Jessica Stanley, GOAT

Part IV

When Jessica woke up the next morning, she was surprised that she slept for 17 hours and she was starving. Eat a horse level of starving. She wasn't surprised though that her dad or Vicky hadn't woken her up the previous evening. They were hands off.

While getting dressed, Jessica contemplated on her breakfast options. Go to the diner or make something for herself. Feeling lazy and with the excuse she was still in recovery, she opted to have someone cook for her. Her cooking skills were subpar at best and she would have to cook a thanksgiving size feast to satisfy her hunger at the moment. After shrugging a red shirt over her shoulders that had text in white bold font that read "what are you looking at?", she contemplated if she really then needed her baseball cap.

Her assessment in the mirror confirmed, yes, yes she better put that fucking hat on or risk looking like she had a mental break down before graduating from college to any strangers. She ran her fingers over the fresh scar and bald area starting to sprout millimeter length baby hairs. Once it came in at a decent length, Jessica would just chop her hair to even it out. Her hair had always been one of her favorite features, but she thought maybe she could coincide removing the classic Jessica Stanley hair style change with a new Jessica. By graduation or something like that.

Ball cap on, attitude t-shirt rocked and jean capris barely holding it together while riddled with numerous holes (for style!), Jessica was off to get her breakfast on. Paid in kind by her lovely father who left her $400 in cash for the break. It was supposed to make up for his absence, but Jessica didn't mind the switcharoo this time for cash in lieu of time with her father. If she was being honest with herself, she was rather pissed he didn't take time off to spend with her after her accident. Buying a big breakfast at least took care of her hunger needs. Though she was still starving for some human connection for some odd reason and worst of all she had some tiny desire for that connection to be with, of all people, Seth. She knew it was the hunger talking though. Which she was willing to speed in her rental car down the roads of Forks to the diner.

Lo and behold, Jessica was denied her deepest wish to get breakfast ASAP when she exited her house. Her eyes narrowed as she reviewed the obstacle blocking her path. She was on the fence if Jake was here for an apology like Seth promised or of his own accord to be a shit bag further towards her. The tension radiating off him like a pimple waiting to be popped, Jessica couldn't infer one way or another. But she decided to take the lead to set the tone of this conversation.

"Look, I don't know what you know about me. Maybe what you heard from Bella or others? That was years ago in high school. I have changed." Okay, Jessica could admit to herself that was a flat out lie. She was changing, but it wasn't complete yet. This moron didn't need to know that though. "Still, I am just a fucked-up girl looking for my own peace of mind. Don't put the troubles of your friends on me. I even told Seth I was not someone he should be interested in. Give me some credit. I can tell he is a nice guy."

Jessica sighed as she fiddled with the purse strap slung over her shoulder. Jake had ten seconds to respond before she went to the car. She was thrilled she was able to give such a spot-on speech while bacon, eggs, and golden, crispy waffles were on her mind. She willed herself not to drool and give herself away. She had done just that, but then her stomach growled. And while she thought it was subtle and only her ears would pick it up, she noticed a flicker of humanity showcase itself on the tan, sort-of-good-looking face of Jake.

Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Hooray! Jessica waited an appropriate time and could now leave and eat. And oh goodness gracious was she hungry. And the waffle delight special had her name written all over it.

Jessica's cheeks pinched up as she offered Jake a pleasant grin while walking past him. "Good talk. Great apology. Bye, Jake." Jessica resisted from jamming the car keys into one of her eyes because she just let her snippy bitch side peep through with the retort by calling out his lack of apology. Why on earth would she gamble that risk? Did college teach her nothing? Food first.

Jessica had wrapped her fingers on the driver's side handle of the car when she heard, "fuck". It wasn't an aggressive curse word in this moment but one used in times of frustration. She recognized its deeper meaning all too well.

Without looking back, she said, "If you have more to say, you can meet me at the diner. I am eating breakfast there." She was holding up a white flag even though that jerk should have been the one to. But whatever, looks like she was making another tweak without even out right recognizing it initially.

