Page 15 of Spoonful

Hiro sighed. “I’m sorry. I know it sounds like I’m spouting fluff.”

“Kind of, yeah,” Jaylin said, too twisted up to hold his tongue. He fiddled with his straw so he didn't have to look at Hiro. “I told you, I’m falling behind in all my classes. I already nearly failed high school. It’s hard to recognize accomplishments when you don’t have any.”

For a moment, Hiro just looked at him, head tilted, and Jaylin swallowed nervously. “Sorry,” he said. “I really appreciate you wanting to help me out, I just—”

“What’s the citation for Roe versus Wade?” Hiro asked out of nowhere.

“What?” Jaylin asked, bewildered by the subject change.

Hiro raised an eyebrow. “It’s a pretty famous case. Do you know it, or not?”

“Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113,” Jaylin rattled off, frowning now. “1973. Why?”

“Because most people couldn't do that,” Hiro said, plucking up another chip. “I wouldn’t ask my staff to knowcitations off the top of their heads.” His smile then looked… sad. “You’re brilliant. But you don’t think you are.”

Something funny flipped over in Jaylin’s chest. “I’m nothing special,” he managed, trying to chase away that feeling. He wanted Hiro to think he would be a decent paralegal someday, not—whatever this was. “Ask anyone.”

“Yeah?” Hiro asked after taking a sip of his coffee. “What about Aditi? She’s already vouched for you.”

Right, Jaylin remembered, unfamiliar electricity licking down his spine. Not that he understood why. “Anyoneelse,”he said, in the face of the foreign feeling. “My teachers, my classmates–anyone.”

“Here we are,” Carlos said a little too loud and cheerful, arms full of plates. Jaylin flinched as his food was set down in front of him.

“Thank you,” Hiro said, turning a winning smile on Carlos.

Carlos grinned back. “Anything else I could get you? Coffee refill?”

“I’m good, thank you.”

“Okay, great,” Carlos said. “Enjoy your food. Ours is the best around.”

“Looking forward to it,” Hiro said.

“Hey Jaylito,”Carlos said quickly, switching to Spanish.“Is this all kosher? You okay?”

Jaylin startled.“What?”

“You look miserable. Should I get Raul? Kick him out? We’d comp your food.”

Jaylin darted a glance at Hiro, who looked curious but unconcerned.“I’m fine,”Jaylin said.“Um… thanks though.”

“Okay,” Carlos said in English. “Enjoy everything!” He sent Jaylin one last look before scampering away. Jaylin watched him go, more than a little flabbergasted.

“What about Carlos?” Hiro asked.

“What?” Jaylin jerked back to stare at Hiro.

“If I asked him about you,” Hiro said, tilting his head in the direction Carlos had gone. “Do you think he’d say you’re nothing special?”

“I…” Jaylin frowned at his plate. “We don’t know each other well.”

“What about someone who does?” Hiro asked, softer now. “Someone who knew you? You really think they’d say you were nothing special?”

Jaylin didn't have anything to say to that. He didn't really have anyone like that in his life.

It was sad and kind of awful, but the person he spent the most time with now was Brent.

Thinking about Brent now, thinking of Brent’s opinion of him, made a harsh laugh bubble out of him, too raw and real for Hiro’s silly question. “He’d probably say exactly that. That there’s only one thing I’m good for.”

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