When Paths Cross (Jack)

[BASTIAN RAY HAWTHORNE]

It was about 9 o'clock. Where was Bastian? Not in his dormitories or bed. No, the young wind was in the library. In armchair in the back of the library to be precise. It wasn't school work that this boy was so focused on. As usual the young wind had his head in his sketchbook and was busy trying to finish up a drawing. He was working on a gift for his younger sister and needed it to be perfect. He was on the edge of finishing the drawing and couldn't put his pencil down. He was drawing a bouquet of various flowers fill with vibrant colors. The library had been the quietest place he could find to work and had lost track of time. He had worked on some of his school for a while but eventually found himself in his sketchbook again.

It was late and didn't even think anyone else was in the library. He figured the librarian would eventually shoo him off when it came it came time to close up. Until then though he didn't worry about that. The only thing that was slightly distracting Bastian was the sound of tapping at the window. For on this slightly cool night outside the rain was pouring. Bastian didn't mind the rain. It was what sometimes came with it that scared Bastian. The boy didn't think about it. He just focused on his drawing and trying to finish up before getting kicked out of the library. Then again everything didn't always go according to plan because after another moment Bastian himself in a dark room. The lights had gone out in the library and probably in other places around the castle. Bastian sighed. Just perfect. No point in sticking around now he guessed. Bastian got up from his chair and began to put his things back in his bag after his eyes had adjusted to the darkness. He first put in his sketchbook and that was when the lights the hung on the walls slightly dimmed up enough that he could see. He started picking up his pencils when it happened. Crash. Bastian froze. The thunder crashed like a canon being fired. Then came the lighting flashed and Bastian jumped backwards suddenly hitting the wall behind him. His pencils fell to the ground in scattered pile. Bastian just crouched down, shut his eyes and covered his ears. "It will pass. It will pass." he whispered to himself as he started to slightly shake.

[julietxoxo]

The fact that it was late, dark, and on the brink of pouring rain didn't deter Jack from going out. He had been walking around for a bit, just trying to clear his head mostly. There was so much going on in his life and his mind tended to wander more and more to his mother. It was a wonder that her death didn't completely traumatize the young male. Still, he didn't want to dwell on that on this beautiful night. He always found the rain to be calming but the more he got wet, the more he wanted to be warm and dry again. He glanced around and spotted an open building.

The library offered instant shelter from the rain. He sighed lightly as he entered the building. There were few students scattered here and there as they all kept to themselves. This was one of the beautiful things about the library, people tended to leave you alone and work on their own stuff. It was perfect for what he wanted to do just now. He plucked a random book from one of the various bookcases and plopped down on a chair to read it. He began to read the first few pages when the lights began to dim. Glancing up, he realized that the pouring rain outside was transforming into a full-out storm. He didn't mind one bit. The sound of thunder was always more calming to him than the soothing sound of the ocean.

When the lights finally gave up on the students, he heard a low sigh from a nearby student as they began to pack up. He chuckled. The dark wasn't going to chase him away. He closed his book and waited for the lights to come back on. It took less than a second for them to begin flickering back on. Smiling, he propped open the book again to resume his reading when he heard a loud crash erupt and completely destroy the silence of the library. Heads spun in the direction of the noise and Jack rose from his chair to find out what the commotion was. The sight that greeted him was astonishing. It was a student crouching against a wall, his ears covered with his hands and a chant-like mumble leaving his lips every so often. Jack debated whether walking away and leaving the scene to get some real peace and quiet, but the sight of the male tugged at him.

Internally sighing with annoyance, he strolled over, the thunder in the background growing louder. Once he was next to the male, he crouched down and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You all right, man?" That was stupid, of course he wasn't! He glanced around in hopes of finding someone better equipped to help this guy. No one volunteered. Unsure of what to do next, Jack did the one thing that came to mind, he took a seat beside him and began to hum, his hand reaching around to lean the boy against his shoulder. He didn't know how the guy would take it. Jack was holding him now, but he figured that it would help since he was clearly afraid of the thunder. He had seen a few animals shiver and hide when the loud boom began to shake the earth. The hum was a light tune. It reminded Jack of days when his mother smiled more often and his family didn't worry as much. He didn't think this would help the boy beside him, but he did hope it was enough to ease the guy's fear enough for him to be able to get up and go home.

