baking war {jacob & kayden}

[CLEO EVERETT]

Cleo couldn’t understand why Kayden needed homemade lemon poppyseed muffins. She would’ve been better off getting them delivered from Gingey’s. Then again, Cleo did really need to get out of her dorm. As much as she appreciated her roommates, she was tired of their same reassurances. Kayden would either have something to new to say or she wouldn’t bring it up at all. Cleo hoped for the second. But… if she was going to tell Kayden of her idea, they would inevitably get on the fight as well. She was expecting something along the lines of : “Move back to California? Because of a boy? You can’t run away from your problems! … Or something like that. Unfortunately, if that was what she expected, it meant she already knew it, right? … She hated this. So much.

Cleo knocked on Kayden’s door, shifting the strap on her shoulder. For some reason, Cleo thought it made perfect sense to bring her own ingredients. She hadn’t been thinking, really. Of course Kayden had flour and sugar and everything else they’d need. Somehow, she’d decided to bring it all anyway. It was probably just that she was tired from laying awake at night, going over every little thing she’d done wrong that day. It was that, or she’d cry herself to sleep and those nights led to tossing and turning and a very tired redhead in the morning. So, she’d ended up grabbing a few Tupperware containers, filling them with the exact measurements of each dry ingredient. It really didn’t make sense. Nonetheless, the backpack she’d shoved them in was heavier than she’d thought it would be. Then again, she probably should’ve taken out her Psychology textbook…

She rubbed at her eyes, hating that no matter where she was or what she did, her eyes would water. It was annoying. Cleo knocked again, clearing her throat. Hopefully, her eyes wouldn’t give her away. Make-up could only do so much. “Come on, Kayden!” Cleo called, wishing her voice didn’t sound as hoarse as she knew it did. She shouldn’t be impatient or rushing Kayden, though, and she felt guilty a moment later. “Or… uhm, no, sorry. No rush, take your time.” She corrected herself uncertainly before dropping her face into her hands, growing tired of fighting back the tears.

outfit; here

[KAYDEN MACKENZIE]

Kayden was laying on the couch, her phone sitting on her forehead as she waited for Jacob to text her back, her feet dangling off the arm of the sofa. She had just sent him a text 'Hey Jacob.... Would you mind bringing me some cookies in a little bit? I don't know what kind... Surprise me? I'll pay for them and everything.' She knew it was probably a bad idea, trying to make Cleo and Jacob make up, but it was worth a shot, right?

Kicking her feet a little, she lay there, her eyes closed as she made sure her phone stayed balanced on her head. She actually had started to doze off for a bit, waiting for a response.

She woke up later when someone was knocking on the door. Almost fell off the couch because of it. She squealed once, grabbing her phone and hopping off the couch. Running for the door, she called, "Coming, Cleo!" Pulling the door open, she smiled, "Sorry about that, I dozed off. You ready to make muffins?" With that, she pulled the redhead into the apartment with a hug, "I'm so glad you came!"

Bouncing off toward the kitchen, she tugged Cleo along behind her, "Did you bring your own ingredients? I had the stuff here, silly!"

[CLEO EVERETT]

Cleo quickly rubbed at her eyes again before letting her arms fall down, just as the door opened. Cool, composed, calm. She could do this. So long as she stayed cheerful and distracted, she would be fine. Cleo returned the hug, perhaps a bit too much, but she really did need one right now. And when Kayden pulled away, Cleo found herself again on the verge of tears. All she wanted to do right now was rest. “It’s alright!” she said, following Kayden into the apartment. It was pretty much how she had remembered it the few time she’d slept over. It was always strange for Cleo to be anywhere but her dorm or her mother’s house; she wasn’t quite sure why. Perhaps it was that she wasn’t a very big fan of change.

“I’m glad you invited me,” Cleo grinned, glancing around some more before her focus turned to the kitchen. It seemed like a perfect place to go on a baking spree. Maybe Kayden would want more than just Lemon Poppyseed Muffins… Cleo laughed, shrugging the backpack off of her shoulders and onto the counter. “I did.” She answered, a bit sheepishly. “I really don’t know what I was thinking.” Cleo paused as she began to take everything out. “I guess I just didn’t want to have to use yours, you know?” She smiled at Kayden, hoping that had made sense. Either way.

“Have you got anything to drink?” Cleo asked, clearing her throat again. She preheated the oven, feeling a bit rude, as if she were taking over the space. “Sorry if I seem a bit… distracted,” she apologized, keeping her gaze low. The last thing she wanted was to end up breaking down in the kitchen before they’d even started baking.

