⋆*ૢ✧⋆.*:｡.☽⋆
The Yellowjackets, infamously known as the girls who survived. But how, how did they survive, what lengths did they have to go to just for their own survival? That's the question everyone wants to know. However, despite their el...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Jackie Taylor; the vulnerable — the state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally. ⋆*ૢ✧⋆.*:｡.☽⋆
Due to the events the night prior, Kalista was avoiding everyone, opting to spend her time with Travis searching for Javi, who had not returned. It was tense and neither really knew what to say to one another so they just kept quiet, calling out Javi's name when they thought necessary. Kalista hoped the boy would return to them, alive and well. Javi was everything to Travis and it was upsetting for her to see him panicked and desperately calling out his brother's name.
It had been roughly an hour that had passed, Kalista could never tell how much time passed, it all seemed to blur into one endless cycle that she hoped would stop soon. They still hadn't found any signs of the boy and the girl prayed he was okay, they had lost enough. Losing someone as innocent as Javi would send the girls insane and she dreaded the day they had to bury anymore people.
"So..." Kalista drawled as Travis rolled his eyes, calling out his brother's name once again, "are we just not going to talk about it? Just go about our days as if it never happened?"
"That is the plan, well done Sherlock, you figured it out." Travis snarked as she sighed, pulling the leaves off the branch beside her.
"Come on, it was insane, we can't just ignore it." Kalista shot him a look as they stopped walking for a second.
"I got laid, yay to me." Travis threw his arms up in a sarcastic celebration while the girl remained deadpan.
Saying nothing, she stepped towards him and wrapped her arms around him, feeling him stiffen. Neither expected such action but it was even more shocking when Travis mimicked her actions, holding her closely as if he was scared she would disappear like his brother had. It was as if the action evoked emotions he desperately tried to keep buried deep deep down.
"Everything is so overwhelming right now." Travis whispered into her shoulder and she frowned. "And I am not sure if we are going to find Javi...alive."
"He's strong, he will be fine." Kalista whispered back and he nodded, trying to convince himself that she was right. The worst images still flashed in his mind and he winced, he just couldn't handle finding his brother the same way he had found his father.
Pulling apart from one another, whatever emotions had hit them vanished and instead they stood in silence, looking around awkwardly, hoping the other would break the silence that had cast itself over them. It felt strange, but they both knew they each needed that hug, although they would never admit such a thing.
"We are never doing that again, ever." Travis warned her, raising his finger in her direction as she grimaced.
"Absolutely." Kalista wiped her hands on a nearby tree while he snickered at her childish antics.
⋆*ૢ✧⋆.*:｡.☽⋆
Returning to the cabin without Javi was disheartening and their mood had shifted from teasing and jokes, but instead somber as they each found themselves picturing the worst. Javi hadn't done anything bad and yet he'd found himself alone in the forest, scared and vulnerable to everything around him. Kalista couldn't imagine the fear he felt and she hoped he was okay, he had found food, warmth and shelter.
Turning out of the bushes, they saw a person cursing at the fire as they attempted to start it. As they got closer, Kalista recognised that figure as Jackie. When the fire didn't start, she huffed, throwing the pieces of sticks in different directions as she glared at the cabin. It caused the two to share a confused look, wondering why Jackie was outside and attempting to start a fire alone.
Mumbling that she would follow him in a second, Kalista left Travis' side and found herself stood in front of the girl. Looking up, Jackie frowned as Kalista crouched down, taking the sticks she had thrown carelessly. It was all overwhelming for her, nothing would go her way and she could not believe all the girl's had taken Shauna's side, despite everything she had told them.
"Here, you do it like this." Kalista whispered, moving her hands in the correct motion as Jackie felt tears prick her eyes. A slight ember flickered in the wood as the Matthew's girl let go.
"Thank you." Jackie mumbled, embarrassment setting in as Kalista moved to sit on the wooden seat beside her.
"So, are you going to tell me what happened? Why you are sat outside, alone." Kalista prompted the girl next to her, who seemed to be curled in her side.
"I told the girls that Shauna was pregnant with Jeff's baby and somehow I was made out to be the crazy one. K, it is insane how they just acted like nothing happened, as if they weren't seconds away from slitting Travis' fucking throat." Jackie rambled, her voice breaking as if she was about to cry. "She is meant to be my best friend and she told me to get out, somehow convinced everyone I was crazy for going against them."
"You're not crazy, J." Kalista began, unsure how she was meant to go about comforting her friend. "It was wrong of everyone to say that to you and I agree, we do need to speak about what happened last night. Everyone is stressed right now and taking it out on each other so maybe we need to wait a couple of days."
"I hate her, K." Jackie whispered, shaking her head as she looked at the fire in front of her.
"No you don't, J, you don't like what she did to you but I know you, you could never hate her." Kalista told her, turning to face her friend. "Ignore what they said, you're not staying out here."
"No, I am not going back in there." Jackie immediately declined, shaking her head. "I am going to prove to all of those fuckers in there that I am not what they think, I don't need them."
"This is insane, J, put your petiness aside and come inside, it's freezing out here." Kalista stood up, holding her hand for Jackie to grab and follow her inside. "You can hate her all you want when you are inside, where it is warm." When silence surrounded them, Kalista continued, hoping Jackie would listen to her and realise this whole thing is ridiculous. "If they even look at you the wrong way I will punch them, I promise."
Jackie laughed at her comment and for a seoncd she considered her plan. She thought about what it would be like to grab her hand, reenter the cabin full of the people who shunned her. All their judgmental looks flashed in her mind and she winced, stopping herself from going to reach out and grab that inviting hand.
"I'll see you tomorrow, K." Jackie told her and the girl frowned, knowing this would be useless.
"Jackie, please." Kalista begged, her mind flashing to the worst scenarios.
"Go, I'll be fine." Jackie shot her smile as Kalista shook her head, not wanting to leave her. "Goodnight."
"I promise you, Jackie, tomorrow morning I will kick your ass for this." Kalista joked, but the slight waver of her voice gave her away.
"I'll hold you to it." Jackie grinned, watching the girl reluctantly drag herself into the cabin.
As the door slammed shut, Jackie turned back to the fire, regret pooling inside her. She should have put aside her pettiness and taken her hand, but it was too late for that now. Here, she was alone and vulnerable to something as unforgiving as nature, she would feel it's consequence soon.
