Handy Man Jake Martin

treeporn

University Lake, Anchorage, Alaska

Source: Tangerinefromhell

Must Have Done Something Right

“Ask me how many times you’ve stirred your soup,” Jake said as he attempted to get the conversation started again. “How many times have I stirred my soup?” Imogen retorted back. “Twenty-three times. And I don’t mean to be rude but, how is it possible that you can do anything with your food besides eating it?” Imogen could feel her eyebrows raising in confusion. But despite that confusion, she was quick on her feet with a comeback. “Raw talent. Divine skill, and Adonis DNA,” she replied with a wink. “Well if you’re not going to finish… can I?” Now it was Jake who was doing the winking. “Just take it, you animal! My goodness!” Imogen quickly pushed her bowl across the table for the hungry teenage boy to ravish. She smiled as she watch Jake finish the soup with ease. Waste not, want not, her mother always said. And it was clear that with Jake as a friend, no food would ever be wasted.

“I could have been thinking, too, ya know?” Imogen began, her eyes searching for a reaction. After wiping the corner of his mouth with his napkin, Jake did react by leaning forward in his chair, gently placing his elbows so that he was positioned in very close to Imogen’s face which caused both of them to laugh. “Please, do tell.” - “I was just thinking that your dad’s assumption wouldn’t have been the worst one to make,” Imogen said as she peered through the top of her glasses. “Most assumptions about me haven’t always been that kind. You probably couldn’t imagine.” Imogen’s cracking voice must have been noticeable, she thought to herself. Her proximity to Jake was also extremely noticeable. She watched him just as closely as he was watching her. “Well those people don’t know what they’re talking about,” he said with a quiet tenderness, causing Imogen to smile. After a few moments of what an outsider would definitely call a “moment”, Imogen finally became aware of the time. “We should get this food home. Helen is probably starving. Do you… want me to come back to your house? You could always drop me off too. It doesn’t matter, really,” Imogen stuttered, “The choice is yours.”

#must have done something right

Jake blinked at her, retracting his face a bit. He wondered why she would ask a question, especially in such a nervous way, but he wasn't one to demand exact answers from anyone. He couldn't stop a disappointment from settling within him at the reminder that they didn't have all the time in the world, and that they couldn't spend hours more like this. "Who cares about Helen?" he muttered, his tone almost bitter. He cleared his throat to collect himself and reached into his back pocket for his wallet. "I'd rather not bring you home around feeding time. I wasn't kidding when I said it was a terrifying experience." - "I'll have to take your word for it," Imogen mused, although a shadow of a disappointment of her own shined in her eyes. Standing up, Jake dropped a few bills on the table for a tip and then walked up to the counter, paying for their food as well as what Helen had ordered. He gestured for Imogen to walk ahead of him and out the door of the Dot. They made their way out to his truck, and he opened the door for her again. "Such a gentleman today!" Imogen exclaimed, and Jake smirked at her before getting around onto his side. "I guess I'm just feeling extra nice today," he said as he started up the trunk, cranking the heat up a little since the weather out was a little nippy. He placed the bag of food inbetween them on the bench before pulling out of the parking lot.

"Where do you live again?" Jake asked. He hadn't been to her house in awhile, so he knew he would need some directions from here. Imogen pointed at the road ahead of them, directing him around the city of Toronto over to her quiet neighborhood. "We don't have to part now," Imogen spoke up as they pulled up in front of her house. Jake looked over at her and then at the bag of food. "Helen will kill me," he started up slowly, biting down on the inside of his cheek. Imogen frowned but didn't say anything, and Jake got out of the truck, leaving it running. He helped Imogen out of the truck before leading her up to her front door. He looked out to his truck and back at Imogen as she began to unlock her front door. "Well, maybe I can stay for a few minutes," Jake said. He really didn't feel like returning to his home, where the air was always thick with tension and he felt too uncomfortable in his own skin. It wasn't as if he hated his new life like Clare seemed to, but he just didn't feel right there. It was supposed to be him and his dad always, but suddenly he had a sister and a mother. It was too different for him. Imogen smiled up at him, pulling him out of his thoughts, and he returned her smile. She opened the door and let him go in first. A barking dog startled him, but he grinned as her bloodhound came scrambling into the room. "Hey, boy," Jake greeted him, scratching his ear. "Down, Volta," Imogen instructed the dog who was starting to sloppily lick Jake's hand. "Nah, it's okay. I like animals." - "You do?" Imogen's eyes seemed to be alight with some sort of excitement, and Jake nodded. "Of course I do. What kind of man would I be if I didn't?" Imogen smiled again, and Jake was starting to feel like it was impossible to take. He couldn't stand any more of her warm smiles and gestures, or else he'd end up a warm pile of slush on her floor.

