Underground

Forgetful

I glance at the caller ID, and only catch a few letters, J E. I know no one with J E in their name, but I've already picked up. If their name is in my phone, I must know them from somewhere.

"Hello?"

"Hi there, is this Cassidy?"

The voice doesn't sound familiar, but my oldest sister was transitioning when I last saw her. Wait, my oldest brother. Yeah, he was transitioning. Maybe his voice has changed since then. 

"Yes, this is he. Could you remind me who you are?"

"Oh Cassidy. So forgetful. It's me, Jet!"

"Jet! Oh my gosh, it's been forever!"

"I know! At least I know the hormones have been doing their job!"

"You sound a lot more confident, that's for sure."

"Aww, thanks! What's going on with you? Still with Leila?"

"Yeah, actually. Mr. Rook... passed away yesterday, so things are definitely going to be different."

"Oh, I'm so sorry! Did Leila take it well?"

"He- She took it well, in a Leila way. She went after Cookie, since the death- You know what, it's a long story, but she seemed to be fine with it."

"That's good, but who's 'Cookie?'"

"He's a new kid. Rook supposedly found him somewhere, he's really cu- ahem. Nice. Very, very nice."

"That's cool. Did I tell you-?"

"Hold on, the doorbell rang."

"Go answer it. Call me back after, ok?"

Jet's voice switches to a high pitched giggle.

"... ok? I'll call back in a bit."

Small and Leila are still fighting in the kitchen, but it's a lot more lighthearted. I see the blonde  wig lying in a tangled mess on the floor, and she's looking a lot more like herself. I'm proud of her. 

But I give no real acknowledgement, my focus is on the door. Neither of them notice the doorbell, but as long as I get there we're fine. 

"Yes? OH MY GO-"

"Morning, Cassie!!"

No way. There is no way Jet is standing in front of me. I pull him into a close embrace, and it's actually a hug, instead of shoving someone's face into my chest. That's normally what happens.

"You should've told me you were coming!"

"If I'd done that, it would've ruined the surprise!"

"That is fair. What's the occasion? Finally miss me after 6 years?"

"No, I finally graduated!!"

"Congrats! Sad I couldn't be there."

"If I'm being perfectly honest, I only remembered your existence yesterday."

"There's the Jet I know."

Leila and Cookie have stopped Love-fighting and have directed their attention to me. Leila walks over to greet Jet herself, but Cookie just slowly slinks away into our room. That's understandable. Jet can be a lot, since he's missing one eye and both legs, but I've loved him forever. At least, whenever I can remember him.

Neither of us have any brain problems, we're both just shit with memory.

I leave Leila and Jet to catch up, and go check on Cookie. As I get closer to the room, I hear him talking with... someone. I'm not quite sure who, but I don't think it's that mirror snake. I decide to leave him to it, since it's not in my right to know, and I head back over to Leila and Jet. 

"I actually came here with my girlfriend, and we set up a park picnic if you guys want to come!"

"I would love to!"

"So would I, but let me check with Cookie first."

"Take your time, Cass. I'm not leaving town anytime soon."

I decide to slip a piece of paper under the door, and almost immediately he flings the door open. 

"Which park?"

"The... only one in town?"

"Ah, of course. Have fun."

"Don't you want to-  come."

He shuts the door in my face before I could finish. 

"I think he's busy, but I'll still go with you guys."

"Sweet! Let's get going, I don't want the food to spoil!"

"What kind of picnic would spoil that fast?"

"I don't know, but the cake could melt."

"Cake?"

"Dude, it's your birthday."

"No. No I did not forget it was my birthday."

"You didn't."

"You fucker!"

The chase is on, but at least we get cake!