"Words" ~ FNL fic
This is just a little ficlet I wrote after watching the last Friday Night Lights. I just couldn't wait til next week to see how this would all play out, so I decided to come up with a little conversation between Tim and Julie.
Title: Words
Characters: Tim, Julie, Tami (a little)
Rating: PG
Summary: Julie dreaded going to school on Monday...
Julie dreaded going to school on Monday. She had begged her father over the weekend to listen to her and believe that Tim would never do anything to her; that all he did was protect her and get her home safe. But he wouldn't listen. He was just too stubborn.
She had pleaded with her mother to help him understand, but her mother had shook her head, "Honey, trust me, I've tried."
And, so now, it was Monday morning and she was in the car with her mom on their way to school. It was a silent drive, one Julie wished would end, but not at the school.
As soon as her mother parked the car, she was unbuckling her seatbelt, her hand on the door handle. Her mother's voice stopped her, "Jules, it's gonna be okay."
Julie turned to face her mom, her eyes searching hers, "You believe me, right?"
She heard her mother sigh as she placed a comforting hand on her cheek, "Honey, as much as I know about Tim Riggins, it's not easy to not jump to that conclusion. But I also believe he has better sense than to try anything like that in our house. And, I do believe you. I know your upset with your father right now, but give him some time to cool down. He'll come around."
"Yeah," she mumbled, as she gave her mom a quick kiss on the cheek before hopping out of the SUV and into the swarm of students heading for the building.
*****
She had gotten through most of the day without seeing him. Part of her was relieved at this, but the other part was sad. She'd become so used to him being around for the past week. He had been like the older brother she'd never had. She was suprised at how well she got along with him, and how fun he was to talk to. When he would talk, at least, she thought to herself.
It was just before last period when she finally spotted him as she made her way to her final class. He was putting books away in his locker, oblivious to her stare. She watched as a few football players passed his locker and shouted a hello to which he waved and smiled back. But the smile on his face wasn't the same.
She wasn't even aware she was walking towards him until she found herself a few feet away from his locker. Suddenly, she was nervous. Would he even want to talk to her? After all, she was the reason he'd gotten kicked out of their house. All because he had been trying to help her.
Tears stung at her eyes. Her memory was hazy of that night, but she remembered a few things. She remembered going to the party and having a few beers. She remembered a boy, though his name didn't come to mind, who had been all over her. And, then she remembered Tim picking her up, telling her it was time to go, and driving her home. She remembered Tim helping her into her bedroom, and her arms around his neck. But after that things blurred together, but she knows all he was doing was trying to help her.
The slam of his locker brought her out of her thoughts and she turned her attention back to him. She cleared her throat quietly, hoping that he would hear her.
His head turned toward her, and she saw his eyes widen slightly as he realized who was standing before him.
Taking a deep breath, Julie somehow found the courage to speak, "Listen, Tim, I'm so sorry about the other night. I...I mean I tried to tell my dad what happened but he wouldn't listen, and it's all my fault. I...I guess I'm just sorry..." she spoke fast, tripping over her words as she looked at her shoes.
She heard him clear his throat, and glanced up at him, "Jules, it's not your fault, okay?"
"What?" she started, confused, "Of course it is. I mean, if I hadn't gotten so wasted, you wouldn't have had to help me home and my dad wouldn't have found us...like..." she trailed off, her cheeks flushing as a tiny memory came back to her.
Tim sighed as he looked at her, "It's not the first time I've been thrown out of a house, Julie. I guess I can't really blame coach...I mean, he did walk in on an awkward situation."
"Yeah," she whispered, her heart heavy at his words, "but I've tried to tell him that you wouldn't do anything to me; that you were only helping me because, I mean, come on, you're Tim Riggins and, I...I'm just not in your league...I'm not your type," she finished, her voice low as she stared at intently at the floor.
She felt Tim's hand on her shoulder, and looked up to meet his eyes, "Hey, first off, if anyone is out of anyone's league, I'm out of yours. You deserve so much better than the likes of me, Julie Taylor," he said, giving her shoulder a squeeze, a small smile appearing on her lips.
Julie felt her stomach leap at that smile.
She stared up at him as he continued, "Secondly, I know you tried, and I don't blame you. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, Jules."
She felt her cheeks flush, as a small smile made it's way to her lips, "Thanks."
He shifted on his feet as his eyes glanced around them, "Hey, you should probably get to class. I'm pretty sure if Coach catches me within twenty feet of you, he'll bust my ass. Although I'm probably already gonna get it in practice today," he mumbled.
He chuckled and she joined him, although neither of them found it too funny.
"Yeah," Julie stuttered, "yeah...I...I should probably go. I...I just wanted you to know I'm sorry, and that...that I, well, I miss you."
He grinned down at her and pulled her into a brief hug, "Yeah, I miss you too, Little Taylor."
She rolled her eyes at his nickname for her, which he caught as he pulled away. "I knew you didn't like that nickname," he teased.
"Yeah, well, since techniquely Gracie is the littlest one, shouldn't that be her nickname?" she asked, raising her eyebrows in question.
Chuckling, he shook his head, "Nah, I like it better on you."
"Whatever," she replied and couldn't help the smile that crossed her lips.
She shifted her books in her arms, and motioned towards her classroom, "Well, I guess I better go..."
"Yeah," he smirked, "I guess so."
She met his eyes once more before moving to walk past him to her class. He caught her arm, stopping her, before she could make it too far, "Hey," he mumbled, as he shoved his hands in his pockets, "if you ever need anything...call me, okay?"
Julie looked down and then back up at him, "Yeah, thanks, Tim. Later."
"Later, Jules," he replied, as she turned to head down the hallway. She felt his eyes on her until she turned into her classroom. It was then that she let out a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding. A sigh of relief escaped her as she realized she wouldn't lose Tim completely. That thought gave her heart a little hope. Now, if she could just get her dad to listen to her maybe everything would be better...maybe.
*cross-posted to:
fridaynight_fic and
tim_julie