(Polygamy: the practice or custom of having more than one wife or husband at the same time.

Polygyny: polygamy in which a man has more than one wife.

Polyandry: polygamy in which a woman has more than one husband.)





I shuffled through my ring of keys, trying to find the key to my apartment. I knew that Johnny and Emma were probably here, and I wasn’t oblivious as to why they had the door locked. I shoved my key into the lock and turned it, smirking as I walked in. The bedroom door was cracked and I laughed a little when the moans stopped.

“Hey Johnny, hey Emma.” I said, announcing my presence. I could hear Emma’s angry sigh and I smiled proudly to myself. “Don’t mind me; I’ll just watch TV until you guys are finished.” I let out a small chuckle and dropped my large purse on the counter. I opened the fridge and grabbed a Pepsi, waiting to see if I killed their mood or not. I walked to the living room, shutting the bedroom door out of courtesy. I put on a playlist of music on the TV and turned it up a few clicks before pulling out my laptop, logging in to try to find a job. I didn’t like working, but I also didn’t like just sitting around my apartment all day. I wanted a part-time job just to put some slack on how much money my grandparents have to send me. As I began searching, I blanked out, remembering when the guys were discussing jobs with Emma and me.

-

“Do you guys work?” Johnny asked, rubbing Emma’s shoulder with his thumb. I smirked at the relationship growing in front of my eyes, watching as Emma blushed a deep color while Johnny stared at her with googley eyes. This was the start of something wonderful.

“I do, but lazy-ass over there doesn’t.” Emma answered, gesturing to me. I looked away from Matt to glare at Emma, who was smirking at me.

“Oh cool, where?” Matt asked, leaning slightly into me. Emma gave me a look and I blushed before flipping her off. Everyone laughed and Emma rolled her eyes.

“D-Rocks.” She replied. Everyone nodded before looking at me.

“Why don’t you have a job?” Brian asked, smirking. I merely shrugged.

“Don’t know where to work.” I stated, shaking my head a little. Although it was the truth, I wasn’t going to admit that I also didn’t like working. I didn’t enjoy sucking money from my grandparents, but after so many horrific jobs I took as a teenager, there was almost nowhere for me to work. I’d never admit that to anyone, though.

“Why don’t you work at a piercing-slash-tattoo place?” Jimmy suggested happily. I gave him an incredulous look.

“I can’t pierce anything for shit!” I screamed. Just the thought of me shoving a needle into someone’s flesh made my skin crawl. They all narrowed their eyes at me.

“Who did your lip then?” Jimmy questioned, raising an eyebrow.

“Our friend Jayy did my lip, and we had to bribe an actual piercing worker to do Emma’s nose and eyebrow since Jayy didn’t have the proper tools and we didn’t have parental consent.” I explained. Everyone nodded and I cracked my neck.

“Ooh, we got some badasses over here.” Zach joked, playfully hitting my leg. I stuck my tongue out at him and he laughed. Jimmy coughed to get my attention again so he could continue talking to me.

“Why don’t you-“

“Hey, we’re learning about Emma, not playing a game of Get-Jessi-off-her-lazy-ass.” I snapped playfully, wanting to get off the topic of job searching. Jimmy laughed before looking back at Emma.

-

I smiled at the thought before scrolling through a few job opening pages. Hair Salon? Requires college. Nail salon? I suck at doing nails. Guitar center? Know nothing about guitars. Pet groomer? I thought for a second, wondering if I could be a pet groomer. I loved animals and the only problem I’d have is cutting hair. I pulled up the ad and read through, finding an email linked to the bottom. I clicked on the link and began typing up an email to the shop. I mentioned that I would like to work there but primarily just as a washer or a handler of the animals since I didn’t trust myself with a pair of scissors near hair. Right as I sent the email, Emma and Johnny emerged from the bedroom. I held back a smirk as I took in their appearance. They both had sex hair and looked flustered, Emma wearing Johnny’s shirt, leaving Johnny shirtless. I smiled kindly and shut my laptop.

“Have fun?” I asked innocently, purposefully trying to be annoying to Emma. Emma just shot me a look and sat down in her chair.