[BASTIAN RAY HAWTHORNE]

Bastian was not one to get scared easily but if there was anything that completely terrified Bastian it was thunder and lightning. The young boy always completely froze when it came to thunder and lightning storms. Normally he was able to avoid them thankfully in the sense he would be safe in his bed by the time they rolled around. Of course the one day that he would choose to stay up later than usual would be the day the storms would decide to make their presence known. This was just fantastic. The thunder crashed again which only made Bastian cover his ears more and turned away when the lightning crashed. Bastian had always been afraid of thunder and lightning, or at least for as long as he could remember. Then his time in New York didn't really help when he was living on the streets. Yes, he was able to find places to stay out of the rain but the giant crashes never failed to get to Bastian.

Now here he was, crouched down in a corner in the library trying to wait out the storms, hoping that they would pass soon without further trouble and hoping that no one would come this way. That was asking too much. Even with his ears covered he was able to faintly make out the sound of a someone's voice. This was great. This was exactly what he was hoping to avoid. Someone finding him in this cowardly state. Bastian knew enough that this person was not a wind but obviously didn't know what element exactly he was. So basically the question was how would this stranger respond to the scene of Bastian. He startled a bit not so much by the voice but by the sudden touch of the person. It caused him to forget his fear for a split and look up at the person in surprise. Bastian began to speak in a shaky voice. "I-I'm f..." but Bastian didn't get to finish his sentence for he was interrupted by another loud crash and quick flash which only resulted in Bastian returning to his previous state.

"Fine. I'm fine. I'm just not a big fan of thunder and lightning." he said in a soft voice just loud enough to be heard. He began to open his eyes again, just to rid his shivers and trying to break out of his fears at the moment. It was what happened next that surprised him even more. As he sat there he felt a sudden movement from the male that had joined him. Perhaps he was leaving, better for Bastian but that was not the case. Instead the guy sat down next to Bastian, put his arm around him and began humming. It was surprisingly soothing but why would this stranger be doing it. He didn't know Bastian. The shock from it made Bastian forget his fear for a moment and replaced with feeling of embarrassment. He even began to ever so slightly begin to blush from the closeness between the two. After another moment Bastian snapped out of it when the lights began to dim off and on again. "T-T-Thanks but I should be going." he said softly moving away from the stranger and then scrambling to pick up his pencils and things. It seemed like the storm wanted to mess with Bastian though for another flash of lightning appeared followed by a loud crash of thunder that only made Bastian freeze and cringe. This was going to be a long night.

[julietxoxo]

Holding the male, Jack felt a sense of comfort. He hadn't held someone in a long time and here he was, holding someone that he didn't even really know. Without realizing it, he was smiling as he hummed. A rare reaction as well. When the male beside him began to move away, Jack opened an eye and glanced at him. The fear the boy felt was nothing to joke about. Whatever had happened to him to make him this terrified must have been terrible. It was slightly funny to him that he was a thunder element and this young man was terrified of the one thing that made him feel strong. It weakened the male but empowered Jack. The male was no longer in his embrace and Jack opened his eyes fully to ensure that he would make it out okay.

He didn't really know why he had done what he had. Maybe it was pity. Maybe he was just a good person or maybe, maybe it was that he hated to see someone fear something that was a part of him. Regardless, Jack was now involved and would remain so until he was certain that this male was better. From his viewpoint, though, it appeared as though he'd have to be in the library a lot longer than he had originally anticipated. The rain began to beat more heavily against the glass as though it intended to break it and enter the cozy library. His eyes fought to adjust to the changing light in the room as he watched the guy scramble to get his things in a rush. Either he had been offended by Jack or he was still apprehensive with the storm. The answer to his question came when the lightning did. It was followed promptly by more thunder.

No sooner had the guy began to collect his things when a loud crack burst in the night air. More thunder. His best friend. His lips twitched into a ghost of a smile but it disappeared just as quickly. Very few things could get a smile onto his face anymore, but that didn't mean he didn't smile. The pens and pencils the boy had been attempting to collect were now all scattered about him. Jack went over to the boy and spoke once again, "You sure? You don't seem too fine. Maybe you should wait out the storm?" He suggested as he began to collect the items the male had been trying to put away. As he held them out to the stranger, he offered a smile before tagging on, "I'll stay here and keep you company." There were moments in his life where that was all he could've ever asked for; a friend. Someone to be there just when he needed them to be. Maybe he could offer this to this stranger.

