The McFanfic

Chapter 3

LIV'S POV

On Friday, I awoke early and ran to the mailbox straight away. Friday's were when Jake's letters usually arrived.

Sure enough, an envelope bearing my named lay inside of the otherwise empty mailbox. I gasped in excitement before snatching the letter and running back to the room I shared with Rhealee. 

I climbed the top bunk, excitedly, but carefully, as to avoid waking Rhealee. I opened the letter, my mouth dry with anticipation.

My dearest Olivia,

War is hell. I think of the riverside where my lips first met yours. Today I sit beside a river of another kind, a river of blood. The Who's ambushed us, we didn't have a prayer. I don't know how they got AK's considering the trade embargo. We lost many good men. 

I think of you each day, as well as of our cat son, Phineas. Please send him my love; I cannot write him as he cannot read. Please know that it is thoughts of you that keep me going. You are a beacon of hope in an otherwise war-torn wasteland.

Yours Always,

Jake

P.S. - Send nudes ;P

I hugged the letter to my chest before scurrying down the bunk bed latter to retrieve a pen and paper, intending to write my reply immediately. As I jumped down the latter, Rhealee stirred. 

"Oh, good morning, Liv." She said sleepily.

"Good morning, indeed, Rhea." I smiled.

"Ah, new letter?" She asked.

"Yes, have you seen Phineas? I have to ask him if there's anything he wants to say to his father." I asked.

"Liv, how would I have seen Phineas, I literally just woke up." Rhealee deadpanned.

"Oh, I suppose you're right," I giggled, "I'll look for him." 

I headed downstairs, calling for my cat son. As I entered the living room, I spotted Shauna, eating a bowl of cereal on the couch.

"You're looking for Phineas? He just went out." She said. 

"Oh, balls. I was hoping to send this letter out soon." I said. 

"He won't be long. He's just heading out to pick up some stuff for the party tonight."

Yes of course, the party. I had almost forgotten. 

"Oh, right," I said, "The party. I had almost forgotten." 

"You're coming, right?" Shauna asked.

"How could I not?" I chuckled.

"I know, it's just... I know you haven't been the biggest fan of parties since..." Shauna looked away.

"Since Jake joined the War on Christmas?" I asked.

"Yeah. That." Shauna said.

"It's okay, Shauna. Of course I miss him, but he's fighting for a noble cause, a better world. A world filled with red Starbucks cups and non-denominational holiday figures. A world where we are no longer slaves to the Christmas industrial complex!" I said, tears welling up in my eyes.

"You're right," said Shauna, "He is a good man."

"He truly is." I said, looking off into the distance. 

By that afternoon, party preparation was in full swing. Phineas had returned not long after my conversation with Shauna, and we had written a letter to Jake together. Now I was helping Shauna hang streamers in the living room. 

"Shauna, where should we put the snack table?" Julia called from the basement.

"In the living room, next to the keg!" Shauna shouted.

Julia and Helena came into the living room, carrying a folding table.

"So, Helena, I heard the Onceler is coming for sure!" I smiled. 

"Yeah, he is!" She smiled, but then frowned, "And about that... someone else is definitely coming, too..." 

"What? Who?" Shauna asked.

"The Michelin Man." Helena winced.

"What! Helena, we promised Rhealee we wouldn't invite him!" Shauna said.

"I know, we didn't mean to! He overheard us talking about the party, and there was nothing we could do!" Helena whined.

"Have you told Rhealee yet?" I asked.

"No, not yet. We didn't know how." Helena sighed. 

"Well, you have to tell her right now!" I said.

"Why do I have to tell her! Julia was there too!" Helena complained.

"Hey! Why you gotta call me out like that!" Julia said. 

"Well you were!" Helena said.

"I wasn't the one who spilled the beans!" Julia whined. 

"Guys, guys! Stop fighting! It's fine; I'll go tell her." I said. 

"Thanks, Liv." Helena and Julia said, and I rolled my eyes as I headed up the stairs. 

When I reached our room, I knocked on the door, "Hey, Rhea? You in here?" I asked.

"Yeah, come in." Rhealee said.

She was sitting at her desk doing her makeup excitedly.

"So, guess who just texted me back? Mr. Bendo!" Rhealee beamed.

"Oh, that's-- that's great, Rhea." I said nervously.

"Yes! He said he's sorry, and he's going to come tonight, and he misses me!" Rhealee could hardly contain her excitement. 

"That's really great, I'm really happy for you, but--"

"So you have to help me pick out what to wear!" Rhealee said, cutting me off.

"Rhea--"

"I already have some options picked out, look through them, will you?" She asked.

"Of course, Rhea, but first..." She didn't cut me off this time, but I couldn't find the words.

"What is it, Liv?" She asked.

"Rhea, the Michelin Man found out about the party. And he's coming." I said, biting my lip.

"Oh. Oh, well that's okay." Rhealee said. 

"It is?" I asked. 

"Of course. He's the captain of the football team, Liv, and a huge party animal. He was bound to find out about the party sooner or later. It was unrealistic of me to think we could keep the party a secret from him." She said.

"I guess you're right," I said, "But are you sure Mr. Bendo will be okay with it?"

"I'm sure he's expecting him to be there," Rhealee said, "And besides, he already apologized for being jealous. He said he wants to talk more tonight, but him and I are good. There's no need to worry." 

"Oh, good. That's a relief." I sighed.

"Yeah. Now go look at the outfits I picked out!" Rhealee said. 

I walked over to her closet as we laughed, and the screen faded to black.