“Goodbye guys!” Jimmy waved enthusiastically as the others all began to leave his house. I stood next to him and smiled softly at everyone as they all headed through Jimmy’s living room and to the front door.
“C’mon Jessi, let’s go home.” Emma exclaimed as she walked up next to me. I felt my face get a little warm as I shared a glance with Jimmy, who was doing a really good job of keeping composure. All day Jimmy was just the same old Jimmy whilst Matt and I sat red faced and silent for most of the day. No one really noticed; Zach asked me once if I was okay and I lied and said I forgot to breathe. All of them laughed at me, but they believed me… because I’m stupid enough to actually do it.
“Uh, actually, Jimbo and I are having a sleepover.” I announced, my voice shier than I meant it to be. Emma gave me a look and I shrugged.
“But you were my ride here.” Emma pointed out. I rolled my eyes and shot her a look.
“Just go to Johnny’s. You were going to do that anyway.” I told her. She narrowed her eyes for a second before shrugging, proving that I was right. She waved to me before jogging out to Johnny, who was standing on the porch outside. Everyone was pretty much in a line to say goodbye to Jimmy and I, and I had already seen Zach, Johnny and Emma. I was somewhat shocked when Gayle walked up next, quietly thanking Jimmy before having us step a few feet away from the others.
“So, uh, thanks for kind of breaking the ice when I got here,” Gayle said in a small voice.
“No problem.” I replied, nodding a little.
“I mean, I know it must have been uncomfortable for you to do that.” Gayle continued, a light and joking tone in her voice.
“Yeah, it was.” I chuckled bluntly. She laughed to and we looked away before glancing back at each other.
“I mean you didn’t have to do that.” Gayle informed me. I nodded and pursed my lips a little.
“It’s kind of a personality trait of mine,” I explained. “Even if I thoroughly dislike someone, if they’re swimming in awkward silence I try to make them feel welcome.”
“Well, thank you anyway.” Gayle thanked again. I nodded and let out a small laugh.
“Don’t worry; I will most likely never do that again. Ever.” I assured her. She laughed a little and nodded before giving me that one move wave and walking over to Matt. I walked back up next to Jimmy and listened in on Matt and Gayle’s conversation because I’m a nosy motherfucker.
“Are you ready to go, Love?” Gayle asked happily as she grabbed Matt’s hand. He flinched a little and shot a look to Jimmy and I, which made us both simultaneously pretend to get into a conversation together so we didn’t seem like snoops.
“Uh, actually Gayle, Zach, Brian and I were all gonna crash over at Zach’s. You know, since I missed them the other night.” Matt stumbled, his voice wavering. I rolled my eyes a little, feeling slightly irritated at how friggin whipped he was. All bark and no bite, let me tell you.
“Oh. Okay. Are you coming home first or are you going straight to Zach’s?” Gayle questioned, disappointment in her voice. I was glad that he was staying away from her as much as possible; it made me feel less shitty about doing this behind her back.
“Straight to Zach’s.” Matt announced. Gayle’s shoulders slumped but she nodded and waved to all of us one more time before leaving the room. Matt looked over and Jimmy and I, who by now were just staring between each other and him, and begun to step forward when Brian popped out of nowhere.
“I’ll see you later, Kid.” Brian said as he pecked my lips. I smiled and nodded a little as a goodbye, and Brian smirked. “Unless you want to sleep over tonight.”
“I’m sleeping over with Jimmy. And you’re crashing with Matt and Zach, remember?” I reminded him, wanting Matt to get comfortable around his best friend again. I knew he wasn’t too keen on us secretly dating while I continued my ‘special friendship’ (as I now called it) with Brian, but since he wouldn’t let me tell Bri that we were together, I had no reason to stop Brian and my relationship without giving it away. So as much time that Matt can get with Brian is best, because I don’t want to be the chick that ruins friendships… aka Gayle.
“Right. Well goodbye then, child.” Brian repeated, pouting a little.
