Parking her moped by the bikes, she looked at the barren lands, no classmate to be seen since they were inside heading to homeroom. Oh man. Her mom, the one she came out of, was going to be PISSED. Securing her moped with her chain lock, because her mom always told her to play it safe, JJ was standing tall and staring at the even taller building (she wasn't even
that tall) that was her school. Opening up her tote, she smiled to see Big Cheese straight up chillen. Taking him out, she held him with both hands and reintroduced him to her school, since he hadn’t been there in weeks. It was then when she saw Jamie Callaghan off at the distance coming from a path less taken, that led to… the murder shed or something… and he looked distraught.
Looking at Big Cheese, she sighed,
“He doesn’t look okay. What? You think I should check on him?” The mouse didn’t say anything in return, just stared at his mother with big, beady eyes.
“Remember that time, sophomore year, I talked to Jamie for gym? He didn’t even notice I took a ball for him! Dodgeball is ruthless and should be canceled.” Her eyes softened as she stared at her eldest and nodded.
“You’re right though. I need to be a good egg-xample. Bleh. Fine, you’re right. Man, why are you such a softie, Biggie? I could only aspire to love like you. Okay, okay, let’s go.” Together, JJ and BG found their way walking off the sidewalk, on grass and to the gravel path that led to the unknown and she approached Jamie, with mouse in hand.
“Hey… are you okay?” “Christ, JJ” Jamie jumped as JJ pierced through his veil of silence. His hands were still shaky, rubbing at the mark on his neck, face flushed red.
“I am…fine. I will be, at least,” he said, cautious. He knew of JJ, or more accurately, he knew her sister. He
really didn’t need his business getting back to the media wing, in any capacity. Jamie didn’t get to where he was by handing his secrets out for free. He took a breath and eyed the girl and her rat.
“What’s that one’s name?”“Oh this guy? This is Big Cheese. He’s my old man; had him the longest.” Jordyn explained, pride written all over her face. Bringing her hands out, she smiled and offered,
“Want to hold him?” The girl wasn’t naive, she could tell her peer wasn’t okay and based on quick observation, she had a good guess it dealt with the mark on his neck.
“He doesn’t bite, scouts honor,” she assured. Still, it wasn’t her place to pry.
“Seriously, he’s soft as heck.” Gently, she ran the back of her pointer finger on the mouse’s back, going down his spine, casually and with ease.
After four years, Jamie had grown used to JJ’s revolving door of rodents, but that did not mean he had any desire to touch them. Especially not the ones with creepy, little tails. He looked down at Big Cheese with a look that was equal parts uncomfortable and grossed out.
“I’ll take your word for it,” he said, grimacing at the mouse as though it might grow wings and fly at him.
He was saved by the
ding of the school’s warning bell, signalling their time to get to class was running out. Jamie looked down at his watch and let out an annoyed sigh. AJ was not going to make him late to class.
“Walk with me JJ, I can tell Belmonte that we were doing something for the paper.” Never let it be said that Jamie Callaghan didn’t perform charity. He gripped his bag tighter, and sent one longing look back at the baseball shed before turning back to the main building.
“Speaking of Belmonte, how does she feel about Big Cheese?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow at the girl as he stepped towards BHHS.
“As far as she’s concerned, Big Cheese is not here,” JJ whispered in response, slipping her mouse back in her tote. There was no way she’d get sent to the office. Not today, Satan. Walking beside Jamie, JJ thought of something to talk about. It wasn’t everyday she got to chat with one of the editors in charge of the Pirate’s Hook. The iconic duo of Trixie and Jamie were known in all grades, competing with the likes of the Hive and the Elite. They knew how to find out things, and bridge rapport with people who were even better at it, like Monarch. They had a network of people and with that they used it as a shield or a dagger. One thing she noted awhile back with her classmates was how caught up they were with themselves. They rarely looked outward so of course they’d never see how much JJ did pay attention. How much JJ saw. Her mother had told her she was wise beyond her years, understanding concepts that take most people their whole lives to figure out. An old soul in a youthful body, that used levity and humor throughout her day, because she wanted to. Because she could. Because smiles and laughter were the best form of therapy.
There were so many questions she could ask but she decided on a simple one.
