El castillo siempre había representado un lugar seguro para Astoria; un sitio que se destacaba por la magia que recorría sus pasillos, un refugio de piedra. Ahora era diferente, pensaba cada día al recorrer sus pasillos. Ojos la seguían a todas partes, juzgando su presencia, murmurando por lo bajo. No tenía que oír para saber lo que decían. Era lo que todo el mundo comentaba al verla, o a cualquiera de su "tipo".
Comenzaba a acostumbrarse a recibir miradas despectivas y malos tratos. Sabía quien le ponía el pie al pasar y cuidaba sus pertenencias para que no desaparecieran. El mundo había cambiado para bien, simplemente estaba en el lado equivocado. Su hermana parecía andar por ahí sin reparo alguno, confiada y con su lengua viperina, dispuesta a atacar. Ella, por su parte, siempre fue mucho más calmada, y algunos dirían, frágil. Estaba consciente de las cuantiosas diferencias entre Daphne y ella. Incluso si su adusta madre le indicaba que alzara la barbilla con orgullo, la naturaleza de Astoria era diferente a la de un Greengrass. ¿Habría nacido en la familia equivocada? A veces se lo preguntaba.
Sin poder conciliar el sueño, subió por las escaleras de los dormitorios. Solía quedarse a contemplar las llamas de la chimenea en noches donde el insomnio le afectaba. Se detuvo a medio camino cuando escuchó un ruido. Desconcertada, miró detrás de ella y en seguida a sus flancos. Nada. El sonido se repitió y pensó en retroceder. ¿Habría alguien allá arriba? Y en ese caso, ¿era alguien de su propia casa? Dudó un momento. ¿Tal vez era un gato? No descartó la idea. Finalmente se envalentonó para subir de escalón en escalón con lentitud y lo que halló le sorprendió. Reconoció aquella melena blanquecina, sería complicado confundirlo con alguien más. "¿Draco?" Nombró, un tanto nerviosa, al mayor. "¿Draco Malfoy?" La confusión se tornó latente en sus facciones. ¿Qué haría ahí a esa hora? ¿Tampoco podía dormir? Era, sin lugar a dudas, un encuentro peculiar.
"¿Potter es el premio anual?" Soltó un bufido por la gracia que le causó el asunto. "No es cierto, ¿a quién le pagó para eso? Me suena a soborno" sólo bromeaba... O quizá no. La verdad es que estaba un poquito confundida. No le sorprendía que Lily Evans fuera premio anual, pero James Potter sí era una enorme sorpresa. "Exijo pruebas fidedignas de que no estamos siendo timados."
When: Early May 2020
Who: @themidnightfarmer & @danetobelieve
Where: Jared’s farm.
Summary: Flashback to when Jared was first back and Winston and he did the spider-man meme
Warnings: None
Winston had to admit they’d always found the fences weird. Not that they’d ever really spent that long at Jared’s farm. They’d known each other since high school, thanks to introductions via Nell. When their old friend had gotten back in contact after being out of town for a while, Winston had been pleased to hear that they were back. As their wheels turned at a slow pace and Winston heard their car struggle along the dirt road, they once again cursed it for being such an old piece of shit. Although they loved their car dearly, it really sucked. It was far too prone to break down and this was perhaps testing the limits. Some generic, incredibly non descript animals grazed in wide open fields which was also weird. Winston was sure that farms were generally set up in some semblance of order but it was just fields. Pulling up outside of the farmhouse, Winston turned the keys in the ignition and the car fell silent. Slipping out of the car they headed to the front door, texting Jared to let him know they’d arrived.
Jared had shot the text off to Winston and then set in about his chores now that he was home. He had no illusions that they wouldn’t head over to say hello, they were good like that. He’d always be glad that Nell had introduced them to Jared. He’d gotten some good friends out of sticking up for Nell at that party all those years ago. The phone in his pocket vibrated and he made his way around the house from the greenhouse around the back, wiping off his hands on his pants of the soil from where he’d been repotting some of the few crops that had grown over the winter unsupervised. “Hey!” He called out as he bounded up the step onto the porch and made his way over around the boxes stacked up there. “Good winter? How are you Winston?” Jared beamed.
Their fist had been raised to knock on the door and they heard him, Winston turned and beamed in his direction before raising a hand to wave their friend over. Giving him a quick, if not slightly awkward hug (as was Winston’s way) they stepped back and nodded. “Yeah, the winter was fine, it has been a bit of a weird time, we had fish raining from the sky and then some weird crab things but hopefully things will calm down now.” Winston smiled and shrugged. “Honestly though it’s really good to see you, how are you doing?” Winston asked curiously. “Where did you go in the end?”