“So why exactly did you walk in on us?” Emma wondered, leaning back far enough that I could see her underwear. I averted my gaze to Johnny, who looked slightly embarrassed from being shirtless in front of me or because I had walked in on them getting sexual. Probably the latter. “You know what a locked door means.”

“See, I do know what a locked door means. But it doesn’t mean I care.” I replied bluntly, leaning back as well. Emma narrowed her eyes at me and I sat up again, leaning my elbows on my knees. “I’m here because I was looking for Johnny. And since you guys weren’t at his house I knew you’d probably be here.”

“Why were you looking for me?” Johnny questioned, looking at me curiously. I smiled softly and stood up.

“Because we’re going to the mall today so I can buy you an actual Christmas gift.” I declared. Johnny’s lips twitched and he scratched the back of his head.

“That’s really sweet, Kid,” Johnny smiled. “But really, you don’t have to-”

“I already had this conversation with Zach and you’re going to get a Christmas gift. Now submit or I will tie you up and drag you around the mall by a leash.” I threatened. Emma snickered and Johnny joined her before shrugging. Emma stood up and took off his shirt, revealing her almost naked body. I walked to my purse, keeping my eyes away from Emma while I did so. I shoved my phone into the purse and took out my keys. I ushered Johnny to follow me and he kissed Emma quickly before following me. He shut the door behind him and walked behind me as we went to my car. We got in and as I pulled out of the parking lot I handed Johnny my pack of CDs for him to pick out the music. “Your choice. Pick one.”

“Slayer?” Johnny asked after flipping through some of the CDs. I shrugged and watched as Johnny shoved it into my player. Johnny and I sang quietly along to the music as I drove down the highway, trying to decide which mall to go to. Luckily, Johnny decided for me. “Go to Westroads.”

I gave Johnny a thankful look and he laughed as I got off the highway, taking the exit towards Westroads. We arrived a few minutes later and found a sweet spot right next to the food court. We both got out and walked towards the mall, holding hands and swinging them like children. “Thanks, Shortshit.”

“See, I find that odd.” Johnny said as we walked in. I gave him a strange look and pulled him towards the Dairy Queen. I bought us fries and a drink to share, taking them along with us as we walked. I ushered for him to continue and he smirked a little. “I find it odd that you, and sometimes Emma, call me ‘Shortshit.’ Last I checked, you and I are the same height and Emma is shorter than me. So why do you two call me Shortshit?”

“Hm, never thought about that.” I huffed, taking out a hot fry and throwing it into my mouth. Johnny and I continued to aimlessly walk around the first floor, not even paying attention to any of the stores. “I guess I just call you that because that’s what everyone else calls you. It just seems normal.”

“Everyone that calls me that are taller than me,” Johnny pointed out. I sighed and gave him an apologetic look.

“Sorry dude. I’ll stop calling you Shortshit.” I sighed. Johnny beamed and nodded. I looked around the mall a little before eating another fry. “So what should I call you then?”

“…Johnny?” He suggested. I shook my head and pushed him a little.

“No. A nickname.” I informed him. His eyebrows scrunched together and I pursed my lips. “Ponyboy?”

“What? No.” Johnny argued. I sighed and chewed absentmindedly on my lip.

“Sodapop?” I said jokingly. Johnny gave me a stern look and I opened my mouth again when he cut me off.

“No Outsiders references.” Johnny stated firmly. I stuck my tongue out at him and he laughed. “What happened to Johnny-Boy?”

“That’s too long.” I complained. Johnny shook his head and I wracked my brain for another nickname. I gasped and jumped a little. “How about J-Low?”

“What? No! That’s worse than Ponyboy!” Johnny whined. I pouted and rolled my eyes.

“Would you rather be called ‘JB’?” I grumbled, throwing away our empty containers. Johnny laughed a little and side-hugged me.

“Why do I need a new nickname? Why can’t you just call me Johnny?” Johnny wondered. I groaned and threw my head back.

