closed starter for @thejbi !!
If pressed, Brett knew he could probably get away with saying he was The Rock in that one iconic photograph, even if he didn’t have the fanny pack. But he was too loyal to lie and like when he’d been trying to scramble and pick another costume, this was the one he’d wanted to be. He slowly picked at his clothes, fingertips just a little numb from the high he was currently riding. It was easier to deal with the disappointed faces of his roommates with something in his system after he broke his sobriety earlier in the week.
He currently had a beer in his hand, his phone in the other. He was still thinking about the reply he didn’t get, even if he already deleted his drunk text. Brett drained the rest of the beer as he thought of the call that connected for only a few seconds, trying to remember what could’ve happened, what could've been said. But as always, the alcohol that had been in his system at the time made it impossible for him to recall anything. All he knew the morning after Dottie’s 21st birthday was that he was now partial owner of three stolen traffic cones.
He made his way to the kitchen to grab another drink, stopping only to make a quick sale as he was flagged down by someone on the football team. At least when it came to this, he was having a good night. He’d already sold more than half of what he brought, which was honestly, way more than last year. Brett grabbed another beer, smiling to himself a little as he used the empty one and with a well placed kick, popped the cap off of his new one. It had taken him hours to learn that trick. Someone nearby clapped and he gave a quick bow, placing his empty on the counter before he started to head outside. He was about to cross the threshold when he stumbled a little, knees suddenly a little weak at the sight before him.
“Oh.”
Brett closed his gaping mouth, opening it a second later, but this time nothing else came out and he closed it again. He cleared his throat and took a sip of his beer, glancing away only to look back and give the other a once over. He choked on his drink a little as he realized what Jacob was wearing. “You wore the costume,” he whispered, voice hoarse.
Usually for parties, Jacob Ben Israel counted the days. He couldn't wait to be in the thick of them. He was a beacon for drama, and the potential of it was always too good for him to pass up. Not all of it he posted. The truth was, JBI just liked to know things. Too bad lately he couldn't seem to care about much of anything.
He put up the motions, running into some familiar faces that were actually happy to see him. And of course others who weren't - but that was to be expected. What wasn't really to be expected, though, was coming face to face with him.
"Brett." Brett and him were on two different planets lately. And yet they were still matching. "Yeah," he muttered, instinctively adjusting his shirt. His eyes ran over him. "You wore yours." Jacob cleared his throat. "You look..." His tongue felt heavy. "Different."
