Easter Break

[littlest_gilbert]

Elena was in Iowa, and while he was on the road and would be in LA as Easter hit, Elena insisted that he come to her.

In Iowa.

So he was on a greyhound back to the land of.... okay, Jeremy wasn't really sure what Iowa was known for, but it had to be known for something.

He arrived Friday in the mid-morning, and texted his sister when he arrived. It was a tiny roadside station, and thankfully it was actually in the sixties so he could sit on his duffel-bag with his sketchpad on his lap and was working on drawing the landscape while he waited.

Comments

[braveandstupid]

Elena pulled into the parking lot with a screech, before hopping out of the car and running over to her brother. She knew that he wasn't particularly pleased with having to come all the way out to Iowa, but that didn't really matter. She rarely ever got to see him, so she wasn't going to waste the opportunity now.

"Jer!"

[littlest_gilbert]

Hearing the voice behind him, he looked over his shoulder and couldn't help but smile. "Hey!"

He stood up, putting his sketchpad on top of his bag before he wrapped his sister up in a big hug. "Miss me?"

[braveandstupid]

"Definitely." She exhales slowly as she leans into the hug, closing her eyes as she sinks into the embrace. It's been a long itme since she's seen him, and she plans to never give him a moment's peace until he's forced to move out of her sight again.

[littlest_gilbert]

Once they were separated, he leaned down to pick up his bag and pad.

"So, we staying at some kind of farm or something?"

[braveandstupid]

She rolled her eyes. "I have an apartment."

[littlest_gilbert]

"They have apartments in Iowa?"

He faked complete shock at this information.

[braveandstupid]

"Yes. And they have houses and schools, and they even have cities."

[littlest_gilbert]

"So there is more than cows and corn in Iowa. My geography teacher lied to me for all those years..."

[braveandstupid]

She sighs and shakes her head. "You're never going to let up on this, are you?"

[littlest_gilbert]

"uhhh, nope." Jeremy grinned. "Though I'm running out of cow jokes, so I'll have to get more creative."

[braveandstupid]

"Good. Maybe that means you'll give a little more room to breathe between them."

[littlest_gilbert]

"Maybe."

He followed her to the car and hopped into the passenger seat.

"So how's your job going?"

[braveandstupid]

Elena swung around to the opposite side of the car, pulling the door open and sliding into the driver's seat. "It's good. I think the kids are finally starting to get used to me."

[littlest_gilbert]

"That's good. I always knew you'd end up being a great teacher."

He looked out the window a moment, then licked his lips. "And the other job?"

[braveandstupid]

"The other job is the other job. But it seems like we're making progress. Things have calmed down a bit since we first started."

[littlest_gilbert]

"Buffy hasn't... you know, asked about me at all, has she?"

He will never admit that he had a crush on the slayer, though it was pretty obvious to most everyone else.

[braveandstupid]

Elena turns and flashes him a mild look. "I think she's a little out of your league, Jer."

[littlest_gilbert]

"You always told me to aim high. Shoot for the moon, right?"

He flashed her a grin.

[braveandstupid]

She laughs. "I didn't mean that high. Besides, I think I've caught her making eyes at the dad of one of my students."

[littlest_gilbert]

"Well, damn. I hope he's ready for her."

[braveandstupid]

"We'll see what happens. But I don't really think anyone can be ready for Buffy. She's not really something you can prepare for. On the other hand, he is in the business. So that makes some things a little easier."

[littlest_gilbert]

Jeremy just nods, then gives her a thoughtful look. "And should I know about anyone new joining us at the dinner table?"

[braveandstupid]

The question throws her for a moment, and she frowns as she starts the car. " ... No. Why?"

[littlest_gilbert]

"Well, new town usually would draw guys to check out the new girl."

[braveandstupid]

"Yeah, well. Most guys have been leaving me alone." Not that she's minded. It's been nice being single for a little while after her tumultuous high school relationships.