Chapter 2 #3
There were things Jaylin wasn’t able to compromise on.
Electricity, internet—he needed those things to do his schoolwork.
But he tried to be as frugal as he could with food so that he was able to put a little into savings each week.
It wasn’t a lot, but in the five months since meeting Brent, he had been able to save up almost five hundred dollars.
Yeah, it meant going hungry sometimes, or waiting too eagerly for dinner with Brent, but having nearly half a grand for just in case was a huge deal.
It was the most money he had ever had, all at once.
It was an important accomplishment. He was as good as out on the street as soon as Brent got bored of him, so the more Jaylin could squirrel away to prepare for that, the better.
A silence descended as Jaylin slowly ate his cookie and sipped his cocoa. Hiro had a frown on his face, but it looked more like he was thinking about something, not that was upset with Jaylin, so Jaylin stayed quiet.
“Jaylin,” Hiro said carefully after a couple of minutes. “Do you… mind if I ask why you’ve memorized your textbook?” He used a fingertip to flick through a few of the red sticky notes poking out from the pages.
Jaylin’s face burned anew and he hunched his shoulders.
“I’m not criticizing your study method,” Hiro said hurriedly, before Jaylin could reply. “I’m extremely impressed. It just seems like a lot of work, especially since you so obviously understand what you’re doing. Do you do this for all your classes?”
“Yeah,” Jaylin admitted.
“How many classes are you taking?” Hiro asked, still sounding careful.
“Just four,” Jaylin said. He’d tried to sign up for a fifth class like he had last semester, but the head of the paralegal department had said he wasn’t allowed to.
“Just–?” Hiro blinked. “So uh, what, that’s twelve credits?”
“Fourteen,” Jaylin said, not sure why this mattered.
Hiro mouthed “fourteen” like he didn't believe it. Jaylin fought the urge to cross his arms defensively, angry that he felt hurt by the fact that Hiro didn't think he was capable enough for four classes.
“Business law is three credits, my math class is three credits, I’m taking astronomy, which is a four-credit lab, and my language class is four credits.”
At least between last semester and this one he had almost all his prerequisites out of the way. He’d have to take the next course in his language class, but aside from that, all he had left were the classes in the paralegal program.
“That’s really incredible,” Hiro said. Jaylin frowned. What was so incredible about doing the bare minimum in college? Wasn’t four classes typical? “What language?”
“American Sign Language,” Jaylin said. It was straight-forward, he didn't have to worry about mispronouncing anything, and there wasn't the horrific stress of trying to figure out words written in a different language.
Jaylin was conversationally fluent in Spanish, having picked it up just from hearing it spoken over the years with a couple of different foster families and in school. The fact that he couldn't read or write it had nearly failed him out of high school anyway.
Hiro looked at him for a long moment. “So Sign Language, business law, an astronomy lab, and a math class.”
“Yeah.”
“What math class?” Hiro asked, voice cautious.
“Statistics,” Jaylin said. “It’s required for the paralegal program, but it also fulfills my math requirement for the degree.”
“Wow.” Hiro ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah, okay, wow. I see why Aditi was impressed.” Before Jaylin could think of a way to respond to that, Hiro continued, smile turning rueful. “How badly were you humoring us both when you said you could use my help?”
What? This conversation was giving Jaylin mental whiplash. He was still so tired, and now that he had had a couple of cookies and the last of his hot cocoa, his stomach was reminding him that it was still very empty. Which was probably why he ended up blurting out, “I wasn’t. I-I’m falling behind.”
Hiro gave him a look that was a cross between astonished and horrified. “How?”
Jaylin’s throat clicked and he stared at the table.
He didn't say anything, because he didn't know what would come out of his mouth if he opened it. I’m so stupid that I can barely read or write. I’m memorizing my textbooks because it’s the only way I can manage to follow along in class.
I’m spending hours and hours every night struggling through simple sentences.
Maybe it was because he was so tired and that his body ached from last night, but his eyes burned with shame.
“Fuck, listen to me,” Hiro said quietly. “Listen, Jaylin, I’m sorry. I’m not questioning you. Or I shouldn’t be. I’m just surprised. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone like you before.”
“Okay,” Jaylin forced out, still not looking up. Big surprise there. How many fuck-ups did someone like Hiro come across in his life?
“But I’m stunned to hear that a student of your caliber is falling behind somehow.” Hiro’s fingers tapped on the table. “I’m happy to help however you think I can.”
That got Jaylin jerking his head back up. “What?”
“If you think I really could be of assistance, I’d like to be.” Hiro’s smile seemed… gentle. “I can tell you’re going to go places. I’d be honored to help you on your way.”
“Oh,” Jaylin got out before his throat closed up.