The nymph gave them a good few gentle thumps on the back during the hug and then crossed his arms leaning back to prop himself up on the porch fence. “I heard about that, complete madness, but what else do you get in this town right?” he laughed. It was all he could do really, as far as he knew Winston didn’t know about anything like that, so to act like it wasn’t a big deal was the best route. It was the same with the next question as well, Jared loathed to lie, so he always stuck to half truths where they were concerned. “I’m doing pretty great, it’s nice to be home you know?” Jared started before subtly looking away to start fabricating a little. “Went across the border, hiking you know. It’s like the wind just took me all the way.” He glanced back and grinned at them, “Sounds pretty solidly hippy vibes right? You can laugh. I won’t hold it against you.”
Raising an eyebrow gently, Winston wondered if it was safe to say something about the cursed chest on the beach or the fact that they could do magic. Things you’d normally share with friends. But they’d learned that there were things which were better left unsaid. It wasn’t always the right move to include someone in the supernatural world if they weren’t completely ready for it. Winston didn’t want to risk that with Jared. “Yeah, I guess this town has always had all kinds of weird in it, just wasn’t sure that I was ready for that kind of weird, y’know?” Shrugging gently, Winston did their best not to chuckle. “I was actually pretty impressed that you just went hiking without a plan before you started saying you sounded like a hippy and now I can’t help but agree with you. You’re your own worst. Enemy.”
Jared made a noise of disgruntled dismay, head rolling back to look at the ceiling. “I played myself, I played myself and led you right into it.” He snorted a short laugh and turned pleading puppy dog eyes on them. “Winston… can you forget I said that and go back to thinking I’m cool? I’m cool right? I’m really cool.” he whinged lightly, clasping his hands together and jutting his bottom lip out at his friend. “Tell me I’m still cool, pleeeeease?” He was hamming it up, putting it on as dramatically as he could in hopes of collecting at least a laugh for his efforts if not an admission that he was cool. That was how it alway was.
Snorting with laughter, Winston grinned at Jared and nodded. “You definitely played yourself and I’m about to play myself by agreeing that we forget about this, because if out of the two of us I am actually the one who is cool then we’re both in trouble.” Winston had never been cool. Not that they needed to be. They’d learned long ago that popularity was a farce. “You’re very very cool, the coolest person that I know really.” It was true. Jared had always just done it a little easier. The athletic build, blonde hair and good looks definitely would’ve helped with that. But generally Winston and Jared had always clicked well together because Jared was a good guy and Winston appreciated that. “I hope this isn’t a bad time or anything, you’re not too busy with chores or something?”
Jared gave an easy smile when they agreed to let his slip up slide on by with no further acknowledgment. “Oh come on, you’re cool! I think you’re cool and I make the rules on this farm. And don’t let Nell hear you say that, she’ll insist she’s far cooler,” The nymph insisted himself, waving a hand and then giving a guilty shrug of one shoulder. “There’s always chores to be done around here. Farm and all, the work is never done.” He stood back up properly then, waving a hand and willing Winston to follow him. “Especially since I was gone all winter, but I’m back now. You don’t mind telling me what you’ve been up to while I change some fastenings on the barn doors do you? I can talk and work, or rather listen and work. I want to hear what you’ve been doing while I was gone, fish rain and all.”
Raising an eyebrow, Winston flashed a quick smile before nodding. “You’re a very convincing speaker Jared, maybe you should consider going into some form of politics. But yes, let’s avoid inflating Nell’s ego anymore then we absolutely have to. None of us need to have to deal with that.” Of course they were joking. There was quite literally no one in the world that they felt deserved the confidence they exuded. “Everytime I hear about everything that you have to do on the farm, the more convinced I am that I never ever want to live the farm life.” Winston wasn’t cut out for outdoor living. “Of course not,” Winston said with an easy shrug, “I can even try and help, not really sure how you change fastenings on barn doors but if there’s something I can do. I’m not as incompetent as I look I promise.” Winston was joking of course. They were aware of their level of competence. But self deprecating humour was better then having a personality sometimes.
“The most convincing speaker. Since I’m the coolest person you know I have to be the best most convincing speaker as well right?” Jared was mostly just playing around, well aware he was not the most eloquent. “You take that back, living on this farm is a delight!” He gasped, placing a hand over his heart dramatically. “MY farm is a place of joy and wonder Winston, I won’t hear this kind of talk!” But hearing the offer to help Jared changed his tune rapidly. “But if you’re willing to lend a hand, I could hold the door and you could take out the screws? Easy as pie, I could do it myself but then I’d run the risk of the door taking me down.” He spoke with a little too much experience behind the comment for there to be any misconceptions about how he’d know that for sure. Jared was certain it was safe for Wiston to come with him to the closest barn to the house, a few straggling bies from the herd were in view nearby, but not close enough to be a worry. In any case they’d be hopefully distracted helping with the hardware, and not have time to notice.
