lunch for two --- er, three? {jacob & jamie}

[CLEO EVERETT]

Cleo hoped she hadn’t been too interruptive with his drawing. He’d seemed quite focused. She shrugged a little. “Not that funny. This is a very popular restaurant, you know.” She nodded matter-of-factly, figuring the full tables would prove her right. Cleo looked again to the drawing. “I think it’d be more fun… or, well… interesting if he’d accidentally set his own foot on fire.” Cleo took the crayon and leaned over, drawing fire spitting out of the dinosaur’s mouth. “Who says only dragons can breathe fire?” Setting the crayon down, she stood up straight again, pleased with her work. She’d never been much of an artist. She was good at coloring, though! “I’ve been…” Cleo paused, finding a word. “Fantastic! Yes, I’ve been fantastic.” She nodded happily. “And how—”

Cleo jumped a little, surprised to hear Jacob’s voice. “Really?!” she asked, turning to face him. “They actually agreed to that?” Well, that was unexpected. It made her laugh a little, imaging others order lobster throughout the day only to get a “sorry, we’re fresh out.” Bouncing on her feet once or twice, Cleo looked back to Jamie. “Jamie, this is Jacob! And Jacob, this is Jamie!” Introductions were crucial, of course. Cleo liked to make a point of all of her friends being friends. “You can steal me back, but just one minute--!” And with that, she left for the table, leaving the two of them to get to know each other (hopefully).

Cleo dug around in her purse until she’d found them, safely placed in a zip lock bag. Jamie had forgotten his gauges that day at the fountain and she’d always kept them on her since in case she happened to run into him another day. She quickly returned to Jamie and Jacob, setting the bag down next to the drawing. “There! You forgot those the other day.” Cleo smiled, pleased that she’d been able to return them. She'd started to leave, tugging Jacob after her before she reconsidered. “Actually... would you like to join us?” Cleo asked, tilting her head. "I'm sure Jacob wouldn't mind." Cleo paused, looking to Jacob, "right?"

[JAMIE SHOEMAKER]

“Oh really? This is actually my first time here,” Jamie admitted. He looked back down at his drawing and attempted to not feel anything. Why was she talking to him or her date? That should be like totally awkward shouldn’t it? But no, Cleo was happy to see him and made it seem like she wanted to see him. Actually she madee the world pretty much happy for Jamie but it still should be awkward.

“I think it’d be more fun… or, well… interesting if he’d accidentally set his own foot on fire.”

Jamie’s inner rant was broken when Cleo leaned over and modified his little doodle. Jamie couldn’t help but smile at the new addition. He kinda felt like she was flirting with him but he knew it was just wishful thinking. Not that he should be thinking that in anyway.

“Who says only dragons can breathe fire?”

“Cleo, I love you--r creativity!” Jamie quickly corrected himself. How could he even say that eight-letter sentence? What was wrong with him. It had been a year… old habits die hard. Jamie was glad that a small part of his past habits weren’t all bad. Even if he wasn’t that guy, at least that guy had said something nice.

Thankfully her date jumped in before Jamie could get another word out. He definitely didn’t want to lie to Cleo about how he’d been doing. An internal struggle was so much worse than withdraw.

“Jamie, this is Jacob! And Jacob, this is Jamie!”

“Oh, hi. Nice to meet you. I didn’t mean to interrupt your--,” Jamie started saying. And then it hit him. Jacob. That face and the name. Jacob Harlow. His old roommate. Back when he didn’t want to remember. The guy actually helped him out a little bit. He made sure Jamie wasn’t dead before he went to class. And then Jamie left without saying goodbye. What was everyone from his past just creeping right back up on him? Jamie sat awkwardly as Cleo went to grab something. What could he say to the guy?

After a few REALLY awkward seconds, Cleo came back and a bag was placed on the table. “Thanks Cleo! I totally forgot. You’re awesome!” Jamie said looking in the bag. He was looking for those since the mall. He figured losing them was his payback for running away.

“Actually... would you like to join us? I'm sure Jacob wouldn't mind. Right?"

Jamie was fairly certain Jacob would mind A LOT. Jamie would mind even more. “I don’t know… I might--.” Jamie got a look at Cleo’s face and found himself instantly under her spell. “If you want… I’ll just… tell the waitress I moved and… yea.” Jamie walked up to the counter and waited for someone to help him. He definitely needed help right now.

