thejbi

[thejbi]

Usually for parties, Jacob Ben Israel counted the days. He couldn't wait to be in the thick of them. He was a beacon for drama, and the potential of it was always too good for him to pass up. Not all of it he posted. The truth was, JBI just liked to know things. Too bad lately he couldn't seem to care about much of anything.

He put up the motions, running into some familiar faces that were actually happy to see him. And of course others who weren't - but that was to be expected. What wasn't really to be expected, though, was coming face to face with him.

"Brett." Brett and him were on two different planets lately. And yet they were still matching. "Yeah," he muttered, instinctively adjusting his shirt. His eyes ran over him. "You wore yours." Jacob cleared his throat. "You look..." His tongue felt heavy. "Different."

closed starter for @thejbi !!

If pressed, Brett knew he could probably get away with saying he was The Rock in that one iconic photograph, even if he didn’t have the fanny pack. But he was too loyal to lie and like when he’d been trying to scramble and pick another costume, this was the one he’d wanted to be. He slowly picked at his clothes, fingertips just a little numb from the high he was currently riding. It was easier to deal with the disappointed faces of his roommates with something in his system after he broke his sobriety earlier in the week. 

He currently had a beer in his hand, his phone in the other. He was still thinking about the reply he didn’t get, even if he already deleted his drunk text. Brett drained the rest of the beer as he thought of the call that connected for only a few seconds, trying to remember what could’ve happened, what could've been said. But as always, the alcohol that had been in his system at the time made it impossible for him to recall anything. All he knew the morning after Dottie’s 21st birthday was that he was now partial owner of three stolen traffic cones.

He made his way to the kitchen to grab another drink, stopping only to make a quick sale as he was flagged down by someone on the football team. At least when it came to this, he was having a good night. He’d already sold more than half of what he brought, which was honestly, way more than last year. Brett grabbed another beer, smiling to himself a little as he used the empty one and with a well placed kick, popped the cap off of his new one. It had taken him hours to learn that trick. Someone nearby clapped and he gave a quick bow, placing his empty on the counter before he started to head outside. He was about to cross the threshold when he stumbled a little, knees suddenly a little weak at the sight before him.

“Oh.”

Brett closed his gaping mouth, opening it a second later, but this time nothing else came out and he closed it again. He cleared his throat and took a sip of his beer, glancing away only to look back and give the other a once over. He choked on his drink a little as he realized what Jacob was wearing. “You wore the costume,” he whispered, voice hoarse.

[thejbi]

"Yeah. I get that." He was quiet, for a moment, staring off into the woods in front of them as he dug the case for his earbuds out of his pocket. For once he wasn't thinking about what might be lurking in the darkness. Jacob shrugged off his jacket, slowly. "It might not help..." He hesitated for only a moment before laying the jacket over her shoulders, straightening out the fabric so that she was covered. "But right now, I could be in your corner."

He listened as she talked about the situation. He'd already heard about the rumors. He was always one of the first to hear about gossip; about rumors. He always tried to be privy to the things people wanted to hide most about themselves. Lately, though. Jacob didn't care. A big part of him was confused that he didn't. "And now you're questioning if you were ever really friends at all?" He guessed, ignoring the way his own chest constricted to a point where he nearly lost his next breath. "Did you tell him he hurt you?"

If he were her, he wouldn't. He'd mask it in every possible way he could. But that might be yet another way they were intensely different. Jacob let out a huff of laughter as a hand lifted to card through his curls. "I have a thousand different commenters that would be overjoyed to prove you wrong."

Shaking her head, she couldn't help the small smile that formed. "I'm just good at sticking to for myself. Gives the illusion of backup but... it's just me." She admitted. Taking in a deep breath she looked at her curly haired companion and he just looked so... soft.

"Hunter started a thing with Kitty despite it being well known that she and I don't get along, to put it mildly." Sitting on her hands she looked away from JBI. "Anyway she said sine kind of fucked up shit to me at Cheerio's practice and he's mad at me for not telling him. Like doesn't want to talk to me mad. And I could handle that but even after I told him what she said he didn't disagree, he didn't reassure me, he didn't comfort me at all. That hurt."

Exhaling, it felt good to say that out loud to another human, even if she sounds pathetic it was how she felt and she deserved to feel it. "And deny the world your investigative prowess? I think humanity is better with you right where you are." It was in the tone of a joke but she meant it.

[thejbi]

He'd never expected Bree to be the cryptid of Ohio lore he'd been seeking, but stranger things have happened. Like her crying, for example. She was always so strong; it never occurred to him that she could really get hurt.

"What are you talking about?" He moved to sit beside her, torso angling toward hers. "You're Bree Brown. You have so many people in your corner it probably looks more like a circle." He nudged her shoulder with his own, tone softening in a way that may be considered uncharacteristic by the general public. "What happened?"