“That is definitely how it works,” Winston grinned, “you’ve got a plus five charisma modifier which makes you both a great public speaker but also the coolest guy in the room. I understand. Tell me, when do you plan to run for president?” They winked and laughed. Jared was one of the easiest people to be around and in so many ways he set Winston at ease. “I’m sure that you love it, but look at yourself and then look at me and tell me that the farm is the kind of environment that I am going to excel in.” Following them over to the barn, Winston nodded. “As long as you’re the one that is doing all of the heavy lifting then I can definitely handle a few screws, besides no one wants you to hurt yourself trying to repair a barn door, that would be kind of tragic and I don’t think Nell would ever forgive me.” They winked gently as they glanced at the livestock in the field. Were they a little … weird? Winston blinked a few times before Jared caught their attention again.
“My campaign will begin as soon as I can find a babysitter for my kids, then I’ll be a shoe in.” Jared grinned, winking right back. The nymph fully and comically looked down at himself, and then glanced over Winston with an exaggerated head nod. “The farm is the kind of environment you would excel in.” He tells them with a matter of fact tone and another firm nod before he chuckled to himself and shrugged. “To each their own I guess, but no more rudeness about the farm, my farm is beautiful you hear me?” he warned playfully pointing a finger over his shoulder while they moved. Jared missed the way Winston's eyes flickered to the nearby bies, one of the creatures raising it’s massive head as they passed but otherwise doing nothing, it’s third eye closed for the moment against the sun. They reached the first barn and Jared wrenched one of the doors open with a bit of difficulty. “See the hinges on this door need changed, they’ve been bent wrong and now it’s a nightmare. If I hold it with the door half open you can try and unscrew it?”
“I am sure that as a presidential candidate they can provide you with some highly qualified farmers to look after all of your fur babies.” Winston laughed outloud. It was really good to see their friend again. Raising an eyebrow at Jared’s frankly bold claim, Winston laughed. “I guess I’ll have to keep coming to visit you and we’ll find out if I warm to the farmer’s life. You’ll have me in denim overalls with a straw hanging out of the corner of my mouth in no time I’m sure. The moose-cow things seemed to be getting large each time Winston glanced at them. They’d gone from being baby cow sized, to donkey sized, to horse sized and was that a third eye. No. Winston was clearly stressed or something. They pulled their glasses off and polished them nervously. “I agree, your farm is beautiful.” Grinning again, Winston spotted a tool box and grabbed a screw driver. “Yeah, if you can lift it so there’s less tension on the hinges then I think that’s fine, it doesn’t look like the actual screws are bent out of shape or anything.”
Jared gave Winston a quick laugh and a grin, oh if only they knew just how ‘qualified’ any babysitters would have to be. “I’ll put you to work, you can help me with all sorts of things around here, mark my words, we'll have time to make you outdoorsy!” He paused then and added “of course if not I suppose we’ll just start meeting at your place. But the overalls are a must, if you’re not in overalls next time we meet there’s going to be a confrontation.” With that Jared set to work lifting the door, he made a small show of it being ‘heavy’ and huffing and puffing for Winston's amusement, when in actuality he had quite a bit of built up strength from similar jobs like this around the place. “Need to take the whole door off, and then put new fittings on.” he told them as he held the door ajar. The nymph had no idea that behind him the illusion was failing on the nearby bies. The mass of them getting bigger before Winstons eyes as the glamour was only made to fool those who had no connection to/ or no thoughts of harm for his animals. And just as Winston was becoming more aware, so was the nearest bies, it’s third eye opening and it’s head turning towards the barn
“I don’t know if I want to become outdoorsy,” Winston replied with a bright smirk. “But you’re welcome to try and convert me to the darkside.” Winston couldn’t imagine themselves in overalls, but now they were determined to use it as a joke around Jared. “Overalls, that is something I can manage, absolutely,” Winston grinned, “I won’t you let you down my dude.” As Winston crouched down and began unscrewing the door, they couldn’t help but notice the large supernatural creature that was appearing before their very eyes. It seemed to get larger in front of their very eyes and did it have a third eye? The colour slowly drained from their face and Winston’s jaw got slack. “Jared, dude, I don’t want to freak you out, but there’s something behind you.” The bies seemed to not like Winston, as it locked eyes with them, all three eyes. Winston dropped the screw driver and stepped in front of Jared and drew into their well of energy. “Stay behind me.”