“Bri-Bri.” I said childishly. His head snapped back a little and he raised an eyebrow as he chuckled.
“New nickname?” Brian questioned. I shook my head.
“It’s play-on words. I said Bri-Bri like bye-bye, you know?” I explained. He let out a cute giggle and grinned.
“That’s adorable.” Brian announced. I smiled and his grin turned into a soft smile. “I say that should still be my new nickname.”
“Bri-Bri?” I repeated. He nodded and I gave him a confused look. “Why?”
“It’s cute. And I call you Kid and stuff.” Brian mused. I snickered a little and pinched his cheek before smiling.
“Everyone calls me Kid though,” I stated. Brian shrugged and gave me a hopeful smile. “Fine, I’ll call you Bri-Bri.” He grinned widely and kissed me once more before leaving. I watched through the open door as he got in his car, and when I saw Brian’s car drive out of sight I turned back to the other two. Matt glanced nervously at Jimmy before stepping up to me, which ultimately made Jimmy smirk at us. Matt put his hands on my waist and stalled for a second before leaning down and kissing me deeply. He pulled away a few seconds after and we both smiled before stepping away from each other.
“I feel like I just kissed Brian.” Matt complained as he scrunched his face up in distaste. I let out a laugh before smirking and giving him a look.
“S’not like you haven’t before.” I sang.
“Shut up.” Matt chuckled, grimacing a little. He pushed me a tiny bit before waving to Jimmy and me and walking out, shutting the door behind him. Now it was just Jimmy and me. I felt weird that I had openly let Matt and I continue to prove our secretive relationship right in front of Jimmy, because even though he caught us I didn’t want to get in more trouble in which I probably already was. Jimmy may be a softie, but that means he knows when something’s right and wrong, and Matt and I being together is right, just doing it behind our somewhat significant others is not.
“So how about some food?” Jimmy broke the silence as he began walking to his kitchen. I followed after him and launched myself onto his counter, which made him laugh. He pulled out his pack of cigarettes and set them on a little ledge before pulling out an oven pizza.
“You’re in big trouble, mister.” I scolded playfully as I eyed the pack of smokes. The look of Jimmy’s face was priceless.
“I’m in trouble?” Jimmy repeated. I nodded proudly and he walked over to me. He popped his hip out and crossed his arms over his chest before raising his eyebrows, creating the perfect sassy-Jimmy pose. “And why am I in trouble?”
“For smoking, stupid.” I exclaimed. Jimmy let out a laugh and I tapped his heart. “You have a friggin heart disease Jimmy.”
“But Kid, I already told you I don’t smoke that often.” Jimmy whined childishly. I chuckled and crossed my arms over my chest.
“You shouldn’t smoke at all, young man. Especially not with a special heart like yours.” I chastised. Jimmy sighed sadly and slouched over, putting his head down so he was looking at the floor.
“Yes mommy.” Jimmy mumbled. I giggled and grabbed his arm, pulling him over so I could hug him. He hugged me back before pulling away to work on the pizza. Once he popped the pizza into the oven, he pulled out two cans of soda for us and handed me mine. It was probably the most awkward twenty minutes of my life because Jimmy just stared at me with a look of deep thought on his face. I quietly sipped my drink and ignored the vibrations of my phone, since I knew it’d most likely be one of my men. “Aren’t you going to answer that?”
“Well that would be quite rude, wouldn’t it?” I countered. Jimmy shot me a look that pretty much told me to answer the phone or perish, so I slid the slim phone out of my front pocket and looked at it. As I had guessed, both of them texted me, both just wanting normal conversation. I replied to both of them that I was busy doing Jimmy and Kid stuff and I would talk to them later before putting my phone away and looking back at Jimmy. He was still staring at me blankly, which was driving me up the wall. I thanked the heavens when the pizza finally beeped, causing Jimmy to pull away his intense gaze to focus on the food.