“Because you’re my best friend’s boyfriend-slash-potential-husband. That means that you’re gonna be my super best friend and I want to have a unique nickname for you.” I explained. Johnny nodded and thought a little bit. He sighed and gave me a defeated look.

“Fine. I guess I’ll go with J-Low.” Johnny mumbled. I grinned widely and hugged him, throwing him around a little bit. I let him go and took his hand again, finally turning some of my attention to the stores around us. Well, for a little bit.

“So speaking of Emma, I wanna ask you something.” I started, glancing over at Johnny. He met my eyes and nodded, giving me the go-ahead. “Well, I’m wondering, are you planning on ever popping the question to her? I mean if not I understand and I won’t be super mad. It’s just Emma’s my best friend and I want to know if I have to hoard tissues or if I can start buying you guys wedding shit.” Johnny laughed a little and looked forward, his hand tightening around mine a little.

“Well, I mean, not now I’m not going to,” Johnny emphasized. I nodded and he looked at me. “I want to. Maybe in the future I will. But not anytime soon, that’d be moving too quickly.”

“That’s good to hear.” I nodded, smiling a little. Johnny nodded and I swallowed. “Are you taking things slow? I mean, besides the whole sexual-advances part?”

“Well that’s kind of the thing,” Johnny laughed tentatively. “I want to take things further, but I don’t know how. I mean, I don’t want to ask her to move in with me because she’s your roommate and I don’t want to take her from you yet, but I want to step forward a little. I just don’t know what to do.”

“Buy her a cat.” I proclaimed. Johnny’s eyebrows shot up and I nodded. “Yeah. Taking care of a pet together is usually a big step relationships take, although it’s usually after you move in together. Owning a pet together shows you two how good you are at taking care of things and makes you work together. Plus, Emma loves cats.”

“That’s… a great idea. Good job, Kid.” Johnny admired as we stepped onto the escalator. He kissed my forehead and I smiled. “You’re going to need to help me pick out the cat.”

“Will do.” I agreed. He grinned and I returned it before finally turning my attention fully to what we came here for. “So, now that we have that out of the way, what do you want for Christmas?”

“Kid, I told you I don’t need anything.” Johnny laughed. I gave him a look and rolled my eyes, stepping off of the escalator.

“I don’t care. Just pick something. Clothes, shoes, glasses, guitar picks. Just something short-sweet-and-to-the-point.” I listed. He groaned and I shoved him a little before I stopped dead in my tracks. Of course.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” Gayle tusked as our eyes met. She had her arms crossed over her chest and was leaning to one side. She looked like she thought she was queen. I looked over at Johnny, who looked just as annoyed as I felt. He let out an exasperated sigh and looked back at her.

“Kid and I are shopping.” Johnny retorted, venom in his words. Gayle laughed a little and he straightened up a little. “Which is none of your business, so just go back to your job at the strip club.”

“Johnny, you’re so cute.” Gayle cooed, purposefully trying to piss Johnny off. His grip tightened on my hand and I began to pull him in the opposite direction.

“Come on Johnny, she’s doing this on purpose. Just let her sit in her arrogance.” I mumbled, trying not to cause drama. Johnny stayed still in his spot, his face getting redder with each passing second. Johnny was pissed. I continued to pull on Johnny’s arm, hoping to get him away before he does something he regrets.

“Kid, I really thought you got over this.” Gayle called charmingly. I stopped and looked at her, my eyebrows raising slightly.

“Got over what?” I questioned, taking notice of the crowd beginning to form around us. Gayle let out a sickly sweet laugh and stared right at me.

“Taking other people’s boyfriends.” Gayle stated. I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “I mean, I didn’t know you were into polygyny, what with Brian and Matt and now Johnny. Perhaps you are stringing Jimmy along too?”

“First of all, it’s polyandry if you’re referring to a girl with more than one partner, you dim-witted bitch,” I snapped harshly, growing increasingly annoyed with Gayle’s idiotic rumors. “Secondly, Johnny is still happily together with Emma. They’re getting a cat.” Gayle scoffed and chuckled a little. My grip tightened on Johnny’s hand and I could see he was growing less annoyed with Gayle and more concerned with how angry I was getting. “And thirdly, I’m not with Brian or Matt. So you can shove that statement right up your egotistical—”

“Oh don’t give me that ‘I’m not with them’ bullshit.” Gayle interrupted, her face growing pink. “You’re using Brian for sex yet you constantly act like you guys are together.”