[BASTIAN RAY HAWTHORNE]

It was rather odd. If say Bastian was around a thunder that was using his powers he was completely fascinated by it. He loved seeing elementals in work, responsibly of course. It was another whole thing when it came to a lightning or thunder storm. That would caused a huge fear to arise within Bastian that left him feeling helpless, weak and very vulnerable. He hated it and that was why he try to avoid most people during these kinds of storms. If he was at home or in his dorm room. He could keep himself hidden and no one would really know what he was up to. If say the storms hit during the day he was a bit screwed. he was able to remain calm through a lot of effort but thankfully it seemed that he was lucky enough to avoid the storms during the day.

It was for this exact reason why he tried to secluded himself when storms hit. He didn't want to seen in such a vulnerable state. At least so far this stranger didn't seem like the taunting or teasing type. He was being rather helpful. Bastian began took the pencils from him slowly as he began to creep out of his bubble, trying to recompose himself. "Thank you." he began to start to pick up his fallen utensils as well. This was embarrassing. The storm was worsening by the minute which was only making things worse for Bastian. Then the lights when off again. Just fantastic. This was exactly what he needed right now as he tried to scrounge for his things. He pulled out his phone and used the light of the screen to try and locate his things. "You should probably get going. I don't want to waste anymore of your time." he said shyly as he picked up the remaining pencils and put them back in their case. Flash. Another strike of lightning hit. Bastian's eyes closed in a flash. A light whimper escaped from his lips.

"Really. I'll be fine. Thank you for the help." he said trying to sound confident but failing. Flash. Nature was trying to Bastian heart attack tonight wasn't it? "On second thought, maybe waiting the storm out won't be such a bad idea." he said in a shaky voice. Trying to make it back to the dorms in this condition was probably going to be really difficult to do, especially if he were to freeze up every ten seconds. He'd never make it. The only reason he felt uncomfortable was because he felt embarrased for being caught in such a state by a stranger. "Bastian." he said, figuring he'd introduce himself to the stranger since it seemed they were would be together for a bit. "Thanks, for earlier I mean." he said referring to the earlier humming.

[julietxoxo]

Storms weren't a rare occurrence so Jack could only imagine the coping mechanism that this boy had constructed for himself. He didn't know how it must feel to be afraid of the weather since Jack felt oddly attracted to it. Perhaps it was his thunder nature, but he always a lot more at ease whenever a storm was brewing. It relaxed him a lot more than when the sun was shining bright. He could probably attribute it to the fact that during storms, there was a sense of togetherness. People tended to flock together during a storm, no one really wanted to be alone when a heavy rain was falling outside. The people around them mirrored his thoughts as one cast an uneasy glance to the storm outside before snuggling back up to her significant other. His lips settled back into their usual indifferent line as he went back to paying attention to the male in front of him.

Frankly speaking, he was rather adorable. It might seem horrible for him to think that at this very moment, but the slightest noise from the storm caused such a reaction to the boy. It was a sight to behold. Jack didn't remember seeing him around campus, but he was sure that would change from this day onward. He'd be on the lookout for this young boy. As his thoughts roamed to school, he wondered what element he pertained to, well that could wait. The young male tried determinedly to pick up his things and get going, but the storm was not done. It seemed to enjoying taunting the male. "Seriously, don't fret. You're not wasting my time." He assured him. If his family were to witness this scene, they would doubt their very eyes. Jack was not an overly talkative fellow nor was he one to stick around with other people for very long. He liked solitude, but he also wanted to know more about this guy. It was a strange thing. "What scares you about the storm?" He asked, genuine curiosity coloring his blue eyes.

The boy seemed to finally resign and allow Jack to remain with him. Eyes blinking slowly, Jack smiled, "Jack." He admired how Bastian wanted to fend this off on his own. It reminded Jack of his own proposal to put his family in a better place. Maybe this was what attracted Jack to stay longer, regardless he knew he was bound to be here for a while longer. "Thanks for ..." He trailed off as he remembered how he had held the male and couldn't help but feel the earlier ghost of a smile tickle his lips. "Don't worry about it. It was my pleasure." He could feel the smile in his voice and sense the flirtatious edge to it but he did nothing to take it back. Jack may be a serious guy and hardly ever joke around but he figured that Bastian needed to be distracted at this moment. He was sure he could think of a way to distract the young male from the bright flashes and loud booms outside.