“Do you like big slices or little ones?” Jimmy asked over his shoulder as he took out a pizza cutter.
“Little.” I answered quietly. Jimmy nodded and began cutting the pizza. I stared in awe at his ability to cut it in one swipe, when I try to cut a pizza I pretty much turn it into scraps because I can’t cut straight lines. He pulled out a plate and gave me a few pieces before attending to his own hunger. I mumbled thanks as I hopped off his counter and grabbed my drink and plate before walking into his living room where we usually ate. I was wondering how long Jimmy would keep his little charade up, because I was about to explode and just bring it up so I didn’t have to wait to get reprimanded for my wrongdoings.
“Do you want to watch a movie tonight?” Jimmy questioned happily as he sat himself down next to me on his couch. I nodded and he smiled before pulling up Netflix. “Let me guess, The Little Mermaid?”
“They have that on Netflix?” I questioned. Jimmy nodded and I smirked before shrugging. “Eh. I was thinking more Shark Week.” Jimmy gave me a small look and pursed his lips, which made me grin. “Jimmy, do you want to watch The Little Mermaid?”
“Pft, no, I’m a man.” Jimmy scoffed. I raised my eyebrows and he sighed before looking away. “Okay, yes. I love Sebastian.”
“Okay, then we’ll watch The Little Mermaid.” I giggled. Jimmy grinned and started up the movie. We both finished eating and I cleaned up the mess, spending extra time in the kitchen. I was terrified to hear what Jimmy was going to say, but I needed to hear it. I needed to know if he’s disappointed and I needed to know whether he was going to tell the others. I didn’t much understand why Matt would keep it a secret from his best friends, but he doesn’t so I don’t want them to know.
“Jeez, Kid, are you cleaning my whole kitchen?” Jimmy called to me from the living room. “You just missed Under The Sea!”
“Damn it, and that’s my favorite part.” I cried mockingly as I walked back in with another soda. I plopped myself down next to him and he laid his arm over my shoulders. I leaned against him a little and tried to watch the movie, but it felt like his skin was burning mine. I couldn’t take it anymore. I groaned and looked up at him. “Okay Jimmy, just spit it out please.”
“Huh?” Jimmy mumbled, not taking his eyes away from the screen. I shoved him and his eyes slowly met mine.
“Just lay it on me. I’m ready.” I commanded, widening my arms as though I were going to give him a hug. Jimmy just smirked and shrugged.
“I don’t know what you want me to do.” Jimmy said simply. I let out a desperate sigh and slumped my shoulders.
“Just tell me how disappointed you are in me and how I’m a shitty friend and I’m going to hell.” I whimpered, locking my eyes on a loose strand of fabric on his jeans.
“I would if I understood what the fuck was going on.” Jimmy countered. My eyes shot to him and I raised my eyebrows.
“What?” I questioned. Jimmy frowned a little and knitted his eyebrows together. He took time out of our conversation to quickly pause the movie before returning his confused stare to me.
“I don’t even know what I walked over to earlier. Or what I saw before Matt left.” Jimmy exclaimed. I chewed on my lip and once again averted my gaze from him. “So if you’d like to enlighten me that’d be great.”
“Matt and I, uh… well… we’re somewhat sorta maybe possibly secretly dating.” I said cautiously, trying to keep my eyes from meeting his. From my peripheral vision, I saw Jimmy’s eyebrows nearly shoot off his face and his mouth was nearly on the floor.
“Wait, what?” Jimmy gasped. I nodded a little and he gave me a confused look. “But I don’t understand.”
“It’s kind of complicated.” I mumbled. Jimmy blinked a little bit, his face getting more confused with every blink.
“Why doesn’t he just break up with Gayle? Why make this more complicated than it needs to be?” Jimmy rationalized. I shrugged and sighed.
“Because Gayle said she fell back in love with him and threatened to hurt me and you guys if he broke up with her and for a friggin monster Matt’s a fucking pussy and won’t do anything about it.” I explained sullenly. Jimmy’s eyes narrowed a bit, but he didn’t look any less confused than he was before.
