The Faculty - Written for FFFC

[prisca]

Title: You are worth it
Character: Zeke Tyler, Casey Conner
Word Count: 482
Prompt: argument
Rating: PG13

:::

Casey had a hard time fighting back tears, but he knew this wouldn't make it better. „I don't get it,“ he murmured. „When did you make this decision? Only last weekend, we were still making plans to check out some colleges on the West Coast.“

Zeke shrugged, staring at his beer on the table to avoid eye contact. „You didn't take this seriously, did you?“

Inwardly, Casey cringed. „What the hell is happend? I can't believe that all you told me was a lie. You wanted to leave all this behind, make a new start.“

„Maybe I have fooled myself. I always told you not to expect too much. I am not a guy for an orderly life, with college, a serious relationship, and all.“

„This is bullshit!“ Suddenly, anger rose in Casey, replacing his shock. „I never forced you to anything. It was okay to meet you secretly in your garage for some fun. Remember, it was you who made the next step. You started to talk about it, how great it would be to leave Ohio together.“

Zeke sighed. „I should have known better. Sorry, I never wanted to hurt you. But, believe me, it is better this way; you will go to San Francisco alone, and soon enough, you won't think about me any longer. At art school, you will meet lots of geeks who will match you much better than I do.“

„You think I am so shallow?“ Casey huffed. „I care for you; you think I can turn this off like my bedside lamp at night?“

Zeke grabbed his beer and put it back on the table without drinking. „Maybe I don't care for you. Not enough. I don't even know if I ever cared for anyone.“ He pulled his face. „Guess I am pretty much fucked up.“

„Geez, you are such a coward.“ Casey rolled his eyes. „As soon as someone gets closer to you, you back down and run. Is this how you want to spend the rest of your life? That will be a pretty lonely life.“

„It's my life!“ Zeke's voice sounded annoyed. „You go and build your own one. Far away from fucking Ohio.... and from me. Better that way.“

Casey kept quiet for a moment. „You know, I am not as weak as you think. I did survive the bullying at school and the closemindedness of my parents. I will also survive when we bite the dust one day and decide to go our separate ways. But I can't accept that you want to give up without even trying. Because...“ He paused again. „I guess I have fallen in love.“

„Shit!“ Zeke paled.

Casey smiled slightly. „Maybe not. Time for you to learn that you are so worth it to be loved. This is all I ask you for; to give us a chance."