[BASTIAN RAY HAWTHORNE]

Fifteen years and it wasn't like this was his first storm. Bastian has gone through many storms in Phildelphia, a few in New York and of course his share here in Maple Hallow and the academy. This wasn't his first rodeo but for as long as he could remember he has had this huge fear of storms. Of course he had tried to get over it on many occasions but every time nature had beaten him and he be shivering trying to maintain some composure under his blankets. In bed he'd try wearing earphones listening to music or ear plugs just to try and drown out the sounds and then keeping his head hidden from the lightning. Since his move to Maple Hallow there were a few times where he wouldn't be able to sleep and his mother would lay with him for comfort or his both his parents would stay up with him until the storm passed. His mother would make him a hot chocolate or something to help calm his nerves and he was always grateful for it.

Normally when a storm hit when Bastian was at the academy he would quickly get to his room before the storm became too bad. This way he'd be in the comfort of his room hiding from the world. This time though had caught him off guard. He had known that there was a chance for rain but he had not been expecting a full on storm and thus why he had stayed in the library longer. He normally did this that way he wouldn't be caught in these types of situations where his fear would be out for the world to see. It was to avoid embarrassment on his part but seems like the fates would not have it this time. At least to his relief the person that found him in this state didn't seemed like a bad guy so for that he was grateful. Bastian's gaze softened and his nerves calmed a tad at the stranger's reassurance although he still felt a bit on edge. Bastian hated feeling like a nuisance to anyone.

Bastian had not expected the question from his new friend, at least that's what he was calling him for the time being, and so he had to think about it for a second. " I guess just the intensity of the storm. At the orphanage I used my bed was near the window and sadly the walls weren't the thickest so the thunder was very loud. I guess getting stuck out in a few storms doesn't help either." he said with a light chuckle trying to lighten the mood. When it came to talking about his time at the orphanage it came very easy to him. He didn't have any need to hide that part of his life since it had been such a significant part of him. What did he have to be ashamed about it?

At least he felt better now that he knew the stranger's name. Well, he wasn't a stranger anymore. "Pleasure to meet you Jack." he said with a smile. Bastian was one that was happy to meet new people, especially if got along with them. There was also the fact that being a wind gave him free reign to be able to befriend anyone he wanted. He just continued to smile when Jack spoke about his earlier gesture. He was beginning to be really thankful that Jack had come because his nerves were calming every minute being in the other man's presence. "So, either you're a thunder or you just enjoy stor..." he didn't get to finish that phrase because right as he was saying the word storms another crash and flash of lightning hit, louder and possibly brighter than the last. This time though it didn't just cause Bastian to freeze up to but literally made him jump actually hide behind Jack and start to shiver. In the process he had even grabbed onto Jack's clothing out of plain fear and scrunched it up in tiny fist coward behind the guy. After what seemed like an eternity he began to open his eyes and that was when the realization of he had done and was doing hit him. His eyes shot open and he quickly let go of Jack, stepping away with an embarrassed look on his face. "Sorry, I didn't mean...I...I'm just making a fool of myself." he said in an embarrassed tone. So if he hadn't embarrassed himself earlier he was pretty sure he had done the job now. "I wish you didn't have to meet when I so...like this." Bastian didn't even know what to say at this point without fearing of how foolish it may sound.

[julietxoxo]

Ever since he was smaller, storms were a comfort for him. His mother would gather his siblings close and tell them to stop and listen. All would be quiet in the house until the silence would be shattered by the booming in the sky. It was a wonder of the world, his mother would claim. He held onto the belief that whenever a storm was outside the world was merely showing off its power. It was a reminder to the human world that no matter what abilities they possessed that the world was always mightier. His mother was always giving him little pieces of knowledge that at the time she was alive, Jack had taken no real account for, nowadays those pieces of knowledge would come back to haunt him. Just like now.

