Just Sh*t: A New York City Story

Chapter 48: The Cost of Belonging

As the gang settles into the apartment, the energy is electric. Snacks are spread across the coffee table, drinks are chilled, and the TV blares pregame analysis, setting the stage for the highly anticipated Super Bowl. Each of the boys sports their favorite jerseys, exuding team spirit and camaraderie.

Just as the mood hits a peak, Jamie emerges from his room, sporting a plain t-shirt from The Gap. The atmosphere shifts instantly; laughter turns to disbelief.

"What are you wearing?" Alex exclaims, his eyes wide. "We're about to watch the Super Bowl, and you look like you just rolled out of bed!"

Judah shakes his head in mock disbelief. "We should throw him out right now. This is a whole different level of fashion disaster than those loafers."

"What's wrong with my shirt?" Jamie asks, genuinely confused. "I don't really watch football anyway."

"It doesn't matter if you watch it or not! You can't show up to a Super Bowl party in that," Judah insists. "You need a jersey. Now."

Jamie crosses his arms, a hint of defiance in his posture. "Jerseys are expensive, and it's too late. People will be here any minute!"

Jackson chimes in, "There's no way I'm letting you rock that Gap t-shirt during the party. You either go find a jersey, or you're staying in your room the whole night."

With a resigned sigh, Jamie realizes he has no choice. "Fine, I'll go get a jersey," he mutters, though the enthusiasm is lacking.

As the party begins to fill with friends, Jamie spends the entire night trying to trade favors for a jersey. He wanders from bar to bar, trying to catch snippets of the game on various TVs, asking strangers on the metro if they have a spare jersey, all while his friends are cheering and celebrating the Super Bowl in the apartment.

Time passes, and the game unfolds into one of the most thrilling Super Bowls ever played, filled with unbelievable plays and dramatic moments. Yet, Jamie misses it all, stuck on his quest to satisfy his friends' ridiculous rule.

When he finally returns to the apartment, the game is over. The boys are buzzing with excitement, sharing highlights and laughing, while Jamie stands in the doorway, feeling dejected.

"You missed it, man! It was legendary!" Judah laughs, clapping Jamie on the back. "But hey, you'll get over it in no time."

Jamie forces a smile but can't shake his disappointment. "Yeah, maybe..." he trails off.

His only escape from the frustration comes through his runs with Mira, who patiently listens as he talks through his feelings. "I just wanted to enjoy the game, you know?" he confides, running alongside her.

Eventually, a week later, Jamie returns from a late-night run, still feeling a bit hollow from missing the Super Bowl experience. As he opens the door to the apartment, he's met with a surprising sight: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and, as a special treat, Tom Holland are all there, gathered around the TV.

"We thought we'd rewatch the game with you," Timothée says, grinning. "Ready to relive the best moments?"

Jamie's eyes widen in shock, starstruck by the presence of his heroes. "Uh... wow! This is... amazing!"

As they settle in, sharing snacks and laughter, Jamie finds himself feeling grateful for his friends and this unexpected opportunity. They recount the best plays and relive the game's most exhilarating moments, turning what could have been a sour experience into an unforgettable night filled with camaraderie and fun.

"Thanks, guys," Jamie says sincerely, looking around at the group, a genuine smile finally breaking through. "This means a lot."

As the laughter and stories flow, he realizes that while he may have missed the Super Bowl, he gained something far more valuable: memories that would last a lifetime.

As Jamie steps out into the evening air, he feels the weight of the t-shirt from The Gap hanging off his shoulders. Determined to find a jersey, he wanders the streets, looking for any sign of hope.

His first stop is a local bar. He pushes through the door, the sounds of cheers and laughter flooding over him. Spotting the bartender, Jamie leans over the counter. "Hey, do you guys have any jerseys for sale or know where I can find one?"

The bartender raises an eyebrow, wiping down the bar. "Sorry, man. We don't sell jerseys. But you might check the sports shop down the block."

"Thanks!" Jamie replies, hopeful as he heads back out into the cold.

At the sports shop, the shelves are lined with jerseys, but they all come with hefty price tags. Jamie glances around, feeling increasingly discouraged. "Do you have anything less expensive?" he asks a clerk, gesturing to the most expensive jerseys.

The clerk shrugs. "Sorry, dude. This is the best we've got."

Jamie sighs, feeling the pressure of time ticking away. He wanders through the aisles, heart sinking as he notices a few fans sporting jerseys that he'd love to wear. "Can't believe this is happening," he mutters to himself.

Determined not to give up, he finally makes his way to the metro. As he stands waiting for the train, he notices a man in his late thirties wearing a Brett Favre jersey. The man is having a good time but Jamie is desperate.

"Hey, how much for the jersey?" Jamie asks, trying to sound casual.

"What? You mean the one I'm wearing?" The man can't believe what he's hearing.

"Yeah," Jamie says assertively. How much?"

The man looks him over, up and down. "Two hundred."

"Two hundred? There's no way!" Jamie protests. "Look, I've been running around all night. I just need something to wear for the game or my friends won't let me in their party!"

The man doesn't budge. "C'mon, I can tell you've got money. Just think of it as an investment in your game day experience."

Feeling desperate, Jamie rolls his eyes and digs into his wallet, heart racing. "Fine. Just give it to me." He hands over the cash, feeling worse than when he wore the Gap shirt.

"Pleasure doing business!" the man grins, stripping off the bright green and yellow jersey and handing it over.

Putting it off immediately, as if on instinct, Jamie hurries back, the excitement of the game urging him forward. But as he finally steps through the door, it's clear the atmosphere inside the apartment is electric. The room is filled with cheers and jubilation; food is flying, and people are jumping up and down, hands and fists in the air. The room is wild.

"Jamie!" his friends shout, spotting him through the crowd. They seem thrilled to finally see him, but someone else comments that "Brett Favre? That's such a bad pick. What a loser." Jamie feels a twinge of hurt.

He forces a smile, waving them off, and excuses himself through the chaos. The cheers of celebration echo in his ears, but all he feels is isolation. The door to his room shuts quietly behind him, and he sits on his bed, staring at the wall, hoping someone will come check on him.

But as the party rages on outside, no one comes. Not even Alex, his go-to best friend for a comforting experience.

The next morning, the apartment is a mess, the remnants of last night's excitement strewn across every surface. Jamie wakes up early, quietly cleaning up the chaos left behind, his movements careful and deliberate.

When the boys finally begin to stir, they're still riding the high from the previous night, exchanging stories and laughing at their hungover state. But Jamie, feeling the weight of disappointment, drifts in and out of the conversation, a shadow amidst their joy.

"Last night was epic!" Judah declares, a wide grin on his face.

"Yeah, totally," Jamie replies, but the words feel hollow.

As they share in their collective glow, Jamie can't help but feel detached, lingering in the background while everyone else revels in the memories of a night he tried so hard to be a part of but ultimately missed.