ex-strangers || a jeffmads fic

chapter thirteen

// shorter chapter this time, look out!

jefferson.

Angelica Schuyler. Solid 8/10, pretty, and a massive pain in Thomas' neck. Not only did she drive him crazy with annoyance, she served a good point, but she also fed into his guilt. And if anyone knew Thomas, they'd know he was not keen on feeling guilty. He didn't do anything wrong. That was what he'd stick by. It was James' fault. If James hadn't wanted— If James had decided—
And of course the Schuylers were mad! Of course James was friends with them, because if he knew anything about secluded virgins, it was that the sisters took them under their wing— Stop it. You're not a dick, Thomas. God. Keep it together.

Do you think—

Thomas squeezed his eyes shut. Who cares what prickly thoughts Thomas would think about some random loser he'd hooked up with? Why was Thomas so guilty for not only— whatever it was, but also for being mean inside his own head?

Someday I'm gonna knock Angie's lights out.

Instead, he knocked on the sisters' apartment door.

"Hang on!" Eliza. Too nice for her own good. Thomas wanted to punch himself, except not really, because he wasn't stupid.

"Hey, Tho—Thomas! ...What's going on?" Eliza stumbled over her words, attempting to place cheeriness in regard to his appearance at their door.

He flashed a tempting smile and crooned, "Can I come in?"

She eyed him.

He dropped the act. "Let me in."

Eliza glanced back, into the apartment. A voice. "Who's there? If it's the Mormon guys, tell them to take their books and leave. I swear— Oh, Thomas. What an unpleasant surprise."

Angelica approached, standing behind Eliza, making unnervingly sharp eye contact with Thomas. "Why are you here?"

"I wanted to—ahem—clear things up."

"Nothing to clear up," Angelica stated coldly. Elizabeth edged out of the doorway, leaving room for Angelica. She disappeared into the apartment. "You're an asshole, and you have no reason to be here. Clear things up."

Thomas took a step toward her, but she was still. He gritted his teeth. "I don't know what you want from me," he hissed, voice low and frost-laden. "What is your problem? What did I do to him that's so dire, so sad, that you had to text me?"

Angelica looked almost shocked that Thomas didn't know, but it shifted to suspicion. She thought he was faking it. He would've been wounded at the accusation, had he not been notorious for lying. Her expression fell back into annoyance. "You should know better than to come to my door, begging for forgiveness. What are you, five?"

Thomas gritted his teeth, trying to keep his anger in check. "Oh, fuck off, Angelica," he spat. "You were mad, and I didn't know why—and I still don't, but you're a bitch anyway. Maybe you're just mad to be mad." It was far-fetched and he was aware that it was untrue, but there wasn't much of a filter stopping him from speaking now. She looked a little more pissed.

"Excuse me?" Angelica took a step toward him. He edged backward unintentionally. "I am not... mad to be mad. You hurt James! And don't pretend you didn't know—you insensitive prick!"
Thomas curled his lip. "I knew jack shit about what I did!" His eyes flashed, daunted by anger. "I hurt James," he mocked. "No, I did not. That is on him if he's too sensitive to realize that it was his choice, and that is not my fau—"

"...What?" She stared at him, genuine confusion creasing her otherwise ticked off face.

"Hey, James."

"...What's he doing here?"

// i really like abusing the italics when i write on desktop apparently. anyway happy chapter 13 !hell has broken loose and james still. doesn't know who thomas is. don't we love some jeffmads angst