What's Up, I'm Jake Puckerman. You May also know me as the dude that sold you a bag of Pizza Spices and didn't give you your money back. Just a tip, smell the product before you smoke it.
NOTES: Jake & Marley have their last day on their road trip when they both find out some life changing news
Marley: sat on the floor of their hotel room as she folded their clothes and settled them into the suitcases seated around them. She sighed softly as she worked, mainly just because she didn't want their vacation to end meaning they were off to the real world. Jake would be off to basic and Marley would be, well, she didn't exactly know where she would be. She was still planning on following him, but Jake's mom let her know that she got a letter from the Royal Ballet School in London. Of course, she hadn't exactly told Jake yet. There was just something that seemed a bit off about it all. Plus, Marley wasn't exactly sure what to do. It's why she stayed fairly silent and in her mind while she packed their things.
Jake: parked his truck in the lot of the hotel as he gathered up the pizza. He knew that at this point, their time together was going to be limited. He was already training for basic and as it slowly came around, Jake felt more and more anxious about it all. But he put a smile on his face as he made his way to their room. "Hey, I come baring pizza." He said with a lopsided grin. "All the grease and cheese you could love in one pie."
Marley: paused the packing for a second as she turned towards the door to see Jake wandering into the room with a smile. "Hey. I'm almost done packing but I will gladly take a break for food." She said with a small smile of her own as she pushed herself up off the ground and wandered towards him and the delicious smelling pizza. "You know all this junk food can't be good for you starting basic so soon. You probably want to be a little healthier." Marley jokingly scolded as she snagged a piece and took a bite. "Your mom called while you were gone, by the way. You'll need to call when we're done with food."
Jake: "Pizza is healthy, it has tomatoes in it." Jake scoffed with an eye roll. He took a seat on the of the chairs as he took two bottles of soda out of a bag and looked over at her when he mentioned his mom. "Huh, she called? Wonder what she wants." He made sure to keep a steady call time with his mom during this trip. He made sure to call her before they started on the road and when they stopped for the night to sleep.
Marley: rolled her eyes at him. "No. Pizza is not healthy for you. But don't worry. I'll cook you a bunch of healthy meals as soon as you're in basic. I'll take care of you like I'm supposed to." Marley stated proudly with a grin as she worked on her slice of pizza and soda before looking at the ground at the mention of his mother. "I don't know why she called." She lied as she focused on the food in front of her instead of Jake. "You'll have to call her as soon as you're done to see. She's probably just wanting to check in on you or something."
Jake: nodded at her as he dug into the food. "So, are you upset that this is our last night on the road? Cause I know I really am, I am excited to go to Hawaii, but I like my seasons, ya know? I like it to be chilly in October, chillier in November and freezing in December." Jake gave a dramatic sigh and shook his head. "Guess I'll have to go back to Lima on leave whenever we can."
Marley: shrugged as she finished off her slice of pizza, debating whether or not to have another. "I don't know. I mean, I've really enjoyed this little vacation with you but I'm excited to go to Hawaii with you and be together. It'll be like the real start of our life together and that's exciting. I'm ready for it." She explained with a soft smile. Sure, it might not have been her original plan but it didn't mean that she still wasn't excited for it. "I'll go to Lima with you if it's for a quick visit and a quick one only."
Jake: "Have you checked out any schools in Hawaii yet?" He asked mid chew. "I love that we are going to start our life together and that is all I really want, but what I don't want is you throwing away your life for me. You are a smart girl, you need to show the world how smart and talented you are." Jake explained softly. "I don't want to be the guy that ruins your life."
Marley: shifted her gaze to the ground as he questioned her about schools in Hawaii. "Yeah, I've started looking but nothing too serious. I think I might want to take a year off. That gives time for me to fully heal and get back as much strength and mobility as I can before jumping into something so intensive. Then that gives you time to settle in to basic and all of that. In the meantime I can take classes at local studios." It wasn't entirely a lie, but it wasn't exactly the truth either. She hated lying to him about getting into the ballet school in London, but this was what was best for the both of them. "Hey.." She started as she looked over at him. "You would never in a million years ruin my life Jake. Never. You've saved my life, both literally and figuratively. Don't talk like that, okay?"
Jake: "All I am saying is that I don't want you to feel unaccomplished in life, sure you might not think it now, but you might and I don't want that to happen to you or us, so I really want to make sure that you do something for yourself. Have a career even if it's not dancing, there are some much more things to do out there." He said with a serious look on his face
Marley: "I'm not going to feel unaccomplished Jake. Just because I take a year off doesn't mean that I'm not going to give up on it at all. Besides, maybe this was how it was supposed to work out for me. Plus we'll get to be together. Why are you acting like this is such a terrible thing? Do you not want me to be in Hawaii with you?" She questioned, almost hurt by his words. Marley was hoping that he would be a little more excited about all of it and being with her instead of scolding her. "Just forget it. I've got it figured out. Finish your pizza and then call your mom." Marley said before returning to her spot on the floor to continue to silently pack their things.
