Yeah, right

Jackson had moved from wherever he had ended up at the ADP party and found the redhead, whom had left Ian momentarily. A drink in hand she was keeping herself busy, only until her eyes locked with Jackson. They made their way towards each other but his next sentence cut her off.  “Whatever you’re looking for… I’m not it.” A scoff left Lyanna’s parted lips, she paused, hues searching the other’s face. “What’s that supposed to mean? You’re my friend…” She brought the drink back to her lips, taking a larger one. Irritation boiling in the pit of her stomach at Jackson’s comment, he could be a really great guy if he just tried.

Jackson Partington lived in a constant state of intoxication, however it was only when he moved on to the stronger concentrations that he started to lose himself. The smooth talking dimples made their way further into storage with each sip. He wasnt even aware of the words that escaped his lips. The past couple days had been full of self reflection on the man that he’d become over the past year, and the man that he was destined to become if he stayed on the inevitable path that he was stuck on. His feelings for Lyanna had grown, but with that so did the reality that a girl like her could never profit from a dead beat like him. “I’m the friend who you are going to have to sit back and watch self-destruct.” he admitted. “Nobody wants that.”

“I think new years resolutions are a bunch of bullshit if you ask me.” He said with a bitter laugh as he took a swig of his crystal glass of bourbon. “No one ever changes.” He said a bit coldly as he glanced over at the other not even really realizing who he was paying attention to until now. “Enough pretending like we care though, why don’t we get the fuck off of this campus? I’m bored of this place already.”

“I agree that resolutions are only wasted breath.” Jackson muttered, his body seemed to melt into the wall behind him. “However, people change.” he added. “I mean, look at me. Am I the same Jackson you knew and loved?” At that, the boy mustered enough energy to push himself up so that he was standing straight. “I’m right behind you.”

“the girls that i teach are so sweet. for christmas they all made me friendship bracelets, ” amelie smiled, looking at the familiar face. she pulled up her sweater to show the stack of bracelets she’d gotten earlier that day,“ i don’t know what i’m going to do when i have to take them off for my show. oh! speaking of that, you’ll be there, right?”

Jackson looked at the bracelets, a grin creeping its way onto his features. They reminded him of the simple crafts he used to construct as a child. “I mean, props to them. Its better than anything I got for Christmas.” he admitted. “Show? I dunno, I wouldnt want to offend you or anything by snoring through any of the acts. Thats what they're called right?”

OKAY HELLO! So update on my life I am going to be out of town/service/internet for the next couple of days so i’ll be going on a short hiatus until the beginning of next week. I haven't forgotten about any of you or any of our threads!! Maybe if I have time tomorrow before we bounce i’ll do some replies.

“well it is the end of the year so they won’t have long to rest on their laurels, besides new years eve might top it” he quipped ignoring the blatant sarcasm in his brothers voice. eyes scanned their surroundings ensuring they where alone before he even contemplated lowering his facade. “i knew.” abrupt and short, his voice was ice offering no elaboration and lacking any charm.  

“’suppose you're right.” Jackson mumbled in response. Tristan was a reminder of what Jackson used to have. He used to be golden, yet he gave it up so that his brother could continue in the limelight. Throughout their lives, the two had never been terribly close. Sure, they didn't hate each other - yet their toleration for one another seemed to stem from the obligations of family. “and the thought never crossed your mind to come and visit? Maybe catch up a little, like real brothers do?” Jackson didn't want pity, he just didn't want to lose someone else. 

Avery was right. The boy deserved better than what he had been dealt, yet in that very moment he seemed to be guilty of everything. The two were the most unlikely of friends, but they balanced each other’s scale. He chuckled at Avery’s next comment. “Hey now, you should have seen the other guy.” he replied. Sooner or later Avery was going to run into whoever wore matching battle wounds. Jackson knew that dropping Wyatt’s name around would only add more to the heavy platter of his loyal friend. “Yeah, good luck man. Come over to my place next time you have a chance, i’ll order food.” 

