Jonnor

Rewatching the series always gives me new reasons to love them. In 2x12, Jude and Connor deal with the aftermath of Jude telling Lena about Connor’s mysterious black eye.

Connor is immediately distressed when he realizes Jude is ignoring him.

“You don’t have to avoid me, okay? I’m not mad.”

Connor then asks if Lena quit her job.

Jude says nothing, and Connor takes it as a yes, asking “Is it because of my dad?”

Themes: Biology class, silent reading, possessive behavior, baseball fanart

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Biology was one of Connor’s preferred subjects. It wasn’t that he particularly cared about the anatomy of cells or how living things were classified, but rather it was the one class he shared with Jude. He felt especially lucky on Lab Day, because with Lab Day came the ability to talk freely and move about the classroom without being scolded. 

Today was not Lab Day. Most days of the week, Biology consisted of Mrs. Wilson’s less-than-captivating lectures or silent reading. Today was for silent reading. The room was hushed in studious concentration, or with covert distraction playing games and texting on one’s mobile phone. Either/or. 

Jude sat beside him, engaged in his textbook. Connor watched as the bridge of his nose scrunched up, perhaps puzzled by whatever he was reading. Jude’s dark eyebrows furrowed. His paper was halfway full with careless, chicken-scratch notes. Periodically, his lips would part and his pinched shoulders would heave a heavy, weighted sigh. His gaze shot up, annoyed.

“What?”

Connor had not yet started on his reading. He found that free time in class (a treasured luxury by all students everywhere) was better spent on a well-deserved mental break to prepare for whatever tribulations lay ahead, as well as ponder next period’s cafeteria choices. Restless, Connor kept himself active by doodling baseball paraphernalia on the corners of his otherwise blank sheet of three-hole-punched college rule. 

He was not prepared for such forward confrontation. He had been looking, yes, but not in an insolent way. More of an… I’m bored and I need something to focus my eyes on… type of way. 

It was obvious that there was something going on that Jude wasn’t ready to talk about. His sister was in the group home and, apparently, had not gained family visitation privileges yet. Lately, he had been catching Jude staring at the window. Connor presumed he was imagining Callie standing outside of the classroom looking in, waiting for him. 

Later that day, Jude would apologize for being so short and he would stay over at Connor’s house after school to play Dawn of Armageddon 3. But until then…

Pen upright in his hand, Connor slid his arm across the table. The ball point hovered millimeters above Jude’s paper. He waited a few seconds for permission, and when no protest came, he scribbled a dumb little five-point star under Jude’s writing. 

The corner of Jude’s mouth quirked up. 

Alongside sketches of bats and team logos, Connor had been practicing his autograph. Emphasized by his coach and re-emphasized by his dad, it was important for anyone hoping for the big leagues to perfect their unique signature. Feeling validated, Connor went for it again. 

Under Jude’s notes he inscribed a stylized, cursive, “Connor Stevens.”

Enthused, Connor moved his hand down until the pen hovered over Jude’s skin. Any onlooker watching the exchange wouldn’t have caught it, but Connor saw Jude’s hand move towards his own, only slightly. Maybe about a quarter of an inch if anyone were to try and measure it. Connor made quick work. 

Now, in semi-permanent ink, displayed on the back of Jude’s left hand, was a bright red, conspicuous, unmistakable “C.”

What I loved about “Get out of my face” was how it showed in a really, really subtle way Connor’s standing with his peers. He jumps to the rescue and dominates effortlessly but only uses his powers for good—to stand up for Jude when he sees how upset he is. Connor is known to be a well-liked kid. People don’t make fun of Jude once Connor has spoken to them.