“Oh I’ll convert you Winston, don’t you worry. It might not have happened yet but one day I’ll have you driving the tractor, or guiding the horses.” Jared might have been getting a little carried away, imagining his friend integrated into the little bits of farm life that wasn’t too dangerous for them. The smile on his face reflected that as Winston agreed that overalls were potentially in their future. He was so lost in thought that when Winston spoke he was too distracted to really understand what they were saying. “The cattle? Don’t worry about them, they won’t give us hassle.” He answered idly. The mood changed however when he finally focused in on what was actually occurring behind him. Winston was shielding him with their body, he dropped the door and turned as well. He noticed then that one of his charges had locked onto Winston, all three eyes and Jared felt a cold sweat start to form. The beast raised it’s spine as if an imitation of an angry cat, teeth baring at Winston and the strange aura they were giving off all of a sudden. It was squaring up to the human as these beasts’ tended to do when they sensed a threat, and that’s what was continuing to distract Jared as the threat level rose “You can see her?” he whispered, likely too low to be heard.
Sparks flew from Winston’s palms as they did their best to remember how they had previously accessed their magic. They knew that they were meant to be new to this and because of this it might not be as easy as they hoped, but it didn’t really matter now it seemed like Jared was in danger and if Winston could do something to help their friend then they were going to. “Cattle?” Winston asked incredulously, “That’s not cattle dude it is huge and has three ey-” then it all clicked into place and the sparks that Winston had tried to form into something more powerful then just sparks sputtered out of existence. “Wait, you - what do you mean i can see her?” Winston frowned gently at Jared. Was it possible that this was someone else who had known about this all along? Probably. Was it possible that this was someone else who had known before them. Apparently. “You know don’t you?”
The sparks shocked Jared, his eyes followed their movement for a moment completely transfixed. He was spurred into action when it was very clear that Winston was well aware of what they were looking at. Jared moved his body between the beast and Winston this time. He raised his own hands in surrender in the hopes that whatever Winston was planning would be halted by the action. “Well uh….usually people just see what I provide for them.” Jared admitted looking at Winston with a newfound curiosity. “You have for a long time, definitely did before I left for my trip.” He was having all sorts of mixed feelings, a sense of elation filled him, but it was marred with the knowledge that their initial reaction had been to fight. “I uh...yeah I know...and you do too?”
Looking at Jared, Winston whipped off their glasses and rubbed their eyes exhaustedly. This was almost too much. “Uh, yeah, I guess I used to just see … glamorous right?” They asked curiously. They had read about that in the library with Orion. “I, right after New Year I was attacked by this dog thing, it breathed fire and had spikes on it and I …” Winston swallowed trying to think of the very best way to explain it, “I uh, you know I managed to fight it off because I accidentally used magic and then, yeah, I know…. How did you find out?” It was starting to occur to Winston as Jared stood between them and the beast, which didn’t seem upset by that at all that Jared had probably known for a long time.
His head nodded at Winstons assumption about the masking that had been placed on the beast behind him. Jared made a worried sort of noise hearing that they had been attacked by something, cringing a second later at the thought of an untamed magical outburst being let loose on the creature. “Guess cat’s out of the bag now huh?” Jared laughed awkwardly for a moment, an uncomfortable expression crossing his features. “Found out I wasn’t human when I was ten.” He lowered his arms and crossed them instead while looking at Winston for a reaction. He couldn’t imagine his friend having a severe negative reaction, but things changed, they might fundamentally disagree with his existence, or in more simply frown on what he was doing. It was all up in the air at that moment, so Jared laid the rest out for full consideration, to be accepted and then lose Winston anyway further down the line would be crushing. Best get it over with now. “Nymph. Vicious creatures.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder at the bies who had now lost interest now that Jared was in the way and had gone back to wandering looking for scraps. “I...the whole farm is full of them...I protect them…”
“Wow, wait,” Winston hadn’t considered that maybe Jared wasn’t human. They just thought that he had known about all of this. “Fuck, that’s so fucking cool, you’re like a nymph? Like from mythology and fantasy and shit. Goddamn dude that is the coolest.” Winston couldn’t help the grin. It wasn’t that they were over excited (they were) it was more that their good friend was a nymph. A fucking nymph. Their heart raced with the excitement and Winston couldn’t help but smile gently. “You’ve got a whole farm full of monsters that you protect ….” Winston grinned, “Dude that’s the coolest shit that anyone has ever told me, get me some overalls because I am suddenly ready for farm life….” Winston was amazed, “... if you protect these things that must mean you could like introduce me to them, like literally and also as to what the hell that actually is, do you know a lot about that stuff?”