He shook the words out of his mind as he attempted to continue his reassurance. He listened to what was behind the young male’s fear. It made sense as Bastian explained it. There was a few things that Jack could draw from his explanation. Bastian came from an orphanage and the description of it meant that it wasn’t a very good one at that. He bit his lip to keep from asking a follow-up question but the question came out anyway. “How did you manage to get stuck out in a storm?” He was trying to comprehend what had happened that had left a young boy stranded out in the storm especially with a fear as bad as his. Bastian spoke pretty freely about the orphanage, there was no stammers in his voice and that alone was admirable. Jack wished he could speak like that when it came to his mother, but there were times where his voice still failed him and his eyes glazed over.

Those thoughts about his mother just wouldn’t let him be, he shook them away once more and hoped that they would not return. “The pleasure is mine.” He met Bastian’s smile with one of his own. The conversation was picking up and Jack managed to get the question that Bastian was about to answer before the thunder picked up again. His lips twitched into a wider smile but the smile vanished as quickly as it came. It felt strange and oddly wrong to smile after all that had happened. He felt his jacket tighten and Bastian vanished from his sight. Eyes blinking rapidly, Jack glanced about and chuckled as he realized that Bastian had hidden behind him. He let Bastian hold on as long as he needed which was strange because he would’ve usually shaken them off but this guy was not only adorable but he was scared witless, it’d be cruel to do that to anyone.

“Don’t you worry.” He swatted away the guys apologizes and shook his head. “You didn’t make a fool of yourself. If I were as afraid as you, I would’ve built myself a fort out of the surrounding books.” He poked Bastian’s side playfully and shook his head. “I think this was the perfect way to meet.” His eyes met Bastian as he tagged on, “I am a thunder and I also really enjoy storms. What about you?”

[BASTIAN RAY HAWTHORNE]

Bastian had to think about Jack's question for a moment. He chuckled as he remembered that night. "Believe it or not the same reason I stuck myself here tonight. Drawing." He said as he waved his sketchbook to make his point. "When I was walking home the rain hadn't been to bad and then I caught of site this great view of a bridge and I couldn't help but draw it so I found some cover and started sketching. I got so carried away that I didn't even notice the rain coming down harder and that's when the thunder snapped me out of it. Then before I could do anything a bolt of lightning struck this tree." he remembered that night clearly. The brightness of the flash. The adrenaline that blasted through him in that split second when the lightning touched the tree, splitting it in half. The ferocity of the tree. Nature reminding the world of its power. "It happened fast. I guess kind of like a whip. It was gone as fast as a came but I guess it left its effect on me." Ever since that night his fear had only grown. Perhaps it was because every storm after that only reminded him of that one night. How close he was to the bolt, it was unnerving.

His voice had softened as he spoke more about that night. He even had a distant look when he spoke of it. Then his look changed when he thought that he spoken than necessarily. In the quick second that it had taken to hide behind Jack and try to hide himself from the world he hadn't even heard Jack chuckle. It would have only added to his embarrasement if he had though so it was perhaps better that he hadn't caught it. His nerves began to calm a bit again after Jack waved off his apologies. The thunder's tone of voice helped Bastian's nerves for some reason. Perhaps it was softness in it that just helped calmed Bastian which he more than welcomed at a time like this. He couldn't help hold back a small giggle and smile at Jack's joke. "The idea sounds very tempting right now." Another small fit of giggles and smile left his lips when Jack poked him. Bastian was a ticklish guy, anyone would figure that out if they touched him. When Jack answered Bastian's earlier question he had forgotten he had even asked that.

"Well, you already know that storms and I don't exactly click." he said trying to play off his fear. "but I'm a wind." he said as he finally finished putting his stuff away in his bag. A thunder huh? That was neat. Bastian had met a couple of thunders at the academy but most of th time he had really didn't get along with them. He had nothing against them but normally their personalities didn't exactly mesh well. What could you do about it? "So, what brought you to the library so late." Although he had not forgotten about the storm at least talking gave him a distraction, and Jack's prescence only added to the distraction and his calming down. If a doctor started listening to his heart he would be able to hear it beating at a mile a minute but slowly starting to calm itself down. "I hope I didn't take you away from anything important."

