GO JACKALS

“I did! Don’t worry, I am here for you through all of this. We can go through every stage of grief together until we manage to heal your lasagna layerless heart. … Well okay if you’re gonna put it like that then my roundhouse kick is definitely back on the table. Is there a better reason than lunch? I think not. I’ll text you. Oh my gosh, no. I would never subject anyone to that kind of torture. C'mon,” she grinned, linking her arm effortlessly through Rebecca’s as if they’d known each other for forever and not just since Tess had moved here, “They’re on me. Multiple bagels.”

“The support is so important, thank you.” Becca didn’t have a lot of female friends--other women tended to find her awkward and not girly enough--but Tessa had been nothing but nice since they met. “I need a book on managing grief, we’ll have to go through the worksheets together, okay? Mhh, yeah, I knew it would be. Everyone needs a roundhouse kick every once in a while. You should come to my aerobics class sometime and show everyone up with your awesome moves.” Becca smiled, nudging Tessa a little with her elbow. She wasn’t great at the chummy stuff, but she was getting better. “Sounds great. I’ll buy the coffee. Or tea, if you like tea better.”

“You should put that on a poster. You could be out there saving relationship after relationship with some free and easy advice. I mean, unless it’s a really good dirty joke- I’m talking like, once-in-a-lifetime, hashtag iconic level- then I think you might just have to go for it. And I appreciate that. The important thing is that we graduated, we learned, we grew. We scrapped the idea that serenading actually worked in real-life… Anyway. Thank you.” Shaking his head, he couldn’t help but grin at her general Becca-ness which did quite literally equate to ‘awkard-ness’. That was just her thing though. Unless they were deep into a debate about whether or not that had actually been a fumble or nah. “My deepest apologies. I’ll do everything I can to make up for it but if this is the end, if I’ve gone too far, I’ll understand. I’ll always remember you, Becs. She probably just wanted to really drive home how much being a quote-unquote "adult” sucks which, yeah, you’re right. My place back in LA was barely habitable for the first month but eventually I got the hang of the whole groceries thing. She does. She really does.“

“It could be like one of those important PSA posters you see on the walls of a High School guidance counselor’s office. Okay, then that’s worth it, I guess you’re right. You might have to text that to me though, just so I can take the time to fully appreciate the joke, you know?” She laughs, glad she’s pushed through any discomfort to keep joking. “I mean, how much did we really grow? We all still live in the same town, after all. Oh yeah, the serenading was all High School Musical’s fault, you know.” She was awkward, and it was obvious, but for some reason there were still people like Ava and Danny who put up with that. “There was a line, and you crossed it, but I think I can forgive you for this fumble. What are friends for, after all. The fact that you give me explanations for my own weird behavior just proves that, thank you. It was definitely a point-proving moment. I’m surprised you made it that long, were you drowning in a sea of take-out containers by the end of it?” She doesn’t ask him about L.A. because everyone’s asked him about L.A. and she knows won’t be a topic he wants to discuss. But she hoped he was okay anyway.

“That came out scarier than I meant it. I mean someone who is a hella person might respond. Not someone will hella respond.” Ava laughed as she continued, “Unless you want the beef to be marinaded in red wine, I suggest you find someone else.” Again, she laughed, her smirk falling into a lopsided smile as her tongue stuck out. “Uh… I can promise to try.” She offered, “But like, it’s really nothing major or serious, I’m just… having fun.”

“Oh. A hella person. That feels a lot less scary, I’ll be honest. I could probably just order in, though, no chance of someone hella responding that way, hella person or not.” Rebecca grinned. “That doesn’t sound horrible when you forget what we’re talking about, but as part of a larger recipe it might not be all that good.” It was hard to resist the urge to roll her eyes, or maybe start blushing heavily or something. “Why do I get the feeling that your version of trying doesn’t quite line up with my version of trying? Okay okay, I’ll try to keep it together. Ava, I love you, but those are scary words coming from you. How much fun?”

“Elena Montgomery is terrifying. I think she seriously hates me. Like seriously. I just know she doesn’ like girls doing sports ‘n’ things, but it feels like more than that? Maybe I offended her by usin’ the wrong fork or something at dinner once....I’d probably like her better if she an’ Ava got on better, cause honestly I base most of my thoughts on people on Ava’s thoughts.”

“Good plan.” 

“It’s a given right to know. Also, I’m way too pretty to not be trusted.” 

“Definitely. I don’t want to end up the featured story in a 60 Minutes special.”

