I wrote this after bingeing the second half of season 3 and I just have to say that Jazz and Doug deserved better. I hope everything works out for them in the end. I was also listening to Rewrite the Stars while writing this if you couldn't tell.
Happy Season 4 Premiere!
Disclaimers - This is my first grown-ish fic so I apologize for any OOC. I don't own anything.
I hope you enjoy :)
Rewrite the Race:
Doug never held Jazz accountable for wanting to put their relationship on pause. She had a lot on her plate with him, the Olympic try-outs, and even school since she has to keep her track scholarship. Out of the list, only he could wait for her. He knew she could achieve those goals and surpass them. If he had to step back to clear her way and make it easier for her, then he'll wait for her at the finish line.
There didn't have to be any forgiveness since there was nothing to forgive. It's a mutual break, a pause; an acceptance of events because of the way they feel for each other.
And that's what he gets for letting his hunger roam free for too long. He was so entranced by his thoughts that he kept walking straight instead of entering the student union. He meant to attend another BSU BBQ in hopes for a surplus of potato salad again. The members wouldn't have to worry about leftovers with him there.
Bingeing on food has preoccupied his other type of hunger, making him more famished than before. Food distracts him since worrying about sex would lessen his chances of getting any action; as if he wanted any from anyone else. Post-nut clarity didn't have to tell him that.
His straightforward mind not driven by hormones chose potato salad, and it had some good taste for wanting some BSU potato salad. They knew the best potatoes to use and how to dice them. They knew the perfect mayonnaise, mustard, and other fix-ins to add … and the correct ratios.
No way in white hell would he ever make the mistake of attending any white-dominated club meeting with their bland white salad. Sometimes, he could still taste the white privilege at the back of his throat.
Doug stops and feels fat-shamed seeing that he wounded up at the track. He glances down at his bod and he's still got it … and more potato salad but that's besides the point.
He almost heads back to the student union but stops when he spots her in his peripheral vision.
Doug turns and walks closer to the track. He sees Jazz stretching in one of the lanes. He knows it's her because he's watched her from this far before when she would be practising with Sky or running a race. He knows her. Doug stops at a fence so she won't spot him but it's not like she'll notice. Jazz is so hyper-focused in her reps with her earbuds in; armour to keep her thoughts centred on her goals and her heart closed in.
Doug knows they want each other. It's no secret.
If he could, he'd jump on the highest bleacher and yell for her, louder than the music in her ears. She would stop and see him, taking the buds out as he would step down the bleachers like stairs until he reached the field … but that's some white people shit in white people movies. Movies he hasn't seen; no matter what his residence neighbours might've heard through the walls.
If he had to rewrite the race in some way, he'd change it so he and Jazz could run together and not miles apart; although she could run endless laps on him.
But this break, this pause will be worth it in the end. It'll be alright that they're not together and it's not a waste of time. This isn't the plan they wanted but it'll teach them what they really want once the lesson's over. Sometimes, it's easier to deny themselves of something they truly desired rather than admit aloud how badly they want - they need it.
Jazz deserves it. She's worth it.
I personally thought Jazz and Doug taking a break was stupid but at least I got a fic out of it.
Thank you to anyone who has read this story. Please let me know what you thought. If you have a story idea you want me to write or a story that you want me to beta, don't be afraid to ask!
~ MysteryGal5