“I’m not using Brian—”

“And don’t even act like I don’t know you and Matt are together behind everyone’s back.” Gayle spat. I could feel my face flush as Johnny’s body jolted in surprise next to me. Gayle got a cynical look on my face and my eyesight was tinting red.

“That’s bullshit.” I yelled, heat radiating from my body. “Even if I was dating Matt behind your back, no one would believe your stupid ass unless you had cold hard proof. Don’t walk around like you own the world because you think you know what I’m doing with my life. Brian and I are just friends, always have been. I don’t even know what Matt and I are right now, but you already knew that. This is all your fault.”

“Don’t get butthurt just because Matt still loves me and doesn’t want to be with you.” Gayle scoffed. I stepped forward to get in her face but Johnny pulled me back.

“That’s a lie.” I chuckled coldly. She gave me a look and I shrugged. “I mean, you may have him, but do you really have him? Because I’m pretty sure threatening to hurt all of his friends is not the way to keep a guy.”

“You know, you’re right.” Gayle admitted. My eyebrows shot up and I watched as her face turned almost demonic. “Matt doesn’t want to be with me. But you know what? I don’t care. I have Matt and you don’t, which is okay in my book. And although he wants you, don’t think that I can’t get him to bed with me.” I flinched a little, disconcerted by the thought of Matt taking her to bed. Especially since he took me to bed. Gayle gave me a sick smile and flicked her eyebrows. “That’s right Kid. He’s chasing you but he’s still getting a piece of me. And I can bet you when you guys have sex, because I know you guys have, all he’s thinking about is me.”

You know that scene in Mean Girls where Cady attacks Regina when Regina is flaunting Aaron in front of her? That’s pretty much what happened. I dropped Johnny’s hands and launched myself at Gayle, having every intent to put her in the hospital. She had been playing with fire for far too long, and if slapping her across the face didn’t teach her, a concussion or hopefully a coma would. Gayle’s eyes flashed with fear for a quick second before they shut as we went flying towards the tile floor. I flinched at the sound of her head hitting the tile, but I was immediately overcome with rage. I began punching her, my hands beginning to bruise as my hits became harder. Screams were emanating from around me, but I could only hear the groans of pain coming from both Gayle and I. My eyes were wet as I completely lost it. Johnny pulled me off her and I quickly blinked away the tears, pride filling my body as I saw Gayle laying in a bloody ball on the floor. I kicked her roughly in the stomach and she let out a loud cough before I began walking away. I walked towards the nearest exit, rummaging through my purse as I did so. I could hear Johnny walking behind me, but he said nothing. Near the exit was a mall cop and I stopped in front of him. I pulled out about two hundred dollars and handed it to him.

“There’s a girl laying in a blood puddle near Annie’s pretzels and Jared’s jewelry store. This should cover some of the bail. If you need more, the girl can tell you where I live. And I’m positive she’s not going to sue.” The guard quickly snatched the money before rushing towards the crowd that was still grouped around Gayle. I fixed my hair and looked at Johnny, a smirk crossing my face. “Just want some dinner for your present?”

Notes

Holy shit, guys! One more chapter left! I’m so excited and scared to finish this story. It’s been a long time and I just want to thank all of you for actually liking my story and staying interested through all of my fillers and multiple confusing/angering climaxes. I’m sad to end Two Vibrant Hearts but I’m also excited to start the sequel, which Emma and I have officially named. Warning though, I don’t have that story near as planned as I did for TVH, so it might take me a while to get enough ideas in order before I put it up. But I hope you guys enjoyed this story and I’m looking forward to see how you all react to the final chapter. (It’s really long, by the way. Like legitimately I’m on ten pages and I’m not even halfway through it.) Enjoy! ~Jessi