped his arms. “YOU ASSHOLE WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!” He shouted at the taller.

“Just wanted to scare you! Didn’t realize you were so sensitive there.” Jake replied with a chuckle, Johnnie blushed. He looked down and his face turned into one of concern and caring. “Hey- what’s happened your face?” He asked with a hint of anger in his voice.

“Oh- it’s nothing, I walked into my fridge this morning! You know me, always clumsy!” Johnnie replied hurriedly.

Jake hesitated, he knew it was a lie but he decided to not press. “Alright then..” he started “you ready? I wanna get going and leave this place asap!” He finished. “Yeah I’m ready let’s go.” Johnnie replied.

They both walked to his car with a smile on both their faces. Getting in there and talking about their day (Johnnie leaving out everything that happened in the bathroom). After a few minutes they left the parking lot and headed to their first destination.

Chapter Text

They were talking so much and Johnnie was so content in Jake’s company that he was kind of shocked when they pulled into the parking lot of target. “Alright man, I just need a few things, is there anything you need to grab while we’re here?” Jake asked, Johnnie thought to himself, he knew he needed some things but he also knew he didn’t have any money.

“No I don’t need anything.” He responded, Jake smiled a the smaller boy, “Alright but if you think of anything grab it.” The taller stated.

Johnnie nodded. He wouldn’t be doing that.

They walked into the store and Johnnie received his usual glances. It used to bother him but, somehow with Jake by his side he felt almost like he would be safe. He would never admit it though.

“Also, where do you want to go for dinner? I’m cool with just about anything, or if you’re not up for fast food we could always go to my house, or your house, and we could cook something.” Jake said in a kind voice.

“We could get wings from somewhere, I’m cool with anywhere.” Johnnie started, thinking to himself, “I’m cool with going to my house.” He finished. “Is Buffalo Wild Wings okay?” Jake asked.

Johnnie nodded. “Alright thats what we’ll do then, we’ll go get wings and then we can go to your house.” Jake said, a hint of excitement in his voice. When Johnnie realized that he actually invited Jake to his house he blushed ever so slightly.

Jake got everything they needed and they payed and left the store, getting in the car and Jake placed an online order for their food.

After they picked it up and went to Johnnie’s house.

Johnnie sat his stuff down in his room and they both sat down at the table and began eating their meal.

“You know.. I would slap this on a bitches ass.” Jake said, jokingly. Johnnie laughed at the others comment, “Now what would that even do for you? Wouldn’t it make it worse?” Johnnie asked the other in the same joking manner.

As they continued talking and laughing, Johnnie felt so content that when it was time for Jake to leave, he kind of felt himself get a little sad.

“Alright I’ll see you tomorrow, meet me at our usual table?” Jake asked, smiling that smile that Johnnie loved so much. “Yeah, I’ll meet you there.” Johnnie responded.

Jake left the house and Johnnie watched and made sure the taller go safely. He smiled to himself. Life was beginning to change and he couldn’t wait for it to come.