A Hidden Truth

When Juniper Met Jaxon

[3rd person]

    The final period of the day was study hall. Juniper had set up her schedule like this so she could have time to get her own work completed before tutoring. She’d been leading more and more homework help groups in class, though, and today was heavy in history lessons because of the test coming up on Friday.

    At least there was only one normal tutoring session after school. Then her friend, Tammy, would spar with her and help her with her fighting form. She’d been envious of the teen MMA fighter for having parents who allowed her to participate in something so violent. Juniper would wake early in the morning to run and would often stop in the guest house on her stepfather’s property so she could have a private space to practice.

    It was freeing in a way that nothing else had been in a long time. Not since before she was fifteen. There was a joyfulness to her life back then. When things were just easier, simpler. But time moved forward and so did she. No time to look back and feel sorry.

    When the bell rang, dismissing classes for the day, she headed to the parking lot and drove to Tammy’s house. It was a homey little ranch style with an extension added for her to practice fighting in. She had a man shaped practice dummy, weights, punching bags, and some weird thing with long pegs that she used for blocking practice. 

    Juniper rang the doorbell and waited. Tammy had taken summer credits so she would leave after lunch every day, a couple times a week, she would pick up Amber after school. It gave her time to work at her family’s restaurant and to focus on training. The door opened.

    Tammy was 5’7” with light brown hair shorn close on the sides and long on top. She often wore the long part in a ponytail unless she was doing something formal or working at the restaurant. Her body was moderately muscled and that showed with the skin tight work out shorts and tank top she was wearing. Tammy’s eyebrow was pierced and she had eight piercings in one ear and two in the other. She would be described more as handsome than beautiful, not that anyone’s opinion except Amber’s mattered.

    They’d been dating since sophomore year. When Juniper had been working to build a new social support, she’d honed in on three girls that always seemed to be on their own. Tammy was a transplant from the state of Washington. Being from another state, especially a blue state, was immediate grounds for cautious observation.

    She was almost fully shunned when she’d revealed that she was an unapologetic lesbian. There had been an incident where some boys thought they would ‘teach her’ what she was missing, and that was how they all learned about her black belt and her MMA experience.

    Amber had been outcast because of her parents. They were ultraconservative, which is normally fine, except they were delusional and suspicious of everyone and everything as a possible government spy in a quite insane way. When they’d tried to ban the girls from being friends with Amber, she’d run away from home and sent them a note saying she’d been kidnapped by the government. Her friends had staged a ‘rescue’.

    Her parents were so grateful they allowed them to be friends, but wouldn’t allow Tammy over to visit or sleepover once they found out she was a lesbian. Amber was bisexual and had fallen hard for the strong, protective, caring fighter.

    Kelly had been a tougher nut to crack. She was quiet, distant, and had pretty bad social anxiety. Juniper sat with her every day at lunch for three months and talked to her, waited for her bus with her after school, and offered tutoring help when she’d seen her quietly crying over her math homework in their homeroom class. Eventually, she got the girl to open up and when she did, she found a slightly evil, entirely perverted, princess of snark.

    Juniper became the student at that point. Over the course of her sophomore year, she’d become more outspoken, less passive aggressive, and unapologetically honest to the point where her mother said she didn’t recognize her anymore. Kelly introduced the group to anime and manga, she slipped a BL (boys’ love) into her recommendation stack that she’d loaned everyone. Juniper loved every genre, Amber tended toward shojo and BL, and Tammy gravitated toward shonen and yuri novels.

    Their friendship intertwined so much of their personalities, that they’d all grown. Everyone saw the shifts as the girls shared their hobbies and talents with each other. That was how Juniper had come to get two and a half years of martial arts training under her belt and the grades of the other three had shown steady improvement, much to the joy of their parents.

    Tammy ushered Juniper into the house and to the computer room. She’d been struggling with some of the programs they were exploring in computer science and had been focusing mainly on that in the last year. They spent an hour going over answers, tips and tricks, and chatting about Tammy’s outfit for prom. Amber was driving her crazy with small changes and nitpicks.

    After they wrapped it up, Juniper went to change for her lessons and sparring session. She wore forearm guards and other padding, as they’d started sparring more and more realistically in the last year. If she came home with bruises, her stepfather, Hank, got upset. It was better for her if he wasn’t, so she wore the padding even though it felt like she was dying.

    Two of Tammy’s younger brothers came in to watch the girls fight. They worshipped their older sister and loved getting lessons from her as well. Nat, the older of the two, was eager for the day he was old enough to really fight her because he wanted her to be proud of his skills. 

    It was an interesting dynamic for Juniper. Most of the time if someone had brothers, they learned to fight because their brothers would treat them like one of the boys. Tammy learned to fight so she could protect herself.

    Her family started her with aikido and she’d started taking classes in other martial arts because of how much she loved it. Her only black belt was in aikido and she relied on it more than anything else in fights with untrained people. It was mostly used to subdue them. She didn’t believe in fighting with people who were less trained than she, but would go all out if she needed to protect herself.