“So… Do you have a date tomorrow for the dance?” Jordyn calmly asked, curiosity being one of her notable traits. Jamie’s breakup with AJ had spread fast around the halls of Beverly Hills High, especially because of how public their relationship was to begin with. With AJ’s loud passion and loyal soul, and Jamie’s ruthless ambition and clear direction, don’t forget the promposal, they were a couple her peers rooted for to win the superlative “Best Couple” this year. At least from her observation they looked at each other with an overflow of love and balanced one another in a cute way, that was their own. Where AJ was the drive, Jamie was the plan. Where AJ was the spirit, Jamie was the truth. Where AJ was the line, Jamie was the kite. Or was it the other way around? Regardless, they were cute, at least while it lasted. They would’ve been the second lgbtq+ couple to win that, the first being Levi’s parents, Hailey & Hana Green. Love was a fickle thing though and they broke up before the summer. It was sad but they’re young and alive, and that was a beautiful thing in her opinion.
“I only ask because you seem a bit off, and I thought hey maybe he’s worried about the game or maybe he has pre-dance jitters. You can totally ignore me though if you don’t want to answer. Just thought I’d ask…” Her voice trailed off, knowing she was rambling and needed to put the brakes on. She talked too much sometimes.
Jamie glanced away, gnawing on his lip at JJ’s question. It was salt in a fresh wound. AJ wasn’t his date, but Jamie had been looking forward to making eyes at him from across the dance floor, and reveling in the fun of it all. He’d thought that was what AJ was all about and he’d tried to be that and he’d clearly failed miserably.
“Does Trixie count?” He forced an easy smile and looked back at JJ.
“No date, which is fine, because dates are distractions.” They took a few more steps, silence hanging between them.
“Not much of a point to it, is there?” Jamie didn’t wait for a response.
“I’m not a Candy. I don’t believe in love at first sight and shit like that, and really, the truth is, most of these relationships will be done by the time we come home for Christmas next year so…” Jamie trailed off, heaving a sigh and shaking his head. His reflexive cynicism wasn’t fooling anybody, least of all him.
That’s a bingo.
Jamie gave her more than something casual and blasé to pass the time. He gave her what she could only deduce was a glimpse of himself, his issues, and his rather shitty perspective on life. They had approximately seven minutes from their current point to get to their final destination: the Business room. They had to go through the lobby, pass the main office, take a right, greet the nurse and keep moving forward until they sailed straight to the land where Ms. Caterina Belmonte reigned. Room 105. That was seven minutes to give Jamie Callaghan some food for thought or at least leave a good impression on him where he’d consider being her friend. She wouldn’t mind having more friends. It made the school day that more interesting when you had someone from every corner of the world. The world being her school.
“Platonic love certainly does count,” JJ beamed, adjusting her backpack and tote with Big Cheese, as she looked at her surroundings, taking in the atmosphere, the ambience, and the angle, while still being ever present to her seven minute companion.
“As for all that other hodge-podge stuff… who cares? Labels and all that jazz, that’s not really what people are going to remember when we leave this place; you know what I’m going to remember?” JJ glanced over to the boy beside her, no malice in her tone and her eyes sparkling with genuine thoughtfulness and good intention. She was going to tell him what she remembered regardless if he wanted to hear her or not. He cracked the door open and she was going to peek in and try her best to inch it open, even more.
“This. You taking the time to talk to me. Do you remember freshman year, in English 101, I sat right behind you and Trixie? I remember asking what you were planning to write to impress the seniors for the newspaper club and you brushed me off like I was a tiny speck in the grand scheme of things. Well this speck in time still thinks about that day.” She paused, letting her words and the silence in between them weigh in their exchange. Even silence meant something and had meaning. All Jamie needed to do was focus on her and see what this moment was at face value. Someone wanting to be his friend.
“After we graduate, I’m not going to remember my SAT score or whether I got into the college of my dreams — full disclosure, college is a scam and I’m just going to community — I’m going to remember the moments. And if that includes someone to love, someone I can consider mine, and me theirs, even if it might be fleeting... at least I had someone that made me happy. At least I had someone to hold. At least I can say I had someone who, without a doubt, made me the happiest I could ever be, and was someone I needed, right now." She cleared her throat, hoping he didn't mind the lecture. Jones had habits, they liked to talk. After a beat, she continued, asking the same rhetorical question he asked her.
“What’s the point, Jamie Callaghan?”“Hm, maybe if you stopped stressing about having all the answers, you’d be able to see for yourself.” She teasingly nudged him and gestured toward a group of kids huddled, in their red & black attire, hyped and talking about the upcoming game. She then pulled his attention to a couple, where the boy was carrying roses and he nervously asked the girl if she’d be his date for the homecoming dance. Her response was absolute shock but once she snapped out of it, stunned for a second, she squealed yes and embraced him tightly.
