SilentandBroken

Yep and I bet Jackson never even realized it at the time.

I don’t know how to handle the fight Jackson and Luke had. At first it felt like Luke was intimidated by Ally. He was clearly uncomfortable and hurting from the exchange with Jackson. The commute will be hard to be punctual. The practice’s grueling. I’m worried about Luke

It’s a bit early I think for her to put 2 & 2 together just yet I think. That said, those thoughts..yeah she has only so many options at this point and it becomes a mathematical equation. I expect she’s gonna start asking questions in ways that might lead her down that road soon a bit further that is of course if she doesn’t catch them kissing or at least in an embrace. I must add however, I sooo love how you describe their embraces. That is special.

I don’t think you’ve done that here. I wouldn’t even call Jackson a bad boy. He’s bored and not challenged. The only challenges he has up unto this point of the story is his swimming, his punishment, and Luke..and in a way himself.

No people don’t change that quickly but that isn’t to say it hasn’t happened. Sometimes they need a spark or a kick in the ass. The way Jackson did an about face with his behavior can be attributed to both Luke and his long term punishment

Is Grace already smelling out how close Jackson and Luke have become? They’ve given her plenty of clues without trying to. Plus, in most cases, mothers really do know their sons better than their sons are able to admit. The fact Jackson was so quick to drop Allison is telling to me. I would’ve been less surprised NEXT chapter. But, even if Luke and Jackson are not an item yet, dropping her now I think is good for Jackson because she’s shallow and the principle is her father and the fact that he really isn’t a Jackson fan would be better for him. Much less distraction for Jackson. Luke on the other hand, both distracts Jackson and helps him focus in a different way. He grounds him. Already we’ve seen Luke build him up mentally way better than a new boyfriend would normally. They’re behaving like they’ve been a serious couple for more than a year and know each other pretty well ..at least in this area. Yeah there’s still a lot they’ve got to learn about each other but the way Luke handles Jackson when he’s being petulant is both smart and strong. Every time Jackson wants Luke to push back when he’s being a spoiled brat to him Luke doesn’t bite. He backs off. I’m not sure if it’s because he knows that’s what Jackson wants or if Luke is just afraid of conflict. Perhaps it’s a bit of both. I also like the way Luke handles his own mother. From what we’ve seen, it’s much the same. Perhaps Henry taught him how to fight well as a couple. I see the same traits.

I was afraid this was going to happen. But, there is a huge positive takeaway from this. Luke. GO LUKE.

I’m really proud of Jackson in this chapter. Ally is on my shit list. She has a chance to change her tune although I don’t expect it. She’s pretty shallow. Heather gets a point for keeping Derek more or less..ok maybe less but more than anyone else aside from Jackson. Toby is tbd. I’ll chalk him up to ignorant. I don’t expect Jackson’s guilt to last long and I also expect how Ally acted will stick in his craw. Whether he calls her out on it is another matter.

I’ll dm u

Like I said last chapter, this is the beginning of role reversal for both of them. Jackson cannot resist Luke even as he’s tried to. Luke is terrified. Jackson perhaps said the most intelligent thing when he told Luke to just be himself. Something broke open in Jackson when they kissed the first time. He had some really smart counters to all of Luke’s “can’ts”. Luke will calm down some but it’ll take a while for them to navigate their comfort level coming out. Luke will realize things will be ok in time.

Well we know where Jackson got his impulsive street from… I hope the house isn’t burned down

Oh and I think I answered my question I posed last chapter 😆

OMG that happened a bit sooner than I expected but I expected it would be Jackson to take the initiative, since he’s the one listening to his impulsive side. But the fact that Luke did it first makes me jump for joy. Plus I am ecstatic Jackson kissed him back. Now they need to take things slow enough to make sure it builds but fast enough to keep their momentum . Undoubtably Jackson is going to go through all the doubts once he’s by himself but I don’t think that will last too long

Hmmm good conversations between Jackson’s mother, who I’m surprised wasn’t abandoned by Luke’s mom, Luke and Henry. All in all a productive day. All this talk about bullies in school had me wondering how Jackson would react if he came across Tooley messing with Luke.

