❤️💚💛💙

The Chinese restaurant they frequented wasn’t crowded considering it was a Saturday Night. Only a few tables and booths were occupied. Taking a seat at their usual booth they all routinely looked over the menus as their usual waitress went to retrieve their drink orders.

“One of these days she isn’t even going to ask what we want. She’s just going to bring it out.” Jackie somewhat jokes.

They ate at the restaurant so often that the hostess never asked if they wanted a table or booth; she knew. As for the waitress, she already knew what they wanted to drink but always asked just in case.

“That will be the day she gets a twenty dollar tip from me for sure,” Ethyn laughed as he crunched on a fried wonton.

The other two boys nodded in agreement as they munched on the wontons.

Jackie shook her head at them but in the back of her mind she knew that having a spot like this was nice. It was the restaurant that they didn’t even have to say the name of but knew it was the one they would meet up in if they had agreed to meet for dinner. Every family had a restaurant that was the family gathering place. The Bamboo Garden restaurant had become theirs.

As their drinks and soup came Ethyn started a new conversation.

“So Jackie, when did you want to shoot?”

Wiping her mouth with a napkin she replied, “Soon. The anniversary sale is supposed to launch in two weeks.”

Ethyn looked over towards Phelix. Without Jackie noticing he got a very interesting idea.

“That’s extremely soon. Do you have models lined up?”

Jackie looked up from her soup bowl and shook her head.

“What are the designs?” He asked.

Pushing her bowl away she replied, “It's a few different collections. I wanna get a few shots of the Heathers outfits. Which reminds me,” she snapped her fingers at a thought that crossed her mind. “Please ask Miko if he’s willing to not just be behind the camera but in front. I want pictures of both the Veronica and JD outfits. Plus the punk outfits and the new wings I’m designing for this launch. And maybe a few others I’ve been working on. ”

Ethyn nodded. The mental notes he was taking were visible on his face. He took photography very seriously. But a devilish grin crossed Ethyn’s face that no one really saw.

“For sure I’ll ask Miko. It’ll be a great help since you want this done soon. I don’t know how I’ll manage to get models for this gig. Getting friends to help will be great.” Slapping Phelix’s back unexpectedly, causing him to somewhat choke on the food he was trying to swallow, he casually commented, “Hey, wanna help out? We know that the clothes fit you.”

Phelix was in a bit of a shock. Trying to recover from the choking fit he was having. Jackie looked over at him with her crystal baby blue eyes and he knew that he couldn’t say no.

He didn’t verbally answer. Phelix just nodded his head yes as he sipped on his iced sweet tea slowly. A sweet smile crossed Jackie’s face, while a visible devilish grin was on Ethyn’s.

“Then it’s settled!” Ethyn clapped his hands together, “This is exciting!”

With a puzzled look on her face Jackie asked, “Why is this exciting?” Her head tilted to one side.

Ethyn quickly came up with an excuse for his outburst of excitement.

“Anytime I get to spend with Miko is exciting. Didn’t get to see him much this week.” Letting out a tiny sigh of relief that no one would notice he took a sip of his soda.

Miko was Ethyn’s boyfriend and camera assistant. Jackie nodded and smiled. She really liked Miko. They all did. He made Ethyn happy and helped lighten the load his side job as a photographer consisted of at times. The two had met on a shoot that consisted of a few local photographers that the college that Ethyn worked at put together. Since Ethyn was a professor of photography, he had been asked to join. His assistant that day had been Miko, a PA that had been asked to assist. Everything after that was basically what you’d expect. Two photography nerds falling in love with each other.

No one would say it out loud but the other three in the group really envied what Ethyn and Miko have together. Marco was always talking to someone one but never committed. Jackie seemed to always be moving and no one seemed willing to keep up so she never bothered. While Phelix was the the closeted hopeless romantic. He longed for a relationship but never made it known… until now. He was trying at least.

“Any specific location in mind,” Ethyn asked.

Jackie nodded enthusiastically, “The wooded area of the park. I want the colors and designs of the outfits to stand out. Plus it looks really nice out there this time of year and there’s a few stone walls close by. Options.”

Phelix just watched as she spoke to Ethyn about what her vision for this photo shoot looked like in her head. He could listen to her talk for hours. She was so passionate about her work, it was mesmerizing. The trance he was under broke when Ethyn’s phone vibrated on the table.

Picking it up Ethyn announced it was Miko, “Yay,” he exclaimed catching everyone’s attention. “Miko says that next Friday is clear and that the weather is going to be nice. A bit overcast but with the right lighting equipment and editing it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Great, I’ll let Robynn know so she has a heads up,” Jackie smiled as she took a spoonful of soup.

Ethyn’s phone buzzed again. A slight confused look crossed his face.

“Miko says he has an idea and wants me to ask if you are up for a surprise…” He raised his eyebrow on the word surprise.

Puzzled and cautious Jackie questioned, “What kind of surprise?”

Shrugging his shoulder he replied, “Don’t know, just says he has an idea and wants to know if it’s okay to execute without giving details.”

The group at the table got quiet. Jackie was one for creative outlets but when it came to her actual products she hardly gave free reign. She reached for her phone and began to type. A few seconds later her phone chimed and the typing continued.

“Robynn?” Marco asked.

Without looking up from her phone she nodded.

As much as she loved and trusted the boys that sat with her she only ever really trusted Robynn with making decisions involving her creations. When the guys had found out that Jackie had not only started a business but added a creative and website director they all but fell back in shock. She had always been a lone wolf when it came to her projects and commissions but they were happy she was expanding. Getting help to run the site was the logical step and they were proud she realized it ahead of time.

A few text messages came and went by the time Jackie finally looked up toward Ethyn and nodded yes.

“But if I don’t like what’s happening day of I have the artistic liberty to scrap it.”

Her face was stern, he knew she meant what she said.

“I’ll let Miko know.”

He quickly tapped something out on his phone.

“Done and he knows that if anything is not up to your standards it will be a no go.”

“Thank you, Ethyn.” She gave him a sweet smile and continued to munch on the wanton she had on her plate.

The table was quiet for a moment. That is until Marco’s booming voice interrupted the silence.

“So next Friday?” He looked towards Ethyn for conformation.

Ethyn could only nod, his mouth full of soup at the moment.

“Cool, I got nothing going on that day. Mind if I come along?”

Jackie took the liberty to answer, “Oh my gosh yes! You can help with the laptop. Robynn wants to video chat in during the photo shoot. Plus the Red Heather outfit was made for you. This is perfect!

“At your service, Jackie,” Marco smiled as he sipped his soda and slightly side eyeing Phelix. Thankfully Jackie was too busy making notes on her phone to notice.

Ethyn and Marco were up to something. Phelix mentally made a note to himself to ask them what they thought they were doing.

Jackie’s voice brought him out of his mental note taking, “So it’s settled! It’s a roommate affair now!”

*Ring*

Jackie had just finished lighting a few candles when her computer started ringing at her for attention. Glancing at the old clock on her wall she smiled to herself, realizing who it could be.

*Ring*

Walking to her desk and pulling her plush computer chair out and sat down. Clicking her mouse she answered the video call. A comforting familiar face popped up on her screen with a genuine smile.

“Hey, Jack. There are two new commissions on the site. Did you see?” She was looking away from the camera. Probably looking at the website inbox on a different monitor.

To most it would have seemed rude but to Jackie it was just how her relationship with Robynn was. It didn’t matter that they didn’t see or talk to each other every day. When they did get to talk it was like not a moment has passed since their last conversation. It would be considered extremely strange to those that didn’t know them. Even to those that did didn’t seem to fully grasp the concept of their friendship. The two had never met in person but together they ran a very successful business. Robynn handle the website and the books of commission and projects while Jackie created. To them it was fate that had brought them together. Tech Science and creativity working together to bring fiction into reality as they put it.

Jackie shook her head, the messy bun slowly coming undone. Robynn saw her silly action and laughed while moving her webcam to show the other monitor. Just like Jackie had suspected their website was in full view on it. Squinting her eyes she got closer to her own monitor to read what she was showing her. It was two commission requests for a new item she had created that had yet to have its debut on the site. Bat wings that could be tied onto any shoe with laces. She had showed them off unofficially not long ago along with a few other pieces that she had gotten the guys to wear.

The guys.

Phelix.

Her mind began to wonder. Thoughts of the other night clouding her mind yet again. As her mind wandered about Phelix, Robynn continued talking about the commissions and their specifics. It wasn’t until after she had finished reading the notes on the orders that she noticed that Jackie wasn’t paying any attention to her.