    When they’d finished, Juniper used Tammy’s shower and changed back into her school clothes. She walked out to her car, got in, and buckled her seatbelt. Sitting in the driver’s seat, she tried to think. 

    It was the last night of her stepfather’s business trip and she didn’t want to head straight home. There was a freedom when he was gone, that she just didn’t get to have otherwise.

    Her mother was less demanding when he wasn’t there. She didn’t have to report everywhere she went. Juniper’s curfew was stretchable. There wasn’t as much need for her to be home for her little brother since her mother wasn’t distracted. What did she really want to do?

    Juniper decided to take the long way home. There was a backroad that arched away from the city and was just farms and ranches. She would enjoy the ride back and stop in at the truck stop near the freeway for supper. Reaching in her pocket, Juniper retrieved her phone and sent a text to Teddy to let Twyla know she wouldn’t be home for supper. She asked him to tell their mother she was eating with Tammy’s family and would be home around nine.

    He told her to have fun. It made her immeasurably happy to spend time outside the house that wasn’t restricted to school, tutoring, working for Miss Letty, church, or ‘Hank approved’ outings. Soon, she’d graduate high school and move to the Austin area for school.

    She’d been accepted to Texas State and was planning to get a B.S. in Computer Science. All she had to do was make it through the summer and she would finally have control over her life. Real control. Not the manufactured control of changing friends and leaving social clubs and extracurriculars.

    Pulling away from the curb, Juniper worked on planning while she drove. Everything she would need for her move, everything she would have to establish while there. She wondered if she could get Hank to let her leave a month before school started to get an apartment and routine settled. Knowing him, he’d probably already decided where she would live and it would be ready for move in the weekend before classes started.

    There was a glint in the distance. Another car was ahead of her, on the side of the road, a few miles up. As she got closer, Juniper recognized the car and pulled up behind it. The jack was out and the front tire was off. A second tire sat next to the first, leaning against the front of the car.

    Juniper got out of her car and saw the other tire was also flat. She chuckled to herself. Miss Bobbi was a little flighty and had probably meant to get a new spare, or fix that one, and just forgotten.

    The driver’s side door opened and a man got out. He was at least six feet tall with shoulder length black hair tied back. Something flashed in his cool gray eyes and a half smile pulled his slightly bowed lips to one side. His golden skin looked nearly edible. Juniper stopped. She didn’t know him, only that he was most definitely not Beau.

    “Thanks for pulling over.” He said in a low, throaty voice.

    “Umm. Looks like you lost a tire there.” Juniper smiled. As long as he didn’t come forward aggressively, she had no reason to worry.

    “Yeah. Seems Bobbi forgot to have the spare fixed. If I’d known, I would have done it when I got here.” He laughed. “I’m Jaxon Boone. Bobbi Jensen’s brother.”

    “Juniper Fordyce. Bobbi attends my book club. I have a donut in the back that should fit.” She pointed to her car.

    “I really appreciate it! I left my phone at home, so I was just stuck here hoping for someone to come along.” Jaxon grinned.

    He wondered if it was fate that kept throwing them together. She was the only person who’d come in hours. Jaxon was more grateful than he could express.

    “No one comes down this road unless they live here. How long have you been waiting?”

    He looked at the watch on his wrist. “Like two hours.”

    Juniper laughed and headed back to the hatch of her Metro and pulled out the little spare tire. She had a full size spare as well, but carried the donut in case she saw a neighbor in need. It wasn’t terribly heavy and didn’t take much space so it was worth the extra effort.

    She put the tire on and tightened the lug nuts with the tire iron. Turning to him, Juniper stood and smiled.

    “If you want to release the jack, I’ll help you get everything put away. Then I’ll get you my phone number.” She said, wiping her hands on her jeans.

    “Oh, thanks, but I’m not really wanting to date anyone while I’m here.” He winced.

    Her eyes widened, mouth opening slightly from the shock. No one had ever thought she was asking for a date when she offered her number with the tire. Juniper started snickering which turned into uncontrollable peals of laughter. She couldn’t believe the audacity of the statement. He was attractive, but that was a level of vanity she just couldn’t fathom.

    She leaned against the car as she worked to catch her breath. It took longer than she wanted, but that was one of the most presumptuous things she’d heard in weeks. Juniper wiped the tears from her eyes and turned to face him again. He seemed angry.

    “Mr. Boone, if you would not like my number so you can return my tire, then let me take you to my mechanic so you can get a new one.” She tittered.

    He looked shocked for a second and understanding dawned on him. A blush rose on his cheeks as realized what an unbelievable ass he’d just been to someone who’d done nothing but try and help him. It wasn’t a great start.

    “s**t, I’m sorry. It’s just…” Jaxon began.