“How about this,” Hiro said. “I’ve already taken a lot of your time, and I know you’ve got to write down that paper.
Let me give you my number. Then you can reach out to me when you’re available, and we can arrange another meeting.
One we’re both planning for, where we can really sit down and talk this all through. Sound good?”
“Yeah,” Jaylin was able to say. “Sounds good.” He fumbled with his phone, pressing the button to add a new contact. “Ready.”
Hiro gave Jaylin his number and Jaylin punched it in without trouble. Phones were easy, because the numbers were in specific positions. Then he paused. “How, uh, how do you spell your name?”
“About how it sounds.” Hiro grinned. “H-I-R-O.”
Keyboards too, were easy enough, if Jaylin knew what letters he was supposed to type. He wasn’t going to try to type out Hiro’s full name, but four letters were doable.
It sank in that Hiro actually did want to see him again. Jaylin hadn’t messed up so badly that Hiro thought he was a lost cause. It made him smile down at his phone. It was a nice feeling, that Hiro thought Jaylin was worth more of his time.
His phone chimed in his hand then, and Jaylin flinched. It was the specific chime that Jaylin set as Brent’s, so Jaylin always knew to check the message.
“Something wrong?” Hiro asked.
“No,” Jaylin said quickly, looking down at his phone with dread. Brent couldn't want to see him again already, could he? Usually Jaylin got at least a day or two of respite.
Nerves made it harder for Jaylin to read the message, but at least it was short. Dinner at 7. Pack a bag.
So there’d be a meal at least, Jaylin thought dully, texting back an ok. A meal, and then he’d be the entertainment after, expected to stay the night. His stomach hurt just thinking about it. Brent had been demanding more and more of his time lately. Demanding more and more of Jaylin, too.
“Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?” Hiro asked again, concerned.
Jaylin shook his head, trying to shove aside his humiliation. “It’s fine. Just, uh, thinking about my schedule.”
“Okay,” Hiro said. He didn’t look convinced, but he mercifully allowed the subject change.
“About that—you wouldn’t happen to be free tomorrow, would you?
I know it’s short notice, but the rest of my week is pretty packed.
And I’d like to get started.” He said it apologetically, like he was worried about putting Jaylin out.
Jaylin glanced back down at his phone. He had until seven today to study for business law and astronomy, watch his ASL videos again, dictate his paper, and painstakingly go over it to check for typos.
In between he had to make sure he took a nap at some point before showering and getting ready to be picked up for dinner.
“It’s obviously okay if you can’t,” Hiro said. He rubbed the back of his neck and gave Jaylin what could almost be an embarrassed smile. “I’m eager to work with you. But we could schedule for later–”
“Sunday’s fine,” Jaylin said in a rush. If Hiro was eager to work with him, Jaylin needed to jump on that. “Just, uh, in the afternoon? Is that okay?”
“Sounds great,” Hiro said. “How about meeting for lunch? My treat, of course.”
Of course?
But it was another free meal. Jaylin wasn’t going to turn that down. “Yeah. That, uh, that works. If you’re sure.”
“Awesome,” Hiro said warmly. “Twelve-thirty?”
Brent would definitely want Jaylin out of his hair way before then. “Sure.”
“Great.” Hiro paused. “Would you, ah, like to pick where we went?
Jaylin blinked at him. He’d never been asked to choose before. He was always just taken.
“I just don’t want to pick a place too out of your way,” Hiro explained. “Or a place you aren’t comfortable going.”
“I know a good Mexican place,” Jaylin offered. “Authentic and everything.” He didn't go very often, but once in a while he treated himself when he felt like he deserved a reward. He wasn't a regular by any means, but some of the waitstaff knew him.
“Sounds great,” Hiro said warmly. “Why don’t you text me the name and address and I’ll meet you there.”
“Yeah, okay,” Jaylin said, smiling tentatively back.
Then his phone went off again, the same it’s Brent chime, and Jaylin barely kept from jumping, immediately glancing down at the phone in his hand with trepidation.
It was a few lines of text this time, words that Jaylin didn't have the energy to read. It’d have to wait until he could connect to his earbuds and play the message out loud to himself. Which meant he needed to say goodbye to Hiro.
Hiro, who, when Jaylin glanced back up, once again looked concerned.
“I um, I have to get going,” Jaylin said, shoving his phone in his pocket. “I’m sorry, I just—have homework and stuff. Thank you though. For everything.”
“Of course,” Hiro said. “I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Thank you for taking the time for me.”
It made Jaylin flounder. Nothing Hiro said made any sense. “You’re welcome? I mean, thank you. For your time, and for the cocoa and everything.”
Hiro smiled again and Jaylin’s heart beat faster. “Anytime.”