"You don't dislike him." It was easy to tell, due to the lack of sneer. Jonathan regarded most everyone and everything with a sneer. Holden would know, he had to deal with being sneered at all the time. Yet here he was talking about Edward, who was apparently persistent, and he didn't seem entirely opposed. Interesting. Definitely something that made him feel a little more optimistic.
"I'm glad, Jonathan. I don't want to punish you with this human interaction rule, I just think it might not always be the worst. Even if you don't make a friend."
"Everyone laughed at me today." Jonathan told Holden as he looked him in the eyes, not breaking eye contact for a second. "Humans are cruel."
They laughed and they mocked him, they saw an easy target and they always went for it. Edward didn't mock him for his stutter, not yet anyway. He didn't trust that the time wouldn't come. The world was cruel and no one was truly good. "I am a j-j-joke."
Jonathan had been practising and trying his best but progress was terrible and few had the patience for him.
"Laughter is not always a response of ridicule. Often it is just a reaction to something unexpected. But I'm sorry they laughed. They shouldn't have." The world was a cruel place, Holden didn't disagree with Jonathan there. He was simply trying to get him to focus on something other than that. "You are not a joke and anyone who gets to know you will learn that. Like that Edward kid, if you befr-- I mean, if you talk to him more."
"You're too invested in my s-social life." Jonathan mocked before he picked up his book again and wondered, idly, if it was worth it. If it was worth trying to bond, to meet fellow humans, to engage. He didn't want to talk to Edward but he could watch Edward. He could study him. He could enjoy him from afar.
"I will try. For the report." Then Holden would have some positive news to give to his supervisor. A win-win for both of them.
"Thanks, Jon. I appreciate it." Maybe this was going to be something other than a complete catastrophe after all. Holden smiled at Jonathan and then checked his watch, just to keep an eye on the time. He knew Jonathan got antsy when he hung around too long. "I have the check with me." He got it out and put it down on what passed for a table in this room. "Make sure you use it mostly for food and school necessities, yeah? Then I'll be back next week. You can call me any time though."
"Goodbye." Jonathan offered plainly as he looked over at his check. Rent and book money, his favourite part of the week. Especially now he got food at school so that was no longer a big issue. He could buy two extra books with that. Holden was great, always gave him what he needed. Which was mostly cash.
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icebergloungers2024-05-02 05:52 pm
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"I'm glad, Jonathan. I don't want to punish you with this human interaction rule, I just think it might not always be the worst. Even if you don't make a friend."
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They laughed and they mocked him, they saw an easy target and they always went for it. Edward didn't mock him for his stutter, not yet anyway. He didn't trust that the time wouldn't come. The world was cruel and no one was truly good. "I am a j-j-joke."
Jonathan had been practising and trying his best but progress was terrible and few had the patience for him.
no subject
no subject
"I will try. For the report." Then Holden would have some positive news to give to his supervisor. A win-win for both of them.
no subject
no subject