[julietxoxo]

As the boy explained his story, Jack let himself get drawn into the tale. He let his eyes shut and he began to imagine the scenario. A young boy, shivering and afraid as the storm raged on. The thunder struck the world with the force that only Nature could produce. It must have been incredible, quite beautiful, but he tried to view it not with his own eyes but in the eyes of the male in front of him. As the boy's voice began to slow down as he reminisced the night, Jack's own memory became twisted. Instead of only witnessing the storm, Jacks memory drew up the night his father left. It hadn't been dramatic or raining, but the way his mind was mashing both memories caused a shiver to run down his spine. Without warning, he snapped his eyes open and made sure to keep his breathing even. Here he was trying to reassure Bastian and his mind decided to bring to light the worst. At least now it was easier to understand the magnitude of the boy's fear. It made it easier for Jack to try and help because although he'd never breathe a word of it to anyone, he was the same; frightened and alone. "Drawing is your kryptonite then?" He asked, trying to ease the mood. It was enough with the flashbacks. They both needed some cheering up and though Jack would rather have been alone at the moment, he felt oddly at ease with Bastian.

Glancing around, he saw that most of the people had left the library. Either to escape the storm or to go outside and ravel in its beauty. Had he been alone, Jack would have been doing that just now. He would have allowed the rain to hit his back with the intensity that Nature offered as his blood would flow intermingled with the adrenaline that the storm gave him. "I don't know how much the librarian would appreciate having to stay late to clean it up though. Maybe next time you can carry a tent with you. Save yourself the trouble." He joked as he leaned against the wall before settling down on the ground.

A wind. A relief is what it really was. Jack wasn't exactly sure how he would've reacted if he had been any other element. He was just that passionate about the alliance. It was nice to not have to worry about that here though. His smile returned briefly and disappeared as he was asked what he had been doing there so late. "Nothing really. Looking for mischief." He looked around and found that he really didn't know why he had gone to the library. He remembered wanting to be dry and warm but why? He shrugged and glanced at Bastian who was still wearing a light smile on his lips after the earlier fit of giggles. Everything happened for a reason right? Maybe this was why he had come to the library. Bastian's voice cut into his thoughts and he felt himself wanting to chuckle. Bastian was too cute. He really didn't want to be a bother to anyone. "You didn't. Then again, I'm not too sure how important homework really is." He was clearly joking. He didn't have any homework but he wanted to see how Bastian would react to this piece of news. For some added effect, he added, "It's not like I need to pass right? Besides, riding out a storm is much more fun."

[BASTIAN RAY HAWTHORNE]

Bastian normally didn't talk about that night since he never really had reason to do so. Bastian wasn't one to normally hide things so that's why it was easy to talk about things. This was a bit different though. As he talked about that night he had got himself stuck in the storm he could remember the night very vividly as if he was relieving it at that very moment. The cold, his clothes sticking to his body, brightness of the lightning striking the tree, loudness of the thunder's crash. It was rather unnerving think about it but Bastian didn't let it show. He had to deal with one storm at the moment. He didn't need to be dealing with the memories of an old one.

Bastian was happy to change the subject with Jack's question. This was a much easier topic to talk about it. It really brought a smile to his face. "Sadly yes. I'd probably be falling into lakes if I didn't look up from my sketchbooks once in a while." he teased. "It's the only thing I've ever been good at so I always tend to get swept away with my drawings." he said a bit dreamily. Aside from the few friends he had in the orphanage his drawings were the thing that gave him the most enjoyment. That was why he always got lost in his drawings. The world would move around him as he sketched away in his book, drawing and connecting the lines to for a picture. "I'll have to remember that next time. I can pack it next to my sketchbook in my backpack." he said jokingly.

"Mischief huh? Not exactly sure how much of that you can get in a library." Bastian had come to learn that the librarian was rather strict so he wasn't sure what exactly Jack could do for enjoyment. Bastian wasn't exactly sure what to say at Jack's next comment. Was he joking or not? It made him worried a bit but he tried not to show it on his face. Of course his eyes were known to betray him before, revealing his true feelings. "I guess it depends on your definition of fun." he said. A storm wasn't his ideal fun situation. He'd prefer to be in hiding at the moment. Taking a look around he realized that they were basically alone in the library now, of course not counting the librarian who was actually walking towards them. She stopped to tell them that the library would be closing soon. Looks like this little meeting would be coming to a close soon. Rather sad to be honest because he was actually enjoying Jack's presence. It calmed his nervous and despite still being fearful fo the storm Jack made it a little bearable this time around. "Looks like our time together is going to be coming to an end soon." he said with a tiny bit of sadness in his voice as he fixed his fedora for no reason. He shouldn't be too sad though. There was always the chance that he'd see Jack around campus after all.