She was 50/50 sure she caught a confirmation grunting noise from Jake. She didn't bother to look back to confirm. It was up to him at this point.

...

Jessica thanked a higher power for letting her coffee arrive before Jake did. She needed to be somewhat mentally with it while dying of starvation. He happened to show up right as she was ordering.

"Two waffle delight specials, please. Extra whip cream on each. Oh, and scrambled eggs for one and the other over easy. And one side order of hash browns," Jessica ordered in a cheery voice with a grin that would not falter.

"So sweet you're ordering for your boyfriend too," Lavern commented as she took Jessica's menu. Jessica didn't mean to be rude, but she cackled. Evil wicked witch in wizard of Oz level of cackling.

"No, Lavern. All for me. Jake, you want anything?" Jake's dark eyes slightly widened in surprise while a dopey expression flashed briefly on his face.

And to Jessica's own surprise he replied, "I will have what she's having."

"Smart choice." Jessica sipped on her coffee as Jake slid into the booth seat across from her.

"You eat a lot for not being fat." It was an observation that lacked the root of being said with rude intentions. So, Jessica didn't take any offense to it.

"On rare occasions, I like to indulge." Jessica smirked while patting her flat stomach. "My eyes could be bigger than my stomach in this case, but I'll give it one hell of a try. Plus, the left overs are bomb to eat later too." Jake nodded and then just stared at Jessica.

"Once the food is here, anything you would want to say will fall on deaf ears. So now is your time to talk unless you just wanted my pleasant company this morning." Jessica took another sip of coffee as she rolled the ball to his court. If she recalled correctly, their meal would take 15 minutes to arrive hot, piping fresh in front of them to be devoured.

"You didn't like Bella in high school." Jessica was uncertain if it was a statement or accusation.

"Not particularly. But why does that matter?" Jake drove his fist down but stopped it short of banging on the table. At the rate he was going and considering his massive arm muscles, Jessica was sure he could have sent the table top flying into pieces across the diner. Boy had a temper, that she was sure of. And now regretted inviting him to join her at breakfast.

"Look you can do and say all the right things, but that doesn't mean everyone will love you. Not one person can be everyone's cup of tea. Fact of life."

"But she's selfless, smart, kind and funny. Everyone should have been her friend!" Jessica snorted and only fueled Jake's fire. The boy needed to pump his breaks.

"You remember zombie Bella? She was not and still is not perfect. We handle shit differently and, honestly, don't have a lot of common. Which is okay. Yeah, I could have been nicer in high school, but I wasn't the monster you seem to think I was. Bella was liked by many people. I think it's time you let go of your crush. She's married."

"Gross. I don't love her like that. She's my best friend."

"Why am I even of your concern? I am here for a week. Then back to school. Then off living somewhere on the east coast after graduation. You'll never see me again. So, don't worry. I won't be in your hair much longer."

Jessica couldn't help but notice when Jake stiffened in attention when she mentioned she wasn't returning to Forks after graduation.

"You're not coming back?" Jessica must have been mistaken. She, for some odd reason, heard a twinge of concern in his voice instead of just curiosity.

"Hell no. I have nothing left here but a heaping mess of shit. My parents will come to visit me. And I only intend to keep in touch with Angela. So, no more Jessica. Life will go on and I am sure Bella is over the past. You should move on too."

Right on cue, the food arrived, and they inhaled their food in silence. Jessica impressively ate at Jake's rate but in the end couldn't finish it all. And to her dismay, without permission he polished off her unfinished food as well.

When the check arrived, Jessica slapped down a one-hundred-dollar bill to pay for both meals.

"You don't have to pay for me," Jake said in a begrudging tone.

"Courtesy of Papa Stanley. Don't sweat it. I invited you here anyways. Now we can part on final terms of indifference. Cool?"