“Jackie…” the voice sounded distant. “Jackie.” Another pause. “YO JACK! SNAP OUT OF IT!” That time Robynn shouted and clapped her hands close to the mic on her headset. That snapped Jackie out of her daze and back to reality.

“What? Huh? Sorry, what did you say?”

“Okay,” Robynn sighed, “spill. You don’t space out like that over nothing. What’s up?”

Jackie looked away from the camera, looking down at the keyboard. She noticed it had glitter mixed with dust in between the keys. She really need to clean it before it affected anything.

“Jackie…” this time Robynn didn’t have to shout. The concern in her voice was louder than any battle cry every could be.

She looked up from her keyboard to look up towards her own webcam and looked at Robynn. She didn’t say anything. She just locked eyes with her friend. Hoping that she would drop the subject. But she knew better. Robynn would start to worry and slowly get her to talk about what was running through her crowded mind. She was amazing that way.

“Come on, Jack. You know you can talk with me about anything and everything.” Her voice was so comforting. Like a warm blanket right out of the dryer.

Jackie nodded her head. She did know. She’d always known. Even before the business they created together. Since their first emails to each other on a blogging site she knew that Robynn was someone she could talk to no matter what the situation. It was like fate had created this crazy path through the internet for them to cross. What they had was special.

She opened her mouth and then closed it. Robynn didn’t rush her. She didn’t have to. She knew Jackie was just sorting her thoughts out. Jackie grabbed a pen from her pen pot and started messing with it. Removing the cap then putting it back on. It was a tick she had developed over the years when she was nervous or overwhelmed at her desk. She always had pens around so it was helpful. She would focus on the pen and breath.

“I think I’m starting to develop real feelings for Phe. And not just friendship feelings but…” her rushed words just stopped.

“Romantic feelings,” Robynn finished.

More nodding. She really needed to break this habit of losing her words. She made a mental note to look for other ways of communication that didn’t involve using your own voice.

Robynn smiled at her long distant friend; in the back of her mind she wished, once again, that they lived closer so she could hug her friend. She could tell that she really could use it.

“I was wondering when you would face the facts.”

Jackie tilted her head to the side and looked at Robynn in a very confused way.

As if reading her mind she said, “You and Phe have always had a different relationship. Yeah you two are great friends but it’s always been different.”

“How?” Jackie asked quickly.

“Well,” Robynn took a sip of what she was drinking, “When you talk about him you smile differently. Like you really like remembering whatever it is you are remembering about him.”

“I smile when I talk about Marco and Ethyn too,” she said almost defensively.

“True,” Robynn laughed. “But it’s a special smile. Like the kind that hurts but you don’t mind it because it’s about someone special.”

Jackie was about to say something to counter what Robynn had said but she had raised a hand stopping her words.

“Jackie, why are you so afraid of this being a real thing?”

Was she scared? Jackie took a moment to think about it. Really think about it.

If she allowed herself to give in to these feelings what could happen?

“Jack…”

Robynn’s voice made her refocus on her.

“Talk it out with me. Please.”

Jackie nodded her head. “If I let this happen, let my feelings come out about Phelix, it could be both a good and bad thing.”

“How so?”

Sighing Jackie answered, “We live in the same house. That’s both good and bad. We’ll see each other a lot. But maybe too much.” Her words started to get faster, “Then he might grow to resent me. We have a lot of the same friends, especially in this house. Also a good and bad thing. They may grow to be annoyed if we get to couple-y. What if they don’t like us together? What if they think it’s awkward? Or if we break up what happens then? Does he move? Do I? What then?!”

Her breathing was labored.

“Breath, Jackie.”

She heard her but Robynn sounded so far away. The pen in her grasp felt like it was about to snap in half.

“Just breathe.” Robynn’s voice was getting closer. The panic was dying down. The grip on the poor innocent pen was loosening. “I don’t know exactly what you are feeling but I can tell that the thought of trying something new and it failing is scaring you.”

Still unable to use her words Jackie nodded her head.

“But if I’m remembering right starting this friendship and business was also something new and very scary. I was a stranger.” Jackie looked up towards her screen to see Robynn looking off into the distance, recalling the beginning of their friendship.

“I was a random person answering your very vague post about looking for a website partner,” she laughed remembering the very suspicious post on tumblr of all places. “But look what that crazy post created. A friendship that most people find crazy and unreal. A very successful business that’s coming up on its three year anniversary. Which by the way we need to post a few pictures of the pieces that will be debuting with the coupon code.”

A smile was creeping onto Jackie’s face. Robynn’s words were true.

Instead of focusing on the actual matter she nodded her head and picked up her phone to pretend to text. “I’ll ask Ethyn and ask when he has a time slot for a photo shoot.” She gently placed her phone down and mentally took a note to ask Ethyn for some photo time. He’d do it for sure. He loved photography. Any chance to use his camera he took.

Robynn laughed and checked something off on a notepad she had in front of her. She loved working on her computers and tablets but nothing replaced the joy of checking something off on a physical to do list.

“But really, Jack. Talk to him. You know you want to talk with him.”

Jackie was about to say something but Robynn continued.

“It’s going to be scary and it’s a risk but isn’t it worth taking?”

Jackie thought on what she just said. Was it worth taking? She thought about the night she shared with Phe. It was sweet and every time she remembered his forehead against hers, the look in his eyes, her heart fluttered.

If she could take the risk of starting not just a friendship but a business with someone she had never met why was it so hard for her to take the risk to give these feelings she was having a chance.

“Jackie…”

The silence was getting overwhelming for Robynn. Jackie looked up and gave Robynn and genuine smile. “I’ll talk to him.”

“It’s going to be okay, my dude. I’ll be here for you no matter what.”

With that assurance Jackie finally felt like she really could, without a doubt, talk to Phelix. Even if it didn’t go like she imagined at least she had someone in her corner with support.

After a while the two began to get back to their so called meeting. Catching up on their personal lives and finally discussing the upcoming anniversary sale.

Jackie had been working on new wing designs as well as finalizing the designs that she had created and had the boys wear a few weeks back at a show she was asked to be a part of. While the boys were on her mind she remembered to text Ethyn before she really forgot and he got busy with another project.

Reaching for her phone she actually used it to text Ethyn.

Jackie: Hey Ethyn! I need a favor please! Involves you and your camera.

She hit send and placed her phone back on her desk knowing that the boys went to the movies and was unsure if they were out or not. She returned to talking with Robynn about the orders she had been talking about before she got distracted. As Robynn was going into detail on the orders Jackie’s phone began to vibrate.

It was Ethyn.

Ethyn: I think I already know and of course. We can talk about the details when I get back. Be home soon.

Be home soon.

“They’ll be home soon.” Jackie hadn’t realized that she had said this out loud until Robynn replied to her.

“You don’t have to talk to him the moment he gets home. You take your time.”

“You’re right,” Jackie let out a breath she had been holding slowly. “Let’s get back to work. Also Ethyn said he’d take the photos.”

“Perfect!” Robynn smiled and continued typing.

As they were finishing up their meeting Jackie heard the door open and shut.

“JACKIE WERE BACK! WANNA GRAB DINNER WITH US?!?” Marco shouted.

“Is there a need for the yelling!?” Ethyn shouted at Marco just as loud.

Jackie laughed, “Will you both stop shouting before we get a noise complaint from the neighbors!”

Robynn laughed as she waved, “I better get going. But call me anytime. Okay?” She raised her eyebrows at Jackie.

Nodding Jackie waved back, “Talk to you soon Roby.” And with a few clicks their call disconnected.

As she got up from her desk there was a knock on her door.

“Come in…”

Slowly the door opened and Phelix was standing in her doorway, a smile crossed his face. Fully facing him she gave him a sweet smile in return and it faded a bit when she saw a bruise on his forehead, “How was the movie, violent?”

He looked at her confused, head tilting to the side. She gestured to his forehead and he quickly realized what she meant.

“Uh,” he stammered and laughed nervously. “Nah, just bumped my head. Wasn’t paying attention.” He cleared his throat and changed the subject. “Wanna go to dinner with us?”

He looked so not himself but she brushed it aside.

“Yeah, just let me freshen up a bit. Just got done with my meeting with Robynn.”

“You look perfect.” The words left his mouth without thinking. His face blushed a deep red as Jackie giggled, hiding her face in her hands.

“I’ll be out in a bit.”

“Right.” Phelix began to close the door and almost got his hand caught. She managed to see him take his hand away just in time which made her laugh.

‘I’ll talk to him soon.’ The thought crossed her mind as she pulled her hair down, fingers running through her dark waves.

‘Soon.’