Don’t we all, in one way or another. [ Looking up from the sandwich™ ] Rebecca? Sorry, I was really into this non low-fat number, didn’t even know what I was sayin’ to be honest. By all means though, let him know I was running my mouth about how crappy the rowing machines are or something. Don’t worry about it, my lips are sealed. Put your check book away.

That sounds oddly philosophical, but I’d have to go with no. What I mean is that your father actually signs my paychecks....Ha, oh, yeah, don’t worry about it. Is there mayo on that sandwich? I can’t understand people who hate mayo on sandwiches. Well, I probably won’t do that, but maybe I’ll send in an anonymous complaint card just for you. Thanks. If I ever learn how to bake, you’ll be the first person I make brownies for.

Ava: ME usually????

Ava: Like gurl don't turn me into the good daughter, I've worked hard for this bish

Ava: ???? Maybe idk she brought Isaiah Jennings here?? or maybe he brought her???

Ava: That sounds lajkhdf

Ava: Oh ym god

Ava: nsjkgb;gfksbkfjb

Ava: Fyes comin @ ym mom

Becs: Obviously YOU but i thougt u were the exception....

Becs: don't lie to me, i know you're LIVING right now imagining all the stuff you could get away with being the good daughter 🤣🤣🤣

Becs: um wtf

Becs: that's new. right??👀👀👀

Becs: what???? What's happening oh my god

Becs: pls tell me that wasn't you getting your phone taken away like this you got caught texting in bio class or smth

Ava: Elena's DRUNK

Ava: Like verging on #RECKT drunk

Ava: It's so fucking hard to keep a straight face

Ava: Happy late birthday to me 🎂🎂🎂

Ava: My mom is so mad #blessed

Becs: Oh no, that's so bad, who gets reckt at a family dinner????

Becs: do u think it's about the fiance???

Becs: I promise we'll have a better celebration ASAP when you've escaped ok, i've got cake in the fridge + a bunch of cheesy netflix movies saved to my list and i know you have booze somewhere

“I can do kindly old cat lady. You kidding? Let’s hang out. I’ll knit, you can tell me about how it is to be young and then I’ll say something about ‘back in my day’ while showing you pics of all eighty-seven of my babies. Either way, it’ll be edible. I’m all about being edible. I’ve been called a 'snack’ myself several times in my lifetime.” Isaiah winked because he couldn’t help it, that was just who he was as an essence. “Absolutely not, sharing is caring. You gotta spread the love like you’ll spread this cheese sauce over four delicious layers. Anything for the woman who keeps me looking lush.”

“You could be a kindly cat lady? Okay. Let’s try. When did you get your first cat? Which grandchild are you currently knitting a sweater for? That was a trick question, by the way, the answer was, of course, all of them. Ah--right.” She blinked fast but somehow managed to stay a shade that doesn’t stray into tomato territory. “Four layers? I can’t remember if that’s a lot or a little for lasagna, I should really learn to cook. But right now I’ve got my kindly cat lady to make me dinner, so not today. I probably owe you half-off your next class for this, we can sort out coupons later.”

“I think everyone gets a little protective when it comes to food. I mean, if someone tries to talk one of my BBQ chips, there is going to be some real yelling involved. It’s not going to be pretty, if we’re totally honest. Ugh. I should stop, and yet…It’s so easy and they have plastic flatware which…It makes life easier? Twizzlers? How East Coast. I’m more of a Red Vines girl. Well, that and Skittles.”

“BBQ chips being stolen is a good reason to yell. I always liked the sour cream and onion ones better, but barbecue is great for when you’re eating outside during the summer. Oh man, summer. I can’t wait. You know, sometimes when I go in there I just take a couple handfuls of plastic forks and knives to keep in my apartment so I don’t have to wash any dishes. What can I say, I’m an East Coast girl through and through. I never understood the Red Vine obsession. They taste like plastic. Skittles are great, though, I’ll be forever glad they switched the lime one to green apple.”

Guilty as ever, Jake mimed zip-locking his lips and throwing away the key as she spoke. Best to avoid any punchings today, accidental or otherwise considering his supernatural healing would not be kicking in. Actually, he best avoid the mystery meat too if he knew what was good for him. “… Can I talk now? Is it safe? That’s fair but you know me, I got a stomach of steel and I’m not afraid to use it. Might be a little off my game today though so please go easy on me, Dancin’ Queen. You assumed right, Becca. You wanna come over for lasagna… We can make it happen. Least I owe you, really.”

