[jkjeremiah-blog]

He nodded and kept his arm around her, still feeling uneasy. It didn’t matter though, this wasn’t about him. “Have I missed much?”

[delaneyno]

“Just me, hopefully.”

[jkjeremiah-blog]

He nodded, understanding – or, as much as he could anyway. Jeremiah sat stiffly as she pulled away, unsure of what would happen next. The boy couldn’t help but half-smile when she threatened him. He nodded, “I already saw that coming.”

[delaneyno]

“Thanks.” She brought herself back into the hug, closing her eyes for the moment. 

[carverandersxn-deactivated20160]

“I don’t need permission to make a comment about your body.” He stated bluntly. “You’re the one who wants to be a stripper. Get used to hearing worst things.”  Jong Hyun chuckled. “Then go to a gym? Cirque takes retired athletes and turns them into performers.”

[delaneyno]

“Listen, pal.” Eyes wide, the girl tilted her head to the side, making sure he understood how serious she was. “I don’t have to get used to anything. I shouldn’t have to hear hateful or, as I’m sure you’ll argue, observational comments about my body because people shouldn’t be saying that shit in the first place, yeah?” 

[augustusmilano]

“Okay. This was a waste of time.” He leaves.

[delaneyno]

“You’re a waste of time.”

[augustusmilano]

“Why the fuck would I tell you in the first place?”

[delaneyno]

“Just playin’ it safe but I appreciate your attitude.”

[carverandersxn-deactivated20160]

“Old guys in a small room.” He nodded slowly. “That’s weird that they don’t want you to become a stripper. You’re underaged, underdeveloped but you have time and if you don’t get to that point, there’s always plastic surgery.” Jong Hyun commented. 

“You can always get a fake ID. If you’re really about becoming a stripper, then I’m sure you can find someone to help you out with the other stuff leading to there.” 

[delaneyno]

“Oh yeah, because I totally asked you to comment on my body.” She nodded, giving him a bit of a squint. “I’m serious about it but right now, I’m kinda just trying to make it through high school. The only thing I need help with is upper body strength.”

[adammercer]

“I’m not sayin’ you’re not strong. I’d never.” His eyebrows furrowed. “It’s okay to be upset, Delaney…”

[delaneyno]

Delaney looked at the ground in front of her. “Listen, I already suppressed this one. Can we just, let it go, please?”

[augustusmilano]

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure I didn’t. That’s cool, I guess.”

[delaneyno]

“I think it’s more rude when you feign interest. In case you were wondering which you probably aren’t because you got something on your mind, clearly. Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”

[adammercer]

Adam shrugged. “It had to have hurt…him leavin’ without a goodbye. I know I was a little upset, so I just figured…since…y’know. You two were close.”

[delaneyno]

Delaney took a moment, taking a deep breath in before swallowing what upset had come with the reminder. “It... I... Some people are stronger than others, I guess.”

[adammercer]

His eyes widened slightly–Delaney was very good at her intimidation tactics–and Adam couldn’t help but stutter through his next words. “I just…I know how, uh…upset you–I mean, we were when we found out he was…gone.” He paused then, face softening. “Are you okay? That he’s…back?”

[delaneyno]

It was almost as if Adam could sense that she was in such inner turmoil about this but telling him would be one of the last things she wanted to do. Even though he could help her out, seeing her weak was not something that would work in her advantage. She couldn’t have him knowing she was softer than she put on. “Is there any reason I shouldn’t be okay?”

[carverandersxn-deactivated20160]

“Pole dancing classes are a thing and I’m sure you can practice stripping with your boyfriend.” He smiled. “Accredited strippers get hired easier, I heard. Less liabilities.” 

[delaneyno]

“Yes, I know. I’m telling you I’ve tried.” She responded, more tamely than she normally would have but nonetheless, she wanted him to understand that her intentions were honest. “I don’t have a boyfriend and I don’t plan on stripping for a stranger but I don’t plan on getting hired until after high school. The only reason I’m here is because a bunch of old guys debating in a small room say I have to.”

[jkjeremiah-blog]

Jeremiah knew that she was surpressing the anger she felt towards him because that’s just how she was with him. He wasn’t sure why though. She’s nice, but she’s always been extra nice with him. Nonetheless, guilt washed over him with every passing second he’s been near her and at this point, he was drowning. Drowning in a mess of his own making… drowning because he was Jeremiah. “No, I’m sorry.”

[delaneyno]

“It’ll take... It’ll take some time...” Delaney whimpered, unable to explain herself any further than that although she had a feeling that Jeremiah knew what she meant. She tried to collect the puddles of herself that she had released into the fabric of his jacket, pulling away from him and looking at the area around her. “If you tell anyone I cried I’ll kill you.”

[adammercer]

“Oh.” Adam hadn’t known. His eyebrows furrowed. “Jeremiah…you know he’s back?” He asked, resisting the urge to grin.

[delaneyno]

“Yeah. I’ve seen him,” She looked him up and down, trying to locate where his words were coming from and at the same time, trying to intimidate him into saying what he was going to say. “What about it?”

[augustusmilano]

“I don’t know. JV what?”

[delaneyno]

“Dance. But I’m gonna assume you didn’t see it since you don’t know what the hell I’m talking about.”

[carverandersxn-deactivated20160]

He chuckled. “Heh. You want to use Cirque as a springboard for exotic dancing?” Jong Hyun wasn’t sure if she was joking. Even though he didn’t consider himself a professional performance artist, he couldn’t help but continue to be skeptical. 

[delaneyno]

Delaney shook her head, rolling her eyes. “Yeah, man. Anything to gain that experience. I obviously can’t take Stripper 101 classes so this is the best I can do.”

[adammercer]

His eyebrows furrowed, but he still had a smile on his face. “I’m not sure I follow.”

[delaneyno]

“It’s a game?” She shook her head, rolling her eyes. “Never mind. I’m not going to explain it. I only have it because Jeremiah told me to get it... It’s about cats.”

[wtfxrowanb-deactivated20160525]

“I didn’t! I wanted to though. I’m sure it was great. Did anyone get a video?”

[delaneyno]

“I’m sure our dance instructor did but I’ll have to wait until she emails that out.”