[KAYDEN MACKENZIE]

Kayden shook her head as Cleo admitted to having brought her own ingredients, "Cleo, you're so silly. I asked you to come over, I would have taken care of the ingredients." Hugging the redhead again, she then hopped up to sit on the counter, watching as Cleo preheated the oven. Kay figured she shouldn't interfere too much or else she might mess the muffins up.

As Cleo asked about something to drink, Kayden nodded, "Actually, I've been craving a good pina colada. Want one?" She slid off the counter and grabbed the bottle of non-alcoholic pina colada mix and some ice, tossing them into the blender and mixing them up real quick. She poured a glass and held it out to Cleo before pouring one for herself.

After a moment, she hopped back up on the counter, sipping at her icy drink. "So what do you need me to do, Cleo?" She gave a smile, "I'm here to help with anything." She paused, "And I mean anything, Cleo."

[CLEO EVERETT]

Cleo managed a short laugh, “silly. That’s a very good word to describe me.” She agreed, of course. Cleo agreed to most any word that somebody used. She always managed to find some part of herself that worked with the compliment. Unless it was an insult; she brushed those off quite easily. Cleo rummaged around for everything else she would need as Kayden made the drinks. At this point, Cleo was happy with anything. Apple juice or tea or fruit smoothie. She just needed a bunch of distractions; that was all. Setting everything down on the counter, she was glad to have relieved her arms of the weight. Cleo somehow figured it would be better to make one trip, piling everything into the mixing bowl. It ended up being heavier than she’d thought, much like her backpack, but it helped. Going overboard seemed to be her thing today.

Cleo sipped her drink before setting it down on the counter. “That’s very good, Kayden!” Cleo exclaimed, giving her friend a pleased smile. It wasn’t often that Cleo went for pina coladas but this was delicious. Cleo set to work on baking, tossing in the ingredients when she was supposed to, mixing and taking occasional pauses to drink her pina colada. “You could…” Cleo paused as Kayden reiterated and she gave Kayden a sad smile. “Thank you. You could grease the muffin pan,” she suggested quietly, busying herself by gulping half of the drink down. Don’t cry. No time for tears. Just. Focus. Bake. Cleo shook her head before she pulled her hair back into a ponytail, tying it up and leaving it in a messy bun. A few vibrant red strands framed her face and while this would bother her any other day, she just ignored them and continued making the muffin batter.

“I… didn’t bring any lemons,” Cleo said after a moment of searching. “We need lemon zest.” Cleo looked to Kayden, apologies dominating her expression. “Have you got any?” Somehow, she felt like anything wrong was her fault, even the tiniest of problems. She hated it. She hated all of this and she just wanted to apologize to him and make everything better. But… well, it wasn’t her fault! And she wasn’t going to apologize for something that wasn’t her fault. Cleo tugged on her sleeves a bit nervously and before she could think about it: “I’m thinking of moving back to California.”

[KAYDEN MACKENZIE]

Kayden nodded as Cleo agreed with her assessment. Of course silly was a good word for Cleo. She was young, said silly statements and did silly things. She was a sweetheart, and it was just part of her personality. Silliness was always a good thing. At least, in Kayden's book it was. She thoroughly enjoyed Cleo's silliness. All the time. It always made Kay smile. Without fail.

Sipping her own drink, she gave Cleo a smile and a nod, "I've been craving them a lot lately. I blame this little girl." She pointed to her belly, then nodded as Cleo said she could grease the muffin pan. She could do that for sure. Setting her drink aside she grabbed her muffin pan, spraying it with the grease and setting it down on the counter where it was readily accessible for pouring the batter into.

Returning to sipping her drink, Kayden looked over at Cleo, "Really, Cleo, are you alright? I'm here if you need to talk or vent or whatever, hun." Of course, Cleo was already saying something else. "Oh, yeah, I've got some. How much zest do we need?" She grabbed one and washed it, pulling her zester out of a drawer and picking up a bowl to catch the zest. She started to zest the lemon quickly, the peel shaving off in fine curls, perfect for cooking with.

She stopped suddenly to turn and look at Cleo for a minute, "I'm sorry.... Did I hear that right? You're thinking of moving? To California?" Shaking her head, she set down the lemon and zester, "Cleo, you can't move. You can't run away from this." Moving to rinse the lemon off her hands, she turned her head as she heard a knock on the door. "Excuse me for a minute, hun." She then hurried over to answer the door, assuming it was Jacob.

