Ft.: Zeke, Tina, Jimmy Junior
Summary: Takes place after "Get Her to the Zeke." Zeke learns just how much he's appreciated.
A/N: THIS WASN'T PLANNED. Idea came to me after I made this post earlier today. Typed on mobile and not proofread, so I apologize for any missed typos!
Tina blinked at Jimmy Junior in surprise as the noise of the lunchroom created a muffled bubble around them. "You've....never gotten Zeke a Valentine?"
Jimmy Junior, who was sitting next to her, scrunched up his face, not in disgust but confusion.
"Why would I? We're not in a relationship or anything? Isn't Valentine's Day like, romantic for coupley-couples?"
"Jimmy Junior!! You don't have to be in a romantic relationship! Valentine's Day is supposed to show people you care about how much you care, whether romantic or not! It can be familial, platonic...!"
Jimmy Junior's face fell at this,
"Oh....Oh my god! What have I--?! I've missed out on letting him know what he means to me!!" He turned to Tina, nearly knocking over his lunch tray as he grabbed her shoulders, "He's like my rock Tina! If anyone deserves a Valentine, it's Zeke!"
Tina fixed him with a steady glare, "I know. And this year, we're gonna fix it!" she said, as the two of them turned their gazes to Zeke, who was across the room giving his tator tots and pudding to a kid who was crying. Zeke rustled the younger kid's hair and the boy lit up before giving Zeke a hug.
The country boy then approached his two besties and sat in front of them. "'S'up, J-Ju! T-Bird! What're ya'll talking about?!"
"Uh...nothin'" Jimmy Junior mumbled.
"Zeke," Tina turned to him fully, "Have you ever had a Valentine?"
The boy paused mid sip, pulling his milk carton away and revealing a milk mustache.
He gave a weak smile, and it didn't reach his eyes, "Aw c'mon, Tina. Ain't no one thinkin' of givin' me a Valentine!"
Her heart dropped, and her and Jimmy Junior's faces fell.
"Zeke..." she said softly.
"It's fine! I've learned not to expect it anyway..."
"But Zeke," Jimmy Junior started. The boy shrugged,
"Look, it ain't no big deal, really! Let's talk about somethin' else!"
His two friends shared a concerned look that he missed. They had to do something.
The following week, Peter Pescadero had been going around from classroom to classroom delivering Val-O-Grams to kids--cards, flowers, candies, and bundles kids had bought to share their affections with their crushes and friends.
Peter walked into the 8th grade literature class and walked right up to Zeke, who stood immediately upon noticing the boys' hands were practically overflowing with deliveries.
"Do ya need some help there Petey-Boy?! I've gotcha--!"
"Um....actually Zeke, a couple of these are for you..."
A pause, the clsss quieted down and all eyes turned to Zeke. He stood there in shock, his brain scrambling to catch up and process what he was hearing.
"D-Do-what?! Nooo...that can't--"
"Yes....here...uh..." Peter put the gifts down on a nearby table and sifted through the deliveries.
"Here, 3 roses, a card, and a bag of candy mix like Pop Rocks, Sticky Sugar Booms, and some Reese's Pieces. Here you go!" Peter extended the roses, bag of candy, and card to Zeke.
But....he didn't take it right away.
He just...stared at them....like he was afraid they would bite him....which they could--this whole thing could bite him in the butt and he didn't know if he wanted to take that risk.
This....was this a dream? Had he fallen asleep on the bleachers during gym class again?
"I don't...I don't understand..."
"Take it Zeke!" Tina whispered, unable to keep the grin off her face and the excitement out of her voice. He turned to her, fear in his eyes that this was some horrible mistake.
"But...ugh...ya don't understand, T-Dog! This doesn't.....HAPPEN to me!"
"Well, it's happening now!"
"Yeah! Go on, Zeke!" Jimmy Junior whispered, practically bouncing in his seat with his own waves of excited energy coursing through him. The boy turned to his brother in arms.
"But..." his eyes shifted anxiously "But, J-Ju, what if....it's like a cruel prank or something?!"
Jimmy Junior frowned, growing frustrated now, "Who in the world would prank you? You're a saint!"
The other kids in the room muttered in agreement.
"Zeke, you're sweeeeet-uh! It makes sense that someone would give you a Valentine!" Jocelyn said.
"Also, you're wasting time, just take the darn gifts, or I will!" Tammy said.
"But..." Zeke turned back to Peter, "But who...."
"Why don't you....read the card?" Tina suggested gently. She had stood up, approached, and took the card in Peter's hand, holding it before Zeke. He looked from Tina, to the card, and back to Tina. She was beaming, and his own eyes grew wide in realization and his gaze locked with hers.
"T-Bird..." he whispered softly.
She nodded in encouragement.
Zeke swallowed thickly before reaching out with shaky hands and taking the card.
Zeke, this is long overdue, but also the perfect time to let you know how much you are valued.
We love you, thanks for being awesome!
Oh no....his vision was going blurry as he teared up...he couldn't see. As his eyes shot up to dart between Tina and Jimmy Junior, who had also gotten up to stand by Tina's side, they were just blurry blobs.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Zeke!" Tina said.
"Do, do you like it?" Jimmy Junior asked, slightly anxious.
Zeke sobbed and let out a gasp, "I-I LOVE IT!" he scooped both of them up in the tightest of hugs.
"Both of you, get over here! Ugh! Oh! You guys are the best!"
"Hahah! Glad you like it!" Jimmy Junior grinned.
"Y-yeah. We love you Zeke but....um...we can't breathe!" Tina gasped. She wasn't as used to Zeke's tight holds as Jimmy Junior was. He let then go,
"S-sorry, I'm sorry!" he sniffed, rubbing at his nose with his arm.
The two smiled. Tina took the flowers from Peter and Jimmy Junior took the bag of candy. They both presented the gifts to Zeke.
"Okay, soooo, can you take your presents now because we got them for you and if you don't we'll fell bad," Tina said.
"Sorry sorry. Yes! Yes, I love'm!" He took the 3 roses and the bag of candy, but couldn't stop tearing up.
"I...this uh...don't happen to me a lot so...I..m."
"You don't have to say anything, Zeke!" Jimmy Junior said, his eyes also tearing up now.
Zeke choked on a sob again.
"But, ugh, I-I didn't get ya'll nothin'!"
"Don't worry about it!" Tina said,
"Yeah, you're presence is our present! That's enough!"
Zeke bit his lip, looking at his gifts again, "Oh man, I didn't have sobbing my guts out on my Bingo card today! Heheh!" he looked at them again, "Really, thank ya'll! Ya'll don't know how happy this makes me!" he said.
At this the class began to applaud, even as Peter began moving around to deliver the rest of the gifts.
Zeke then offered to share his candy with them, so they could bask in the affection together, and they agreed. Any extra pieces he had, he also shared with other classmates.
Because that was Zeke. He was a giver.
And though it was quiet, and went unspoken, it wasn't lost on the trio that Jimmy Junior had gotten Zeke his favorite candies...because he knew him. And Tina had gotten Zeke the 3 roses.....one for each of them. Zeke clocked it right away, and vowed he'd take care of them forever because they were so precious to him....the flowers, Jimmy Junior, and Tina.
That's all she wrote! Let me know what ya'll think! Reviews welcome!
