Drawing the Wildcard

Chapter 12: Flashbacks and Rantings

After a very pleasure-filled evening together, Kit and Ari made their way to school. Kit couldn't help but smirk in a little bit of pride as he watched Ari walk gingerly to their class and took their seats next to each other. To Kit's surprise, Jake hasn't showed up to class yet.

"Babe, where's Jake?" Kit whispers in Ari's ear.

"I don't know. I hope he gets here soon." Ari whispers back. By sheer coincidence, Jake walked into the classroom and put his homework on the teacher's desk.

"Nice of you to join us, Mr. Parker. Please take your seat." the teacher says. Jake rolled his eyes and walked to his desk, immediately sitting down and putting his head down in irritation. Ari frowned slightly at Jake's actions and gently nudged him. Jake turned his head slightly to face her, repressed anger clear on his features.

"Yeah?" He whispers gruffly

"Jake, what's wrong?" Ari asks, concern lacing her tone.

"Yeah, man. You seem angrier than the time Flash hit you with that paint balloon." Kit adds.

*FLASHBACK: 3 Months Ago*

"And that's why Ari and I aren't allowed back in Dairy Queen. Or any ice cream parlor for that matter. At least for the next 3 months." Jake says, causing Kit and Ari to erupt in uncontrollable laughter. Jake couldn't help but laugh along too.

"Jake, you promised not to tell that story." Ari says, blushing hard. Kit wraps an arm around her shoulders.

"It's cool, babe. I just didn't know you were so kinky." Kit says teasingly, laughing slightly as Ari blushes harder.

"Hey, Parker!" Jake turns around and....

*SPLASH!*

...gets hit by a paint-filled balloon, drenching his shirt in red paint. Jake's right eye twitches dangerously as Flash laughs.

"Well, guess today's the day I gotta put a bitch in his place." Jake mutters as he cracks his knuckles and makes his way over to Flash. Kit tried to intervene, only for Ari to pull him back. He shot her a questioning look in response.

"I wouldn't, babe. Not when Jake gets like this." Ari says, wincing slightly as she heard a sickening crunch and Flash screaming in pain. She only shook her head and sighed. Looks like Flash will have to go to the school nurse. Again.

*FLASHBACK: END*

Jake sighs heavily as the trio gathered their things as the bell rang and left class.

"Aunt May and I got into an argument." He says, stopping at his locker to get his science book.

"About what?" Kit asks. Jake growls lowly and slams his locker shut.

"About responsibility." He practically hissed out the word. "Saying how I'm spending too much time with you guys when I should be helping out around the house."

"Isn't that what you were doing yesterday?" Ari asks.

"Exactly! Sure, Petey can sleep in all day and disappear all the fucking time, but I hang out with my friends and suddenly, I'm irresponsible?" Jake says, snorting derisively. "Kit, how long until graduation?"

"In a couple of months."

"Good. After graduation, I'm moving out." Jake says, missing the shocked look on his friends' faces.

"Moving out? Why?" Ari asks.

"Because I'm just tired, Ari. Aunt May's been getting sick, bills are piling up, and Peter hasn't been doing anything about it." Jake huffs slightly and makes his way to his next class. Ari frowns slightly, which Kit picks up on.

"Something wrong, babe?" He asks.

"I'm not used to seeing Jake like this." She replies as they walk to their next class. "And if he's serious about moving out, where would he go?"

"Well, he can stay with us. Think about it, babe. He practically lives there now." He says before moving down to her ear. "Plus, it's also Cerulean-Spider's secret hideout." he whispers. Ari nods in understanding.

"Good points. It's settled then. Jake is moving in with us after graduation." Ari says with a smile. "Now, let's get to class. The sooner it's over, the sooner we can head back and work on C.S's costume and gear."