Issue #2 - Emotional Breakdown

Issue #2 - Emotional Breakdown

Jake's life had been turned upside down the day before. First, that totally hot dream, then those strange feelings of others he felt, then that mind-bonding experience with Andrew, then the meeting with the mysterious red-haired illusionist, then his talk with his mother about being irresponsible. If she only knew. She was worried sick... and angry at how suddenly he left home the morning before. He had been late for his football practice and so he had to go out as quickly as possible, but she didn't understand it, or more possibly, didn't want to. He decided not to argue with her, especially that it was one of the last days he would spend at home. Jason, or Illusive Man as he was called in certain circles, made him quite an offer. Knowledge, training and friendship for help in a matter dearest to his heart. He would teach him about mutants, because this is what he was - a mutant gifted with psychic ability of controling someone's emotions - and help him discover his heritage which gave him those awesome powers. They were indeed extraordinary. He remembered his dream very well, so vivid, so... hot... which turned out to be some kind of collective-memory that he shared with that jerkass Andrew... He - in turn - turned out to be a closeted gay in love with him! He came to know this thanks to another power of his - that bonding, when he entered Andrew's mind and was able to read his memories, thoughts and emotions almost without any effort. He could shape that world where they had found themselves in with but a thought. After it happened, unfortunately before his dream of Andrew's sucking him off could be realised, he noticed that he could instill emotions too. He did it to the Latino boy, Ricardo, first calming him down and then inspiring him with awe and love.

While still somewhat uncertain about all these things, Jake felt a huge dose of excitement as he prepared himself for what was about to happen. His parents had already received the papers from Jason and his friend, saying that the prestigious Institute for the Extraordinarily Gifted Youngsters would want to recruit Jacob Robinson because of his untapped potential, his decent academic record and, of course, his amazing sports skills. He would have an access to the best teachers of even unusual subjects and of course private advising in career matters. This was his big chance to succeed at life... at least that was what his parents were thinking. They agreed, somewhat reluctantly, but they did. His mother was against it at first, but after a bit of persuasion (and he didn't have to use his powers to get her to co-operate), she sighed and agreed to send her second son, of course he had to promise he would keep in touch and visit her as often as he could. His parents already knew about his plans... but it left him with a few other people he would have to inform of his sudden decision.

Including his big brother David, who - after being informed telephonically by their mother - took the first possibility and got back home to talk to his lil' bro he loved so much. He had always cared for him, he had always loved him more than anything in this world, he had always protected him. And now his lil' bro was leaving to the other side of USA and he wasn't even studying yet! It was still quite an honor to be personally invited by such a prestigious institution. "So," Dave started, when the two were sitting in Jake's room on the bed, "you're leaving, huh?" He asked rhetorically, "I mean, it's not like I don't want best for you, it's just... y'know, you're my little brother and you're leaving even before you start your studies or a sportscareer. I still don't know how you've managed to persuade mum and dad to let you go. Mum was so furious even when I went to university and now she's letting you go to Los Angeles all by yourself to some institute for extraordinarily gifted. I always knew you were special, bro." He smiled. "Just remember that if anyone there treats you badly, tell me and I'll have a talk with the fellow! Or more than talk." He grinned.

It had only been a day since everything had happened, and Jake's head was still spinning. It all seemed crazy, like some sort of dream. It couldn't have been real. Not being a.. mutant? Not what happened with Andrew. Not everything.

But here he was, getting ready to go off to some special school a thousand miles from home and it felt like it was all happening so fast. He didn't even have a chance to talk with Andrew or his friends about it. He was almost afraid to face Andrew again. How would Andrew react? How would Jake himself react? It had been so hot, Jake almost couldn't get it out of his head.

But now, Jake's brother was back to visit him. That was going to be the hardest part, leaving his brother and going far away to school. His brother had always been there for him. Jake had always been kind of independent, and since he was into sports and in shape (and popular) he rarely needed a big brother to stick up for him. Yet around his big brother, he didn't mind being the kid brother. It was nice to have someone look out for him like that.

Jake smiled as he listened to his brother talk about protecting him if anyone picked on him. "I'll be fine, Dave," he said, "I swear. You know I can take care of myself." He leaned against his brother and pushed playfully at him, but remained close, "It is going to be weird, though, being so far from home."

