This might be obvious, but I feel like it's often misunderstood about Jesse's character.
When confronting the Apex and running away with Lake, his number does not change. They don't get his exit right away, it doesn't appear after this dramatic moment of him standing up for himself and his friend.
"But Yellow! It's about the pacing! It's about the drama of them running away!"
For one, Jesse's problem isn't that he can't stand up for himself. Because he can! And he shows us this!
"It looks like your punching wasn't doing much good either."
"I was yelling! It's still my turn to yell!"
He talks back after Lake mocks his approach. He puts his foot down and defends himself.
He antagonizes Lake after the flecs outted them as a criminal. He doesn't bend to Lake's whims like someone who's spineless.
"You better not tell mom!"
He doesn't grovel for Nate not to tell their parents. Doesn't promise to make it up to him later, doesn't try to lighten this blow at all. The way someone would if they always played both sides.
Defending himself is not his problem, not really. It's not even just people-pleasing.
"Don't tell me what to do!"
"I'm not gonna be a part of anything like this. On or off the train!"
If it was? This would have been the scene Jesse got his exit. There's enough build up for it, we don't need the chase scene before it, we could still have the flex show up after Jesse's exit closed with Lake on the other side.
"I've got you. We're getting out of here."
It's only after he reassures Lake that his number changes. After he promises to stay with them, to side with them.
Jesse's issues were about standing up for others. For defending other people, even when it wasn't convenient. Not about him.
(Shout out to @elibethqueen for this post, love you bb)
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