Must Have Done Something Right

“This is fun!” Imogen yelled back. If Jake needed someone to take him out of his comfort zone or to know the good type of intense, Imogen knew she’d be the one to do it. As the song finally finished, Jake fell back onto his bed like a brick dropping to the ground. “That was intense,” he said as he tried to steady his breath. Imogen laughed, “That was one song! I can usually do this for hours. It’s how I keep my girlish figure!” After a while Jake finally brought himself to a sitting position and watched as the fairy-like girl danced in front of him. She was in her own little world. “You should really join in again,” Imogen suggested as she bobbed around Jake’s room. She wasn’t looking at him but she could tell that his eyes were glued to her. “I would ask you to come sit down but I don’t want to stop this little,” Imogen quickly halted her dancing. “This little what?” She asked. “I was going to say show, but this is just you.”

Imogen sat down quietly beside Jake, folding her legs indian-style once more. “Do you always sit like that?” He asked innocently. “Pretty much. I’ve got a little Native American in my blood so it’s only natural.” Jake turned his head quickly, “Oh God, I’m sorry. Are you really? That’s so coo-” “Jake, I’m joking,” Imogen said while cutting Jake off. “Gosh, is everyone so gullible? Or am I really that great of an actress?” Imogen asked before letting out a few soft giggles. “Well you said it with such a firmness. I thought you were being serious!” Jake said as he knocked his shoulder into Imogen’s, causing her to tilt just enough that she had to take her legs out from under her. “So it was the acting then?” She teased. “Or maybe you’re just not as good at World History as you claim to be. I mean, doesn’t Moreno sound italian to you? I kid, I kid.” - “No you don’t,” Jake replied which elicited laughter from the both of them.

A few more minutes of jokes passed before Imogen was once again interrupted mid-sentence. “Imogen, there is no way Perino was in a circus when he was younger. The guy literally never cracks a smile, let alone was a clown in a circus,” Jake protested. “I’m telling you, I know things and Perino was a clown! I can sho-” The knock of a knuckle against the doorframe was an instant silencer. “Hate to break up your date, but Helen ordered some stuff from The Dot and she’s not in the mood to go get it,” Glen began before Jake raised his hand, “First off, Dad, it’s not a date. So you can stop with the weird eye gestures you’re making… And secondly, why would she order food if she didn’t intend to get it?” Imogen shifted awkwardly after realizing just how close she was to Jake. She also didn’t know how to take Jake’s firm stance of their hangout not being a date. Because she knew it wasn’t, but he was so forceful about it… “Because she has a steps-son who could do it,” Glen joked. “I don’t think she knew you had a friend here. How long have you two been up here?” Oh man, 20 questions. Imogen was definitely not used to super concerned parents. “Not long,” Jake answered quickly before changing the subject. “We’ll go get the food. Do you think she got enough for Imogen too?” - “Oh, uhm, I’m not really sure. If I’m being honest. I could go ask though.” As Glen was about to make his way back down the hallway Imogen felt herself rise off the bed, “It’s fine!” She called out, causing Glen to return to the door. “It’s fine, really. I can go now. It’s no big deal.” Jake’s eyes instantly fell, “No. Please? I want you to stay for dinner. We can always get something while we’re there. Right, Dad?” Imogen smiled at the desperation in Jake’s voice. “Of course. We’ll send you with plenty of money. I’m sorry, but I didn’t catch your name.” Imogen, being the whimsical person that she was, had totally left the conversation after hearing Jake which caused her to miss Glen’s question. “Imogen!” She called out quickly after realizing she was being spoken to. Imogen Moreno, pleased to meet you.” - “You too. But hey, you guys might want to speed it up and go now. Helen waits for no one.” And just like that they were on their way to pick up the food for another interesting Edwards/Martin family dinner.