"Of course you can, it doesn't mean I can't help you, now, does it." Dave cocked his head and then reached out his hand and rubbed Jake's hair playfully as if he were the same little boy he had been seven or more years ago, "Yeah, I can imagine. I bet mum will be freaking out a lot more often than usually. Y'know how she is, with her constant worrying and stuff," he sighed, "but y'know, it's just that you're my only brother and if anything, you know you can count on me, right? It's actually strange to see that you're moving away faster than I am. I'm four years older and my lil' bro starts his own life before me, what a shame." He grinned.

Jake smiled, pulling his head away as Dave ruffled his hair but then leaning back against him again, still smiling. "Yeah, I can't believe she's not freaking out more," he said. But he knew why, or was pretty sure.. there's no way she would let him go, not after the scene she'd made when Dave left. Unless someone helped things along. Jake knew it was possible now, after seeing what he himself could do.

"And my life isn't starting before yours.. You're already at college, and you'll graduate in another year or so. Then you'll end up with some cool job somewhere," Jake said, "I've still got a long ways to go, even with this school, and I still need college afterwards.."

"I guess," David says, "but you'll be pretty much on your own, independent, because, seriously, I'm not independent with mum calling every day and reminding me to wear clean lingerie every day!" He laughs, "Well, I'm sure that facility has your college career already planned, especially that it's so prestigious... mum said so. I actually never heard of it before, but it's not like I'm interested in stuff like this. And I'm not sure about getting some cool job. I guess dad is going to bore me with becoming his assistant in the company. It's a good job though, not exactly what I'd like to do, but still... not to give a gift horse in a mouth, huh?" Dave smiles, "So, you're done saying good-byes to other people? Have you told James? You've been friends with him since you were a kid. Poor James, he always has to look out for his siblings... I'm glad that there's just two of us.

Jake smiled and shrugged as Dave talked about his future plans. "You don't have to work for dad, although you know it'd be a good job. But you should do what you want to," he said.

"And no, I haven't had a chance to talk to James.. or anyone.. yet. I need to. I donno, it is going to be weird. I have to tell them not only am I picking up and leaving, but I'm doing it really soon. I'm not even going to know anywhere in this new place I'm going.." Well, almost no one.

"I hope I can come back and visit often. It'll be expensive to fly though I guess."

"Yeah, I can imagine. But I'm sure mum will do whatever's necessary to bring you back as often as possible... including giving you money to fly. I think so. I hope so." He says honestly, "so, what do you know about this place you're going to? I know that they're thinking you're special and talented, and I know they're right, How many other students are there anyway?"

Jake shrugged a little at Dave's questions. "I'm not sure, really," he said, "I mean, they said it was pretty small, but I don't even really know much about it. It is just supposed to be.. a great place to learn, I guess, about all sorts of stuff." Way more than just books too. Powers. How weird was that?

"I'm kind of worried, I mean, if it isn't that big.. what kind of sports teams will they have and stuff, right?" He shrugged again, "But I guess that isn't that important, I mean.. I love sports, but I guess I knew I'd never be a star or go pro. Not really."

"Oh, come on, Jake," David smiles at his lil' bro, "you could become a pro if you wanted. You're almost as good as your brother here," he grinns, "and I'm sure the institute will give you a possibility to train in sports. I mean, why shouldn't they? They even wrote about your amazing sports skills, so yeah, I think they might be even considering to get you in the local team. That'd be cool, huh?"

Jake grinned at his brother. "Yeah, I guess you're right, they did write about it," he said. Was it all true? Or was it just a way to get his parents to believe it? Jake wasn't sure, but he hoped they had teams there. He wondered how well he'd do against them. If they were all good at sports like he was..

But the school wasn't for people good at sports. It was for mutants.. so maybe he would be better. He hoped so. He wanted to be the best out of all of them.

"I hope you're right," he said again, "You usually are." He grinned.

"You'll come visit me too, right?"

"Sure," he flashes a smile, "of course tell me when, so I don't burst into when you are all alone with some gal," he laughs, "but yeah, of course I will. As long as you give me the address and contact your Headmaster or whoever's in charge there about my visit. I don't want you to get in trouble or anythng... but you know this part. But if, or rather when, you become a part of their football or baseball team and there's a match, call me and I'll book next flight just so I won't miss my little brother's match."

Jake's smile almost faltered for a minute. He wished he could be honest with his brother. The likelihood of Dave walking in on him and a girl was pretty low. Walking in on him and a guy, however.. Now that Jake had had his first experience, he wanted more. So that possibility was definitely a bit higher. But his brother didn't know.