She looked at herself quickly in the mirror giving her reflection a smile and tossing her hair from side to side to give it some volume. After blowing out the candles she lit, she grabbed her jacket from the closet as she walked out of her room to meet up with her roommates. Her friends.

“Come on, Jackie! Before Marco eats the neighbors,” Ethyn laughed as he joked, holding the front door open for her.

Stepping outside she saw Phelix in the driver's seat waving at them to hurry up and get in. She laughed at the sight of a grumpy Marco in the passenger seat.

She walked over to the car and got in. She took a deep breath and let it out quickly.

“You okay back there?” Phelix asked as he looked at her through the rear view mirror. He took in her image, her dark hair, crystal blue eyes...

Marco quickly answered the question with a growl that wasn’t meant for him, interrupting Phelix’s mental note taking of Jackie’s appearance, “She’s hungry. Hurry up and drive!”

That made Jackie laugh a bit but when she saw that Phe was still looking at her she smiled and nodded her head to assure him that she was fine. He nodded back and put the car in reverse and backed out of their driveway.

“How much longer?”

“Bro, we just got here. Chill. It’s not that bad here,” Phelix answered the whine without missing a beat as he leaned lightly against the tall bookshelf.

Ethyn put the book he was looking at back on the shelf, “Besides the movie we are seeing later was picked out by you and you don’t see me whining about it.” He flipped open another book he pulled off the shelf and read the book jacket carefully.

Marco rolled his eyes as he began pacing the aisle they were in. Ethyn couldn’t take it anymore. Slamming the book closed, he sighed, “If we go to the cafe will you relax?”

Marco didn’t even answer or wait for them. He turned on his heels quickly and headed for the bookstore cafe.

“Giving in so easily, Eth?” Phelix asked, taken aback by Ethyn’s cave in.

“Not really.” He sighed. “This book seems interesting and I want to read a bit of it.”

Phe nodded and they followed their tall companion. By the time they got to the cafe he was already seated at a table with what looked like a tall cup of milk.

After ordering something from the cafe they joined Marco at the table. Ethyn was about to dive into reading the book he had selected when Phelix cleared his throat loudly.

Swallowing the gulp of milk Marco asked, “What’s up?”

Ethyn looked towards Phelix and saw that something was bothering him. He’s body language was changing. He was slouching and rubbing the back of his neck as of trying to work out a knot.

Fidgeting in his seat Phelix answered Marco’s question, his voice sounding smaller than usual, “I need to talk to you guys about something that happened.” He didn’t make eye contact with them. He was afraid that looking at them directly would give everything away.

“Something bad?” Ethyn was starting to worry. Phelix was the most laid back person he knew. Seeing him like this was extremely unusual.

Phelix just shrugged his shoulders. Unsure how to answer that question. Was it bad? Was it good? He knew that whatever happened caused something to change. This change would not just affect him but everyone in the house.

Marco reached across the small table and gripped Phe’s shoulder for a moment in a comforting way, “You know you can tell us anything. Well try to help in any way we can.”

Ethyn nodded in agreement.

Phelix finally had the courage to look up at them and meet their eyes with his. They both looked so concerned but eager to help. He bit his lip for a bit trying to work up the nerve and find the words he needed to say. Putting his elbows on the table and then hiding his face in his hands he finally said muffled, “I think I’m falling for Jackie.”

After he said those words he removed his arms off the table and let his head hit the table.

No one said anything. Marco and Ethyn were a little unsure of what they heard. The two waited for Phelix to say something. Anything.

A few minutes had passed and they still were staring at him with his head still on the table.

Marco leaned towards Ethyn after taking a quick sip of what was left of his milk and whispered somewhat loudly, “Do you think he knocked himself out?”

“He could have,” Ethyn shrugged. “It sounded like he hit the table pretty hard but he could also just be that hard headed.”

“I can hear you.”

Marco couldn’t help but laugh a little as they both turned to look at Phelix. He was finally lifting his head off the table. His forehead had a red circle in the middle that soon would turn into a bruise. Phe just looked at them. He waited for them to say something about what he had confessed. Moving his eyes frantically between the two.

“Well…”

“Well what?” Ethyn asked puzzled.

Phelix’s eyes grew wide, “Seriously? You have nothing to say?”

“Phe,” Marco started, “we didn’t really hear what you said a bit ago.” He looked to Ethyn.

“Yeah.” He confirmed. “You had your face in your hands.”

Phelix was about to slam his head back on the table but stopped himself. He needed to talk this out with someone. Jackie would have been a better choice but he needed to know that he had some sort of backup before going into any conversation with her.

He took a deep breath and with his eyes closed, he repeated what he had said into his hands, “I think I’m falling for Jackie.”

When he opened his eyes he saw that the two of them seemed unphased. Like he had just told them about the weather and not about how he was starting to have feelings for their best friend. It felt as if a bubble had surrounded them causing the silence between them to become extremely deafening. Making the seconds that were passing feel like hours. He couldn’t take it. Phelix was about to stand up and walk away when Ethyn finally broke the silence.

“What happened to make you feel that way?” He asked the question so easily. His voice was even and unphased. Ethyn knew what this could mean for them if this took a sour turn but he wasn’t going to stand in anyone’s way. Feelings were messy enough as it is.

Phelix took his time recalling the other night. Explaining in as much detail as he could. Pausing to think and relive the moments in his head, judging if they were too personal to talk about out loud in such a public space. Marco and Ethyn sat quietly. No emotions crossed their faces. Both knowing that Phe needed them to be non judgemental. They both saw the waves of emotions in his eyes, he didn’t need theirs on top of his own.

“I left her room feeling... different.” He let out a heavy sigh, running his fingers through his already messy hair. “I know that if we hadn’t heard you two in the living room something might have happened.” His gaze moved between the two, “What, I don’t know..” His words trailed off.

He took a long sip of his now cold coffee, making a face at the overly bitter taste that came with it losing the warm temperature.

“What do you want to do about your feelings?” Marco asked. His dark eyes looking into Phelix’s silently offering comfort and understanding in a way that only Marco could.

Phe’s looked away from Marco and glanced down at his hands. He was having trouble keeping still. Resorting to rubbing his hands and popping his knuckles. “I want to talk to her about them,” he answers softly. “But I wanted to talk to you guys so that if something…” he took a deep breath and let it out sharply, “if something happens you won’t be in the dark.”

Ethyn looked at Phelix, seeing him looking so unsure was something he never thought he’d see. He reached his hand over to touch Phelix’s arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze, “We’ll be here for you.”

“Both of you,” Marco added, giving Phe a huge smile.

Phelix nodded his head; his voice failing him. Reassuring them that he heard what they said and that he believed them.

Marco reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone and slowly got up from his seat, “Come on, don’t wanna miss that movie.”

‘You Make My Dreams Come True’ starts to play as the credits of the movie roll.

Jackie stands up off the couch to stretch.

“I don’t know why I like that movie so much but it’s fun,” She comments out loud to Phelix who is still sitting down with a half empty bowl of popcorn on his lap.

He looks to the other couch to see that Marco and Ethyn have fallen asleep.

“Guess they didn’t like it much,” he chuckled.

Jackie shook her head, “Eth had a long day. I’m surprised he even stayed out here. And Marco…” she paused and looked towards Phelix, “ you know that he falls asleep anywhere. Even at the dinner table.”

They both laughed quietly at the very true statement.

From where she was standing Jackie reached over for the ROKU remote and pushed the home button, ending the credits early. She then tossed the remote to Phelix.

“Got some work to do. Have a good night, Phe.” She started towards her room when Phe called out to her.

“Hey…”

She stopped and turned to face him.

“Want some company? Wouldn’t mind watching you work.”

“Don’t you have to be up in the morning?”

She lightly tapped on her phone to light up the screen to check the time. It was almost 1 in the morning. The boys had day jobs or classes whereas Jackie worked mainly at night. Being a creative had its perks.

“Day off.” He answered her shortly.

She shrugged her shoulders and waved him to join her. He quietly lifted himself off the couch and followed her to her room.

He hadn’t noticed until he was about to step into her room that he was still holding the bowl of half eaten popcorn. Pausing at the doorway he waited until she turned to look his way. When she did he pointed at the bowl and then into her room; nonverbally asking if it was okay to enter her room with the snack.

Jackie laughed at his actions.

“It’s fine, you can bring that in here.” She turned away from the doorway and began looking for something on her desk. “You guys treat my room like it’s a church or something.” Finding the hair tie she wanted she faced him and rolled her eyes as she pulled up her hair before rearranging things.

“We respect your space,” he said a bit defensively as he stepped into her room. “Is that so bad?”