#must have done something right

"Come on, better get going before both Helen and Clare start screaming due to starvation. You may think I'm over-exaggerating, but I'm not," Jake told Imogen seriously as he led the way out of his room and down the stairs. He opened the door for her, waiting for her to walk out first before closing the door behind him. He unlocked the door to his truck and waited for her to get in the passenger side before starting the truck and backing out of the driveway. "You seemed a little eager to leave," Jake began to say slowly, sparing a quick glance at her. "You seemed a little eager for me to stay," Imogen teased in return, and Jake's eyes returned to the road. "I was just having a good time and didn't want it to end. That's all," he muttered, trying to downplay how relieved he actually had been when she agreed to stay longer. What he said was completely the truth, but there was something more to it that he couldn't tell her. The unique girl had been reeling him in since day one, and although he had been certain that staying friends would be easy, it was starting to become hard. He was trying way too hard to hide the fact that he may like her, so much to the point where he had almost yell at his dad about them not being on a date. He didn't want Imogen to feel awkward with him in any way; he wanted to keep up their usual friendship.

Pulling into the Dot parking lot, Jake jumped out of the truck and walked around to her side, opening her door for her and holding out a hand to help her down. She jumped the small way to the cement, her shoes making a dull thud as they touched the ground. "Such a gentleman!" she chirped, smiling at him. Jake returned her smile, chastising himself mentally because of his flipping stomach. He opened the door, letting Imogen go in first before following. He went up to the counter, asking for the food Helen ordered. They handed him a bag, and he thanked them before pausing to look at Imogen. "Actually, can we get two orders of grilled cheese and tomato soup? For here?" Imogen shot him a funny look, but he just wiggled his eyebrows at her as he ushered her over to a table. He sat in a seat across from her and placed the bag of Helen's food under the table. "What are you doing?" Imogen asked, her tone curious. "You do not want to eat with my entire family. Trust me, it's terrible. Glen and Helen act like teenagers in love, and Clare just acts pissy. You wouldn't like it, though I wouldn't doubt you'd manage to make the dinner rainbows and smiles." Imogen giggled, and Jake smiled wryly at her as he folded his hands on the table.

"Is it really so bad of an idea? To be on a date with me?" Imogen piped up, and Jake looked up at her in surprise. "What?" he asked, thrown off by her question. "I mean, you were so quick to assure your dad that we weren't having a date. Would it really be so weird?" Jake opened his mouth to speak, but closed after a moment when nothing came out. He leaned back in his chair, a befuddled expression on his face. "No..." he began slowly. "I just didn't want my dad to make you feel uncomfortable by making that assumption. I mean, we're friends, and my dad shouldn't be thinking otherwise." Imogen pursed her lips and nodding quickly. "Yes, yes, you're right," she murmured. Jake felt like there was something more he was meant to say, but he held his tongue as the waiter arrived at their table. He placed their food down in front of them, and Jake thanked him before picking up one of the sandwiches. He turned it onto his side and dipped it into the creamy soup and quickly brought it up to his mouth to take a bite. He chewed fast and then dipper his sandwich back into the soup, taking another big bite. He looked up at Imogen and gave her a questioning look at her amused expression. He swallowed and held her gaze for another minute before asking, "What?" Imogen held back laughter before looking down at her own plate of food. "You're just such a...guy," she giggled, and Jake narrowed his eyes playfully at her before taking a very tiny bite out of his sandwich, chewing very slowly to emphasize how polite he was being. Imogen laughed loudly. "No, please, go back to the other way," she told him, mocking a pleading tone of voice. Jake rolled his eyes before returning to eating his food the way he usually did.

