𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄¹, jack champion

019, 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐲

019, 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐲
irl
(a/n at the end!)

THIRD PERSON +
may 9, 2023

the scent of vanilla wafts through the air in jenna's apartment, the remnants of a candle burning on the coffee table. it's late, and jenna is curled up on the couch in her pajamas, engrossed in a book, when there's a knock at the door.

jenna frowns, glancing at the clock. it's unusual for someone to visit this late. she sets the book aside and walks to the door, peeking through the peephole. her eyes widen in surprise when she sees juniper standing on the other side, looking small and vulnerable.

without hesitation, jenna unlocks the door and swings it open. "juju? what are you doing here? are you okay? i've been texting and calling non stop, i tried to come over but i've been so non-stop busy."

juniper tries to respond, but the words catch in her throat. seeing jenna's concerned face, the dam she's been holding back suddenly breaks. her lip trembles, and before she knows it, tears are spilling down her cheeks.

"i... i didn't know what else to do," juniper whispers weakly, her voice breaking.

jenna steps forward, wrapping juniper in a tight hug without a second thought. "hey, it's okay. you're okay. come inside."

juniper clings to jenna, her body trembling as the sobs she's been holding back all night finally escape. jenna guides her into the apartment, shutting the door behind them. she leads juniper to the couch, where they both sit down, jenna keeping a protective arm around her friend.

for a while, neither of them speaks. juniper just cries, all the pain, the fear, the guilt she's been carrying pouring out of her in waves. jenna rubs soothing circles on her back, murmuring words of comfort, though she can't quite make sense of what's going on yet.

after what feels like an eternity, juniper's sobs start to quiet down, and she pulls back slightly, wiping at her tear-streaked face. jenna hands her a tissue, and juniper takes it gratefully, dabbing at her swollen eyes.

"i'm so sorry," juniper chokes out, her voice still thick with emotion. "i shouldn't have just shown up like this."

jenna shakes her head, squeezing juniper's hand. "you don't have to apologize. i'm glad you came. but what happened? what's got you so upset?"

juniper takes a shaky breath, trying to steady herself. "it's just... everything. all the hate, all the things people have been saying. it's like... i can't escape it. no matter what i do, it's always there, eating away at me. i've been trying so hard to ignore it, to be strong, but... i can't anymore. it's too much."

jenna's expression softens with understanding, and she pulls juniper into another hug. "oh, juju... i'm so sorry. i didn't know it was this bad. but you don't have to go through this alone, okay? i'm here for you. we all are."

"i know," juniper whispers, her voice breaking again. "but i just... i feel so lost. and i feel terrible because... because i took it out on jack."

jenna pulls back slightly, looking into juniper's eyes. "what happened with jack?"

juniper swallows hard, guilt welling up in her chest. "he came over to check on me, and i was just... i was so overwhelmed and scared that i snapped at him. i told him to leave, and he did, and now i haven't heard from him since. i didn't mean to hurt him, but i did, and now i'm afraid i've ruined everything."

jenna's heart aches for her friend. "juniper, i'm sure jack understands. he cares about you, and he knows what you've been dealing with. he's not going to hold it against you."