She stopped moving things around, “It’s not bad just kind of...,” there was a pause as she thought of the right word. “Annoying, I guess. You guys let me lay on your beds and eat in your rooms. I would think you’d know that you can do the same in mine.”

Phelix was about to say something but she continued.

“Just don’t mess with my work and everything will be just fine.” She turned on the ring light she had in the corner of her room. It was only on while she worked. Providing even lighting for her projects and commissions.

It was like she had read his mind. He was about to say something in regards to exactly that. Jackie had started working outside of her room but it was still her main workspace. Caution was always needed. But to her point he slowly walked over to her bed and when close enough he hopped on. A few pieces of popcorn flew out of the bowl and onto her bed. Jackie laughed and continued to move things around her as she settled on the floor.

“You know if you cleaned your desk you could work on that instead of the floor,” Phelix commented as he put the popcorn that had escaped into his mouth. Then suddenly without missing a beat a marker flew through the air and landed in the bowl. She hadn’t even looked up. He laughed and tossed it back towards her carefully.

“Think you lost something.” That got her to slightly glare up at him and stick out her tongue. He continued to much on his snack as he smiled.

Returning her attention back to her work the room fell silent. The only noise to be heard was Phelix’s crunching and her scissors cutting fabric.

A half hour had passed when she raised her arms in the air over head to stretch.

“Almost done?” He asked, putting his phone down to look her way.

“Not even close but I need a break or my hand is going to fall off.” She laughed as she rubbed her hands together.

Standing up she turned off the ring light and walked over to her desk and woke up her computer. After a few swift movements of her mouse music began to play. Phelix recognized the song.

“You really like this album, huh?”

She turned away from her computer and leaned against her desk.

“Yeah, it’s motivational to me somehow. Even if it’s a little emo. The beat of the music keeps me going when I feel like I’m slowing down.”

Pushing herself easily away from the desk she moved over to her bed and flopped down onto it next to Phelix.

“Need me to move? This is your bed after all.”

“No, you’re fine.” She didn’t even open her eyes as she said this. “I just need to lay down for 5 minutes. Then I’ll get back to work.”

He scooted over a bit to give her more room.

Five minutes turned into ten. Then ten turned into twenty.

He nudged her lightly. “Jackie…”

She didn’t respond. Maybe she had fallen asleep.

He put his hand on her shoulder and shook her lightly. “Jackie, are you asleep?” He felt kinda silly asking that question but what else could he say.

His light touch caused her to move this time. But he wasn’t prepared for it. She turned to her side and her arm managed to warp around him, holding on to him. The warmth of his body must have been inviting because she then snuggled closer to him. Her face nuzzling his chest. He was trapped. The thought of wiggling out of her embrace crossed his mind but quickly left. He began to list excuses. Phelix didn’t want to disturb her. She seemed so comfortable.

Instead he relaxed a bit, slightly adjusting his body causing her to move just a little along with him. Her arm around him got tighter as she pulled herself closer. Her face now in the crook of his neck. He could feel her lips. His mind was now having a battle.

Move. Don’t move. Move. Don’t move.

Before his mind realized it he had managed to wrap his arms around her as if encouraging her actions of getting closer. Finally really relaxing he closed his eyes while listening to her steady breathing.

The music from the computer finally stopped after awhile. Her subconscious must have noticed the lack of noise which made her wake up.

Her eyes fluttered open to see that her face was extremely close to Phelix’s. Her mind raced with questions.

Phelix’s must've felt her jerk in surprise because he too opened his eyes.

“How was your nap?” He asked so calmly.

She didn’t understand why he was so calm. Had he planned this to happen?

“You really knocked out.” He moved his arms releasing her from his light embrace. “You laid next to me saying you needed five minutes but ended up falling asleep.”

She remembered that much. What she didn’t remember was how she got so close to him.

There was silence between them. The only sound was coming from her old fashioned clock ticking away. Neither one of them moved.

He saw her eyes wander. Examining his face for answers.

“If you’re wondering, no, I didn’t plan this. I honestly just wanted to watch you work.” He paused and waited for her to say something but she didn’t. Phelix continued, “I tried to get up but you kinda wrapped yourself around me and seemed so comfortable I didn’t have the heart to disturb you.”

Jackie looked into his eyes. They were so calm and sincere. She nodded her head to show that she had heard him. Her head was still processing what was happening. She was lying in her bed with Phelix.

She was lying in bed with Phelix and she had no urgency to get up and move. If anything her head was trying to convince her body to move closer. He was close enough that she could feel his warmth and she wanted to warp herself in it.

Jackie had been quiet for too long. It was starting to worry him. He cautiously lifted his hand and lightly touched her face.

“You okay in there?”

Her eyes met his. She nodded again. Her voice didn’t seem to want to work at the moment but she needed to say something.

“Want some water or something?” He asked.

Without thinking she nodded her head again. She scolded herself. What was she? A bobble head?

He got up slowly and from what she could tell by his body language he did so reluctantly.

Opening the door quietly, he peeked out into the dark hallway before stepping out of the room.

Phelix wouldn’t be gone long and return with two bottles of water.

Their fridge was constantly stocked with water and other electrolyte filled drinks. After the night of signing their house papers and the boys having drinks to celebrate Jackie knew it was going to be a must to have around. They weren’t lushes by a long shot but when the boys drank, they drank. Thankfully Jackie was always around to make sure they were safe and taken care of.

While he stepped out Jackie pushed herself up to a sitting position on her bed. Her back against the massive mountain of pillows she always had on her bed. Walking in he closed the door quietly behind him and had a goofy grin on his face like he had been trying to hold back from laughing.

“What’s so funny?” She questioned with a giggle. Finally able to use her voice.

“Eth and Marco are still knocked out on the couch.” He handed her a bottle of water with a napkin wrapped around it. “But Ethyn is curled up on Marco’s lap,” he sat down on the edge of the bed letting the giggles he’d been holding in out. “I wish I had taken my phone with me.”

Jackie laughed along with Phelix at the mental image of their friends curled up on the couch together. Both unaware of the hilarious position they were in. The awkward tension seemed to have faded away with the laughter that filled the room.

“Seems like we weren’t the only ones in funny position while sleeping,” he commented jokely.

Jackie used her fingers to push away strands of hair that had managed to escape the hair tie and nodded, “So it seems.”

And as quickly as that tension left it had returned. Jackie took a long sip of water. The noise of the water bottle in her grip seemed to be ten times as loud then it actually was.

“You seem…” he paused. Not sure what word to use or what to even say.

The sentence died. He didn’t finish it. They just looked at each other. Taking sips of water every now and then.

“I’m not freaking out.” She glanced down at the bottle of water in her hands. Twisting the cap on and off.

He glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.

“I mean I was when I first woke up,” she began, looking up from the water bottle. “Really I was surprised. I wasn’t expecting to see you so close up.” She chuckled.

“I guess not…” he ran his fingers through his already messy hair. She watched him do it. The dirty blond hair color with icy blond highlights was the perfect choice for him. She was glad that he actually took her advice and got it done.

Jackie must have looked spacy because when she had stopped looking at Phe’s hair she saw his hand waving in her face.

“Sorry,” she laughed softly. She really needed to get a grip.

“Maybe I should let you rest.”

He was not even an inch off the bed when he felt her hand grab his. He stayed hovering over the place he was just sitting. Locking eyes with her.

“Everything okay?”

Again her voice failed her and she nodded.

Phelix sat back down gently but this time a little closer to her. He leaned forward. Jackie’s heart felt like it was going to race out of her chest but what he did was not what she was expecting.

He leaned forward and pressed his forehead against hers. He could see how her blue eyes weren’t as blue as they seemed from a distance. From a distance they seemed baby blue but up close they almost seemed like crystals surrounded in blue hued ice. In the back of his mind he heard his own voice say ‘I wouldn’t mind being frozen in her gaze’. A smile crossed his face which in return made her smile.

Neither one of them felt the need to pull away. It was a simple moment and they both enjoyed being overtaken by it. What broke their sweet moment was the sudden loud noise of something heavy hitting the floor.

*THUD*

Phelix reluctantly pulled away but not before giving her a quick wink. Jackie’s heart fluttered at that. She pulled up the blanket she had near her and wrapped herself with it. Through it wasn’t a great replacement for the warmth she felt when Phelix was near her.

Walking to the door the sounds of an argument got louder and louder. He opened the door gently a crack and put his ear to it.

“What the hell, dude?!?!” Ethyn shouted.

Phe put his hand over his mouth to muffle his escaping laughter.

“What are you doing on the floor?” Marco asked a bit too calmly for Ethyn’s liking.

“You pushed me off the couch!” He replied even louder.