He shrugged at her question. "Maybe I'm hoping one will come and whisk me away." Jacob sent her a small half-smile. "Sometimes I think it wouldn't be so bad. I'd become an urban legend. Talk about good publicity."

Of all the people to see her like this, Jacob Ben Isreal, was somehow at both the bottom and the top of that list. On the one hand, it mortifying that the illusion of her cool and untouchable armor was being shattered so quickly for JBI. On the other hand, she had seen him at his lowest and despite the insanity of a missing camel head, it had been fun. Light.

If it had been any other night, she would have smiled at his joke, but instead she just slouched her shoulders and sat back down on the bench, trying to erase all traces of the uncontrollable sobbing shed been doing moments before. Given his question, she had clearly failed.

God. He sounded so genuinely concerned and it made the Cheerio want to cry all over again. He must not have heard anything yet, if he had he wouldn't sound so earnest, like he truly cared what happened. Or maybe he would. Maybe he really was... sweet.

Don't say anything. Lie. Tell him you're fine. Tell him you saw a sad dog video on tik tok. But what would be the point. Not letting people in hasn't served her well, so why continue? "I don't have anyone in my corner, so to speak. And I'm tired of pretending to be okay with that."

Exhaling for what felt like the first time today, she had to admit it felt good to say it. Even if it wasn't that whole story, it was the point. "Why're you walking around alone at night? This is the Midwest and you look like Kryptid bait."

[thejbi]

What did he do this time, Dottie, tell you he loves you too much? Didn't put an emoji in his latest good-morning text? I'll give it a week before you get lonely all over again and take him back. You act like I don't know this game. I've been to so many of them I practically have a season pass.

Is he okay? Each time you do this, you kill him. Why don't you care?

Now why would I forsake our relationship like that?

Mine and your mothers, not yours and mine. I don't care about that. She's a nice woman, I'd never treat her so disrespectfully.

Aren't you supposed to know everything? You also got what you always wanted - Brett and I broke up. So now none of us are friends, none of us are in a relationship, and we're all clearly so happy.

Something tells me if there were real screenshots you would've printed them out and stuck them in every possible place I could ever look so I'd be haunted by them for the rest of my days. Therefore...

[thejbi]

What are you on about now? You have what you've always wanted.

Don't worry; I'd never show you the screenshots. Unlike you, I'm content to let you live in peace.

Pot, meet kettle. But I guess it's lucky for us both that there's no territory to mark anymore.

Well, now I know for a fact that you're delusional. We can get into your mommy issues at another time, Jacob, but rest assured that I know my mother would never - she has taste.

[thejbi]

He'd heard crying before he saw anything, and it was only because the latest episode of his favorite podcast had ended. The Occult Ohio: A Midwest Conspiracy-Cast. This week was all about The Crying Woman, a figure who would appear at night and then probably eat your face or something if she noticed you near her.

So it's not like he was scared or anything when he heard the sound of sobs in the distance. He immediately took out his earbuds and tucked them into their case, but that's because he didn't want to listen to anything else that night. Right.

He pulled his jacket around himself, footsteps quickening as the crying got louder. There she was. A woman on a bench. Just look ahead, for once mind your damn business, and...

Yet he just. Couldn't. Help it. Even if she might eat his face. He glanced at the back of her head first, trying to be quiet in his footsteps. It was only when she spoke that recognition kicked in.

"Tiny? We've been over this." Concern washed over him as his need to solve a local folk story slowly vanished. Jacob carefully walked around the bench. Though he didn't sit just yet. His eyes focused on her, sharply taking in everything about the scene. "Bree, what happened?"

OPEN STARTER for anyone

Today fucking sucked. There was no way around it, and usually Bree could handle a shitty day, she was the queen of handling anything really. But she had never felt this level of lonliness before and she could understand, for the first time, why people stay when they should leave. Being alone is terrifying and leaves no room for self love or self worth.

Feeling her vision start to blur she surprised herself when she felt tears start to fall down her cheeks. Furiously trying to wipe them away she couldn't stop. Moving off the well lit path to sit at a bench with decent lighting, she just let herself cilently sob as she drew her knees up to her chest.

Hearing something behind her, she was momentairly on full alert, the tears had stopped and her vision sharpening again. "I know how to break every bone in you arm and if that doesn't stop you I'm sure a swift kick to your tiny dick will."

[thejbi]

Are your... are your eyes turning green? Why is your head starting to spin around? I'm Jewish, but the power of Christ compels you.

Excellent, actually. Thank you for asking. You're always so thoughtful. Thankfully my eyes aren't burning with the sight of overt territory-marking anymore. If I'd wanted that to begin with I would have gotten a subscription to the Discovery channel.

