F'N FABULOUS (Completed)

We Need To Talk

^^^ THURSDAY^^^

Mr. Floofer's thump woke her up around five. Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk. He decided that was the perfect time to do zoomies around the foot of the bed on top of her legs.

"Really?" She groaned.

She slept like crap thinking about everything- Greg, the fire, modeling, the apartment, DEREK... mostly him.

She should tell him her secret, right?

But what if then he kicks her out of the apartment, then where would she go?

She found another place, but they all have waiting lists for section 8. Mrs. Jadis hadn't called to give her an update yet so after thinking it over, she decided it would be best to hunker down where she was. She made up her mind late last night to discuss it with both the guys at breakfast, but then she had to go over the scenarios.

Should she tell both of them- just in case?

Don't they deserve to know who is living with them?

Jake seems to be fine with Angel and his boyfriend as model's and Beck obviously has no shame when it comes to his lifestyle. She didn't miss his obvious flirting with both Mel and Mitch. Derek was the big question mark.

Frustrated, she groaned again. If she learned anything over the years is that sometimes you just gotta shit or get off the pot, and she wasn't being productive trying to decide on her own.

JESSIE: U up?

MEL: Hell no

JESSIE: I think I am going to tell the guys this morning.

MEL: Finally...

MEL: Wait. What are you going to tell em?

JESSIE: To see if its ok for me to stay a bit longer.

MEL: Didn't they say it was ok already.

JESSIE: Ya, but still.

MEL: No "but still".. quit overthinking things. Tell 'em you all share a penis and go bang Derek all ready.

MEL: Now stop texting me, I'm busy making Beck breakfast.

JESSIE: What?

JESSIE: Wait a min.

JESSIE: Did he pay for a double ticket?

MEL: ...

MEL: I may have given him another free ride.

JESSIE: Really? Another freebie... interesting.

JESSIE: And don't think I didn't read that Derek comment. I'm not dealing with relationships right now. I need to get my life sorted out first.

MEL: I'm curious.

MEL: Btw. We have plans on Saturday.

JESSIE: Umm no WE don't.

MEL: PUUULLLLEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEE

JESSIE: Why do I think I am probably going to regret this?

MEL: Yay! I'll stop by early on Saturday so we can do dinner first.

MEL: 5pm ok?

JESSIE: I penciled you in, but I'm keeping my Lisa Frank eraser in my pocket just in case.

MEL: Ppsch. I make Lisa my bitch yo.

JESSIE: *Roll eyes emoji*

MEL: Gotta go... someone's got morning wood *Wink face emoji*

Jessie actually chuckled out loud. It was six am. She didn't hear anyone else moving around in the apartment so she decided it was a good time to take a long bath.

By the time she got out, it was closer to seven. She felt refreshed, but a bit guilty when she heard the guys start mucking about. Jake barely gave her a nod when she slipped out of the bathroom.

Derek was already clinking in the kitchen. She peeked over which immediately made her pause. His shorts hung low on his hips and he was shirtless giving her a view of his deliciously wide shoulders. His dark brown skin stood out against the stark white cabinets. He was chopping an onion and she was almost caught staring when he suddenly looked up as if he could sense her.

She thankfully had already slipped into her bedroom and busied herself by getting Mr. Floofer fed and watered. When she came back out, he had a shirt on thankfully. She didn't want nor need the distraction. She was going to tell them both, at breakfast.

She was totally going to do it too, but Jake didn't even stop to eat. 

He grabbed a bag that Derek made for him giving Derek a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, Ma." He said in jest. 

Derek shook his head. 

"I'm late. I got an early morning meeting at the college before I have to get on the road. I'm also going to probably just stay at my parent's place tonight so I don't have to worry about driving back tired. So don't wait up." Jake winked and left.

"He's weird." Jessie blurted out.

"We all are." Derek shrugged.

Jessie frowned. "I was hoping to talk to you guys both today."

Derek handed her a plate and led her to the dining room table. "Is it about you staying longer?"

"Ya. Kind of."

"We love having you here. We honestly don't mind you staying as long as needed. Jake just wants to steal your bunny and I wouldn't mind stealing you for a bit." He bit at his thumb as he slipped that last part in softly in a murmur.

Jessie shifted in her chair. "Ya about that. I..."

"I don't mean to make you uncomfortable." He added quickly.

"No.. its.. not.."

"and Jake isn't really going to steal Mr. Floofer."

"I know that.. but.."

"So forgive me for being rude. Forget all that. We are going to the storage unit to inventory things right?"

"Derek." Jessie let out a breath. "Please. Let me at least get this out."

Now he looked away.

Was he nervous?

"I don't know if Mel told you or not, but I have had a few bad breakups recently." She paused. "Probably not." She cringed. This was not how she practiced. "Not that she would." She groaned.

"I'm sorry to hear that." He reached towards her, but then pulled back.

"Sorry. I'll start over. I did put my name down on another list so I could get another place, but it could be a few months." She continued. This was better. On track. "I don't want things to be awkward here. Staying here saves me a lot of money, but I also don't want to be a moocher. I would like to pay at least some rent and be apart of the chores thing you have with Jake."

"Sounds fair." Definitely sounding relieved.

"We cant..." She stopped. "It would be best to keep things as friends just in case... don't you think."

He bit at his thumbnail. "Of course. I don't mean to.." He stopped midsentence. "Obviously I like you."

Well, that was unexpected.

What should she say? Anything?

He continued. "But you know my mom is serious about stuff like this. She used to tell me all the time...'any relationship should start with a friendship foundation,' right? So we work on that." He shrugged and began eating his breakfast.

Jessie sat still processing their talk before finally speaking, "Umm. Ya. That could be ok."

Definitely not how she imagined the talk to go, but she smiled. It was kind of better.