Marco yawned and sounded like he was stretching. “Did not. Now get up, I don’t wanna step on you.”

Ethyn did just that but not because he was told to do so. He huffed and stormed off to his room. Marco sleepily followed behind him off to his own room.

Phe had shut the door before they passed and

waited with his ear pressed against the door for the sounds of their doors shutting to signal that the hallway was clear. Ethyn’s was easily heard because he slammed his where Marco closed his softly.

Phelix opened the door but before leaving he turned to Jackie one more time.

“Goodnight, Jack. Talk to you later?”

It was a question. She could answer it any way she wanted and he would respect her decision.

She didn’t say anything. Jackie just smiled at him as she snuggled lower into her bed and nodded. He hadn’t realized that he was holding his breath until he released what little air he had when she nodded at him.

Hope you all have a colorful day!

-Glitchy

*buzz-buzz*

Jackie looked up to her desk from where she was sitting on the floor to see a light coming from her phone. She crawled over to her desk on her hands and knees and grabbed her phone.

New Message flashed on her dim screen. Opening it, she saw that it was from Ethyn.

Ethyn: Come to my room please.

Jackie: Sure! Be there in a sec. Gotta clean up the explosion of fabric.

She put down her phone and quickly picked up the bits of fabric she had been working with.

Exiting her room and going one door over she lightly knocked on Ethan’s very blue door. She heard him answer her knock with a muffled ‘Come in’. Opening the door she saw him curled up in his computer chair looking a little annoyed.

“Hey Eth,” she greeted him as she made herself comfortable on the small couch he had in the corner of his room. “What’s up?”

With a bit of frustration he scratched at his head and growled a response, “Miko canceled on going to the faculty costume party.”

“Why?” She asked puzzled. Miko and Ethyn had planned the whole evening. They even asked her for help with their outfits. Ethyn and Miko were going to the party in Phantom of the Opera inspired outfits that they had managed to put together but had asked Jackie for accessories. The rose that she had made was sitting in a vase on his desk. The silk had been hand dyed and made to glow in the dark. She also made them each a mask. Ethyn had them hanging above his desk. He had been really excited and the look he had on his face now broke Jackie’s heart.

“What happened?”

He reached up over his head and grabbed the mask that was hanging on the edge of the shelf. “He has some family coming in that day.” His fingers traced the shape of the half mask. “I’m not mad, just bummed. You worked so hard on these masks and they’ll never see the outside world.”

“Pfft,” Jackie waved her hand in front of her, “Yes they will. Sadly just not at this party.” She shrugged her shoulders and gave him a huge smile. She didn’t want him to be upset over something silly like that. “Are you still going to the party?”

“I want to but I don’t want to go alone,” he wrinkled his nose. “That’s never any fun.”

The two sat in silence for a while when a thought crossed Jackie’s mind. But before she would share her idea she needed some confirmation.

She pulled her phone out of her pocket and began to text Phelix and Marco. The two guys gave her the green light on her idea.

“What are you so smiley about?” Ethyn probed.

She didn’t waste any time.

“How would you like Marco, Phe, and I to be your dates to the party?”

Ethyn looked stunned by her question. The thought clearly had never even occurred to him.

“You three are willing to go with me?”

“Duh!” She exclaimed. “An excuse to go out and have a good time, especially with you? You know we are all about that.”

The laughter became uncontrollable for a while after that. Both remembering moments that the four of them spent having a great time together. It wasn’t until Ethyn remembered that the party had a costume requirement that he stopped to ask what he thought was the obvious.

“We need costumes!” His face somewhat panicked. “The party is next Saturday, what are we going to do?”

Jackie got up off the couch and headed for the door of Ethyn’s room. “Don’t you worry about that. I’ve got it covered,” she said calmly with a wink as she left his room.

***ONE WEEK LATER***

It was a few hours before the party and Ethyn was pacing in his room.

“I haven’t even seen what she’s working on! I knew a week wasn’t enough time!”

“Will you please calm down. When has Jackie ever let you down, especially fashion wise?”

Ethyn stopped his pacing and looked towards his computer desk. There on his laptop he could see his boyfriend’s smiling face. He calmly walked over to his computer chair and sank into it. He didn’t say a word; he was trying to release the nerves that were trying to take over his body with little success.

“Just breath, Ethyn.”

He listened to him. Closing his eyes and bringing to mind all the times Jackie pulled through not only for him but anyone she knew. After a few moments he opened his eyes and saw that Miko was still smiling at him.

“Better?”

Ethyn nodded. Changing the subject he asked, “When do your parents get in?”

Miko picked up his phone and checked the time, “They said they’d be in town by 6:30.”

Checking his own phone he saw that it was 5:37. He also saw that his phone had no messages. Checking his phone wasn’t the best idea. He could feel the nerves rising again. As if Miko could read his racing thoughts he began to softly speak to his nervous boyfriend, “It’s still early, Eth. The party isn’t until 8:00. You have time.”

He was about to nod in agreement when there was a pounding on his door. It surprised him in a very unpleasant way.

“Who knocks like that?” Miko made a disapproving face as Ethyn went to open the door. But before he could even take a step away from his computer desk to reach it the door swung open and entered three color coordinate humans he recognized vaguely as his friends and roommates.

As they entered his room they formed a line, all three in clear view of both Ethyn and Miko.

Jackie dressed in a double breasted flare coat with three quarter sleeves in a deep emerald shade of green that stood out over a fitted white button up blouse. The flowy layered skirt she was wearing was the same emerald green. Black floral lace tights and her signature black boots with dragon wings completed her look.

Next to her was Marco, wearing a two toned red and black layered fitted vest with a white button up shirt underneath tucked into blood read jeans that Ethyn knew right away had been hand dyed by Jackie with three gold chains hanging from his belt loops. Adding a bit of intimidation to a preppy look. Black combat boots were on his feet but that wasn’t all. Marco was also wearing a blood red bow tie. How Jackie got him to do it no one would ever know but it suited him perfectly.

Last but not least was Phelix. He was wearing what could only be described as 80’s era varsity jacket without the patches in a golden yellow. Underneath the jacket he wore a simple white fitted T-shirt paired with jeans and yellow high top converse shoes. Phelix wasn’t the jock of the group but he sure did dress the part extremely well.

As if on cue, all three of them looked towards Ethyn and began to look him over.

“Ya know, ya know, ya know? This could be beautiful,” Marco commented as he stepped closer to Ethyn.

Ethyn had nowhere to go. His computer desk was behind him. He looked towards his laptop and saw that Miko had a huge grin on his face as if he was in on this whole situation that was unfolding in his room. He turned back towards Marco and saw that Jackie and Phelix hadn’t moved but we’re still looking him over in what he could only assume was a judgemental way.

“A bit of this and that,” Marco flicked his hand toward Ethyn. “Get this guy some accessories!” He snapped his fingers and Jackie and Phelix moved to flank him. “And Heather I need your brush!”

Together they said, “Let’s make him beautiful!”

“Okay?” Marco smirked.

With those last few lines Ethyn finally knew what was going on. Jackie had always said that their signature colors reminded her of her favorite movie turned musical. A smile crept onto his face as he recited the next line, “OKAY!”

Miko on the laptop shouted, “How very!”

That took them all out of character and laughter erupted. It took some time for them to compose themselves but when they did Ethyn couldn’t wait any longer.

“So where’s my outfit?” He looked to Jackie for the answer.

She extended her hand to him to take and he did. Together they walked out of his room and into the hallway.

It wasn’t long until Jackie returned and opened the door wide and stood next to the boys sitting on the couch in Ethan's room. Miko was still on video chat when his boyfriend strode into his room. Striking a pose and with an overly confident voice only Ethyn could muster up he said loudly, “Ask me how it feels looking like hell on wheels!”

Ethyn was decked out in dark midnight blues. A sports jacket that had three quarter sleeves made to look rolled up. The exposed lining of the jacket was blue plaid and similar to the others he was wearing a white button up shirt but the buttons were blue rhinestones. Dark wash jeans with tears exposing the same blue plaid that the jacket was lined with and solid black converse completed his Veronica inspired look.

Miko in his best impersonation of JD said, “Greetings and salutations. I’d fight for you any day.”

Jackie, Marco, and Phelix couldn’t help but aww in unison. Ethyn blush as he walked closer to the laptop. The other three got up off the couch and stood behind their friend.

“You guys really look great,” Miko continued to compliment. “Jackie, considering this was all last minute it looks like you’d been working on them for months.”

“Thanks Miko!” She blushed, “A compliment from you is one of the highest of praises.”

“Can you four stand together I wanna get a screenshot,” Miko requested. The four of them did as they were asked but before he could take the shot Jackie squeaked.