“He’s like three times her size. All of us are. Why-”
“Burned her parents’ house to the floor apparently.” I sighed, interrupting him. Recognition flew over his face and he chuckled a bit.
“Oh yeah! She was one crazy bitch.” Jimmy giggled at the memory. I gave him a look and raised my eyebrows.
“Was? She is.” I corrected him. He smiled and shoved me a bit, but he knew I was right. Everyone knew.
“You’re right. And honestly I kind of believe that she’d go out of her way to hurt us, especially you, to get what she wants.” Jimmy frowned, not liking the sentence that came out of his talking hole. I didn’t either.
“I guess. So that means that we can’t be together until she’s done doing what she’s doing.” I ranted grimly as I played with the loose string on his jeans.
“Well I guess. But why haven’t you told any of us? Especially why haven’t you told Brian? You guys are still in your, uh, thing together, doesn’t he deserve to know?” Jimmy quizzed. I let out a deep breath.
“Matt doesn’t want to tell anyone. Not even Brian.” I mumbled. I didn’t have to look at Jimmy to know he was confused, and I let out another long breath. “I guess we were both afraid you all would be like ‘wow, what the fuck’ or something. Especially Brian. I thought he’d be ecstatic and would try to help Matt get rid of Brian, but Matt doesn’t think so.”
“Why would we be like ‘what the fuck’?” Jimmy ushered. I looked up at him and bit my lip. “I mean I’m kind of ‘what the fuck’ but that’s just because I’m confused.”
“Because technically we’re both cheating right now. Even though our relationships are both pretty much not even relationships, Gayle is his girlfriend and Brian is my somewhat-not-really boyfriend.” I acknowledged. “I know Emma hates cheaters, and I think that at least Zach would be somewhat upset by this.”
“I mean… I hate that this is the length you have to go to… but you guys deserve to be together.” Jimmy assured me. I looked up at him and he gave me a sad smile. “I mean I myself don’t really like this whole idea because of the holes in it, but Matt is unable to be released from Gayle’s grip and you guys want to be together.”
“Exactly. I don’t want to do this either, Jimmy, trust me.” I admitted. “But I want to be with Matt, even after all this shit. I just don’t want to be judged by the others and potentially hurt Brian. But I don’t even know if Brian would be upset by this.”
“Well he said that he just likes you as a friend but I thought he was lying.” Jimmy informed me. I gave him a look and he rolled his eyes. “It’s a friend thing. He just had this pale look on his face that made it kind of hard to believe him. But he’d tell me if he did like you, so I’m not quite sure.”
“I just don’t know what to do. I want to have a legitimate relationship with Matt, not a semi-relationship with Matt and a strictly-sex-and-cuddles relationship with Brian.” I whined. Jimmy hugged me and rubbed my back soothingly.
“I know, Kid. This is a hard thing to go through, especially when you have a huge secret to protect. But I promise I won’t tell anybody and you and Matt are welcome to my house if ever you need a place to meet.” Jimmy offered. I squeezed him tightly and smiled.
“If any of our friends were to have found out, I am glad it was you, Jimmy.” I told him.
“Me too. Especially since I’m the most forgiving and understanding out of all the douchebags.” Jimmy chuckled. I laughed too and pulled away before leaning next to him. “So how about we finish this movie?”

Notes

Sorry this is super late guys, I'm currently in the process of moving to a place I don't want to go, so I've been out with my friends all week without access to a computer so I had to throw this together before the clock struck a week of waiting. Enjoy though. ~Jessi
Oh! And news: Emma has officially started school yesterday and I am going to be starting school the 21st as well as try to get a job (because unfortunately I don't get paid enough to write fan fiction) so it might be even longer for you to wait if I get a job/shit tons of homework ((especially if it's math because I won't have my dad to do it for me))