Their reaction was so overwhelmingly positive that Jared actually felt a bit emotional. Masking it poorly he beamed back at Winston with very slightly glassy eyes. “Told you I was cool.” He joked weakly “and you humoured me, who’s laughing now.” he added playfully punching Winston on the arm. “I’ll get you steel toe capped boots, a tractor licence and a hat in celebration.” The barn door was completely forgotten as Jared allowed himself to turn and face the same direction as Winston, bumping shoulders with them. The rest of the protective glamour would melt away for Winston. They knew now, there was no need for it. “I’ve learned a lot since I found out I was tied to them. They’re still not ‘safe’ for humans to be around alone, I raise them wild so that if they migrate they can without worrying about them...I didn’t actually go hiking, I was following a herd over the border for winter migration.” he admitted. There would be an awful lot they could share with each other now. It was freeing. “I’d love to tell you about my kids, and you can tell me all about what you’ve been actually doing since new years.” Jared grinned as his pack of hedgehounds emerged from the trees. “There’s a lot to talk about huh?”
“I never really thought that you weren’t cool, you were always like my coolest friend at school.” Winston wasn’t lying either. They had a lot of time for Jared. Raising an eyebrow gently, Winston smiled. “Oh god, a tractor license? Are those actually a thing … I don’t know why I would think that they weren’t a thing but they don’t sound like they should be a thing.” Winston grinned. This was so cool. As the Bies became more and more clear to them, Winston realised that they had been missing all of this information for years. The supernatural world was amazing. Denial was amazing too. There was no other way Winston could explain it. “You migrated with a bunch of monsters?” Winston asked incredulous, “That is just super badass, I guess we also don’t call them monsters, do we prefer furry friends or?” Winston grinned, excited by this new discovery. “I would really love for you to tell me about all of your friends, and maybe help me learn more about them?” Winston had seen a hedgehound before, when they were with Blanche, but these seemed a bit more chill. “I do know what those are though, how do you stop them from trying to kill you?” `
“I was kidding about the license, you can take the tractor any time.” Winston's enthusiasm was catching as they started to ask questions. Questions that Jared was more than happy to answer, you would never catch him unwilling to gush about his animals after all. “I migrated with a herd of Sianach this winter, last winter I followed a Kerashag that was passing through. You know….when I told you I was skiing.” There would be a lot of lies to untangle Jared then realized with a wince. He was glad Winston was so accepting otherwise all the lies might start stacking up. “We prefer ’the kids’, at least I do, Nell followed my lead I think.” He gave Winston a shifty look. “Nell knows about the place and all the bits. She found out just after I left school when you two were still there… I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. It was just sort of a case of that I didn’t want to drag you into things you didn’t need to worry about you know?” Jared threw a tentative arm over Winstons shoulders. “But hey, a healthy respect and an even healthier distance is a human's best friend.” He joked.
“I don’t know if I want to take the tractor without a license now,” Winston replied with a smirk, it was fascinating that so many of their friends from high school were so intricately wrapped up in the supernatural. “Woah, dude that’s crazy, if you ever go on one of those that won’t kill me and is also not going to take a few months, that sounds really fascinating. I never knew that people kept these creatures as cattle or livestock or whatever reason you keep them.” Winston felt like they had suddenly been introduced to a brand new world and they were really starting to learn so much about their old friend. “Cool, the kids it is, wow, so obviously Nell knows too, but please don’t apologise, I would never hold it against you not outting yourself and what you do and who you are to a human who you don’t know if they’ll freak out. I’ll be honest with you, when I did find out, about the magic, about everything. There was some serious denial. I pretended it wasn’t happening for like two whole weeks.”
“If I go on a migration? Come on Win-win you just assured me you weren’t an outdoorsy person. I don’t take a tent with me, It’s all sleeping on the ground and eating beans. Think that’s your speed?” Jared teased them. “Oh I don't think a lot of people keep them. But they’re good for saliva and other exretions, when they die they leave behind a few very expensive pieces. I mostly just keep them around to keep them safe though. They’re either rescues, or wanderers around here.” Jared looked at Winston in amusement. “Full on denial huh? Can’t blame you, you know my family still think I’m human.” He gave out a booming laugh. “I was a weird kid but that means nothing around here I guess.” Jared looked back at the door and waved a hand dismissively. “Let’s get lunch? I want to hear about what you’ve really been up to.”
“I think that if you’re given the opportunity to watch supernatural creatures migrate like wildebeest across the savannah then I can deal with eating beans and sleeping on the floor, besides just because you don’t do it properly doesn’t mean I have to copy exactly what you’re doing.” Winston wasn’t going to go down without a fight. “Wow, so you just had to be extra and keep creatures that aren’t normally kept. I hope you’re proud of yourself because I am very proud. This is fucking amazing.” Winston grinned, this was a whole new side of Jared that Winston had never seen but they approved of. “Do you plan to tell them?” Winston asked curiously, perhaps a bit too nosey, “Sorry, ignore that, you can do whatever it’s none of my business.” Grinning they shrugged. “Let’s get lunch,” Winston agreed enthusiastically, “apparently we really need to catch up.”