“Yes, fine, you can talk now. But tread carefully or I’ll sic Ava Montgomery on you.” She shook her head seriously and frowned at him. “No, I don’t know you, clearly, because the Jake I know would never steal my lasagna. Oh, is that why you cut in line? Because you’re off your game? Fine, I’ll go easy on you, but only because I love ABBA and I can’t punch you so quickly after you referenced them. Really? I feel like you don’t owe me that much, but you do owe me something, so. I won’t say no. I’ll even promise to bring you some fresh bread next time Ava’s brother makes some if this lasagna is really good.”

“That’s what all the girls say. I- That was just a joke. I’m not gonna bring my innuendo anywhere near you, I promise. No embarrassing pick-up lines either. I think everyone suffered enough watching me tryna woo Faith back in senior year so, don’t worry about it. Lemme know how it goes, Becs. Ooh, I like it. You gonna have twists and turns?” Danny grinned wider as she gave an oh-so-typical eyeroll. In the back of his mind he knew that he was maybe walking into something he might not want to here. That wasn’t because he didn’t like Rebecca, she was one of the coolest people he’d ever met but they’d bonded over, y'know, sports. Football. “… You are welcome. Aw man, that is too true. There’s nothing better than coming home to the smell of that kitchen, I swear. Yup. It’s cool, really. His name’s Markus, I’ve met him in passing when he’s come to pick her up. She seems happy.”

That’s good. Great. You don’t need to destroy our relationship for the sake of making one dirty joke [She grins]. Yeah, that was...Nope, I won’t say anything. You’re keeping your mouth shut, I should keep mine shut. You know I will. And a fake murder weapon to throw off the cops.” She was pretty much ninety percent certain he wasn’t serious about inviting her over--but that ten percent window left a lot of room for embarrassment if she said the wrong thing. It was way better to keep joking along. Unless they were being serious. In which case she was just....agreeing. Why was this so difficult? “And you just went from kindly offering a friend some food to reminding her that she doesn’t come home to delicious kitchen smells anymore. She barely has any food in her fridge anymore, because being an adult sucks. She’s also not sure why she’s still talking in the third person. Oh wow, that’s so great, I’m really glad for her. Your mom deserves someone nice.”

“I think the only reason for people to be a jerk in the cafeteria is if they are running super late to a class, and their professor is a known jerk, but if that’s the case, why are you even in the cafeteria and not in class? Oooh yeah. It basically is rubber. Or at least, that’s the rumor I heard from a girl in my psych class last year. Oooh. Oh no. That’s not good. Huh. I need to find something else to eat when I’m stress-studying then.”

“Okay, you’re probably right, I should be a little more understanding. It’s not easy, I get really protective over my food, but I’ll try. Another good point, you’re full of points. Good ones. That’s gross, I can’t believe anyone still eats cafeteria food. Myself included. It’s just so convenient and cheap. The cheap part might explain the quality, actually. Yeah, no, it’s not good at all. I shouldn’t be suggesting candy as an alternative, but I usually binge on twizzlers when I’m studying. They’re the perfect size for snacking, and it’s kind of fun to rip them into pieces when you’re stressed out.”

“Aw man, seriously?” Noah ran a hand through his hair at the side of his head, a horrified look on his face. “Firstly, who was this rude loser that cut in front of you? Secondly, I can make you a lasagne. I can do that. I could figure out how to do that and I could do it. You want lasagne? I’ll get you lasagne.”

“Seriously. I didn’t need that kind of disappointment so early in the morning.” She shrugged. “I didn’t catch his name, but if he does it again, I’m putting up wanted posters all over campus. Oh--oh, you can? I mean, you shouldn’t do that. It’s really nice, but I can just get something else to eat, no big deal. Besides, it’ll all be in my head, but nothing’s going to taste as good as the food I was robbed of, you know?”

“Not unless you want to get a hell of a lot of perverts explaining how they can fill all your holes.”  

“I think I know a place that has just what you need.”

“Oh god...That’s--wow, that’s the opposite of what I want, god. You might have just warned me off Craigslist entirely.”

“Hey. Nathan Matthews.” He casually held out a hand as he smirked, “How about you Google image search my name and lasagne?”

“Oh, uh, I’m Rebecca. Becca. Becs.” She looks at his hand for probably slightly longer than is socially acceptable before shaking it. “Wow, that was a lot--a lot a lot. I don’t think I’m going to do that, it sounds like I’m probably going to find....” She lowers her voice a little and tries to calm her blush. She’s a badass for gods sake, why can’t she talk about these things with a straight face? “Lasagna porn, or something.”