[JACOB HARLOW]

Jacob was still seething over the fight from the resturaunt. And the angry calls that followed after it. Cleo hadn't even thought to tell Jacob she use to date Jamie--much less Jamie kept it a secret. Then proceeded to ignore him at the lunch table. So when he got up and left, she naturally had asked why. And he exploded. Maybe it was a bit irrational, and maybe it was more of his ego popping then his temper--but some very angry words had been exchanged on both parts.

Jacob was sitting on his couch, when he heard his phone buzz. "Cleo, I swear to God." He muttered, scooping up the phone, only to see it was a text from Kayden. He sighed, and pushed the phone open.

On my way w/ variety pack, Lady.

Kayden didn't deserve any of his anger, and if she had an ear to listen--she might be able to give him some advice. The now pregnant woman had always been like a big sister to him. Jacob packed up Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Rasin, Macadamia Nut, and a few plain sugar cookies. He closed up the white box, and headed down to his beat up little car, and headed for Kayden's.

He went up to the door, and knocked, holding the box under his arm. He grinned when Kadeyn opened the door. It was kind of funny to see her all puffed out. "Hey, Lady. Got your cookies, just as you ordered." He leaned down, and stared straight at her belly, "Don't worry girly, Uncle Jake's got your back here." He straightened up with that awkward grin of his, though the smile didn't light up his eyes, or cause them to crinkle around the corner.

[KAYDEN MACKENZIE]

Kayden grinned as she opened the door and saw Jacob there, in all of his cookie-carrying glory. She laughed as he then spoke to her belly, and she put her hand on it, "Trust me- she appreciates it. Immensely." She pulled Jacob into the apartment, closing the door behind her. "Thanks so much for coming over to quick." She pulled the man she thought of as her little brother into a hug, "You're the best!"

She motioned toward the kitchen, "Come on in, 'Uncle Jacob.' Do you want a Pina Colada?" She headed over to her own drink to take a sip. Of course, the whole time she was swallowing down butterflies. Cleo was going to be pissed. Of course, Kayden couldn't expect much better from Jacob. Though she honestly had wanted cookies. That wasn't just a ploy. She just couldn't say no when Jenica craved a cookie. Partially because she was sure it wasn't just Jenica.

So, Kayden pulled back, leaning against the counter, cringing inside, and waited for them both to start screaming at her about how she was completely stupid for trying to make them talk to each other or something like that. She hoped to push it off for a moment as she reached for the box of cookies, pulling one out and offering the box to both Cleo and Jacob, looking innocent, "....Cookie?"

That innocent smile wasn't fooling anyone.

[CLEO EVERETT]

Cleo grinned, wishing she had something to blame her cravings on. Often, friends she’d made recently couldn’t understand her constant cravings for sweets and they sometimes made fun of her for it and that annoyed her to no end. “What else do you crave because of little Jenica?” Cleo asked, making sure to pronounce the baby girl’s name correctly. Cleo paused in mixing the batter and leaned against the counter, holding on her her glass with both hands. What she would do for a mug of hot chocolate right now. She shrugged a little, watching as Kayden began to zest the lemon. She’d always loved doing that; watching the peel turn into pretty curls, the citrusy smell. “I’ve been better,” she answered, drinking before she could force a pathetic laugh. “A teaspoon.”

Cleo cringed a little when Kayden turned to her, waiting for the scolding. It was what she expected. “You heard right,” she mumbled, setting the glass down and keeping her eyes lowered. Cleo felt a little better after Kayden had turned to wash her hands. “It’s… it isn’t like that!” She stammered, searching for an excuse. “I’ve… I mean, I’ve always wanted to move back!” She couldn’t fight the tears pricking the corners of her eyes. A knock at the door startled her and she quickly hid her face her in hands, sniffling quietly. Don’t cry. Don’t cry. It’s okay. You’re fine. Cleo wiped the tears away and turned back to the muffin batter, tossing the lemon zest in. She wondered who could be visiting Kayden, expecting maybe Jared or a neighbor.

However, she was mortified to hear that it was neither. Cleo choked back a sob, carefully setting the bowl down. Half of her wanted to hide and cry while the other half felt this was her perfect opportunity to tell him just what exactly was on her mind. Cleo managed to fight both of these urges, instead taste-testing the muffin batter and deciding she would just ignore him. Cleo wasn’t sure if she felt Kayden was to blame for this or if Jacob just had to worst timing ever. She’d begun to fill the muffin pan with the batter when Kayden returned. Cleo shot her a quick glare before looking away, not wanting at all to make eye contact with Jacob. Not yet, anyway.