Coming back to the Cordella tour wasn’t originally in the cards for Julie. With her mother falling deathly ill, she wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to -- or even want to. The scrutiny that came with being on a reality show had caused more problems that Julie could count. Friendships had been tried and dismantled. Relationships were near impossible -- but her mind always came back to Jared.
Julie wished for nothing more than to have told Jared how she felt from the very beginning. Their pizza date only reinforced those feelings, but other factors made it hard for it to ever work out.
The show had reached out to Julie a couple months after she left with plans to bring her back as a surprise, but she never thought of herself as “surprise material”. Maybe a small surprise, but even that was pushing it. After all, she was only a choreographer.
But then the news of the shooting broke out and when they didn’t release names of people involved, Julie expedited her return. She needed to know if Jared was okay. She had to know if she still had the chance to tell him her feelings.
When the plane landed in Santiago, Chile, Julie tried the hospital first, but was denied access due to the severity of the incident. Which, she should have known that the hospital would be on lockdown. Her mind wouldn’t rest until she saw him, so her only hope was the hotel.
Lugging her duffle bag on her shoulder, Julie made her way into the hotel lobby and, almost instantly, her eyes landed on his familiar face. A wave of relief coursed through her body and a smile spread across her face.
“Jared!” She called out, dropping her bag and breaking into a short sprint to his arms. “Thank God you’re okay. I heard about the shooting and I didn’t know what to think. I got here as soon as I could. Are you okay? What’s going on?”
SUMMARY: Jared and Julie want to show the other the best pizza in the world -- too bad they had the same place in mind.
JULIE
Today was going to be a sweet, sweet victory for Julie. She was a connoisseur of pizza, so she knew she had the bet in the bag. There was absolutely no way Jared was going to win. Well, he couldn't win -- she was really counting on getting free pizza for a year from him. It didn't take too long for her to get ready. After having a late night, she just threw her hair up into the tiniest pony tail and opted for the comfiest of outfits: t-shirt, oversized sweater, and leggings. She grabbed her phone and purse before heading off the bus. "Good afternoon, loser!" She laughed. "I'm sorry that was mean, but I'm gonna win, so I figured I'd get the garbage talk out of the way. So, my pizza place is located on 5th. How far away is yours?"
JARED
While Jared as energized by the bet, he was honestly just alive by being home. The city had shaped him, his artist style and career; and now he could cap that off by visiting his favorite pizza place. Even if he lost the bet, he had to at least be appreciative that he got to share part of his life with someone else. He was leaned against the bus, black jeans, his Vans and an oversized t-shirt and flannel, his camera bag slung over his shoulder. He glanced up as he heard the door open, smiling brightly as he shook his head. “Keep talking, Jules, it’s only gonna hurt more when you lose,” he teased, recalling her words from the day before. “Ah, mines actually on 5th too, so that’s good, not too far of a walk from mine to yours.”
JULIE
Julie furrowed a brow when he mentioned that his pizza place was also on fifth. She couldn't remember just how many pizza places were there, so surely it was a coincidence. "Oh, I'm extremely confident that I've got this in the bag, Jar." She smirked, beginning to walk in the direction of fifth. "So, where did you live around here? I grew up in East Village in the tiniest apartment. Took ballet lessons actually in that studio around the corner." She pointed towards it, a small smile creeping on her face. The only thing about being home to make her smile.
JARED
Jared grinned at her with a small laugh as he started walking with her. He glanced up as she pointed towards it, his own smile softening. “Ah, so that’s where the magic happened then? And now look at you, choreographing for something like this,” he grinned before shrugging softly. “My family had a small colonial in Queens, though honestly, as I grew up more I didn’t spend a lot of time there. I made friends from school who lived all over the city. It felt like I rotated houses each night. I didn’t mind it though, new sleepover every night,” he grinned.
JULIE
"Well, I don't know if it was magic, but it was certainly something." Julie chuckled, looking down at her feet as they walked. "My parents actually didn't want me to do any of this. They funded the ballet dream of mine until I turned sixteen and then decided that I needed to focus on school and getting a real career." She murmured, glancing back up at him and squinting from the sun hitting her eyes. "So, naturally, I went behind their backs, got a job and told them I was saving up for school, but really I was just continuing my lessons." She laughed, looking straight ahead again. "They were so mad when they found out, but it was whatever. I didn't want what they wanted." It was crazy to Julie how being back in New York could make her open up like this. It was like every memory came flooding back. "Now, that sounds like a dream." She chuckled. "I would have loved to just not know where I'd be sleeping every night. It's an adventure in itself. But how did you get into photography? I'm genuinely curious."