cuntradicktions

Must Have Done Something Right

“Well hello there, Jake Martin! It’s such a lovely Sunday, wouldn’t you agree?” Imogen asked, her voice full of exuberance. “Most definitely. Here,” As Jake shut the door and gestured for Imogen to come in he noticed Clare’s face was full of rage. “You have got to be freaking kidding me,” she said as she turned back to face the television. “Hi, Clare,” Imogen said as she nudged Jake’s side for him to watch. “Is it okay if I check your TV guide really quick? I want to see if this show I watch comes on at 8 or 9 and I forgot to before I left the house.” Jake chuckled under his breath, knowing that this would piss his step-sister off. “No,” Clare replied coldly without ever turning around towards the duo. “Clare, be nice. Just let her check. It’s not like it’ll take all that long.” Jake’s persistance made Clare hold the remote up in the air, her annoyance obvious. As Imogen took the remote she made sure not to linger to long in looking for the show. “I don’t see why you couldn’t have done this at home,” Clare muttered. “It totally slipped my mind. I can be so forgetful sometimes!” Imogen said as she turned around and placed the remote down on the coffee table in front of her. “And what a shocker that is.” Clare’s voice was oozing with venom. Imogen, feeling a little more playful than usual decided to push Clare a little bit farther. “Really? I would have thought you would have picked up on it since you tend to know every little thing about every little situation. Oh, wait,” Imogen’s voice trailed off. “I was being sarcastic,” Clare replied bitterly. “So was I. Jake and I are just friends, Clare. I know our past isn’t a good one but that’s the past and you should move on. I’m not- No one is worth all of this frustration and anger you obviously have pent up. Let it go.” Imogen watched as Clare’s eyes finally fell away from hers. She had won. But just as she was about to walk away Clare looked up at the older girl again, “I’m sorry.” - “Me too.” And with a sweet smile exchanged Imogen made her way up the stairs with Jake.

After they were situated in Jake’s room, Imogen insisting that they both sit on the floor indian-style, Jake found himself to be a bit awestruck after what he had just witnessed. Imogen had managed to please everyone in the room in some form or another. She had pleased Jake with her jokes and made Clare probably feel a lot better about being around Imogen in general. “You’re awfully quiet,” Imogen said as she searched for a relaxation in Jake’s eyes. “I’m just, impressed. That’s all.” His straightforward honesty was a surprise. “Why?” -“Because I think you just made Clare have a bit of a break through. She’s been so sad and angry ever since our parents got married and I broke up with her at prom. I’ve tried and failed about a million times,” Jake said as he slouched back against his bed. Imogen sat silently for a few moments as she decided how to approach this topic. It was no secret that last year was tough for a lot of hearts, hers included. Spending the past few weeks with Jake made her realize that just like she had just told Clare, wasting time on anger wasn’t the best way to go through life.

“I don’t think you can really blame her. We all dealt with some… odd relationships last year. She obviously liked you a lot and then your parents threw a curve ball into her happiness. It must have been really hard to not have you anymore.” Imogen’s reply was quiet, causing Jake to question his own thoughts. And after watching Jake’s face, Imogen began to feel stupid for saying such a thing. “I’m sorry. That was weird of me to say,” she quickly countered. It was safe to say that she had a crush, but Jake didn’t need to know that anytime soon. “No, no. I get what you mean. We were all the other really had. It was, intense for that reason.” Imogen began to relax as Jake easily moved past her slip-up. “I like intense. I like relaxed too. But intense makes things interesting!” Imogen laughed as she jumped towards Jake with her last sentence, which caused his eyes to grow twice the size of his head. “I think the right kind of intense can be good. The intense where you just have a lot of good feelings all at once. Clare and I were… not that.” - “Well then I guess it’s a good thing that I’m in your life now. You know, bringing in the right kind of intensity,” Imogen replied, emphasizing the word ‘right’ just as Jake had. Knowing Imogen had a flair for the dramatics made Jake’s reply all the more encouraging. Gently bowing he simply stated, like an English gentleman, “Oh but of course, Ms. Moreno. But of course.”