My insta is plenty busy without it, anyway. Speaking of, you should really tell your Mom to get out of my DM's. I'd only break her heart.

Oh no. I was right to be concerned! You're clearly very much not okay.

I have friends. Unlike you, I have plenty of friends. Speaking of, how are your friendships looking these days? Any fun little updates to who might be on or off your close friends stories?

[thejbi]

I'm sorry, Dorothy, I don't speak Necronomicon.

Are you unwell? Are the friends in the room with us right now?

It's even more sweet that you've listened to me so intently over the years, Jacob. Unfortunately the language I've been speaking is English. Have you been hearing something else? If so, I'm concerned for your wellbeing.

You've always struggled with context clues, haven't you? Show up at the party I've been encouraged by all of my friends to throw and I guess you'll find out.

[thejbi]

Aw, Dipping Dots. That's so sweet. I am the expert. The sound of you speaking in what I assumed to be tongues has been a constant buzzing in my ears for half a decade. Look. You finally taught me something.

Is it Coach Sylvester? I feel like it's Coach Sylvester.

Not sure why you're asking me when you're the expert.

Mmm, maybe we give that a go this time around. I can think of one person that Satan would love to welcome into his arms. Save the date.

[thejbi]

You're 21? How old is that in demon years? 609?

I'd say ritual sacrifice, but that seems like something you would've done for your Sweet 16 instead.

Quick question for everyone who's turned 21 while in Lima - what exactly did you do for your birthday? Because mine's coming up and the options seem... limited.

[thejbi]

You do live with me. You see me every morning, and catch a glimpse of me most nights. That's too much power, and I can't let you know everything. I'm Jacob Ben Israel.

I like an organized man of mystery. Didn't know I did, but apparently I'm into it.

[thejbi]

Just wait until I show you my Google Calendar. I won't, because then you'd know what I'm planning next. But if you did - it'd be all over for you.

I mean yeah, that is kinda hot actually.

[thejbi]

Was I? Am I? I... Look. I'm sorry. I'm not mad at you. I'm not. There's just a lot...

It's the timing, Marls. Everything is so fucked up right now. My friends hate me, and I don't need you to hate me for saying the wrong thing right now too.

I'm not saying you're... wrong. Or crazy for thinking that. I just need time. I can't think about this right now. Everything has been fucked up since Homecoming.

What...? Jacob, why would you think that? You were never a backup. Ever. You were the first.

You asked. It's not like it was new .. I thought when we talked about choosing Duckie ... I - nevermind...

[thejbi]

On standby. You like that?

@thejbi replied: I can have my lawyer draw up the papers right now.

You have a lawyer?

[thejbi]

yameyehere5: i agree, homecoming did suck. yameyehere5: but i definitely would have appreciated it yameyehere5: what did you wear? yameyehere5: before you get any ideas, i mean the designer. that's what they always ask on the red carpet.

message 💬 fckazzb0b ⇄yameyehere5

fckazzb0b: homecoming sucked, i looked so hot and no one appreciated it

[thejbi]

JBI: Is he serious this time? JBI: About getting sober? JBI: A real band? Of his own? JBI: It sounds like he's doing better than he was when he was friends with me.

SAM: DON'T DO THAT. SAM: since he pulled a fucking britney/brittany. longest stretch yet. SAM: WELL YEAH. me and everyone saw that. SAM: ... typing SAM: ... typing SAM: ... typing SAM: WHY ARE YOU TWO LIKE THIS ??? SAM: it's brett, he's always in trouble. SAM: is he in immediate trouble? no. eventually? probably. he wants to start a band.

[thejbi]

JBI: That's me, just a huge fucking dumbass JBI: How long has he been sober? JBI: ... typing JBI: We had a fight. JBI: Dottie pissed me off, and he was pissing me off, and yet AGAIN he wanted me to pretend like everything was normal. And I couldn't. JBI: I told him we couldn't be friends anymore. JBI: ... typing JBI: ... typing JBI: ... typing JBI: Is he still in trouble?

SAM: you are an idiot if you believe that for a second, jacob. SAM: i don't know what you guys said to each other at the dance, brett won't even fucking talk about it. SAM: anytime we try to ask he gets cagey and upset. which right now is just ANGRY bc he's still sober. SAM: but whatever happened, made him not want to bother you so. are you going to tell me? SAM: OH MY GOD I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU IF YOU DIDN'T GET ALL PISSY. calm down. he's fine. you know that cop that has a hard on for him tho? SAM: wrong place, wrong time. thankfully it was at strummers and you know everyone there loves brett. i mean... when he's not trying to start a mosh pit anyways. SAM: i paid you for the bail and brett paid them for a lil property damage, everything is square. SAM: you guys are so dramatic and perfect for each other i swear.