JARED
Jared raised an eyebrow as Julie opened up to him, not having exactly expected it, but settling into it all the same. He nodded slightly, sighing. “I think it’s great that you went for it anyway. You’re really talented, it would’ve been a wasted if they had won out. It’s something I went through my parents too. But, you know, if you have a passion for something, you can’t let it get stifled.” He sighed softly, bring a hand up to scratch the back of his neck. “Granted, they never really seemed to actually care what I did instead, they just didn’t want me to pursue photography as something serious, as a way to make a living. So, naturally, I decided to pursue photography,” he chuckled, glancing down at his feet. “I, uh. When I was about five, my parents got me a little toy camera for my birthday, and I fell in love with it. Over the years, all I wanted was new cameras, picture books, books on photography, like I went full nerd. It was supposed to just be a hobby, but it kind of became who I was. My, um,” he paused for a moment he looking back up, glancing around them. “My brother and my mom were in a pretty serious car accident when I was about 12. They both lived but he became paralyzed from the waist down and the focus shifted in my family to that. Which is fine, I’m not trying to sound bitter about that at all, I’m glad he’s okay, and I love him and my family,” he rushed out, as he looked at him. “But it left me on my own a bit. So I started seeing what I could actually do with photography. And I was fearless, I’d do what I could for a shot, and started posting them online. And when I was about 17, I got a call from The Times asking to use my pictures. And the rest is history.” He blinked slightly, laughing softly. “Sorry, that was a ramble and a half.”
JULIE
"Yeah, I'm really glad I went for it, too. I just kind of wish my parents were even remotely proud of what I've accomplished, you know? I haven't heard from them in so long that I'm just nervous I'm gonna run into them or something while we're here." Hearing Jared speak, it made Julie have so much more appreciation for him. She could tell that it wasn't the easiest to talk about, so she placed a hand on his back and patted him softly. "Well, if it counts for anything, I'm really glad you stuck with photography and I'm so sorry you and your family went through such a difficult time." She paused, offering him a smile. "And I think despite that hardship, it only made you more in touch with your work and it really shows. Your photography is...incredible. I was so hesitant about doing that photoshoot with you, but you honestly made it so much fun and, let's be honest, you made me look smokin' hot." She laughed, hopefully lightening the mood. "So thank God The Times took a chance on you because your talent deserves to be seen." As the walk continued, fifth avenue slowly came more into view despite the hoards of people driving and walking the sidewalks. Julie stood up on her tip toes for a moment trying to see if she could get spot the pizza place. "Aha! I see the best pizza place to ever exist already. Prepare to lose."
JARED
Jared nodded again, breathing out through his nose. “I know, and I feel that. And maybe some day they’ll be able to come around and see what you’ve been able to do. In the meantime, just remember who you’re doing it for. And if you run into them and it doesn’t go well, you have me, Cheetos, and a few dozen playlists to lean on to bring you back up. And Cooper and Fortnite, I’m sure,” he chuckled. He nodded in agreement, a small smile tugging at his lips. “It was hard at the time, but Artie’s a super star. Really talented, incredibly smart. He’s come out for the better. But yeah, photography is my home. And I’m glad you let me shoot you, it was definitely fun, and of course, you’re stunning. 10/10, would recommend,” he grinned, letting an arm fall loosely over her shoulder as they walked. It felt good to be able to open up to someone else, especially Julie who he felt a certain fondness for. She was becoming some of a little sister to him and he was grateful for her. Jared glanced up, his eyes landing on his own pizza place, his eyes narrowing slightly as he started smirking. “And I see mine...out of curiosity, which is yours?”(edited)
JULIE
Jared was right — if they did, they did and, if not, then she had people who cared about her. It wasn’t something she was used to since she was always the one taking care of others, so it felt really nice. “You’re right. I’ve got you and I’ve got Cooper and a whole bunch of other people on this tour.” She smiled up at him, leaning into him when he placed his arm around her. “Speaking of Cheetos...do you think a Cheetos pizza exists?” A slight blush flooded her cheeks when he complimented her. “Aw, shucks! You’re not half bad yourself, you know.” She grinned. “You know though...who takes the photographers picture?!” It was kind of a joke, but she wondered if he ever had pictures taken of him instead it being the other way around. “I’m scared to say which one’s mine, but...” Julie pointed towards the one that was straight ahead smack dab in the center. “...that one.”
JARED
“Exactly, your own little your family,” he said, smiling warmly down at her before pausing to think for a moment. “I have absolutely no idea but we should work on making one because that sounds amazing.” He laughed softly, shaking his head. “You’re gonna give me a big head, Jules, watch yourself,” he joked, playing off the compliment. He was never one to see himself like that. He shrugged thoughtfully. “Other photographers, I guess. Or if they’re skill enough, themselves. Self timers are beautiful.” Jared followed her finger, his grin splitting on his face as he laughed. “Wow. Okay, so what happens if we both win?”
