"It's… i-it's okay… I-I deal with this all the time, I'm used to it…" Jay stared down into the cup, heat rising to his face. Why is she so concerned? Why does she care? I experience worse than this all the time!
The Grand Library
"I don't care if you're used to it, put the ice on your cheek. You're to be safe, and hopefully happy, under my roof, okay?" She looked him in the eye to emphasize her care and seriousness of it.
Jay flinched at her stern tone and put the ice on his cheek. "Y-Yes, ma'am…" Another memory came back to him, from when he was very little and had only been speaking for a little bit. Perhaps around the age of four. Mama, can yo- The younger Jay was slapped hard across the face. You are to call me ma'am! Is that clear?! Jay trembled. I asked you a question, boy! Is that clear?! Y-Yes, ma'am… Good! And you'll do well to remember!
Bridgett immediately regretted her unfriendly tone. She crinkled up her nose. "Ma'am? Let's stick with Bridgett, yeah?" She tilted her head at him and finally asked, "What do you think of the cocoa?"
(May I ask what time it is for you? I wanna know if our time zones are different so we can continue tomorrow when one of us has to leave)
"Yes ma'a- sorry! I… I-I mean Bridgett… It's… good." He took a sip of the hot chocolate, unable to make eye contact with Bridgett. And your father is to be called sir! Do you understand, boy? Yes… y-yes ma'am… Take care that you don't forget, or your consequences will be dire! Jay closed his eyes, shuddering and not noticing that more tears had fallen.
(It's about 12:20 am rn)
(12:20 am?! Go to bed friend. We'll continue tomorrow morning)
(Noooooo I usually stay up till like, two am. It's fine. What is it for you?)
(Why do you do this to yourself? It's about 10:25 pm for me)
(Meh I'm a night owl. I think best when there aren't any distractions. Anywho, continue :D)
(I’m joining in!)
Kamryn walked over to See a girl reading to a young boy. She listened to the story “that’s one of my favourites you know.” She smiled fixing her jacket
(Alright then.)
Bridgett smiled at the new girl who had walked in. "Yeah, it's good. What's your name?" She asked.
Bridgett glanced at Jay who was hiding his face from the new girl
Jay quickly tried to wipe the tears from his cheeks before the girl saw them. Perhaps she would not like him to be weak, like his parents didn't. His hands trembled as he held onto the cup, and he seemed to be holding his breath.
(Gtg now, my mom texted me like your light is still on go to sleep lol)
(Lol same. I'll be back in a day and a half, goodnight!)
(Alright then.)
Bridgett smiled at the new girl who had walked in. "Yeah, it's good. What's your name?" She asked.
Bridgett glanced at Jay who was hiding his face from the new girl
“My name is kamryn but you can call me Kam!” She saw the young boy hide his face and became slightly suspicious of his behavior
Jay looked up at the girl nervously, the red mark on his face blossoming into a bruise. His pained, tired eyes locked with Kamryn's for a moment before he had to look away. She might figure it out, like Bridgett… you mustn't tell either of them anything…
(Frens?)
(OH HI)
(Wanna talk to awkward crying Jay?)
(Henlo?)
(Yo, I've returned. Sry, I was camping)
(Give me awkward crying Jay. But we also need Kam now for this conversation)
"Nice to meet you, Kam! I'm the owner of this library, Bridgett. Can I help you find something?" She asked cheerily, drawing attention away from Jay.
(Henlo?)
(Sorry I left)
“No not really, I needed to do some work with kids for a job application so I thought the library was the best place to go however the only kid here is Jay.” She replied smoothly
"Oh, alright." Bridgett said, smiling. "Well, I can have a day set up for sometime in the next few weeks where I'll invite the kids in the area. Would that be helpful?"
“I guess so unless Jay here doesn’t mind me reading to him and working with him for the next few hours?” She asked turning to jay as she spoke
"If it's alright with him…" Bridgett responded nervously. She wasn't sure how she felt about Kam. She turned to Jay also to wait for his answer.
(anyone alive today?)