Quote:
Originally Posted by
Zoerawrr 
Feeling the corners of his mouth pull out again a little in a genuine smile, Jake nodded in response to the statement. It was definitely a positive change. Though it was a small change, it was change nonetheless and any change in comparison to last year was GOOD.
And that offer was definitely something goooood. Jake nodded once again, still smiling but with a more serious expression. Again, after last year... Yeah. Just, yeah. "Thanks... One th-thing," he added as he stood up. "C-ccccall me Jake."
The name Upstead was very... it just reminded Jake of too much...
"I sh-should guhhh-go," the boy said, as politely as he possibly could. "Y-you pro-pro-probbbbably hhhave things t-to do..."
Half turning to the door, Jake waited until he was either told he could go or asked anything else. Like he had been telling himself... it was a good thing to do as you're told.
Gabriella's eyebrows raised just a tiny bit when the boy mentioned that there was one additional matter he needed to discuss. Call him by his given name, hmm? Normally, Gabriella would politely decline the offer, but after hearing the story of his adoption, she imagined surnames were a little complicated for Jake.
"Well, I'll have to admit that calling you by your given name rather than your surname might feel a little odd at first, but I'll make an exception for you...Jake," she said.
She nodded understandingly when he mentioned needing to leave. There were things Gabriella needed to tend to, and Merlin, for all she knew there could be additional visitors waiting outside. She pushed her chair away from her desk and stood, making her way to the door to let Jake out.
"Thank for stopping by, Mm---Jake. Have a good day," she added.