“Wait! Hold on, I forgot something!” She ran out of the room and quickly returned with four croquet mallets, each in their signature colors and their names engraved on the handles.

“Wow!” Phelix exhaled in surprise, “You really went all out.” Jackie just shrugged with a sweet smile that said she knew as she handed them their props and posed for Miko. He quickly took the screenshot and gave the group a giant grin.

“Beautiful! But I want better pictures please!”

“You got it, babe.” Ethyn smiled as he got closer to his laptop.

“We are definitely getting better pictures of these outfits. If not at the party then at a proper photo shoot for my site.” Jackie proclaimed proudly. “Robynn will demand it.”

The rest nodded. Soon Ethyn said a quick goodbye to his boyfriend who’s family would be arriving at any moment. Both promising to see each other soon.

“Bummer he couldn’t make it tonight,” Jackie half smiled to Ethyn as he put his computer into sleep mode. He just sighed.

“I did however make him an outfit just in case his plans changed.”

“What?” Ethyn was shocked.

“You know me,” Jackie shrugged as she lightly shifted her weight from one foot to the other, “the overachiever.” She waved her hand for him to follow her to her room. She opened her door and lead him inside. To the far side of the room 5 mannequins lined against the wall; four of them bare but one still wore an outfit.

“It’s pretty simple,” Jackie began to explain as Ethyn walked up to the mannequin to get a closer look at her creation. “But the trench coat is what I’m truly proud of.”

Lifting the coat away from the mannequin he saw what she meant. It was lined with the same plaid his jacket and jeans had.

“JD worshiped Veronica. Granted in a very unhealthy way but I thought it was fitting that he’d hide a secret token for her.”

“Your mind..” Ethyn couldn’t even finish the sentence. Her creative mind was something that couldn’t be described with mere words. He stepped away from the mannequin and engulfed her in an embrace that translated his thanks to her for everything.

When they finally parted she smiled at him with a smile that told him she understood his hug.

“Come on. Heather and Heather are waiting. There’ll be plenty of time to gawk at our outfits at a photo shoot. Right now we have a whole party waiting to fawn over us.”

The two laughed as they joined Marco and Phelix in the living room.

“Ready?” Phelix asked as he tossed his car keys from one had to the other.

Ethyn, ❤️💚💛💙

Jackie, ❤️💚💛💙

“Are you ever going to try anything different?” Marco asked Jackie as she twirled lo mein noodles onto her fork.

“It’s my favorite thing here,” she exclaimed as she stuck out her tongue towards him.

Ethyn and Phelix laughed at their exchange. A moment later Phelix’s phone buzzed and rang violently. Before reaching for his phone he rolled his eyes.

“Phe, you know the rules,” said Ethyn. “No phones during our weekly dinner.”

With his phone now in his hands Phelix looked at them all apologetically, “Sorry But gotta bend the rules. That specific vibrate and ringtone is work.” He opened his lock screen and began to tap and swipe away on his phone. A look of dread crossed his face

“Everything okay, Phelix?” Jackie asked.

He finished typing something and then with a frustrated sigh he put his phone away.

“It’s nothing. Just got the email for the charity softball game.”

“The cyber unit has a softball team?” Ethyn asked.

“Yeah, normally I just give a donation but this year they want me on the team.” Phelix ran a hand through his hair. They had all learned this was a common sign that he was having an inner monologue that would end with him doing something he didn’t want to do but knew it was for a good cause or reason.

“Are you any good?” Marco questioned as he took another bite of his food.

Phelix shrugged his shoulders. His face conveying that he might be but what does it matter.

“When’s the game?”

Phelix looked towards Jackie with a bit of confusion. He wasn’t expecting her of all people to ask that question.

“Two weeks from Saturday. But you guys don’t have to go.”

“What if we want to go?” Said Jackie.

“Softball and baseball hold good memories for us.” Ethyn added.

“Really?” Both Marco and Ethyn managed to say together.

Jackie nodded, “Yup.”

“That’s where we kinda met and got to know each other.” Ethyn smiled recalling the memory in his mind.

“At a baseball game?” Phelix’s voice louder than he expected it to be and filled with disbelief. He knew Jackie and Ethyn pretty well. Or so he thought. They weren’t sporty people.

“I can see the wheels turning in your head, Phe,” Jackie laughed. “We didn’t go because we wanted to go.” Jackie looked at Ethyn.

“Yeah. We went because other people had invited us.” Ethyn paused for a moment to recall something. “Jackie went because a guy asked her out. What was his name… oh yeah Nathen.”

Jackie nodded and laughed. “Yup and Ethyn went because a girl asked him,” she rolled her eyes. “She was a friend of mine too. Her name was Monica.”

Marco and Phelix could see the smiles on their faces. The memories that were bringing up made them happy.

“If you two went with other people how did you two end up getting to know each other?” Marco questioned.

“Well,” Ethyn began, taking a sip of his diet soda. “First of all, let it be known that we were told we were meeting in front of the administration building.”

Jackie tried to hold in her giggles but failed. Ethyn turned to her and with a look of frustration he rolled his eyes at her, “We were!”

Through her giggles the words “I know,” squeaked out.

“Thank you,” Ethyn sighed and continued. “We were supposed to meet outside the administration building and from there we would head to the game. Simple. Right?”

He looked to Marco and Phelix for some sort of confirmation to his statement. They both nodded and mumbled their agreement, mouths full.

“Wrong!” Ethyn practically shouted.

“Shhh! We aren’t the only ones in this restaurant, you know.” Jackie hushed him.

“Oh please we practically keep this place running.” Ethyn waved his hand in the air nonchalantly.

Jackie gave him a stern look and he took the hint and lowered his voice.

“Anyways…,” he continued. “I headed to the front of the building to wait. It was past 7 so most of the staff were already going home for the day.” He took a sip of his soda and looked to Jackie to add her side if she so pleased.

“I had a meeting in the office that afternoon so I walked out of the building with the counselor as they headed out for the evening. When I made it out to the front steps I saw Ethyn sitting down with his earbuds in. We didn’t know each other then so I kept my distance and sat down on the opposite side.”

“It wasn’t until almost an hour had past that I took my earbuds out and checked my phone,” Ethyn continued. “I had no messages. I guess I made a funny noise and it caught this one's attention.” He gestured towards Jackie and she stuck her tongue out at him playfully.

“You basically growled. But I still asked him if something was wrong. He explained his situation and we both came to the conclusion that we were waiting for the same people in a way.” Jackie shrugged her shoulder and took a bite of her food.

Marco and Phelix were both invested in their story. So much so that unlike Jackie, who had managed to take a few bites of food while telling her story, their food remained untouched.

“You see, we both knew Monica and Nathen but didn’t know each other,” Jackie explained.

Taking a bite of food Ethyn commented as he shrugged his shoulders, “Small world.”

Jackie smiled, “Lucky us.”

Ethyn smiled and nodded as he continued, “So, I decided to text Monica and see what was going on. In my head, something must have happened. She was usually pretty punctual.”

Ethyn’s statement made Jackie choke on her drink as she tried to stop herself from laughing.

“You’re kidding, right? You can’t be talking about Monica Meyer. She was the most scatterbrained person I knew back then. Probably even to this day.”

“She…,” Ethyn paused. He couldn’t bring up the words he wanted to say. He attempted it but it all came out in stutters. He sighed, “Fine. She was and probably still is but whatever. Not the point. My point is that socially she was dependable.” His gaze went to Phelix and Marco and shrugged his shoulders, “She liked to party.”

“At a baseball game?” Marco mumbled over a bite of food in his mouth.

“What he means is she was a massive flirt,” Jackie said bluntly.

Ethyn eyed her and she just shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly as she munched on the fried wonton.

“Anyway, when she did pick up the phone…”

“After calling her 5 times,” Jackie interrupted with a sly smile.

Ethyn continued, “Like I was saying, she finally answered me and said she didn’t remember the plan to meet at the admin building and that she was already at the game.”

“Seriously?” Phelix asked.

“Yup. Thankfully I had a car. I offered Ethyn here a ride to the game if he was still interested in going,” she sipped her drink as she continued. “I almost backed out but…” she paused to think of the right words to say. “I guess you could say I was curious of the situation. Nathen had already left for the game too. Forgetting that we most definitely made plans.”

“So we made it to the game and it was like we didn’t even exist,” Ethyn chuckled. “Monica and Nathen were sitting awfully close together and didn’t even notice us when we told them ‘hi’.”

Marco and Phelix had no words. They just stared at Ethyn and Jackie as they continued their story.

