Crossing Jupiter (#Wattys2015)

Chapter Fifteen

Here's the thing: I've never pranked anyone.
I mean, I'm able to do small things like cling-wrap a door or replacing the butter with frozen mustard, but I've never gone farther than that. Pranking is Jasper's area. Every time he has a friend over, it ends in a prank war. Normally I sit and watch from afar, admiring what they do. I would never have the courage to do it; the guilt would eat me alive.

But this time is different; this time I have to come up with something. I'm debating on whether or not I should start small. I mean, I don't want to wreck his house in the first day of being here.

I sneak into Bay's bathroom and grab his shampoo and conditioner. I quickly empty the contents into separate containers and replace them with oil and cream cheese. I shove them back on the shelf in the shower and dash out of the room. Hopefully it's enough to start a war, without it being too brutal.

I lounge on Taylor's bed and skim the backs of my books. Her pink sheets keep catching my eye when I focus on the pages. In my opinion, pink isn't her color.

Bay strolls into his room and shuts the door behind him. The sound of water hitting the shower floor rings out and creates muffled ripples in the air. I sink lower into the cushions and wait. Five minutes later, Bay's voice shouts out in a string of curses. The water shuts off and the door flings open, slamming against the wall. He stares me down in the doorway. Only a towel is wrapped around his waist, and trust me, he does not have a six-pack. If anything, it's a four-pack. He's more of the slender type.

"You're skinnier than I thought you were." I note.

He wipes a chunk of cream cheese out of his hair. "Is this your version of a prank? This is the oldest trick in the book."

"I have no clue what you're talking about."

"Oh, really? Well let's hope your memory will be refreshed tonight."

"Mhm." I look up at him. "So what's the problem?"

Bay grabs his container of shampoo and conditioner off the dresser. He grumbles and leaves without a word.

-

We sit at the table in silence. Maria keeps telling me to try different foods that she's cooked up, and I oblige. Bay and Marissa exchange awkward glances across the table. It appears that he's forgiven me, but I know something is waiting for me upstairs. He glances at me a few times, trying to make conversation, but Maria cuts in every time. I still haven't figured out if I should just call her Maria or Mrs. Riker. Normally I call neighbors by their first name, but this time it feels awkward.

"Have you written since you've arrived here, July?" Marissa asks.

Bay appears taken aback. I shoot him a glance before responding. "I haven't gotten to write as much as I'd've hoped, but every now and then I'm able to. I guess you could say that I miss it."

She smiles. "I know how that feels. Maybe you and Bay can write something one day. Every now and then I walk in on him scribbling stories."

Bay raises his eyebrows in confusion. I ignore him. "He writes stories?"

"All the time!" Marissa squeals. She kisses Bay's cheek, but he quickly wipes it off. A few seconds later, she goes back to being quiet. It's a bit like she's forgotten what she's done within the hour.

"Maybe I'll ask him about it one day." I whisper.

-

I hurl an action figure towards Bay's face. "You never told me she has short-term memory!"

He ducks under the bed. "I didn't think it was relevant!"

"Relevant? I'd say so. Did you ever seem to think that that's why she doesn't recognize you?"

"It was just an excuse!" Bay shrieks. "I have other reasons as to why I don't get along with her. Reasons I'd rather not discuss." He crawls out from hiding. "I'm sorry I never mentioned it sooner. It was idiotic, hiding it and all."

"It's understandable. I mean, you don't have to tell me everything, but it would've made sense to mention it. The way you described her, I was expecting a total snob. She's just a normal girl."

Bay sits down, wrapping an arm around me. "She's still a snob."

I roll my eyes. "God, you're such a teenager. You say something different than what you think, and then you act on neither of them."

"And you're not a teenager?"

"I am, but that's besides the point. Marissa said you write?"

"That's nonsense," Bay splutters. "I wouldn't call it 'writing.' It's just a few silly stories. Nothing big, nothing special."

"Everyone who writes is an author. Every author will write something special, because it's your idea. And no one can write it better than the man himself."

"I guess I've never felt like much of an author."

I beam. "Then this is your chance to. Accept, embrace it and love it. You have the chance to do something great."

Bay sinks into the comforter. "I put a mouse in your bed," he mutters. "But you weren't supposed to know about it."

I laugh. "If you're going to prank like that, then you should've called my brother. In case you haven't noticed. I'm not the best at pranks."

"I know," he smiles. "But I enjoy messing with you."

"So can we call off the prank war?"

"It hasn't even started yet." Bay whines. "But, if you insist, then I guess we can."

I smirk. "Fantastic."