“Surely theres got to be something.” he continued. Jackson wasnt quite sure what game he was trying to play, but he knew that Katie had walked herself right into it. “What’s in your fridge? Come to think of it, I am kind of tired of frozen pizza meals.” 

An outsider would have defined the look on Jackson’s face as a glare. His lips pressed into a frown. “Give me that trash bag.” he demanded, making his way closer to the scene of the crime. “I’m not leaving until we are friends again, in the mean time I might as well make myself useful.” 

“Well, it starts with laying off the alcohol and attempting to be nice to someone,” she said smartly, crossing her arms. She couldn’t figure out what the hell his problem was. Yeah, there was bad shit in his life, but he brought it upon himself. She wasn’t about to drink herself to death if she was caught in a lie.

“Whoa, stop there. You see, already you are asking too much.” Jackson shook his head as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Name your price, how much do I have to pay in order for you to turn around and walk a mile in that direction.” 

Carson listened, or tried, at least. His chest was tight, his head cloudy. He just kept seeing his brother’s face, flickering from the smile Carson knew so well to… this new Spencer. Like some terrible before and after. He took a deep breath and nodded, grim. He opened his mouth to say more, but he couldn’t find the words. What was next? What was he supposed to think, say, do? He stood up and shoved his hands in his pockets aimlessly. The changing of his vantage point cast a different light on the room and when Carson looked back at Jackson, he had to stop himself from running at him. “How the fuck did you even get into that shit?” He asked, trying to control his voice. He didn’t want to talk about himself or Spencer. He didn’t want to hear how sad it is and how sorry he was. Nothing was gonna change it.

How did he get into that shit? Well, he happened to walk in on his brother at the wrong place and at the wrong time. Thats how he got into that shit. How did his brother get into that shit? He’d have to ask him later. Truth be told, Jackson never got the chance to ask many questions between the discovery and the arrest. He’d have to fill in those blanks himself. “I think thats a topic for another day.” he answered finally, filling the silent room once more. “I should probably get going. See you around.” Jackson made his way to the door, who knew what their future interactions might entail. 

She met his gaze, squinting at his questions. “I don’t…” Lyanna could not catch her words, uncertain of herself and her thoughts but she was certain of one thing. “I can’t judge you, I don’t think it’s fair to, no ones ever really innocent as they seem.” Her head shook. “Drinking as much as you do though? I can’t deal with that everyday. I mean, either you have beer-flavoured tooth paste or that was your breakfast.” She chewed the inside of her gum, trying to hide the smile threatening to reveal at the corner of her lips. “and–and… I don’t know Jack… I guess you’re still cute,” The redhead teased, eyeing Jackson.

Jackson could feel every muscle in his body relax. It was a sensation he hadn’t experienced in quite some time. This week was an ongoing battle between the stressors to see who would get to him first, yet they all ended up taking their turn. His eyes dropped to the floor. He laughed. A genuine chuckle, his shoulders rising and falling with each huff. “I’ll try to lay off the drinks for breakfast.” he said, reconnecting his gaze with hers. “... but as for lunch and dinner I make no promises.” he added with a grin. The pair still stood in the middle of the room, Lyanna standing in front of the door where he had contemplated making a miraculous escape - yet the air engulfing them had done a 360. There were always confessions to make, things to fix... but in the moment Jackson felt in the clear. “You guess?” he questioned with a smirk. “I mean, you're not too hard on the eyes either.”

Her eyes dropped to the floor but she made no move away from him, her own voice suddenly missing; she wanted to argue that she did want to know that she did not care what the answer was but somewhere she felt that was just a lie to herself, and that was a little unfair to only ask for the truth from Jackson. “Well I went to my own bed.” She muttered under her breath, glancing anywhere but at the man moving towards her.

“And i’m sorry I wasn’t there to see to it that you returned safely.” Jackson took another step in her direction, though he wasn’t sure why he was testing her limits. He could sense her hesitation. Her gaze seemed to hit everything except his own. “What are you thinking right now?” he asked, now it was hit turn to run the interrogation. “About me... about everything?”