“It’s not like we didn’t try to get their attention but there was no attention left to get. They were so focused on each other. It was somewhat creepy.” Jackie playfully shivered to add emphasis to her words.

Dramatically Ethyn added, “So in my true fashion I…,” long pause, “decided to eat my feelings.”

“And as much as I enjoy greasy food it was a bit too humid to enjoy anything. So I drowned my feelings in sugary sodas.” She nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders.

“The rest of the night we spent together.” She looked towards Ethyn and smiled at him. Recalling that night.

“She watched me eat and didn’t judge me. We made fun of the players on the field.” The last statement Ethyn made had Phelix worrying. If they came to the game would they make fun of him?

“Don’t worry, Phe, we wouldn’t do that to you.” She winked at him from across the table. It was like she read his mind which made him blush a bit.

“That night was a lot of fun. Unexpected. But so much fun. When we parted ways that night he added me on social media and I did the same.” She leaned over a bit to place her head on his shoulder, “we’ve been close ever since.”

The action got a smile out of Phe and Marco. They knew Jackie and Ethyn were close and it was nice to see a friendship like theirs had a weird start. It made sense in a way.

“We’ve had ups and downs,” Ethyn leaned his head onto Jackie’s, “but we’ve worked through it. It’s what best friends do.”

Marco, ❤️💚💛💙

Phelix, ❤️💚💛💙

“Can you pass me that big knife over there?”

That’s what caught Phelix’s attention to whatever it was that was happening in the kitchen. He saved all his files before closing the tabs, gently placed his laptop on the coffee table, and headed towards the kitchen.

“Here you go, duder.” Phelix could see Ethyn handing Marco of all people a very large and sharp knife that he had only ever seen Jackie use.

“Thanks, man,” he gave Ethyn a slight head nod and began cutting into something.

Phliex knew this was awkward for him to be doing. Watching his two roommates do something from a slight distance but he didn’t want to intrude.

“Can I ask why you are frying that up? I didn't think you could do that.” Ethyn questioned.

Pieces to the puzzle. Whatever they were doing was something only they would do. Not much of a clue but it was something.

“Just an idea, really. Jackie won’t eat this raw and I don’t want her to be left out of this awesomeness.”

Phelix tilted his head as he took in the new information he gathered.

Whatever it is Marco are making Jackie wouldn’t eat raw? The thought confused him. Jackie didn’t eat a lot of things being a picky eater. He doubted that just because it was cooked meant she would eat it. The obvious being sushi. You can cook fish but she still wouldn’t eat it.

Was Marco frying fish?

The thought panicked Phelix. Jackie hadn’t enforced many rules but frying or cooking seafood of any kind was an absolute no go. Before he could fully think it through he rushed into the kitchen and opened the back door then flung himself over to the sink to open the window. He quickly grabbed a kitchen towel and began to fan the room with it. All the while Ethyn and Marco just stared at him.

“Did you forget or are you just that crazy?” Phelix questioned the two of them.

No answer came. The two just continued to look at their friend as he frantically waved a towel in the air.

Phelix let out an overly frustrated sigh, “You KNOW Jackie hates fish. Why do you think cooking it will change that?”

Marco looked at Phelix puzzled then looked towards Ethyn, who hadn’t gotten up from the table, for some sort of translation. It took a moment but Ethyn finally put it all together.

“You think Marco is frying fish?”

Phelix nodded his head and continued to fan the room with the kitchen towel.

“He thinks you’re frying fish,” Ethyn chuckled. “That’s why he ran in here, opened the door and window, and started fanning the area like a crazy first time fan dancer.”

Marco began to laugh loudly.

“I’m so glad you think breaking the one rule Jackie has ever asked of us to strictly follow is funny to you.” Phelix finally stopped fanning the room. Taking steps toward Marco and pointing a finger in his face. “I don’t know why you even thought that cooking it would make her want to eat it!”

“Take a deep sniff would ya, Phe.”

The suggestion from Marco came as a surprise.

“What? Why?”

“Just do it, Phelix,” sighed Ethyn.

Phelix looked at the both of them and did as they requested. When he did his nose didn’t smell the scent of fried fish. He’s senses were greeted with a sweet and fruity scent.

His face must have given away his surprise because Marco turned away from him and grabbed the pan from the stove that he had been using.

When he presented what he was making

Phelix was taken back a bit.

“Is that…,” he stopped himself. It couldn’t be what he thought.

Marco’s raised eyebrows seemed to encourage him to finish his sentence.

“Is that… pineapple?” He asked cautiously.

“Yup,” Ethyn answered from behind him as he closed the door and window that Phelix had opened.

Phelix dropped the towel he had in his hand on the floor, surprise and confusion taking over. “Wha.. why? Why are you frying pineapple of all things?”

“There was a sale,” Marco replied as he put the pan back on the stove and gestured to the counter on the other side of the kitchen. There sat a few more uncut fresh pineapples. “And since Jackie won’t eat them raw I thought frying them in a little butter would entice her to at least try it.”

He shrugged his shoulders and continued what he was doing. Taking the already fried and caramelized pineapple out of the pan, placing them on a plate and frying a few more pieces.

This was such a Marco thing to do.

Then the sound of the front door opening and closing caught their attention.

“I’m back! Where is everyone?” Jackie asked loudly, returning from her weekly visit to the post office.

“Kitchen!” Ethyn shouted.

She walked in and placed her bag on the kitchen table. Taking a deep breath she asked with a sigh and a smile, “Oh my goodness what smells so delicious?”

The boys took a moment and looked at one another but it was Phe that answered her in a somewhat disbelieving sounding voice.

*knock knock*

No answer.

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

Still no answer.

*BAM BAM BAM*

“Come on, Jackie!”

The door swings open.

“What!?!”

“Your music's too loud. Mind putting on headphones?” He pointed at his ears for emphasis.

She looked at Phelix and then behind her to the old fashioned clock she had on her wall. It was 3:30 am.

“Shit I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how late it was. I’ll keep it down.”

She was about to close her door but he stopped it.

“What are you working on?”

She let go of the door and ran her fingers through her hair to push it out of her face to see him better. He seemed actually interested.

Opening the door she stepped to the side allowing him to see her room better.

“Come on in.”

He cautiously stepped through the door into her room. Lit with candles and green and purple fairy lights. Music playing loudly. The room was definitely an expression of Jackie. He’d never really been in her room. None of them had. They’d seen it on moving day when they helped her set things up but other then that her door was mostly closed and they respected that. She was the only female in the house after all. But she never let that hold her back. She butted heads and held her ground better than any of them.

She was a good addition to their small group.

She closed the door behind him and went over to her desk where her computer was and lowered down the music.

“Sorry again about the music. I got so lost in what I was doing I didn’t notice the time.”

“Understandable…,” he did a small turn taking in the room around him. “I can see how getting lost in here is possible. It’s like another world.”

Her laugh caught him off guard.

“Well it’s my world.”

“True. It’s nice. Cozy. I see why you hold up here.”

“You make it seem like I never leave my room. I hang with you guys a lot.” She was annoyed at what he said.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I mean you only work here.”

She looked at him confused.

He walked over to her desk and pulled out the computer chair and sat down.

“Ethyn works in the living room and at the kitchen table if its not covered in food after one of Marco’s feasts. I even take a few hours to work and code on the couch.”

Swiveling from side to side, he added, “ You should work out there sometime. We’d love to see how some of the things you make come to existence.”

She walked over to her unmade bed covered in pillows and blankets and sat on the edge.

She shrugged at the idea. She had never worked on any of her projects or commissions in front of anybody. She felt like she would get in their way.

“I know that look.” He waved his hand at her direction. “And no you would not be in the way. It’s your home, Jack. Take advantage of it.”

Jackie seemed to be debating inside her head so he turned towards the desk.

It was covered with scraps of paper with or without writing and doodles, pencils of every color, and a few bottles of nail polish.

From her computer he could hear the ending of a song that was playing and a new one starting.

“Having fun snooping, Phe?” She had snuck up behind the chair and loudly whispered into his ear. Surprising him enough that his hand spasmed a bit and knocked a few pencils off her desk.

“Geez you crazy glitch. You are going to make me hurt somebody.” He reached down to pick up the pencils that he managed to drop while sticking his tongue out at her.

She returned the action laughing at the nickname he had given her a while back. He learned that she had a lot that made her who she was. Add to the fact that her personality and tastes were constantly changing so calling her a glitch made sense.

After returning the pencils to her unorganized desk he took a glance at her computer to find out the name of the song she was listening to.

“Phantom? What kind of song is that?”

He turned up the volume to listen.

