Jake X Jane Homestuck Fanfiction

Simple, Three Letters

Chapter Six : Simple, Three Letters

My dad could take care of himself. I knew that, the same way I knew there were so many things about his life I couldn't fix, no matter how hard I tried. It was probably why I worked so hard to handle the things I did. Getting us settled, taking care of details, keeping the chaos we'd chosen as neat as possible. I couldn't mend his broken heart or give him back the love of his team. But getting a new toaster, making sure we had enough soap and paper towels, and agreeing about the pickles? That, I could handle.

This was especially true now that I didn't know if I'd have a chance to do it again. I was in the second semester of my senior year, my college applications-which had been a challenge , to say the least, with my patchwork transcript- already submitted. In the fall, like the last two, I knew I'd probably be somewhere else, and again, I didn't know where. What I was sure of, though, was that I would be going it alone. The thought made me sad enough to want to do everything I could now for my dad, as if I could bank it away from my eventual absence.

I paid my check-that was another of my dad's rules, no freebies-then got up and headed outside for the short walk back into the house. It was a crisp day, early January, with that kind of quickly waning afternoon light that always makes it feel the dark snuck up on you. I'd cut down the alley just to the left of Luna Blu, which I was pretty sure was a shortcut to our street, when I came upon Porrim. She was sitting on a milk crate by the side door of the restaurant, her back to me, talking to a guy in jeans and an apron, and...a mark on his forehead which happens to be the Aquarius sign? I wasn't sure enough, who was smoking a cigarette.

Yep, you got it.

Fucking Cronus Ampora

"I mean, it takes serious nerve to just come in here and call yourself an expert on any kind and all things," she was saying. "Oh, and you can just tell he's used to women falling all over him and agreeing to everything he says, even when it's stupid bordering offensive. The man is clearly in love with himself. I mean, did you see that hair? What kind of adult can't get a simple age-appropriate haircut?"

The guy with the cigarette, who was tall and mascular with a serious proturuding Adam's apple, let out a guffaw, nodding at me as I approached. Porrim turned, laughing, too. Then her eyes widened, and she jumped to her feet. "Hi," she said too quickly. "Um, I didn't realize...How was your meal? Good?"

I nodded, silent, then slid my hands farther into my pockets as I walked between them. About two beats later, I heard footsteps behind me, running to catch up.

"Wait," Porrim called out. Then, "Please?"

I stopped, turning to face her. Up close, I realized she was older than I first realized, probably in her early thirties rather than twenties. Her cheeks were flushed, either from the cold or being embarassed, as she said,"Look. I was just blowing off steam, okay? It's not personal."

She looked at me for a moment, then folded her arms over her chest. "It's just..." she said, then stopped, taking a breath."It's kind of jarring, to suddenly be under scrutiny like this. I know it's not an excuse. But I'd appreciate if you wouldn't...you know..."

"I wouldn't," I told her.

Porrim nodded slowly. "Thanks."

I turned and started walking again, ducking again against the cold. I'd only taken a couple of steps when I heard her say, "Hey, I didn't catch your name earlier. What was it again?"

I never picked the moment. It always chooses me. I just knew, somehow, what would work at the exact instant that I needed to.

"Liz," I said, turning back at her.

I liked the sound of it.

Simple, three letters.

Also the same simple, three words she's going to express to Jake in the next few chapters

*wink wonk*

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