#must have done something right

Even after breaking up with Clare, Jake had managed to get over her a little bit easier than he expected. It did take him most of the summer, but, for some reason, hanging out with Imogen had made it all the more easier to forget about his troubles with Clare. Things were still pretty stressful when it came to his situation with Clare, but he found that he could handle it relatively well. He had been a little worried about having Imogen over because he knew she and his stepsister didn't seem to get along very well, but seeing how Imogen settled everything the way she had impressed him. Clare wasn't a very easy person to tame, especially when you got her going. She had been in such a horrible mood all the time, but being in Imogen's presence for barely a few minutes had seemingly cleared it up. Jake honestly didn't understand how it was she had done it. Perhaps there was just something about Imogen and her personality that brought out the best in most people. It was hard to be even remotely angry when she was always so exuberant, and that was why Jake found it so refreshing to be around her. When he was with Clare, her dramatics and obsession with trying to move on from Eli were just bothering and, frankly, almost annoying. He was able to put up with it considering they did have their good moments, and Clare was a nice girl, but he found the whole relationship to just be too stressful for him. It reminded him of why he hated relationships in the first place.

Jake's thoughts were all over the place, and he was so out of it that he almost missed the tone in Imogen's voice when she spoke. His eyebrows lifted a little, wondering what the reason behind it was. She spoke as if she knew from personal experience, or as if the very thought of it hurt her. It made him question how close the two of them had really grown to be. If their friendship suddenly faded for some reason, would it really effect them so much? They hadn't been friends for long, and it was safe to say that they didn't know that much about each other. But for some reason, Jake found himself aching at the thought of what life would be like if Imogen were to drop out of his life. The idea of being so attached to her already scared him, and he tried to find his way back out of all of these haunting thoughts.

"Should we be getting to that presentation now?" Imogen's voice piped up, giving Jake the perfect opportunity to sneak out of his current thoughts. He shrugged. "I don't really care so much about that right now. To be honest, I'm really freaking lazy." Jake slowly laid himself down on his floor, splaying his limbs out and staring up at the ceiling. After a moment, his gaze shifted to her, and he gestured for her to lie down as well. He brought his arms back to his sides to make space, and she laid down beside him. He turned his head, looking at her face. "It's too bad I can't bring that same intensity into your life," he said, his voice sounding almost saddened by the thought. "I mean, I'm just your average teenage guy. There's nothing about having a friendship with me that'd make your life more exciting." "Well I'm sure that's not true," Imogen protested. "Everybody is exciting in some way." Jake shrugged again. "My idea of excitement is watching plants grow and football. You are just this great ball of energy, with so much passion and enthusiasm...and I'm not." Jake didn't mean to make the air of this hangout sound so dreary, but she was his friend, and he felt like sharing his thoughts with her. There was no reason not to. "Then let me show you how to be my kind of exciting!" Imogen said, sitting up a little. Jake furrowed his eyebrows at her. "I'm not going out to search the streets for cats, if that's what you have in mind." Imogen frowned at him, and Jake smirked in return. "That's not what I was thinking." - "Then what were you thinking?" Imogen huffed at him. "Give me a second to talk, and you'll see." Jake pressed his lips tightly together, indicating that he wouldn't interrupt again, and Imogen grinned. "We need to loosen you up. Do you have a...?" Her eyes scanned the room, and they lit up once she saw his stereo perched on his dresser. "Aha!" She jumped up from her spot on the floor and skipped to it, turning it on and using the dial to sift through the stations. She turned the volume up once she found one she liked, a song that was too pop-y for Jake's taste. She reached for his hand, and Jake reluctantly took it and let her help him up to his feet. He watched in awe as Imogen paused before suddenly breaking out into some form of dance. "What on Earth are you doing?" Jake asked, having to yell to be heard over the radio. "Join me!" she shouted, and Jake should his head vehemently. "I don't think so!" Imogen reached for his hands, shaking them as she danced, and Jake exaggerated a sigh before allowing himself to "shake" with her, his body wiggling in what seemed to him to be a stupid way. "This is dumb!" he told her, although he couldn't stop a grin from stretching across his face.

Must Have Done Something Right

"Is it really so hard to clean up the one room in this house that is yours?" Jake rolled his eyes at Clare's nagging tone, getting up from his desk chair and surveying his room. "I don't see anything wrong with it," he told her, although he knew fully well that his room wasn't exactly neat; he just enjoyed getting on his stepsister's/ex-girlfriend's nerves. "Are you kidding me? Your room is a pigsty! This is disgusting! I swear, you and Glen both are incapable of doing any cleaning! What is it with men that -" "No offense, Clare, but I don't have time for this," Jake cut her off, his frustration level rising to a point he didn't want it to be at. He did not want to be in an aggravated mood when Imogen arrived. Clare pursed her lips, her eyes narrowing at him. "Whatever," she snapped, leaving the doorway and presumably heading to her own bedroom. Silently thanking whatever higher being was up in the sky, Jake shut his door and went about attempting to tidy up his room, throwing dirty clothes in the hamper and stacking piles of papers and magazines. He returned his books to their proper places in the small bookshelf he owned. He made his bed and looked at his computer, opening up the presentation he had made so it would be ready for Imogen to look over when she arrived.