    Juniper put up a hand to stop him. “I’ve heard the rumors. Bobbi’s been taking you on the singles tour. I feel for you. Really. But I’m not interested either. So you can relax. Let’s get this stuff put away and get you squared. Okay?”

    He nodded and they picked up the two flat tires, jack, tire iron, and hubcap. Once everything was secured, Juniper returned to her car and they left. Jaxon stayed a safe distance behind as he followed her the ten minutes down the road and turned in at Logsden Family Car Care.

    They parked and got out of their cars. Before they entered, Juniper turned to him.

    “Can you speak in a regional accent?” She asked.

    He quirked an eyebrow. “Well, ‘course I can, Miss Juniper. I was raised here ‘til I was ten.” Jaxon drawled.

    “Great! Davey gets nervous ‘round northerners.” Juniper in her silvery southern tone.

    She pulled open the door and a little chime rang out. The mechanic’s waiting room was pretty standard. There were chairs set out around a coffee table that had a stack of magazines ranging from ‘Southern Living’ and ‘Hotrod Magazine’ to ‘National Geographic’ and ‘Newsweek’ with some copies of ‘Highlights’ for the kids, though, Davey had done most of the activities in them. 

    In the corner, was a stand with a large coffee maker, cups, sugar, creamer, and stirring straws. Displays for tire brands were pinned to the walls and there was the distinct scent of motor oil and new tires.

    They went to the wraparound desk where a young man sat with a tablet. He was about 5’10” with mousy brown hair, a wiry build, and a little boy smile. Juniper had known Davey since she was in third grade. He was two years ahead of her and liked playing with the younger kids.

    “Welcome! How can I help you?” He smiled, avoiding eye contact.

    “Hi there, Davey. How’s your mama and daddy?” Juniper asked in a sweet voice.

    “They’re good, Juni. How’re yours?” Davey answered.

    “Doin’ good, sugar. Thanks for askin’. This is Miss Bobbi’s brother, Jaxon. He needs a couple new tires. Can y’all squeeze him in today?”

    “I gotta check with Kirsten. They got two cars finishin’ up now and another two waitin’ still.”

    “We’ll wait right here for you, then.” She said.

    Davey smiled and scurried to the garage bays to talk to his older sister. Juniper turned to Jaxon.

    “He’s on the spectrum?” He asked.

    “Yes. A very sweet boy, always helpin’ out. There was an influx of transplants movin’ to town when he was in fifth grade. A handful didn’t blend into the class well and formed a group. They used to bully him. People without some level of southern in their voices start causin’ him to panic. Only locals come here. There aren’t any signs because we all know right where they are.” She smiled.

    The door opened again. Davey was trailed by his sister. Kirsten was only a couple inches shorter than her brother. Her hair was the same light brown as Davey’s and she wore it in a tight bun while working. Her build was thicker than his and Juniper knew she had some serious physical strength. She’d been learning to fix cars since childhood and had gotten her certificates after high school so she could take over the family business when their father and mother retired.

    “Hey, Juni. Davey says Bobbi’s brother needs tires. It’s a bit of a wait. I have to replace some breaks, rotate tires, and do an alignment for Tia Wilson. Then I gotta do an oil and filter change for Landon Frays. Daddy and Mama had to go home. She cut her hand pretty bad and you know how he worries.” Kirsten explained.

    “Well, we got time. Jaxon wanted to get my donut back to me asap, so I’m here. Already made sure Mama and Teddy know I’ll be late.” Juniper smiled.

    Kirsten looked up and held out her hand. “Kirsten Logsden. Nice to meet you.”

    Jaxon shook her hand. “Jaxon Boone, nice to meet you too.”

    “I can have you up in a couple hours. I’ll see if a patch will do on the tires before we look at new ones. The actual changin’ of the tires shouldn’t take more than thirty minutes, if we do.” She told him.

    “I appreciate it. How much will it cost?” He asked.

    “We’ll send the bill to Beau. It’s Bobbi’s car, he’ll cover it. You two go grab some supper or somethin’. I’ll get to it as soon as I can.”

    “You want us to bring somethin’ back for you and Davey?” Juniper offered.

    “Where you headin’?”

    “Truck Corral. Figured it’s close and the food’s good.” She replied with a shrug.

    “Yeah, couple cheeseburgers with fries and coke. Davey wants orange soda, though. He’s been on a fruit flavored drink kick lately.” Kirsten chuckled.

    “Remy did the same thing a few months ago. I’ll come back with food in an hour or so. Sound good?”

    “Thanks, Juni.” She said and returned to the back.

    Davey crept forward. “Juni. Can I have a bear claw too?”

    “Sure thing. You just keep an eye on everythin’ here and listen to your sister. I’ll bring you a treat, sugar.” Juniper smiled.

    He jumped up and pumped his arm in the air before returning to his seat with his tablet. It was as if they didn’t exist for him anymore. Juniper was used to it, though.