[JACOB HARLOW]

"They did. A resturaunt isn't going to cut a big order like that. But you better enjoy releasing these things, cause it ain't happening again." He pointed at her, lifting his brows, his lips pushed to the side, trying to prevent a smile, and continue to look stern, before getting a better look at Jamie.

Oh my god he knew that kid. Did he totally space, or what?! That was his old roomie! Until Jacob moved out of the dorms and into his own apartment, and the other kid disappeared. This was completely insane. And come to think of it...before he even ran into Cleo here in New York--this guy had mentioned a Cleo. One. big. Mental face-palm. However, instead of a warm greeting, his hand tightened on the back of an empty chair. His smile looked strained, and forced.

He nodded at Cleo shortly when she left to get something at the table. And as quick as lightening, Jacob placed one hand on the table, the other on the back of Jamie's chair, "I swear to whatever god there is, Jamie. If you're still hooked on that shit, you keep it to yourself. If you so much as drag Cleo into any of that, I will wring your skinny little neck myself, do you understand me?" Jacob's voice dropped dangerously low, his blue eyes large, and round.

He straightened up when he glanced Cleo moving back over, from the corner of his eye. He straightened up, forcing the smile back onto his face, the fake smile faultering for a moment. They had been hanging out. Why the hell was Cleo hanging out with some drugged up kid like this? Cleo was sweet, but Jacob was hoping she wasn't going to be a bleeding heart.

Happily, he began to follow, before almost running into Cleo when she hesitated. Jacob's mouth opened and closed a few times. No. Of course not. But it was like someone was pulling the voice right out of him. Like he was cursed, to forever do everything he could to make Cleo smile. Until Jamie piped up, and didn't even wait for his response, before standing up and moving to the counter. "Greeeattt." Jacob said, his voice straining, before leading Cleo back to the table to wait for Jamie.

"Cleo. You are an evil succubus from another demension."

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[CLEO EVERETT]

“You’ve never been!?” Cleo gave him a surprised look. Every person she’d ever met had been to the Wandering Goose at least once. It was strange to hear that somebody hadn’t. It seemed like such a popular place to go. Good food for cheap prices. It was your mother’s cooking in a cozy atmosphere. Perfect is what it was. Cleo glanced between the two of them, wandering if they’d talked at all while she’d left for the short amount of time. Hopefully they were getting along! Otherwise… well, that was just terribly awkward otherwise. She searched Jacob’s face for any hints that he was displeased; his smile looked forced. Oh dear. Was this a bad idea? Before she could reconsider (again, not that she actually would. She wasn’t that mean), Jamie had accepted. “Brilliant!” She exclaimed.

Once Jamie had left for the counter, Cleo followed Jacob to their table. “By the way, I will most certainly enjoy letting those lobsters go free.” She was, like, saving lives by doing that! How could she not? Cleo slid back into her booth, raising her eyebrows at Jacob’s comment. “And just what is that supposed to mean?” An evil succubus from another dimension? Who said that? Much less about her! She was the farthest thing from evil! After a moment, Cleo leaned forward giving him a concerned look. “Are you really okay with this? You looked displeased.” Cleo glanced back to the counter to see Jamie headed to their table. She scooted down her booth so there was room for him to sit next to her.

[JAMIE SHOEMAKER]

Jamie felt his lungs aching from the breath he was holding. He knew Jacob was going to say something about the drugs. He didn’t want to hear it really but he knew he was going to say something. Jamie waited until Cleo left and started to say, “Listen, Jacob—“

"I swear to whatever god there is, Jamie. If you're still hooked on that shit, you keep it to yourself. If you so much as drag Cleo into any of that, I will wring your skinny little neck myself, do you understand me?"

Jamie’s whole body went tense and he had to keep himself from his used-to-be natural instinct. Fight back. But he wasn’t going to. “I’m not like that anymore, man. I lost a lot of things aaand people that way—“ Jamie looked over at Cleo and took a deep breath. “And I don’t plan on ever going back. And as for Cleo, I’m glad she’s with you. Thanks for helping me through. Sorry I kinda just disappeared. Facing the past isn’t easy you know?”

Cleo came back over and Jamie went back to being Jamie and not semi-Peter. He walked over to the counter and put his hands through his hair. This was not going to be an easy day. The lady named Tessa came back and coughed to get Jamie’s attention.

