#thread: jake.

“are you sure it’s fine without a mask?” jacob fiddles with the raw hem of the ragged, oversized suit he got to at least somewhat stay on theme for simon’s birthday. costumes are decidedly not his thing, not his strong suit, but he thought it would make the other smile. “you can tell what i’m supposed to be?” it would be hard to miss with the ridiculous top hat, but he can’t help but feel out of his element.

jake’s birthday was always a little rough. not being able to spend it with his aunt and uncle had taken its toll on him when he was younger and first came to nl, so spending it with cece doing virtually nothing was really the second best thing. he already had movies ready to go, some dorky sci fi films and old hollywood mystery, along with a few fantasy films set aside for her to pick from as well. the knock on the door was expected, but he didn’t expect to see his best friend looking like she was ready to cry on the other side, the smile falling off his face with some concern. “what happened?” 

“so have you decided on a costume?” the assumption that she would being going to the halloween party isn’t unfounded. of the two of them, she’s always been the one to participate, pulling him along with. “i might need your help with mine, honestly,” he admits, self-consciously. cece was his best friend, but it still felt weird to talk to her about his relationship — or whatever it is. “simon talked me into dressing up and i think i bit off more than i can chew.” 

jake fiddled with his mask, annoyed with the contraption — it felt like he had kept it on for ages at this point, much longer than the hour or two the event had gone on. that, on top of not really having his best friend here with him, and he was decidedly not at his best. he was really worried, it had been nearly a month and he hadn’t heard more than a few words from her after her breakup. and when he spotted her, mask and all, he nearly immediately made his way over.

“so, are you done avoiding everyone, princess?” there was a terse sort of gruffness seeped into his voice, trying to hide how worried he was by keeping it light and failing spectacularly. “or will it be another month?”

“dude, what gives?” it was unlike jake to be the one to check in on nick instead of the other way around. “are you sick or something? i haven’t heard from you in weeks.” 

“hey, stranger.” it feels a little weird, to have his time more split than it used to be with a relationship, and he feels a little bad that the holidays haven’t just been them like the past few years. he’s trying to make up for it, though, at least. “come roast marshmallows with me?” 

“here, take a look.” his camera held out gingerly, the previews already brought up to make scrolling through a simple task for simon. he’s had plenty of practice, less with people, but enough to make it acceptable for instagram. 

“so,” he disrupts the silence, squinting off at some of the buildings behind the other man. this was a lot harder than he thought it would be, honestly. it’s been some time since he had decided that being caught up on his best friend was, at this point, pathetic, and that he needs to move on, but actually doing that was easier said than done, especially when he has to actually ask someone out. “would you wanna grab some food? dinner.” jacob pauses, suddenly a little self conscious, that maybe he’s overstepping. it isn’t like he and simon are friends, exactly. “sometime. doesn’t have to be now. or ever.” 

it had been too long. cece had always been strong, stronger than him certainly, but she and ezra’s break up was not something he expected her to keep to herself for practically a month at this point. for that long, from him, that wasn’t normal and he was worried. hardly even a text, when they usually talked nearly everyday in some capacity, so he knew she couldn’t be as okay as she said. he really only came to the mask because he had a feeling she’d be there and he could, at least, check in briefly, but even that proved to be a challenge. it had taken much of the night, but he caught her by the arm before she could pass him by when she was near enough. “cece?” he was quiet, waiting for confirmation that it was her, even though he already knew. he stared at her through his own mask, concern bleeding through despite the obstruction, unsure he was even doing the right thing by checking in. maybe it was all a mistake. 

“are you avoiding me?”