#threads: jake

@amillixnvoices​

      The annual Glee Holiday Party was in full swing, and Marley was enjoying herself immensely. Ever since joining she had found **NEW FRIENDS **and grown more confident in herself, and for once she was glad that her mother had moved them here. She had gotten used to being the odd one out, but here she had found her own group of weirdos who accepted her for who she was.

            Including JAKE.

      Marley had been meaning to to talk to him, but what she hadn’t been counting on had been her other friends, practically **PUSHING **her into him as he stood beneath the mistletoe. “Uh. Hi.” She managed, feeling the blush rising to her cheeks. “Sorry…about that.”

.

Jake didn’t know why he had even bothered showing up for the Glee party. It was full of stupid Christmas games, songs and traditions. He didn’t even celebrate the dumb holiday. Plus he’d heard at least three offensive things since he’d arrived. But yet he hadn’t left, maybe because he knew deep down that he had nowhere else to go and if he was being honest, that these people were actually his friends.

He was looking down at his phone when he felt someone crash into the side of him, looking up to see Marley next to him. A quick glance over her shoulder told him that she’d probably been pushed, given the guilty and amused smiles on her friends’ faces. He slid his phone into his pocket, having something more interesting to focus on now. 

“Hi.” He smiled warmly. The girl was cute, especially with the blush that was now gracing her cheeks. “Don’t worry about it, it happens to the best of us.” He added. Jake heard someone yell something about mistletoe, only realising where he was stood when he looked up and saw what was hanging over his head. 

“We don’t have to do this, if you don’t want to.” Jake offered, gesturing to the mistletoe. “I’m Jewish so Christmas traditions don’t apply to me, but I’d also be open to making an exception this one time.” He smiled. Don’t get him wrong, he wanted to kiss Marley, but he also wanted to make sure she had an out if she wasn’t into it. 

He knew things would be different. That she would probably be a lightweight after not drinking for so long, that they’d probably be heading home much earlier than they used to so she could get home to her family, and that she’d likely drunkenly show at least three people baby photos tonight. But he would take what he could get, it would still be fun regardless. 

He stood outside the bar they’d arranged to meet at, excitedly awaiting her arrival. Jake grinned when he finally spotted her, instinctively opening his arms for a hug. “Lopez! Are you ready to get your drink on?”