“Oh, sorry. I, um, wanted to tell my waitress lady that I’ll be sitting over there with them but I’m not sure what her name was. Do you know who waits that table?” Jamie asked pointing to his old table. Tessa smiled and said she’d send the food to the other table. Jamie kinda wished it had taken longer but thanked the lady and turned around to walk into the worst lunch he’s ever had.

note: Serious Jamie is so depressing

[JACOB HARLOW]

Jacob listened to Jamie when he explained, and watched him with careful eyes. He didn't correct Jamie on the 'being with' bit. If Jamie wanted to assume he and Cleo were dating, he wasn't going to correct him. People say and do a lot of things, and he wouldn't be surprised if Jamie was lying about the drugs. "Yeah, I know." He said stiffly.

Afterwards, he slid across from Cleo at the table, keeping the white box of brownies next to him. "It means you seduce poor innocent boys into your fiendish ways." Jacob teased his friend, his easy smile returning to his face while he grabbed his drink and took a careful sip. He glanced over towards Jamie where he was at the counter, and walking back.

His expression didn't look entirely pleased, but he brushed it off, "It's fine, don't worry about it. We have a date to release lobsters anyway." Jacob grinned at her, and then settled back into his spot when Jamie came up, his broad shoulders stiffening slightly. When Jamie got close enough,

Jacob's face broke out in a grin, and he glanced back at Cleo.
"Oh, did Jamie ever tell you?" He asked Cleo, leaning in a little bit, acting the casual, good-ole-boy routine. "We use to be roomates. I thought he looked familiar. Of course he was a bit different back then. So we're all friends here, right?" Jacob asked, looking up at Jamie expectantly, his eyes registering a completely different tone.

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[CLEO EVERETT]

No, no. She’d definitely crossed a line. Or something. … She realized how stupid she’d been. Who… why would you invite one of your ex’s to the lunch you were having with your best friend (who you actually weren’t entirely sure how you felt about)? Oh, she was such an idiot! If she weren’t sitting across from Jacob now, she positively would’ve ripped her own hair out. Oh well. Damage done. Nothing to do now but endure. Besides, Jamie was nice and Jacob was nice and they hadn’t gotten into a spat yet, right? Right! Cleo rolled her eyes, waving a dismissive hand. “I do no such thing.” Did she?

Somehow, the idea that she was saving lobster lives cheered her up every time it was mentioned. Cleo sat up excitedly in her seat, ready to release the lobsters now, even. She didn’t need to eat! Had he called it a date? Though that grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup did sound very good right now. So what if they were busy? It did not take long to make a sandwich and soup. It wasn’t like everybody eating at the Wandering Goose had decided to order the same. She mentally shook her fist at anybody who had ordered something super complex, something that was being made instead of her simple meal.

Cleo watched Jacob curiously. Her eyes widened a little. They… they knew each other? “You know each other?” she repeated, unable to help how… what was it? Scared? Nervous? Surprised? Whatever. She couldn’t help but to notice how much she sounded like it. Cleo wasn’t sure why it bothered her so much. Maybe it was that Jacob knew the Jamie Cleo really knew or maybe it was that she was kind of close to finding Jacob way back when. Whatever it was didn’t matter because that meant they were, as Jacob put it, all friends here. “Right.” She agreed, nodding, ignoring how painful her smile felt.

notes; why did i use these so much

[JAMIE SHOEMAKER]

Jamie really tempted to turn around and run. He could totally grab a hotdog from a street vendor or McDonalds. Yea, he could do that. Jamie looked back towards the door but his legs kept moving forward. He couldn’t abandon Cleo again. Well, she did have that Jacob guy. A huge knot formed in his throat when he thought aboutCleo with Jacob. Jamie pushed it away and sat down. It seemed Jacob didn’t really believe him because Jamie still felt the same tenseness as earlier.

"Oh, did Jamie ever tell you? We use to be roomates. I thought he looked familiar. Of course he was a bit different back then. So we're all friends here, right?"

Jamie couldn’t help but wonder if Jacob knew he and Cleo had date. Jamie remembered moaning in his insomniac state about Cleo among other things. After the drugs wore off the feeling of heartbreak finally set in and it made him want the drugs more. Everything was so intense and raw. It hurt worse than an actually knife in his chest. It tortured him. He must have said all sorts of things. The empty feeling began to fill Jamie again. No, no, no! Go away! Jamie bit his lip and forced himself to re-enter the conversation.

“Yep!” Jamie answered cheerfully making the memories disappear. He busied himself by unwrapping his silverware and putting the napkin in his lap. He really wanted to rambled to fill the awkward silence but he could find the words. Instead he asked a question that was on his mind, “So how do you two know each other?”