Still ignoring both of them, Cleo opened the oven and placed the pan inside. She closed the door and set the timer before taking a deep breath and turning around. She leaned against the counter next to the stove, arms folded over her chest. The last thing she wanted was a cookie, much less one delivered by Jacob. “No, thank you.” She answered, biting and cold. She hated the tone, not at all wanting to offend Kayden, but her sort-of-okay mood had disappeared in two seconds, leaving behind a very pissed off redhead. “What’s he doing here?” She asked, fixing him with a glare full of daggers.

[JACOB HARLOW]

"That actually sounds pretty good, Lady. Got a liquor cabinet, cause I could use getting drunk off my ass right now." He chuckled, following Kayden in, before halting when he saw the kitchen. More importantly--who was in the kitchen. His smile immediately faded, and he looked at Kayden.

His usually warm blue eyes were now piercing, and cold. He completely ignored the cookie, "Kayden, what are you trying to pull?" He hadn't called her 'Lady', and when Jacob dropped nicknames it wasn't good. His throat felt tight, with Cleo looking at him like that. It wasn't fair--was this what every guy that had ever had feelings for her went through?

Was this the torture that was Cleo Everett? He had always been in the inner circle, always behind her wrath and anger. Now he was infront of it, taking the whole thing. He looked back at her with a blank face, his eyes just cold--as if not more sharp when he looked at Cleo, than they had been when looking at Kayden.

"Well, I don't know, Cleo." There went the lack of nicknames again, "Not paying attention again? I came to bring Kayden and Jenica something. What are you doing here? Couldn't find a guy to be your little amusement for the evening?" He asked, tilting his head curiously at her, his face still blank, resting casually against the counter. As though he belonged there, and Cleo didn't.

[KAYDEN MACKENZIE]

Kayden shook her head a little as Jacob asked if she had any liquor, "Not if you plan on driving home. If you aren't, then the cabinet is right over there." She pointed to the cabinet where she had kept liquor for when Jared came over. She was never much of a drinker. Not solo anyways.

Of course, then things had all gone south. She shrank back a bit, closing the box of cookies and putting them in the cabinet, worried that they might get ruined if a drink was thrown or something. She looked over at Jacob as he dropped her nickname- she knew she was in trouble then. "I just... I wanted cookies... and I thought if you came now then you two could... I mean, I could talk to you... I mean.... Uh...." She shook her head then, "....Bugger."

She stepped over by Jacob then, "Cleo! Cleo, it's not his fault! I wanted cookies, and I thought if he brought some, then you two could maybe talk things over... Or something." She shook her head, "Not that it's going to happen." She looked at Jacob then, "Now that's not entirely fair. I asked her over here."

She bit her lip for a moment, then looked between the two of them, "Crap. This... Is all my fault."

[CLEO EVERETT]

“Drinking? How like your father.” Unfortunately, Cleo’s filter seemed to have been shut off because any other day, she’d never say such a thing, fighting or not. It came out sounding very mean and harsh and the split second of guilt was nothing compared to her anger. Cleo shook her head, ignoring the butterflies in her stomach. “That couldn’t wait until later, darling?” Cleo hated the tone she was giving Kayden, even how ‘darling’ sounded a bit sharp, but this was not what she had expected when coming over to Kayden’s.

Jacob had called her Cleo before, but never like this, never in such circumstances, and she hated it. No matter how angry she was with him or how bad the fight had she been, she wasn’t going to lie to herself about how much she missed him. Cleo preferred this, though. She preferred being angry and spiteful over upset and hurt. She didn’t like him talking to her like that, that stupid little use of ‘again.’ Who did he think he was? A flicker of hurt flashed across her face before she closed her eyes and looked away, as if to check the timer on the oven. How dare he.

She bit hard on her tongue, repeating over and over again that she wasn’t going to let him see her cry. Her hands clenched into fists, arms still folded. “I figured it was kind of obvious,” she snapped, looking back at him, nodding at the counter separating them, covered in baking supplies. “It seems you’re the one not paying attention, dear.” Cleo scoffed at Kayden’s attempt to make this better. This wasn’t going to make it better. Especially after that little insult of his. “It’s not happening.”

