Author's Note: So SO sorry for taking so long to update! I couldn't get on the internet for a long time. It was either my own ignorance, or my internet provider's. But now I'm here! Yay
Karen isn't supposed to be evil or anything. She just seems like a beast because she is just a tad selfish, and Jack's trying to find excuses to hate her, since he resents her. So in that sense, this story isn't a Karen-bashing story.
Also, yeah, the Mr. Brightside video; that girl (who I think looks a little like Popuri, lol) probably is a prostitute, or a showgirl, or what-not. It had a happy ending though, when Brandon Flowers (the lead singer) leaves her (take that!). So basically, this fic is based on the general idea of the song (I think I wrote this fic is based on the video. That was a typo, sorry!
Mr. Brightside
Smile Like You Mean It
(Jack's POV)
"What is this?" After a night of little sleep, I found myself yet again disappointed with the lack of edible food in the house. It had in actuality been more edible before Karen had mutilated it. My hunger, resentment and lack of sleep compounded my usual morning mood.
Karen sighed as she placed the charred beyond recognition egg on my plate. "I'm trying to make an effort, Jack."
"An effort?" I repeated. "Why don't you try to make the effort to scramble it? At least that would even out the smoky taste. Or just serve it to me raw. That would be better. Because I don't see any effort here." I reached for the salt.
"I'm making an effort on our marriage," Karen snapped at me, annoyed at my persistent fowl attitude. "You have the same rice balls everyday. I thought you might like a change. You should at least be grateful for the fact that I got up so early to attempt to make you breakfast."
She's right. Women are always right. I shouldn't be so bitter to her. She is my wife. "I'm sorry hun."
My short apology seemed to satisfy Karen. "Thanks Jack." She took a seat from across the table, and we ate in mutual silence.
After cleaning off the plate to the best of my ability, I set out for my morning chores. After a quick survey of the farm, I let out a wail. The crops were dry. The animals were sick. One little day of neglect had created a crisis.
A long, hard day was needed to salvage as much as possible from the farm before it reached the brink of extinction. The labour took upwards to six hours, but I managed to save my plants from dehydration, face the wrath of his starving chickens, and comfort his ill farm animals.
Finally, my last task at hand was to purchase the medicine required to heal those sick animals. It would be costly, no doubt, but the risk of losing them was far greater. They were a major investment, after all.
The walk from my own Jones Farm to the Green Ranch was a short one, so I took the opportunity to enjoy the spring bloom. As he had experienced the year prior, the particular season was a gorgeous natural sight. It took my mind off my worries and hauntings for a few seconds.
But only for a few seconds.
"Good morning Jack," Popuri greeted him with a smile, tending to the patch of flowers bordering the fence opposite to the farm gate.
Gray had planted them in an attempt to make her like him. I'd made numerous attempts to destroy the flowers by picking them daily, but the persistent flora would always sprout again. I marvelled at the significance of the flowers to Popuri's sentimentality. Surely I would have done the same if the thought had occurred to me.
"Mornin' Popuri," I answered back with forced cheerfulness. There was a moment of awkward silence. "Congratulations. You know, for the wedding."
"Thank you, thank you for coming," Popuri mumbled, picking at a flower petal velcroed on her fuscia wool skirt. "You weren't too bothered by it, were you?"
"Nah," I said with quick reflex, waving my hand dismissively. "I'm happy for you and Gray. We've both moved on, you know? It's not good to dwell on the past anyhow." My speech was amazing. Never had I lied so much without a crack in the sweat ducts.
"I know, I know," Popuri said softly. "But I have never regretted what the two of us shared."
"Yeah, me neither," I agreed half-truthfully.
Yes, I did enjoy what little moment we had. But another part of me just wished that I had never experienced it in the first place. Contrary to the popular saying, I would much rather not be loved than be loved and hurt. The mental anguish is not tangible, therefore hard to deal with.
"So," I began with not much thought. "Where is Gray anyhow?"
"He's working," she replied. "He works alot."
"I can imagine," I nodded sympathetically. I'm not empathetic for Popuri however. It's Gray. I understand how much one has to commit to when operating an establishment like ours. Especially myself, since I'm working on my farm solo.
"I can too," Popuri set her watering can down and leaned on the fence. She let a smirk escape her. "Remember last spring? I'd come to your farm almost everyday, and you'd always be doing something. There was always some chore that just had to be done before we could spend time together, pulling weeds, watering plants, brushing the livestock." She laughed.
"True," I couldn't help but grin as well. "But it was alot of fun when in those extremely rare cases you agreed to help me."
Popuri burst out laughing, a sweet chuckle that sounded more musical than humourous. "You were so bad, Jack! I can't believe you let me help you! Not a small amount of your export was wasted each time!"
I chuckled, recalling one of the numerous produce fights we had. Or instances when we'd think we were skilled jugglers. Even my own animals were not spared, as they served as moving targets in target practice. It was all in good fun. There was something about Popuri's ability to behave so immaturely that I found quite charming. "It wasn't a complete waste. At least I won every time," I teased lightly.
"Yeah," Popuri smiled sweetly, and I almost cried. "Those were good memories."
"Hm, well." I surveyed the area, feeling like a little bit of something is oddly out of place. What could it be?
"So..." Popuri giggled, watching me scratch my chin in doubt. "Was there a particular reason why you came here?"
I'm positive there was. I'm just experiencing a moment of amnesia. "I think so... I'm just having a really hard time remembering."
"You didn't come here to see me, did you?" she giggled again, her gorgeous dimples exposed. I almost cried again.
And as if on cue, I remembered. "Oh yeah," I began to walk backwards to the shop. "I had to buy some medicine for my animals." My work boots scraped the wooden door.
"Okay. Well, I guess I'll see you around," Popuri flashed me one more smile, then turned her attention back to flowers and watering can.
I stood at the doorway, still watching her. 'No, Jack,' I told my guilty conscious. 'What you're thinking is wrong. She's married. You're married. Get over it before you hurt yourself.'
"Ow!" The door swung open and hit me, sending my body tumbling ungracefully to the ground.
Gray looked down at me. He mumbled some sort of garbled apology, and paced quickly to the barn. He didn't even acknowledge his wife's presence.
I really do hate him.
Author's Note: I guess you've already figured out the outcome of my story. Or have you? Will my story really be as predictable as I want to make it? Maybe, lol. But it's fun to write anyway. I hope you enjoyed it, and please review my fic. You can tell me the faults in the story, and I can make it better because of your greatly appreciated input!