[JACOB HARLOW]

"Of course you don't. That why when you look at that kid, he seems to shake in his shoes." Jacob grinned, grabbing his drink again, clearing his throat when Jamie sat down. He glanced up, seeing the waitress come over.

"Your order should be out, shortly. We're just waiting for the young man's order to be finished also."

Jacob nodded that it was not a problem, and reached into the box, giving Cleo the other half of her brownie, before passing another half to Jamie also. Freaking politeness. Jacob looked back at her with his blue eyes, and nodded, before glancing back at Jamie.

"Oh, Cleo and I grew up together. Our parents were friends, and." Jacob just shrugged. There wasn't too much more than that. Well, there was a little bit more. That he didn't really need to add, but he did, to almost stake his claim on Cleo. "She moved a while ago, and we lost contact. Then I came over here, and I ran into her a little while after you left. And it was like she was never gone." Jacob grinning at his Fishgirl, and leaned back in his seat, and tilted his head curiously at Jamie.

"What about you guys? How did you two meet?"

Notes:Sorry for the suckage. Jacob muse is dwindling.

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[CLEO EVERETT]

They knew each other. Jacob and Jamie knew each other. That wasn’t a big deal! Why was she making such a big deal about it? She liked when her friends knew each other! She liked when her friends got along with each other. It made life easy. So, why was this bothering her so much? Cleo shook her head, hopefully ridding herself of the thoughts and worry. Be gone! Okay. Good. Maybe. Cleo turned a little in her seat so she was facing Jamie a bit now that he’d joined them. How did she and Jacob know each other? Cleo looked to her best friend, waiting to see if he’d answer. She’d probably get a bit too into it, really. Oh. Good. He was taking care of it. Cleo nodded. “What he said.” What else was there to add? He’d even included running into each other at New York. That was the gist of it. Anything else would be too much. “He’s my best friend.” That wasn’t too much.

How had she and Jamie met? Cleo looked to the boy sitting next to her, pondering. It had been back when she first moved to New York. Why was she having trouble remembering? It was probably that she tried to ignore any good times she had in New York. That would make her want to stay. Cleo took a bite of the brownie, realizing late that Jacob had given it to her. “We ended up sitting next to each other at the movies—” Cleo paused, looking at Jamie. “It was…” Her eyebrows came together in thought, her nose scrunched up a bit. “Cars, right?” Some reason, saying it helped her remember. “Right! We got kicked out for talking too much.” Cleo laughed, feeling better, relaxing a bit.

[JAMIE SHOEMAKER]

"Oh, Cleo and I grew up together. Our parents were friends, and She moved a while ago, and we lost contact. Then I came over here, and I ran into her a little while after you left. And it was like she was never gone."

Jamie was slightly distracted by the brownie in front of him. Well that was nice. He bit into the brownie and attempt to ignore the underlying possessive tone in Jacob’s voice. This dude was so confusing. He was mad at Jamie for interrupting their date but he gave Jamie a brownie. Jamie nodded his head and looked at Cleo.
“What he said. He’s my best friend.”

That made Jamie curious. Were they dating? Cleo was definitely good at making friends with guys and not going any farther. He remembered Cleo was friends with almost all of the guys in his neighbor. Well… then she found out they smoked the green and yea…

"What about you guys? How did you two meet?"

With a mouth full of brownie, Jamie looked at Cleo. She hopefully remembered it was only two years ago. Although she might want to forget her past like him. It’s funny how one bad thing can ruin all the good memories that happened before that bad thing.

“We ended up sitting next to each other at the movies. It was Cars…, right? Right! We got kicked out for talking too much.”

“Yep!” Jamie smiled. The waitress was coming with the food and Jamie decided to elaborate. “I was like ‘Oh wow, the bugs are cars too!’ And then we started talking and the next thing you know some dude is like,” Jamie paused held up a fake flashlight and made his voice sound nasaly, “ ‘I’m going to have to ask you to leave. Your disruupting the movie.’ So we walked out of the movie laughing and still talking.” He said laughing a little. His plate was put down and front of him. “And then I asked for your number and—“ Jamie cut himself off. Dude! What was he saying? “Um… yeah.” Jamie took a bite of his chicken sandwich and resigned himself to silence.

[JACOB HARLOW]

Jacob watched the two warily while the waitress at down their food. Instead of a cooked lobster set infront of Cleo, however--there was a grilled cheese with tomatoe soup and crackers. Apparently, Jacob was going to save all of the lobsters. Even the one that would've gone into Cleo's gut, if she had enough courage to rip the flesh from the tail of the lobster corpse.

