Realized Appreciation pg.2

Jeff definitely is not good at taking hints. When I was with a group of chums, I dreaded seeing him ambling towards me. It was usually fine, but not when the guys were with me. Not making eye contact, just looking in my general direction. Pretending I didn't hear or see him did not work. "Adam, hello. Hello, Adam?"
Eventually he would smile a little, thinking it was a game, and say something like "It's been nice talking to you" and finally go away.
"Do you actually know that weirdo?" They'd ask, snickering and perplexed. Feeling my popularity was threatened; I'd brush it off and say "No way. He's just the neighbor's kids who won't leave me alone" Usually that would satisfy them enough to forget about it.
Don't get me wrong, I like the guy. We have our "Sentimental differences" like with religion and politics (with him being a deist democrat), but if anyone besides me messed with him, I would have a problem. But like Jeff was so fond of pointing out, I have a bit of an ego. I had to keep up appearances. And besides, juniors aren't supposed to publically associate with freshmen. He took college-level classes, but I was still older and entitled to the perks.

It was October of my junior year. I was crossing the courtyard during lunch, needing to get something from my locker.
At the corner of my eye, I saw Jeff (wearing orange and brown) walk by, head down and clutching as book to his torso. A few seconds later, I saw a couple of guys tailing him, hurling insults like projectiles.
I wanted to disassociate, but the protective instinct that had been developing for years prevented me from walking away. It tugged me towards the altercation. Putting on a cheery carelessness, I walked behind them.
"What's going on, guys?"
They turned to me. I knew them from weight-training. I got along with them pretty well, like I did with most of the semi-jocks. Alex and James were smirking at me. "Nothing, man. Just having some fun" Jim the overgrown junior said.
"Looks pretty boring to me" I mused, trying to sound casually arrogant as they were.
They looked confused. Maybe I should have used more texting language. I put my hands on their shoulders. "Come on, you got better things to do. The spaz probably doesn't get it, anyways."

For a second I glanced at Jeff. He showed no signs of feeling betrayed (or any emotion for that matter) I was certain that he could tell when I was being genuine or not. Laughing and pleased with themselves, with their momentarily assuaged cruelty, they started off in the other direction with me, leaving the almost victim standing there, watching us leave.

We were walking home, caught in an uneasy silence. He looked too lost in thought to reach, the distant 14 year old pushed further into his own head by the day's episode.
"Thank you" he suddenly said.
I almost didn't hear him at first. I wasn't sure what to say.
"For helping me. You didn't have to" his voice was very monotone, but I could tell he meant it. Jeff never bothered faking any emotion, even if he didn't feel it like others do.
"It's nothing. I'll always be there-"I began.
"It's not nothing" he stated, in a corrective-teacher sort of way "Isn't there anything I could do to repay you?" I didn't want to make it a transaction, but I took the opportunity to take advantage.
"I sort of need help writing some essays…" I hesitated
"Very well. Give me your notes" I told myself it wasn't a big deal. By the time school got out, Jeff was finished with all his homework. It was child's play for him. He'd probably relish the extra work. He took the scraps of papers, shook my hand with satisfied professionalism, and sauntered to his now-reached house.
This occurrence wasn't as infrequent as I cared to admit. During my reign as president of the student body council, I sometimes left Jeff (my vice president) the entire workload when I went on a date or just plain didn't want to do it.
That would come back to bite me later.