My Best Friend Jimmy

Turn Up

Chapter 4

Jimmy's Point of View

I don't think I've ever eaten so much before in my life. Like I definitely ate an illegal amount of food. Jess and I had some really good talks and I think if at all possible, we got a bit closer. She seemed to perk up from whatever happened with her and Eddy after the food came, so that made me feel a lot better. 

I waited with my phone on me all day, but no call or even a text from Nancy. I love her so much. I think I want to ask her if she'll be my wife. I just think maybe she's going through a rough patch with work and all and she just needs her space. I just think after this, everything will be okay. I'm just ready to turn up with Jess and her friends and forget about all our problems. 

Jess's Point of View

Jimmy and I needed to get moving if we were going to get to the party in time! He loved taking his grand old time.

"T-t-today, Junior!" I yelled as he ran across the parking lot because he forgot his wallet in the restaurant.

Out of breath, he gasped, "I think I'm going to throw up. Running and $30 worth of chicken makes me want to blow chunks."

"Oh come on. We have to stop at my house, get the tent and sleeping bags, and get there soon!"

"You're forgetting something."

"What am I forgetting, James?"

"The alcohol. A shit ton of alcohol."

Smacking my forehead, "Ah yes! How could I have forgotten?!"

Reaching over and tapping my forehead too, Jimmy giggled, "Yeah that's what I'm here for ya turd!"

And on that note, we pulled out of the parking lot and headed towards my hometown. 

A little ways into the ride, Jimmy looked at  me and said, "You know, for as long as we've been friends, I've never been to your hometown and I've never been to your house where you grew up."

"Yeah my hometown isn't too much to be proud of. Just a whole bunch of small minded people. I didn't really fit in while I was living there. Having dreams on being on TV and moving to NYC weren't very welcomed there."

"What do you mean by weren't welcomed?"

"Just throughout high school, I had about three good friends. I was social, it's just that no one had the same aspirations as I did, so I didn't really fit in. A lot of Friday nights spent alone. Boys weren't very into me because I was so different. My first real boyfriend was Eddy and that's the only guy I've really ever been with."

Giving me the puppy lip, "Jess, I'm sorry. The only thing I regret about our friendship is not being friends sooner. I'm just glad we are now. I love ya, Pal."

As Jimmy punched my shoulder in a joking way, I couldn't help but flinch and an extremely noticeable way. 

"Jess! What the fuck was that?! Are you okay?!" he was getting all shaky in his voice and then he knew why I did it. "So are you going to tell me what's happening now? We're best friends. We have been for years. We've fake fought more times than I can count. What's going on?"

Fighting back the tears, I said, "I'll tell you when we're home from the party tomorrow. I don't want to talk about it and I can't talk about it right now."

"Jess, I'm worried about you."

"I know, Jimmy. But believe me. It's nothing I can't handle. You know me, I can handle anything."

"I know Jess. I'm sorry."

By now we were pulling up my driveway and up to my house. Jimmy got out and stretched and yawned, "Sooooo this must be the Casa de Stein."

"Ahh yes sir," I said in a Spanish accent, "my humble abode."

"Commode." Jimmy giggled.

"Jimmy, that is a fucking toilet."

Laughing far too hard at his cheesy joke, "Come on let's get the tent and the booze. I'm so ready for this!"

"Okay, Spanky, lets go... I'll race you!"

We both took off toward the door. Jimmy beat me by a mile. He is 6 inches taller than I am and I used that every time when I lost a race to him.

We packed up the car with enough booze to take down Hoda Kotb and a tent and we were on our way.  This party was going to be crazy and we both knew it. 

We finally pulled up to the party, and I couldn't believe my eyes. The small get together I knew from being a child turned into 200 people who were as ready to party as we were. I this was going to be insane.