When his own plate of liver and onions was set infront of him, he dug in right away. He set the napkin in his lap, after unrolling the fork and knife. His blue eyes flicked back and forth before Jamie and Cleo. "So, you got her number?" Jacob questioned. He knew Cleo's little succubus ability, but the way Jamie cut off, and silenced himself, didn't leave him wondering. Because of what was in his pants, he knew guy code. He knew.

"So you two dated?" Jacob asked with an air of casual curiousity. To those that knew Jacob, when he began using 'So', it ment he was suspicious, and being extremely aware of everything being said, and was also looking between the lines. He was no longer looking at Cleo. He was very focused in cutting the liver into bites, and pushing it into his mouth, before mashing up his baked potato. Still not looking at either one of them.

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[CLEO EVERETT]

Cleo laughed at Jamie’s interpretation of the movie security. Had he been security? Maybe he’d just been a theatre employee. Either way, Jamie’s imitation was spot on. “That’s exactly what he sounded like!” She exclaimed once her giggles had ceased. Cleo hardly noticed his sudden silence, having become much too distracted by the lunch set in front of her. They’d brought out the grilled cheese instead! Ahh, perfect. And it looked so good too. “Look,” she said to Jacob, almost as excited as a child on Christmas morning, “no lobster!” She clapped her hands together happily before taking the first bite of her sandwich. Perfect~

Unfortunately, her happiness was short lived. Any other ‘so’ wouldn’t have bothered her but this was Jacob saying ‘so’ and Jacob saying ‘so’ wasn’t good. It wasn’t necessarily bad, really… just, not something she wanted to hear right about now. And he wasn’t looking at her. Cleo nibbled on her lower lip. She wasn’t going to lie to him. “Yeah.” No, she should’ve lied. “Back when I first moved here.” Back when she’d been bitter and not talking to her mother and grandfather. If only she could’ve stayed in California forever. She wondered briefly if Jacob would’ve stayed with her or if he would’ve moved anyway. That question was not helping her.

She continued to eat her lunch, wishing she had a legit way to wish the awkward away or a way to make everything better. Cleo just wanted everything to go well. That was all that mattered to her.

[JAMIE SHOEMAKER]

“That’s exactly what he sounded like!”

Jamie smiled at Cleo proudly and took another bite of his sandwich. The sandwich was delicious. He munched away to ignore the awkwardness. Cleo said something about lobsters to Jacob and Jamie continued munching. Why was he here again? Oh right, because he wanted to eat at a restaurant and this one had a funny name that caught his eye. At least the food was good.

"So, you got her number?"

Jamie nodded confidently. He might as well be honest with this guy. Cleo would have eventually told Jacob, right? Them being best friends and all. Jamie felt he didn’t really deserve to feel jealous of their friendship so he hid the feeling away and pour ketchup on his fries.

"So you two dated?"

Jamie nodded knowing Jacob was really asking his girlfriend. Jamie knew the dude was slightly peeved. Cleo hadn’t told him. That made sense. Jamie knew she wouldn’t want to talk about it. After all he hurt her. And now he was making things awkward. Damn. He didn’t add any comments and asked the waiter for his bill.

“I should really get out of here. I have things to do and I don’t really want to ruin your… lunch together,” Jamie said fumbling for his wallet. He couldn't get himself to say the word date. It bugged him. Cleo and him were friends now. Just friends. Damn, he had to get out of here.

[JACOB HARLOW]

Jacob glanced back and forth between Jamie and Cleo. Cleo seemed relaxed enough, but Jamie seemed to squirm in the strange silence. Some part of Jacob purred at the thought of getting one of Cleo's ex's under his thumb.

"You're not ruining anything Jamie, man, chill out!" Jacob wiped his mouth with the napkin, before putting it back in his lap, and grinned up at him like it was no problem. "I was just asking, have a seat and relax. Plus, I've got a couple pieces of French Silk Pie over here for after lunch. I've got enough if you want one too--but you're gonna have to wait. Cleo will try and go after the pie before she finishes eating." Jacob cut off another piece of liver, and chewed it with a friendly enough smile on his face.

The way he was acting, on the outside--was peechy keen. But to anyone who knew him, it was more like a cat grasping a poor little mouse's tail, and attempting to terrorize his meal before finishing it off into nothing but bone. He glanced bac at Cleo, "Don't ever order seafood again, Fishgirl. You'll never be able to live with yourself if you ate one of your cousins or something." He teased, glancing back up to see if Jamie would stay, or sit.