Maybe Jake would tell him before he left. Or in a note or something. What's the worst that could happen? Jake supposed Dave might tell his parents, who might try to take him out of the school. But they could just convince them not to.. but would Dave do that? Jake didn't think so, but it was such an important thing, some people totally changed when they knew

"Yeah.. I'll be sure to make sure it is ok for you to come down so no one gets in trouble. It'd be good to have you there for a game so you can see me play."

Jake continued his talk with David for some time yet, but then decided that he had to visit his friend James... and Andrew before going away. He had to explain some things to both of them, especially his reason for leaving and in the case of Andrew's whatever it was that happened on the streets and in the subconscious part of his mind. It was a very strange feeling. But first things first, he thought, as he was closing in to James' house.

Jake knew that visiting Andrew would be the hardest thing, so he left that for last and instead made his way to James's place, trying to figure out what he would say to him, and how he would react after everything that happened the previous day.

He pulled up to the house and got out, pausing a moment before walking up to the store and knocking, waiting for someone to answer. As he waited, he nervously shuffled from one foot to the other.

The door was quickly opened by Jade, the same girl who Jake saw the day before, when he took the beaten-up James back with Jason's help. "Yeaaas?", she said, looking bored and annoyed, not a good sight... especially that she hadn't done her make-up yet! "Ahh, you're that friend of James, Jack, yes? Or something. You can come in, you know where his room is, don't ya? Well, don't let me stop ya, I mean, I don't really care as long as you don't cause trouble with my siblings or whateva. So do me a favor and go in."

Jake gave Jade a small smile and shrugged, "Yeah, thanks." She never seemed to like them much and Jake didn't care for her really either, so he just waited for her to indicate he should enter and then he went in and started walking back towards James's room. He still wasn't sure what he was going to say, but it was now or never.

Walking up to the door, he knocked, "James? You there man?"

Jake saw James laying on his bed and probably thinking of something, but hearing his voice, he quickly stood up and greeted his quest, "Hey, yeah, I'm here. Good to see ya." He said, but he looked very confused, "Tell me... what happened? I mean, I know you picked a fight with Andrew and his guerillas, but that's so not you..."

Jake smiled as he saw his best friend and he came into his room and closed the door behind him.

"Hey man," he said, nodding a little as James talked, "Yeah.. I mean, I don't know. I guess I was just pissed off. I was tired of all his shit. It was so annoying. I hated it and I just wanted to shut him up. I'm sorry you got hurt, and I'm glad you're ok..."

He shrugged, "You are ok, right?"

"Yeah, I've got some bruises and all, but you can see that, but I'll be alright. Ricardo may be a silent type, but he can certainly pack a punch! I'm more worried about you, you were so furious I thought you were going to kill Andrew or something. But seeing him getting what he deserves was great fun..." He laughs.

Jake smiled, glad that James wasn't angry or anything.

"I'm sorry about the bruises man, Is houldn't have dragged you into that," he said, looking James over and at the bruises. Then he grinned, "And yeah, it was fun." He chuckled.

"I hope Andrew learned a lesson. I think he did.. we kind of talked a little but then he passed out. We'll see I guess.. but you're alright? I'm glad."

"You talked to him? When? I only saw you two beating crap outta each other!" He smiled, but was surprised at Jake's comment. "And yeah, I'm ok, you're in a worse shape than me, I think, just look at you."

Jake grinned and nodded, "Yeah you don't look too good." He laughed then shrugged, "And yeah, he and I talked a little, you kind of passed out. I guess.. I donno, then he passed out. I guess we'll see. I need to talk to him."

"But there's more news.. I got this letter.. a private school wants me to go there.. in Los Angeles."

"Yeah, I guess, I know Ricardo knocked me out, damn, for such a silent guy he can fight!... but what? You're serious? Uh, I mean, great, what's this private school? You never told me about it. And you're seriously thinking about going to... Los Angeles? Like, for real?"

Jake nodded, "Yeah he can, he almost got me down too. He throws a really mean punch." Jake rubbed his jaw, remembering the blows that Ricardo landed.

"Yeah, I mean.. its a really upscale school, I guess for gifted people. And they want me.. its free. I can't really turn that down, can I?"

"Well, I guess you still can, they aren't forcing you, are they, but yeah, I know, it's a chance for you, and Andrew will be happy to be a star... right? Eh, I guess it's good for you. You've already made a decision?"