Pleased with how clean his room looked - it hadn't been this neat since he first moved into the house - Jake changed out of the clothes he had worn to bed and into a fresh white t-shirt and jeans, then throwing on a green plaid button down. He rolled up the sleeves of the plaid shirt and patted down his hair so it didn't look so messy. He had to admit to himself, he was a little nervous about having Imogen over. He had grown to have a nice friendship with the bespectacled girl over the summer, and it had transitioned in the school year nicely. Having her in two of his classes made it easy for them to keep up their friendship. If he was being honest, Jake held a strong fondness for her, something that was a little different than how he usually felt for most girls. It was no secret that he had a bit of a history to be what some would call a player, so he wasn't used to having girls that were merely friends. Even Clare had been someone he couldn't just keep as a friend, although it wasn't fully his decision to take it a step higher. He had learned his lesson there, and if anything, he knew better than to dare try anything with Imogen incase it messed up what they had going on.

Shaking his head, Jake dismissed all of his thoughts so he wouldn't be burdened with them when she showed up. Spraying on some cologne for good measure, he headed down stairs and let out an exasperated sigh at the sight of Clare sitting on the couch, flipping through channels on the television. She turned her head to look him over, and her expression automatically turned accusatory. "Are you going somewhere?" she asked. "No, someone's coming over," he told her vaguely, walking to the window and pushing aside the curtain to check if Imogen was anywhere near by. "If it's a girl, I'd prefer if you just went out," Clare said, and Jake flashed her a look. "I live here too, you know. I can have whomever I want over and shouldn't have to worry about you throwing either of us out." Clare rolled her eyes, her gaze returning to the TV screen as a knock sounded on the door. "Whatever," she said, and Jake hastened to the door, taking in a deep breath to calm himself down before opening it and smiling. "Hey," he greeted his friend.

#must have done something right #Jimogen #Degrassi #Jake Martin #Imogen Moreno #degrassi floater #floater #degrassi roleplay #degrassi rp #obviouslyimogen

if-you-leave

That sounds like a really nice idea, Immy. I would love to go on an adventure with you.

Then it is settled. You and me, tomorrow. Woodland adventures galore!

And don’t forget to bring my notes! ;)

I can't wait. :)

I'll try not to, but I can be very forgetful..

I am not!

Please, I do not. I’m just too lazy to come bring them to you… But if you want to hang around for a little bit, you are completely welcome to do so.

I believe the being lazy part, but I’ll still come over anyways. Just...

#//cant cut posts so this ends up happening grr

That sounds like a really nice idea, Immy. I would love to go on an adventure with you.

I am not!

Please, I do not. I’m just too lazy to come bring them to you… But if you want to hang around for a little bit, you are completely welcome to do so.

I believe the being lazy part, but I’ll still come over anyways. Just because I know you’re too embarrassed to admit that you enjoy my company so much ;]

Psh. Yeah, I love your company. Sure, sure...

Might want to keep low though. Clare's been in a bit of a mood lately, so me having company over may agitate her.

Dear Jake Martin,

It has come to my attention that you have once again taken my spanish notes captive. You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? ;)

On purpose? Me? Never! I think you might need to come and retrieve them though if you want them back.

Usted es un mentiroso! (If you used my notes then you should know what that means!)

P.S. If you wanted to hang out with me so bad all you had to do was ask. No need to be a thief.

I am not!

Please, I do not. I'm just too lazy to come bring them to you... But if you want to hang around for a little bit, you are completely welcome to do so.

Dear Jake Martin,

It has come to my attention that you have once again taken my spanish notes captive. You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? ;)

On purpose? Me? Never! I think you might need to come and retrieve them though if you want them back.