"I'm sorry." Jake's head was bent over and focused on a sticky spot on the table as he muttered his apology. "For yesterday. That was rude. Seth was right I was an ass. I am sorry. But I think you're wrong."

"Oh, wrong about what?"

"I don't think this will be the last time we see each other."

Jessica shrugged. It was possible. She had four days left of being in town. Not impossible to say the least.

"Who knows."

Jessica and Jake parted ways after exiting the diner. Jessica walked to her car with a full tummy and a smile on her face. That went better than expected. She could admit she was pleasantly surprised by Seth making good on his promise about Jake. It wasn't an empty promise as she was used to.

Like some weird trick of fate, as soon as the thought of Seth crossed her mind he materialized on her path to her car.

"Hey Clearwater, you stalking me?" Jessica joked as their distance between each other dwindled.

"Last name basis now? Jake bombed his apology, right?"

"Oh, he was supposed to apologize? He just ordered a bunch of food and made me pay for him. He sends his regards." The dimpled grin on Seth's face somehow keyed Jessica into that Seth knew she was bullshiting.

"What a dick. How about I make it up to you and take you out to dinner tonight? On me." Bold. Very bold. And Jessica wasn't bothered by his pursuit. She was flattered. But she meant what she had said before. So, she would accept and show him that he should run fucking far from her and never look back over his shoulder. His "what if" would then be satisfied and maybe she was get to kiss those full lips once before doing irrevocable damage to their dating prospect.

"You're relentless, aren't you?"

"I like to go after what I want." Seth stuck both of his hands down the front pockets of his jean shorts.

"You should get better taste." Jessica bit her lip to diminish the smile wanting to break out on her face. Her flirting game was coming out strong for some reason.

"I would have to taste you first to know better."

It took everything within Jessica to feign calm composure while her heart jackhammered against her ribs and she fought the blush wanting to paint her whole face a scarlet red. What Seth just said was fucking sexy as hell and she suddenly felt like a mouse cornered by a cat. Perhaps she was out of her depth with him? But fuck no. She was Jessica Stanley. Strong. Smart. Capable. She would win in the end. And never backdown from this challenge here and now as Seth's suggestive eyebrows quirked up in amusement awaiting her response.

Jessica darted the tip of her tongue between her parted lips to glide it over her top and then bottom lip. She pressed her lips together and extended her right hand forward towards Seth before wagging her index finger to indicate he needed to come closer to her. The puppet allowed his strings to be pulled by the puppeteer. When his head was lowered towards her, she whispered in a low, seductive voice into his ear, "maybe tonight you'll earn a taste". Her teeth grazed his ear lobe. She pretended not to notice the immediate affects her little number did on Seth. He was all but a fucking melted puddle and she was a fucking A-list actress while still being a virgin. She backed away from Seth and winked before walking by him.

"Pick me up at seven."

Each your heart out, Seth Clearwater, Jessica thought as she shimmied her hips the last few strides to her rental car.

Sneak preview for Part V:

"You're still in high school?!" Jessica screeched while her eyes bulged. She almost kissed a little boy. Oh my god what the hell, she wanted to scream. She actually felt a little something for Seth, but it was ruined because he was too young. No not a minor or jail bait, but if she wasn't mature at 21 how on earth could she expect maturity from an 18-year-old-boy who hadn't even graduated high school yet? HOW? She was relieved tomorrow and for the rest of the break she was staying at her mom's. When this date was over, she was going to pull a Houdini and pray no one from her college or Forks ever found out. Good lord she hoped Seth or Jake didn't tell Bella. How humiliating!

Author's Note:

So, the scene I was going to have in this chapter that was written as a sneak preview in part III is actually going to take place in part V. This part IV went on longer than I intended. Well, so it goes sometimes ;) – Lalaland972

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Dassa-chan: hello! Yay : ) SO glad you've enjoyed the story so far! It is great to have feedback. Please continue to enjoy as this short story plays out! ^_^