JULIE
Julie seconded that statement. “Yes, absolutely let’s make it a thing. We can quit the tour and become famous pizza makers!” She laughed, shaking her head. “I’m only slightly kidding but we should snag ingredients and make it in the hotel room kitchen.” At the mention of getting a big head, she laughed. “You mean I’m not on this tour to stroke people’s egos?! I’m in shock.” She grinned, but furrowed her brow when he asked what happened if they both won. “What do you- OH!” Her eyes went wide and she looked at Jared, then the pizza place, and then back at Jared. “You’re kidding me right?!” She couldn’t help lose it with laughter. “Oh my God, really though?! We have great taste I guess.”
JARED
Jared grinned as he nodded. “Oh hell yeah, I’m down for that. It’ll be awful because I only just know how to cook, but it’ll be fun and I wanna see what happens.” Jared laughed with her, dropping his hand to his stomach as he twisted on his heels slightly. “I can not believe that we’ve been talking this much trash to each other over the same place.”
JULIE
Julie continued to chuckle as they got closer to the pizza place. "Don't you worry. I'm a cooking and baking pro, so you're in good hands." She smiled, walking into the pizza place. "But since we apparently we’re both right and wrong, looks like we owe each other pizza for a whole year."
JARED
Jared chuckled, following her across the street as he nodded, bouncing on his feet as he put his hands together. “Bless you, truly,” he grinned as he followed her in, holding the door open for her. “Or, compromise, we just take turns paying for the pizza while we’re on tour?” “Jared!” He looked up as he heard his name, grinning as he saw one of the restaurant owners. “It’s been too long, son!” He laughed softly and nodded. “Hey Ernie, how ya been?”
JULIE
"Deal. We take turns." Julie nodded in agreement, glancing around the pizza place for a moment. Nothing had truly changed. "Oh my gosh! Ernie!" She exclaimed with a smile. "Oh, yeah, you know. Still kickin'!" Ernie laughed, shaking his head. "How about you? Whatcha up to these days? Still taking them pictures for The Times?" The older man had caught up in conversation with Jared before noticing Julie walking up to join them. He squinted at Julie for a moment before realizing who she was. "Oh, my! Julie Spencer! You two know each other? My, my what a small world we live in! What brings you two to New York?" Julie chuckled, shrugging her shoulders. "Oh, you know -- pizza." She smiled softly. "No, but we're actually on a tour right now! I'm choreographing and Jared here's taking all the amazing pictures."
JARED
Jared grinned as Ernie recognized Julie, going to grab a booth at the side and setting his camera bag down their to claim it. He let Julie explain the tour, nodding along as he went to go stand next to her again. "Yep! Just touring with a bunch of superstars, no big deal," he grinned. "Though, yeah, The Times still ask for a shot or two every now and then, but it makes it hard, not being in the city as much. I'm happy where I'm at though. But! You see, Jules and I," he said, leaning against his friend with his arm around her shoulders. "Had a bet that our favorite pizza places were better than the other's. And then, come to find out, we shared the same place; you, Ernie! Can you believe it?" Ernie just laughed, shaking his head. "Well, with as often as the both of you were in here, it's honestly a wonder you're only just now meeting. Now, what'll it be, you two? You're usuals?" Jared laughed, nodding as he dropped his arm from the other's shoulders. "Yes please. It's been too long."
JULIE
Julie was absolutely famished and the continued talk of pizza made her even more hungry. She nodded when Ernie asked if they wanted their usuals. Her mouth was already watering thinking of their special BLT pizza. "You know me too well, Ernie. I've been thinking about your BLT pizza all day." she chuckled, sliding into the booth that Jared had picked out. "Yeah, it's crazy how we never met before the tour! I was in here every weekend almost." She smiled at Jared, resting her arms on the table. "Well, hopefully my pizza is still as good as you remember it!" Ernie chuckled. "I'll be back with your pizzas!" And with that, he went off back to the kitchen. "I still can't believe we never ran into each other here before. Unless..." Julie paused in thought. "...maybe we did?"
[text]: Yeah, I am. I really miss her and I'm hoping to work my way up to being with her again. Oh, that's okay! I was planning to do it tonight. But I understand you can't do it. You can definitely still see them when you're free though. :)
Text: I’m rooting for you and your happiness, Jare. If she makes you happy, never let her go. I’ll hold you to it, okay? If you ever need a baby sitter on any other day, call me. I’d be happy to help you out on date nights and whatnot.
[text]: I was gonna see if you could babysit the boys for me, I'm planning a surprise date for Gen.
Text: That’s adorable and sounds like so much fun! Are you trying to rekindle things with the ex wife? Ooh. Unfortunately I can’t do it this weekend, but I can take them during the week, depending on when you want me to babysit them. I’m honored you thought of me.