“Remembering the way Luke looked standing in my living room, I knew I had finally gone too far.” Yes you sure did Jackson. You didn’t think ahead. You be being selfish, wanting to prevent Luke from enrolling in your school for the last few months. You forgot his mother is YOUR mother’s “dearest friend” and you didn’t think that she, witnessing you harmless prank won’t get back to your mother. In fact you didn’t even consider that Luke’s extra judgy mother might even end her friendship with your mother now. You really just undid all that work and pleading to get your freedom because you know Luke’s mother is going to severely over exaggerate your little stunt for the full effect she can get. Plus you made Luke so mad he swore twice. Nice going

If you’ve not tracked some of my comments from other stories yet, my perception…is different. I’m the odd one who made the perfect victim and suffered in silence (hence the user name) while I was abused at 13 and survived a lot of trauma of loss well into adulthood. The perception of the world for me is different than most folks. MY humor is a tad dark. A tad twisted (thanks to my time in EMS in my 20’s & yeah that made my trauma waay worse). I confess I’m a complicated person. Warped and jaded but not bitter. Not anymore thankfully. But definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. I’m ok with that.

Interesting mental picture..yes I can kind of see it. Jackson does kind of act like a little petulant little brat at times when he doesn’t get his way 😆

I haven’t read those yet, but but I’m sure I’ll get to them

you succeeded

Well my dirty little secret is by using my iPhone, I highlight chunks of a chapter at a time and use the speaker function with the Siri 5 voice setting which is as close to an American teenage boy’s voice, and I let it read the story to to me through my earbuds. It’s almost real at times with certain phrases and inflections working, other times not so much but I don’t care. I confess this site is my slight addiction once I finish bd a long story much like this one so no worries, I’ll burn through this pretty quickly. Your skill and mastery at capturing the American teenage boy’s attitude is great..

Ok what a great chapter. Interns dynamics between Allison and Luke. The tension between the is palpable. What I REALLY appreciated was the impromptu swimming lesson Jackson gave. It seemed to help Luke immediately. I hope it sparks more interest for Luke. That said, it was short and unfortunately so was the deep conversation that sort of happened poolside before they headed to the locker room. I don’t think Jackson even realized he was asking Luke out of pure genuine interest. Man it’s a slow burn but I hope this dance is worth it.

Oh and I wouldn’t last one day under Luke’s or Jackson’s mother’s thumb! Dad’s need to stand up to this crap.

Exactly! Jackson’s parents at work-aholics and let’s really be honest here, is what Jackson’s pranks really all that bad? No. The fight during ISS wasn’t his fault. The soapy nude slip’nslide actually was genius and probably quite hot given how good shape he’s in to be a swimmer. In fact they’re hilarious…unless you’ve got a stick up your ass and no sense of humor. Now that the tables appear to be turning on Jackson and Luke, Jackson is seeing a different perspective and I think he’s really beginning to feel sorry for Luke and that might help these two opposites attract. 💕💕💕💕💕💕

I laughed at the end of this chapter because Jackson was cute when he pouted not getting his way stomping into the house. I think subconsciously he’s onto Luke’s interest in him a little bit, which is why he’s a little bit. I think Jackson honestly is restless and bored with his friends and girlfriend. He’s 18 right? He’s going to test the boundaries. That’s natural. His parents are late to the game to try to correct Jackson at this point. His against the system mentality is already set. The only way that changes is to changes his influences. Enter Luke. But here’s the problem. Luke is also bored with his toe the line life and Jackson is ever so appealing. I’m waiting for Luke to offer to take Jackson to swimming practice. Perhaps there’s something to happen from that. As for Luke‘s mother, yep. I think Jackson was right about her concerns I bet. All in all, I think both boys will help each other find a nice happy balance and IN that process, maybe their parents will learn to let them test their wings a bit more and they won’t be so quick to push back.

Me thinks Jackson has become a bit a tempting challenge to Luke to correct his behavior and in the process…🤔