Jake: "All I am saying is that I don't want us to ever cross that road of you possibly regretting everything that we have and everything that we are, that's it." Jake explained. "I'm happy that we get to be together, I just don't want you to miss out on anything that you might be able to have, that's all." He looked down at his plate, shook his head and grabbed his phone to step out of the room to call his mom.
Marley: shook her head at him but chose to remain silent. She didn't feel like she should have to justify herself to him, especially when it came to them being together. Marley would never regret being with him or anything that involved the pair being together. She simply cared too deeply for him. Maybe the same thing couldn't be said. With a sigh, Marley quietly returned to packing the last of their things while Jake stepped out to call his mom. Once she finished, Marley decided to take a quick shower before settling into the bed and grabbing a book to read.
Jake: really wasn't sure what he was feeling once he ended the phone call with his mom. He looked down at his phone, ran a hand through his hair and let out a deep breath. They were just talking about what the future would hold and not once did she mention that she was accepted in the school in london. Jake spent a few more moments outside before walking back into the room and sitting at the end of the bed. "So my mom just told me some news."
Marley: let out a soft sigh and placed the book on the nightstand as Jake returned into their room and sat on the end of the bed. Pulling her knees to her chest, Marley tried to act surprised even though she was fairly certain of the news that his mom had just given him despite the fact that she swore not to tell. She was going to do it when she felt the time was right. "Oh she did? Was it about little Eli? Because she told me the most adorable thing that he did the other day. He misses you, you know."
Jake: "Yeah" He began as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Great that he is walking and I'm kinda upset that I missed it, but she mentioned something else and then felt bad when she said it, she said that you got a certain letter. And if I remember correctly, this letter had been something you had been waiting for and you should be really happy about receiving"
Marley: sighed heavily as she bit her lip. She had to have known this was coming, but at least he didn't seem too mad. At least not yet. "Oh that. Right." Marley started, brushing it aside like it didn't mean all that much to her. "I never mentioned it because I told you my plans. I'm going to Hawaii with you and I'll study dance there. I'm not ready for something that intensive and besides, they just feel bad for me. That's the only reason they accepted me, especially this late." She said with a shrug before finally glancing up at him.
Jake: wasn't mad at her for not saying anything, just upset. He wanted to be sure that Hawaii and base life was something she wanted because she would be stuck with it. "Marley, they accepted you because they must have realized how stupid they were not accepting you. That school was your dream school since you discovered dancing. That life was your dream and I always loved that you dreamed that big because hell if I ever did. You need to go to that school, I want you to go to that school and I know, deep down that you want to go there too. We can do this long distance, it would make us stronger."
Marley: "Or it could completely tear us apart Jake!" Marley exclaimed as she threw her hands in the air. "I mean think about it. We will never see each other and never get to talk to each other even. We'd go months without anything and that's not what I want for us. Not now that I see what we can be like when we are so far from Lima and everyone there. I can still do dance without going to some school in London. I want to be with you Jake. Is that so wrong of me? To want to be with you after everything?"
Jake: "And I want to be with you too! I also love you enough to want what is best for you. We might not be able to talk to each other, but we can write to each other, it'll be like one of those books that you read." Jake licked his lips and moved closer to her. "Ever since we broke up two years ago, I did nothing but want you back and now that we are here right now, I am the happiest I've ever been. But you're right, you can do what you love in Hawaii, but you won't get the full extent that you'll get in London. Hell, you might be able to dance for the Queen of England, now who from Lima could ever say they did that?"
Marley: rolled her eyes at him as she tried to stay calm and not get too upset. The last thing she wanted was to argue with Jake on the last day of their little vacation together. "Do you really think I care about that? Because I don't. None of that matters to me like you do. I want to be able to experience those things with you and I can't do that when we are on completely different sides of the planet." Of course she wanted to go to London, but Jake meant more to her than dance. That wasn't wrong was it? Crossing her arms over her chest, she looked at him. "I'm not going Jake and you can't make me."
Jake: couldn't hold back his sigh and shook his head. Jake knew there was a way to make her go, and he wasn't going to resort to that. If she didn't want to go than how could he force her. "Marley, but I really want you to go." He said as he he took her hand in his. "Deep down, I know his is very important to you. This is what you've been looking forward to and I know how much this meant to you since you were so heart broken since the thing with your leg."
Marley: "I know that, but just because you want me to go doesn't mean that I'm going to. I have to want it too." She explained as she glanced down at their hands. "You're right. It is important to me but you're even more important and mean more to me than some stupid school in London. I can still dance and do what I want to do in Hawaii with you. And if anything, what happened with my leg has shown me that there are more important things in life, like us." Pulling her hand away, Marley began to move away from him. "Why are you so against me staying with you? I thought you'd be happy about this."
Jake: "Of course I want you to stay with me. If I could rewind and not join the army I would and I would follow you to London." Jake shook his head and gave her a shrug. "You'll regret not going to London, I know you will and I am so proud that they accepted you and want you to go. It's a huge honor and I think it'd be dumb to turn it down. If you end up going and hating it, you could always go to Hawaii."
Marley: "Then I guess I'm dumb then because I'm not going. That's that. The decision has been made. If you still want to be upset about it or whatever then fine. But I'm over it and I'm done talking about it!" Marley snapped before rolling over to face her back to him. It wasn't something that she really wanted to deal with. Part of her felt bad for overreacting but there was no point on dwelling on it anymore. Even if she wanted to go, she knew that her leg likely couldn't handle it right away. Not to mention there was no way that she'd be able to afford it on her own since there was no way her parents would even thing of helping her.
Jake: threw his hands up in the air. "Fine, do what you want. It's your life, but I really think you'll end up hating yourself if you don't do this." He decided. "I'm going to get a shower," Jake grumbled. "Get some sleep, we have a long drive a head of us tomorrow."
Marley: "I will. And great. That's going to be so wonderful." She said under her breath as she heard Jake wander into the bathroom. Now she was angry and upset and this was the absolute last way she wanted to end her vacation with Jake. And now that they seemed to be upset with each other, it was likely going to result in the most miserable car ride home with him. Sighing Marley took out her phone and glanced at the picture of the letter that his mom sent her, reading over every word. She could only hope that she wasn't making a mistake but how could being with him be a mistake? Before he could see her, Marley rested the phone on her nightstand and closed her eyes to try to sleep. If only she could turn off her mind.
Jake: took long enough in the shower to make sure he could clear his mind, all and all, any choice she made was her own. He could only hope she would make the one that made her most happy. With a sigh, he toweled off and got changed before going back into the room and climbing into bed. If there was one thing he hated, it was going to bed after an argument. "Hey," He whispered, not sure if she was awake or asleep. "Whatever choice you end up making and sticking too, I will support it and back you up in any way you need."
Marley: remained still as she heard and felt Jake climb into the bed next to her. She listened to him speak but still kept her eyes closed. Sure, he sounded sincere in what he was saying, but Marley knew how he really felt. At least he made that much pretty clear in their earlier conversations. Since it seemed he believed that she was sleeping, she just stayed quiet because she really was over this conversation. Maybe it wasn't the best thing to do but it seemed the best for that moment. Thankfully there wasn't much time until she actually fell asleep.
Jake: groaned as he woke up the next morning. The sun was barely up, but he knew he had to get used to it. With a yawn, he climbed out of bed and shambled to the bathroom to brush his teeth and pulled a shirt over his head. Careful not to wake Marley, he slipped out of the hotel room to go grab breakfast and coffee for them. All he could hope for was that today wouldn't be awkward for them both after their fight last night.
Marley: slept until she heard the rustling of Jake getting ready in the morning, but she chose not to move until she was sure that he left the hotel room. Once he was gone, Marley eventually crawled out of bed and wandered into the bathroom to get ready for the long day ahead of them. And not only would it be long, but it would probably be awkward and nothing but miserable. With a sigh, she got dressed and pulled her hair up then moved to their suitcases to pack everything up before doing a check around the room to make sure they weren't forgetting anything.
Jake: grabbed the take out from I-hop and some coffee from dunkin before driving back to the hotel. "Oh, you're up." He observed as he took the food out of the bags and set it up on the table. I hope you are hungry cause I am starving, an argument always get's my stomach growling." He joked with a laugh before sitting down to dig into his food.
Marley: popped her head up when she heard Jake and quickly nodded before returning to her task. She sent him a cautious glance as he joked about their argument. Forcing a smile to hopefully make him feel better, Marley finally spoke up. "I'm actually not that hungry but thanks for picking it up. You can have my food. I will take the coffee though. Thank you." She grabbed the coffee and took a small step before continuing to gather their things scattered throughout the room.
Jake: sighed and shook his head as she went about her own business. "Like I told you last night, I will support you on what ever choice you make and if it is still going with me, than that is great. I mean the weather in Hawaii with be much nicer than the weather in London." He told her as he messed around with the eggs. "I'm done arguing, alright?"
Marley: turned around to face him. "Can you just do me a favor and not lie to me? Because you can sit here and say that you'll be fine with whatever, but it's pretty clear with how you feel about all of this and what you want me to do. There's never not going to be an argument about this Jake because either way there's going to be animosity over it. So just tell me what you really think and none of that 'I'll support you through whatever' garbage."