“I’m here for the confetti.” Jamie thought that receiving a pep talk (an admittedly decent pep talk) from Jordyn Jones, the girl with the rodents, was not exactly a sign of a Jamie Callaghan renaissance. He was certainly not about to metaphorically start dancing in a cage with a new lease on life, à la Miley Cyrus, but he did feel better. Not great, but better. He supposed that counted for something.
“You are oddly wise for a girl who sneaks her pets into school.” As they approached room 105, Jamie paused his stride, turning to JJ.
“I’m definitely going to regret this if the mouse causes a scene, but hey, fuck it. Ethan Green’s throwing a party tomorrow night. Family vineyard, very boujee. Theme is Risky Business, which I’m sure DJ will either love or have some snarky comment for. He’s renting a bus or some shit, to cart everybody over. You guys should come.”“Wow, that’s extra extra, but I’m all for it. And DJ is going to be so excited even if she might not show it. I have this weird head canon that if her and Ethan actually were in the same orbit they’d have popcorn worthy debates on films. You ever notice them go off on their own tangents or is it just me? Might just be me.” JJ not only seemed to make Jamie feel a little better but she also got invited to a massive social event that would set in motion the rest of the year. Honestly, as much as she would love to bring Biggie or Jigz or Master Splinter or Hammy or Jarvis, she didn’t want to risk them getting caught up with a bunch of teens and maybe getting squished. Parties were chaotic at this school.
“Jamie, Jordyn. This is a first, seeing you both coming in together. And cutting it extremely close.” Ms. Belmonte greeted, skimming her email. She was sitting at her desk which was in front of her homeroom class, far left, sporting the
school colors with a red dress, black boots and a suit jacket.
“I hope everything is okay,” she subtly probed. It was hard to read Ms. Belmonte because her voice was raspy, in a sexy way, which was distracting. As was her face, that was distracting too. And her body. Very distracting. It was hard to explain the effect Ms. Cat had on her students. She was way too hot to be a teacher but here she was teaching trust fund babies tools and resources that would help them when they inherit their family’s businesses, stocks and estate.
Jamie grinned.
“Newspaper business. It never ends, Ms. B.” Jamie took his seat near the front, close enough to be noticed by Ms. Belmonte, but far enough away from her that he could listen in on what people were saying. Some of the best gossip got whispered during class sessions. There were seats open on either side of him, and while he didn’t offer one to JJ, the door was open a lot wider than it had been an hour ago. He pulled his phone from his pocket and quickly made a post about Ethan’s party, sending it out with a
whoosh.
“Ahoy, or whatever. Anyone who’s anyone will be washing down tomorrow's dance with shots and jungle juice, at a vineyard so kindly provided by one Ethan Green. Risky Business is the theme, bus is the method of transportation, and getting wasted is the end goal. The bus leaves after the crowns come out, be there, or be wherever losers go,” he announced, droll and unfazed by the authority figure mere feet from his desk.
“Not the time or place, Jamie,” Ms. Belmonte softly reprimanded. He knew she wasn’t going to do anything because she knew the parties were important in the social scene at this school but she could at least act like she wasn’t intrigued herself. Risky Business? An interesting choice to start the school year.
“I didn’t hear a thing, just don’t be dumb and bring protection.” She advised her class who all reacted either by laughter or by grimace.
“There will be no blossoms getting pollinated by all the bees this weekend, Ms. Kitty Cat!” JJ joked, excitedly taking a seat to Jamie’s right.
“Not the bees,” a kid laughed out loud.
Quickly, she rummaged through her tote, made a kissy face to her mouse, before taking out a pen and note card. She scribbled her number on it and slapped it on Jamie’s desk.
“Want to go to the party together?!” “I did invite you, so it’s proper etiquette” Jamie made a contact for JJ and sent a quick text, so she had his number.
“Don’t abuse the number, I don’t just hand it out like candy.” He had a feeling that she wouldn’t heed that for longer than two weeks, but what could he say? He might’ve been cold blooded, but JJ had practically held a heat lamp to his face until he warmed up. He had to give her something.
“Okay, okay but there is something I need to ask you. What did one lung say to the other?” Jamie sighed. He was beginning to rethink this already.
“What?”JJ smirked. He was playing along. This was a fantastic sign.
“We be-lung together!” She giggled at how terrible her pun was and slapped her knee. That was a knee slapper indeed.
Jamie tried his best, but a smirk broke through his stoney expression.
“God, it’s not even lunch yet.”
Member
Infinite Cosmos,
The Muse,
BrutalBx,
Foster,
Festive,
Aces Away,
Grimoire Gaming,
Hey Im Jordan,
Sunny Suzuki,
Melissa
▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀
