Hello there. So this story has been marked finished for a while and with good reason. When I started it, I hadn't seen the end of season 2 (the kiss hadn't happened and a lot of other stuff). I couldn't find a way to bring myself to write more. Unfortunately, two plot points have been hanging in the air... Thanks to Anna for reminding me. I present: What happens when I try to clean up the mess I made ;)
Jim Street wakes up when rays of sunshine finally manage to break through his curtains. While sitting up slowly, as to not aggravate his headache, he contemplates last night's events. He should've found a way not to go to that party. Luca would for sure have some questions and right now he couldn't say if his friend had kept the secret or talked to anyone about his ideas. What if he told Chris? How in hell was he going to explain this mess?
He tries getting up but has to sit down again. The room is still spinning. At the second attempt, he is slower and manages to pull himself together. The smell of coffee leads Jim to the kitchen counter where he finds a glass of water, two aspirin tablets as well as orange juice, coffee, and plain toast waiting for him. From the smell, Luca is also making pancakes but the thought of them almost makes his stomach turn.
"Morning. I prepped you a hangover breakfast." Jim hears from behind and sees Luca with his arms full of empty bottles. "Looks like you really need it." Luca continues in a softer voice after Jim visibly cringes at the normal volume spoken. The older man brings out the trash and comes back in. He leans against the counter and studies his younger roommate intently. Jim finally looks him in the eyes.
"Just ask," Jim mumbles knowing just how much the scene from last night probably has Luca thinking.
"That was her, right? The girl who you've been out with a couple of times?" Jim can only nod. Saying that out loud would crush him right now.
Luca stays silent for a little while and Jim finally feels the aspirin working as his headache starts to lessen. The silence is also helping a lot and he can enjoy his plain toast.
"Why didn't you tell Chris?" starts Luca the questions again. Jim sighs.
"I couldn't ruin her party now, could I?" Jim tries to reason with his friend.
"Could've fooled me. You weren't surprised when Kira opened the door, but she was a little shocked to see you. You've known for a while. I'd suggest you come up with a better story soon or just tell the truth."
The first part was just what Jim had been afraid of. His friend had picked up on that weird moment at the door. But the second statement confused him. "Why?" is the only word he manages.
He follows Luca's view outside.
"She has been here for an hour or so. She worries about you, you know." Luca says and softly pushes Street in the direction of the door.
When Jim walks outside and closes the door Chris turns around with a cup of coffee in her hands.
"Looks like you had quite a party for yourself." The raven-haired woman opens with a raised eyebrow. He tries to joke about it but the words get stuck in his throat. "Why did you leave that quickly last night?" straight to the point. That's something Chris seems to manage as long as it isn't her own problems.
"I didn't want to bring the mood down. Luca made me come after my date fell through." Jim offers up and is proud to not have lied.
"That's why Ty mentioned you were a surprise guest. You weren't planning on coming." Jim hears the hurt dripping off every word.
Chris takes a step back and straightens her spine. There still is something nagging her, but she isn't sure she really wants to know the answer to that question. Not now. Not after she agreed to move in with them. Still she knows, she won't stop thinking about it until it is spoken.
"Listen, Street. This is going to sound strange, but is Kira… your Kira?" she expects denial. An outburst that she is crazy but what she gets is Jim Street almost dissolving. His shoulders slump and start to shake but only for a split second until the man looks up again and asks: "Did she tell you?"
"No, I had my suspicions for a while. I just thought I was paranoid." She stops to take a sip of her coffee. "Why didn't you tell me last night?"
Jim raises an eyebrow questioningly. "I didn't want to ruin your party." Not a lie either.
"When were you planning on telling me?" Chris asks the one question Jim Street does not want to answer. He hangs his head and takes a sip of the orange juice he still has left in his hands. He keeps silent and then finally Chris connects a couple of dots in her brain.
"Is this why you broke up with her? You knew this whole time?" the accusatory tone is harsh. Even if he were not hungover the words would've cut and rung his ears. Chris doesn't even give him a chance to say something in return. She is angry and hurt.
"What kind of friend are you?" she slams the coffee mug on the table grabs her phone and turns to leave. When she reaches the gate Jim finally finds the words:
"I didn't want to be the one to destroy your happiness."
I know, still open-ended but at a better place. Maybe, the season finale inspires me again... for now, I kinda have grown fond of Molly and I might continue Surprise Reunion. Thanks for reading.