Jake: "I will support you with whatever you do, alright? That's not bull crap." He deadpanned as he pushed his plate away. "I do think that you are being foolish on letting London slip away from your fingers because of me, you can't let me or Hawaii get in the way of something that you dreamed about doing since you were a kid. I am not worth that, you understand? If you still do decide on going to base with me, then that is fine, it's your choice and I can't control what you decide to do. But letting all that talent, all those hours spent in the studio mean nothing? It's wasteful." Jake shook his head, suddenly not hungry and trashed the food. "When you are ready, we can go back to Lima. I'm done talking about this because you already made up your mind."
Marley: "When are you going to get it through your thick head that you are worth it? You're worth anything but you know what? Fine! Screw it all and screw us. Clearly you don't care if I'm with you or if we're together so I'll go to London and we can both sit back and watch as our relationship just crumbles because it'll all get to be too much. But you know what else? It'll all apparently be worth it because I didn't waste my talent." She exclaimed with a raised voice as she threw her things in a bag and grabbed it. "Just take me home." Marley said, giving up and trying to fight the angry tears that were threatening to fall. Even worse was that Marley didn't even have a home to go to anymore.
Jake: "Marley, calm down!" Jake almost shouted as he dropped the bags and turned around to face her. "How about this, when will you get it through you own thick head that we will be just fine! Even if we do end up in two different parts of the world. Don't you get this army thing isn't what I wanted. I did it because I had no where else do go and nothing to do with my life. If I even knew that I would be here with you, I would not have ever joined. I would have worked my ass off to get into a school in London and become something else, like maybe a music teacher- I dunno. But I signed up and I've got to do my years in the army and pray my ass off that we don't have to to war. But I will make damn sure that we stay together and I sure as hell won't let it crumble. Don't you have faith in this? Or is there some kind of doubt you've been having?"
Marley: jumped slightly as she heard Jake's voice raise. "Because Jake, I've seen what we've let happen to us and it was minimal compared to what we could face. And I'm not going to apologize to you for being a realist and logical about this. This ring on my finger isn't going to magically make things easy for us." She said as she turned from him. "Like you said, I'm done talking about this cause you win. I'll go to London and live out my dreams. Now just take me home." Marley demanded before once again grabbing the bags but this time heading out to his truck.
Jake: "But don't you get it, we were sixteen years old and we broke up over something that could have easily been talked about. We are older now and a little bit mature than we once were." Jake paused for a moment and took a deep breath as he processed his thoughts. "Wait, wait- do you think I'll do something to ruin this?"
Marley: scoffed and turned to face him as she reached the truck and dropped her bags. "When did I say that? When specifically did I say you were going to do something to mess this up? Because I didn't, at all. That is on you and not me so don't you dare try to turn this on me blaming you for something." She warned before moving to put her things in the trunk. Maybe this trip wasn't the best idea. if they couldn't handle this, how could they handle even more?
Jake: "I didn't say you were saying that." Jake breathed, getting red in the face. "I was asking you if you are thinking that," He glanced over at her before getting into the truck. "I would never do anything to ruin what we have and like I said before, I love you to much to watch this whole thing crumble." Jake said in a softer voice. "What makes you think that this will ruin us? Do you not think we are strong enough to be across the world and still stay together."
Marley: sighed as she climbed into the truck. "Don't you see it though Jake? That's exactly what is happening right now. Everything is crumbling and all we're doing is talking about this decision that should have been made. If it's this terrible now, what's it going to do to us when we're living it?" She posed as she glanced down at her lap. "I think we need to step out of this little bubble we've created for ourselves and face reality. And that terrifies me because I have nothing. All I have is you and I can't lose that but I'm going to if I leave. I know it." She spoke softly with a shaky voice as she wiped at her eyes. "Can we please just go?"
Jake: nodded his head and moved across the small leather seat to cup her cheek in his hand and shook his head. "We are facing reality and I know that if London is what you end up choosing, that we will be absolutely fine. I will find a way to talk to you every day and if I can't talk I'll always send you a good old fashion letter. If this is the road that you take, we will last and I will always make time to see you and visit you, we'll be more than okay."
Marley: giving up, Marley simply nodded as Jake reached out for her. "Okay." She whispered before turning back in her seat so she was facing the front. It was just hard for her to believe all of this when they already appeared to be struggling with it. But Marley was done fighting and at this point, whatever happened would just happen.
I’m not sure if I should be okay with or offended by the fact that I’m pretty sure Jake’s more excited to spend a couple of days at Disneyworld than he is to spend some time together on this road trip.
They won’t even let you in the house Jake nor are they going to talk to you. You’ll always just be a Greaser, but I’m 18. They can’t stop me from going and they can’t stop me from being with you.
I guess I just- I don’t want them to hate me forever, ya know? I know I don’t care what people think about me, yeah. But I kinda want you mom and your step dad and your mom to like me someday.
