Just Sh*t: A New York City Story

Chapter 26: The Reel Victor

As the sun rose over the river, the boys set up their fishing gear, the excitement palpable in the crisp morning air. Jackson and Ryan stood side by side, casting their lines into the shimmering water. Jackson, calm and focused, had a knack for fishing that came from years of practice. Ryan, on the other hand, was fueled by his competitive spirit, determined to outdo Jackson no matter what.

Jackson struck first, reeling in a beautiful trout with an effortless flick of his wrist. "One!" he called out, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. He quickly unhooked the fish and tossed it into his cooler, feeling that rush of triumph.

As the minutes ticked by, Jackson's skill shone through. He caught fish after fish, each one adding to his growing collection. By the time he reeled in his sixth, he couldn't help but glance at Ryan, who was still waiting for his first bite. The frustration was evident on Ryan's face as he cast his line again, his jaw set in determination.

"Come on, man! You're not even trying!" Ryan exclaimed, his competitiveness bubbling to the surface.

"Maybe you need to try a different technique," Jackson suggested, smirking.

"Yeah, right. I just need to find the right spot," Ryan retorted, exasperated. In a fit of frustration, he stood up abruptly. "I'll be right back. I'm going to find a better spot downstream."

Jackson watched as Ryan stormed off, shaking his head in amusement. He knew Ryan wouldn't give up easily, and that only fueled his competitive nature even more.

While Jackson continued to fish, pulling in his seventh and eighth catches, Ryan wandered along the riverbank. He wandered further down the road, eventually spotting a group of local fishermen who had just wrapped up their morning session. Their coolers were full, glistening in the sun, and Ryan's competitive instincts kicked in.

"Wow, you guys really cleaned up!" he called out, eyeing their haul.

"Yeah, we had a good morning. You catch anything?" one of the fishermen asked, noticing Ryan's fishing gear.

"Not yet," Ryan replied, trying to keep his cool. "Just being a little picky about what I eat."

The fishermen exchanged puzzled looks, clearly amused by his admission. "Well, why not catch your own? You look ready for it," another guy said, chuckling.

Ryan shrugged, playing it off. "Sometimes it's better to go with the sure thing." After some friendly banter, he struck a deal and bought seven freshly caught fish from the group, feeling a sense of triumph wash over him.

Returning to Jackson, who was still busy fishing, Ryan couldn't hide his excitement. "Guess who's back with seven fish!" he announced, holding them up with a triumphant grin. "That's right, seven—exactly one more than you!"

Jackson's eyes widened, impressed but skeptical. He counted his own catches, the six shining fish glistening in his cooler. "Impressive, but I bet you just found a better spot downriver," Jackson teased, masking his amusement.

"Absolutely! You've got to know where to look," Ryan replied, trying to keep his cool demeanor intact.

Meanwhile, Jackson's inner amusement grew. He glanced at the box he had cleverly hidden nearby, where he had stashed eight additional fish—his secret stash that brought his total to fourteen. The rivalry had taken an unexpected turn, but he was enjoying every moment of it.

As they settled back into their spots, Jackson couldn't help but smirk. "Good job, Ryan. But just so you know, I'm still ahead."

Ryan grinned back, his competitive nature flaring. "Not for long! This is far from over." The banter continued, their playful rivalry underscoring the camaraderie of the trip as they both anticipated what the rest of the day would bring.

When the boys regroup for a campfire, Ryan talks about how Jackson tried to keep up but he was no match for Ryan's own fishing skills. He practically lives and breaths water. Jackson silently smiles and laughs to himself, letting Ryan have the moment. Alex tells Jackson quietly he'll have to tell him about it later, without Ryan noticing.