The Light Behind His Eyes

My hands struggle to put on my tie. I kept fucking it up. Ether it was too tight, too lose, or it was on backwards. I sighed as I dropped my hands to my side in frustration. Abruptly, two hands reached over my shoulders and begun to fix my tie. I smiled lightly, "Thanks, Frank."
He appeared in front of me and smiled, "Big day." He added, "Don't worry, you'll win. And after that, you'll be able to rebuild your book store."
"I hope so."
"Well, I'm sure. Patrick seems really confident. He got his father to be your lawyer and I know if Patrick's determined, his father will also be." Frank finished up my tie, "There." He smiled.
My mind was somewhere else, not in reality. I was focused on bad memories like what happened last night. I know I wasn't the one who told Jack how Alex felt, but Alex was determined to put the blame on me that I've begun to believe that it was my fault...I did pursue him to tell Jack.
Frank noticed my thoughts weren't focused on the case because he asked, "Are you okay?"
I looked down, "I ruin everything." Frank remained quiet so I added, "Did Jack tell you-"
"Yeah, he did. Listen Gerard, it's not your fault and Jack knows...everything's going to be okay."
"How do you know?"
"Because Jack and Alex have a special bond, and Alex can't run away from that." He grinned, "Like you and I."

~

I shut the car door behind me as I gazed up at the building. My nerves begun to shake as I saw some of the staff of the school. They were standing outside of the building, scowling at me. I didn't know what else to do but to wave awkwardly. I could've sworn one of them muttered, "smart ass". I frowned. I didn't want the whole school to hate me. Like, the students I would understand, but the staff?
"Hey there, Gee!" I felt a hand smack against my back. Just as I was about to punch the person, my fist retreated when Patrick smirked, "Whoa there, Rocky." He sighed happily as he gazed up at the building, "This is the place where we'll get rich...well, not rich, because again, we're sueing a school." He laughed. He paused, "My father's already inside, he's waiting and he's not a very patient man so we better head inside quickly." I felt his hand push against my back, guiding me. Frank skipped beside me, "Nervous?"
"A little."
Patrick said, "You don't need to be. The defense might call you up to the stand but you have nothing to hide...right?"
"Of course." I replied.
"Good then we should win." Patrick pushed open the doors that led inside. We walked pass the lobby and walked down the large halls. We took a couple turns until we faced two large doors. Patrick straighted my tie and then his, "Remember men, be professional." Patrick looked at Frank's tie which was perfectly dressed. He nodded, "Good." He cleared his throat and opened the doors.
The first thing I saw was all of my peers on my side of the court and the other, the staff of the school. It surprised me to find the people who thought I didn't exist supporting me. I walked down the aisle and made my way to the right side of the room where Mr. Stump was standing. He was a tall man wearing a blue suit and expensive shoes. He stuck out his hand, "I've been hearing about you Mr. Way. You have a strong case."
I wasn't really sure what to say, so I just nodded and shook his hand.
Mr. Stump looked at his son, "What in hell's sake are you wearing?"
Patrick looked down at his black suit with a blue tie, "What do you mean?"
"This isn't a funeral."
Patrick looked as dissapointed as his father did. I wasn't sure what was wrong with Patrick's suit. It was clean and proper.
"It's hard to please you." Patrick muttered as he walked away.
Mr. Stump's eye brows furrowed. He had heard his son but didn't say anything.

Notes