Cleo let her arms fall to her side and she stalked to the counter. She needed to move, fidget, something. Cleo hated being closer to him; there was an uncomfortable urge to reach out and make everything better. She didn’t like it. “It’s not your fault, Kayden. It’s his.” Cleo looked up at him, annoyed that he was so tall. Why had that never bother her before? It was obnoxious. “Well, you’ve done your job. The cookies are here.” She jabbed a finger at the door, “you can leave now.”

[JACOB HARLOW]

Jacob pulled his cheeks in, his jaw moving side to side. The ultimate level of Jacob's irritation could be seen in the facial fidget. Never before had he wanted to shake a woman until her head falled off, like he wanted to do to Cleo at that exact moment.

"Sorry, Cleo doll. I actually thought you were trying to bake for a moment. Didn't realize you were trying to make play-doh." He smiled at her, a humorless smile, a haughty one too. He glanced back at Kayden, and just shook his head at her, without even saying a word.

When Cleo told him he could leave, he instead just hopped up on an empty counter instead, and put his elbows on his knees, and his chin in his hand. "What, Cleo? Do you own the place? Didn't think so. I'll leave when Kayden asks me to. But I'd rather stay here and watch you try to play house-wife. Because it is absolutely hilarious." He tilted his head again, and grinned at her. It was a usual Jacob grin, but the words coming out of his mouth were biting, and cruel.

"Obviously you have to play pretend, 'cause you could never just stick to one guy. Isn't that right, Fighgirl?"

[KAYDEN MACKENZIE]

Kayden was at a loss for words. She knew they hadn't been getting along and had been arguing, but she didn't know that it had been this bad. Honestly- Jacob calling her Cleo, and insulting her cooking? That just wasn't him. Something was wrong. Something was seriously wrong there.

On the other side of the boxing ring was Cleo. She was about ready to throw poor Jacob out the window if it got him out of the apartment faster. And he wasn't going to leave unless Kayden told him to. Well, she had no intention of sending Jacob out. She hated being stuck between her friends when they fought, but really, someone had to make sure that all of this nonsense ended once and for all.

Kayden shook her head, "Jacob, you're not going anywhere. Cleo, stop. It's not his fault. He's just being a good friend to me." She sighed and moved to try and pull them both toward the kitchen table, "Now, can we please just sit down and talk about all of this? I really think it would help you both a lot. Because I hate when you fight. You hate when you fight. So why put any of us through something we hate, right?"

It made sense. Well, sort of. Kayden was just grasping for any excuse she could find to make them talk. They had to work things out, right? She knew they were absolutely perfect for each other, Jacob loved Cleo. Cleo was... Well, she was Cleo and hadn't quite realized it yet, but she loved Jacob back. They were perfect.

...And yet here they were, both intent on completely screwing up the entire relationship plan Kayden saw mapped out for them. This fight? Was not on the map. Nope. Not at all. And she had a feeling things were just going to get worse before they got better.

[CLEO EVERETT]

Oh. Ohohoho. He was going to insult her cooking, was he? She gave an amused sigh, shaking her head at him. “Clever. Is that the best you’ve got?” He was so stupid. Cleo knew she could bake. She didn’t care what he thought. If he was one of the few who thought she was completely useless in the kitchen, fine. Because she had lots of others who thought otherwise. But, oh! He was so infuriating! Acting like he owned the place! She owned it more than he did! She’d actually slept over before! Cleo couldn’t figure out why this bothered her more than his immature play-doh insult. At this point, Cleo was hardly listening to Kayden. She wanted Kayden to stop trying to make it better. It didn’t matter if she almost did want to sit down and talk this out. It wasn’t happening.

Not fair. He couldn’t use that nickname. Not fair, not fair, not fair. She narrowed her eyes, suddenly angry with everything he’d said, each little comment. Even that stupid baking one even if it hadn’t bothered her at first. She was just tired of him. Sitting there on that counter, acting like he owned the place. Using her nickname. Grinning at her. Stupid. So stupid. He was stupid and she hated him and she never wanted to speak to him again. Cleo couldn’t just stand there and toss insults back and forth with him. She couldn’t. Not only did she not want to, she really couldn’t. It felt wrong to treat him like this, even if he found no problems with it at all.

So, instead, she took a fistful of flour and and threw it at him with unneeded force; it was just flour, after all. But it somehow felt much better than any biting insult she could’ve come up with. But she swore to God, if he threw anything at her, she was going to throttle him.