“I'm your sunshine, whoa

I'm gonna burn down your parade

I'm a shooting star

That wish you wished you never made

Wish you wished you never made”

The song faded to an end.

He faced her again and saw that she was starting to mouth along with the new song. When she noticed she stopped.

“What? It’s a good song. All his music is good.”

Phelix just nodded.

“Don’t judge.”

She reached over him to lower the volume back down.

He stopped her.

“Not judging. Promise.”

She pulled her hand back slowly. Watching him as he listened to the song that was playing.

“I really know that I should relax

But we've got you on in a relapse

Yeah, when you're awake

I shiver and shake

You're a bad idea and I need you to stay.”

“Dream alone.” He read the name of the song out loud.

“It’s one of my favorites. The drum beat is awesome.”

Her head was bobbing along with the beat of the drums. Hair flowing in every direction.

“All the songs really.”

She caught him staring not at the screen but at her. Awkwardly she reached over to her computer and finally lowered the volume.

“Don’t wanna wake up everyone in the house,” she laughed.

“Right,” he agreed pushing the computer chair away from the desk so he could stand.

“Should probably get back to my own room.”

“Yeah,” was all she said. Her voice sounded unsure.

But before he stepped away from the desk he saw a pair of green wireless headphones, grabbed them and handed them to her.

She took them and laughed.

“Night, Jackie. Don’t stay up too late.”

“Whatever, Phe.” She rolled her eyes at him as he walked towards the door to leave her room.

She watched him stop as his hand touched the doorknob; opening it slightly. He turned to face her, “Send me a link to that album. I wanna hear more.”

She shook her head and he looked a bit taken aback at her refusal.

“How about I work in the kitchen tomorrow night and we can listen to the album together?”

His confused look was replaced with a genuine smile.

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Night, Phe.”

“How did we let her talk us into this?”

Marco looked at Ethyn’s reflection in the mirror and smirked, “What do you mean? Blue is your color, man.”

Phelix walked into the room at that moment while the other two were over examining their new looks.

“Not bad, bros. You two could pass for actual goths.” He chuckled as he took in his own reflection next to theirs.

The dark yellow, gold, and gray colors were an interesting choice on Jackie’s part but it worked. The gray denim vest with gold stud accents on top of a button up dress shirt in a color that she called CYBER (#FFD300). Paired with jeans that matched the vest and black combat boots completed the base of the outfit. But Jackie wouldn’t put her name on such a basic look. She had added a gold accent that matched the studs that decorated not just his vest but the jeans as well. Hanging from his belt loop was an accessory tailored just for him. Gold handcuffs.

Marco scoffed as he ran his fingers through his short dark curly hair. Stepping back a bit to admire the outfit that was custom made just for him. He was impressed with Jackie. She had managed to take a style that he never wore work for him. He never would have thought he would like himself in a long sleeve dark red, that she said was called Blood (#710C04), shirt that looked like it was a thermal but was too thin of a fabric to be an actual thermal shirt. The shirt was baggy and had a worn out look to it. Small rips and holes allowed the black shirt he had underneath to be shown. The black jeans he had on also had rips but his skin was nowhere to be seen because behind the rips Jackie had sown buffalo red plaid. Jackie had given him a choice on his footwear as long as it was black so he had chosen his black simple sneakers. But just like Phelix he also had a custom accessory. An oxidized sterling silver skull with ruby red swarovski crystal eyes hung from a chain around his neck. Jackie had designed, sculpted, cast, and oxidized the skull herself before placing the crystals.

Ethyn however was second guessing his look. He wasn’t sure he could pull off the outfit without it looking like an actual costume. Jackie had made these looks with the intentions of them looking like actual outfits that could be worn everyday.

“I don’t think I can do this,” he sighed. Sounding defeated.

He could see the confidence radiating off of Marco and Phelix. If Ethyn didn’t know them he would have assumed that they wore clothes like that everyday. Which they didn’t. Marco could always be found wearing shorts and graphic t-shirts. While Phe was a basic shirt and jeans type of guy; put together but comfortable.

He looked at his reflection again. Studying the outfit Jackie had created for him. His shirt was simple. Just a black shirt. But if you looked closer or if the light was hitting it just the right way you’d see that the stitching of said shirt was done with metallic silver thread. His jeans were in a color he had never heard of; Oxford blue (#002147). The jeans had a section on his thigh that was ribbed and gave them a unique look and feel.

Turning his body he looked at himself. Doubt was still filling his mind. It was then that he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder.

“You’re forgetting something, Eth.”

Standing behind Marco was Phelix with a jacket in his hands. He handed it to him to put it on. When he did everything felt like it went into place.

His reflection changed.

The jacket was hand dyed Egyptian (#1134A6) blue faux leather. Compared to the rest of his outfit the blue seemed bright but in a strange dark way. The sterling silver zippers and studs that were on the jacket had been oxidized. It was like magic. A second ago he had so many doubts and concerns about the outfit he had on. How did a jacket change everything?

“She’s got a talent.”

Phelix’s words took him out of his confused head. He looked towards his mirrors reflection. He could see Marco and Phelix standing on either side of him. Jackie had really outdone herself.

“She has a way of making you feel comfortable in something you would never wear,” Marco added.

Ethyn nodded his head in agreement and chuckled softly.

Adjusting his vest one last time Phe said to the others, “Better get going before she comes looking for us.”

The two others agreed and headed out to the kitchen. There they found Jackie bagging cookies and candies she had made. The glitch never slept so it seemed. As long as they got to taste test they never complained.

Jackie herself was dressed in an outfit only she could pull off. To anyone that didn’t know her she would have looked like she was from another time period that had yet to happen. She was wearing a simple black dress with a dark green lace overlay that she had probably dyed herself. The dress wasn’t too short but definitely not too long with sleeves that made it look like she had wings. Her medium length brown hair was highlighted with emerald green highlights peeking out from under a faux fox spirithood that she wore way too often that seeing her without it was a rare occasion. Around her neck was her signature oxidized sterling silver crescent moon that had an emerald that looked like an all seeing eye dangling from it. On her feet were boots that had bat wings that she had made that tied on with the laces. They all knew one of them would end up carrying her boots for her by the end of the night. She was a sneaker girl but wore boots when she needed a bit of height or her outfit called for them.

As if she had felt someone watching, her head perked up and turned to the kitchens entrance to find the boys just watching her.

Cocking her head to the side with a look of confusion that quickly turned into a sly smile on her face she said to them, “If you want a cookie you better get over here before I bag them all.”

They didn’t need to be told twice. Each of them took a few treats off the various trays on the table and munched as she finished up.

“You EVER do that to me again you are going to end up with an eye missing!”

Phelix laughed at the empty threat. Or at least he thought it was an empty threat. Knowing Jackie you could never be too sure.

“Relax, Jack. Just having some fun.” He pokes at her shoulder playfully.

She glared at him.

“At your expense,” he shrugged and with another laugh he jumped over the back of the couch and landed heavily next to her. Causing her to bounce slightly, gripping the tablet so it wouldn’t fall from her grasp. “What are you doing that’s got you so jumpy?”

“I’m not jumpy!”

She was pouting but remained focused on whatever had her attention on her screen.

“Sure,” he said unconvinced as he stretched out on the couch reaching for the remote to turn on the tv.

Jackie continued to glance down towards the tablet she held deathly tight in her hand. Tapping and flicking her fingers across the screen with her other hand.

Phe could hear static coming from somewhere but didn’t know exactly from where. Unconcerned he continued to flip through the guide on the tv looking to see if anything would catch his attention.

He gave up eventually. Placing the remote next to him and closing his eyes to relax.

He could hear her tapping faster now.

Her tapping and static were the only noises that could be heard. It was strangely soothing. He was about to fall into a deep sleep when...

*SLAM!*

“Ahh!”

Jackie screamed jolting awake Phelix just in time for him to see her tablet flying through the air.

With reflexes he didn’t know he had he quickly moved from his spot and lunged for the tablet before it could meet the floor.

With a thud he landed on the floor on his back with the tablet safely in his hands. Extending his arms out to Jackie she took the tablet with one hand while helping Phe up with the other.

Once standing they both turned around to face the culprit who had frightened the crap out of them.

There standing in the doorway was Marco with a grin on his face. Obviously proud of the spectacle he had created with just a loud door slam.

With a devilish grin and an eyebrow raised he asked, “What were you two doing?”

Jackie, very much annoyed, let out a frustrated growl and stormed into her room slamming the door. The slam rivaling the sound that scared her moments earlier.

It was her door slamming shut that caused Ethyn to finally come rushing out of his room into the living room to find Marco holding in his laughter unsuccessfully and Phelix flopping onto the couch looking defeated.