So, here we go with chapter 4, aka Devon's memorial. This will definitely be the most emotional, and DARKEST, chapter yet, as Devin finally snaps and meets a familiar feline face. Also Jessi realizes how short time truly is, and decides to tell Ali her true feelings. Also let's not forget everybody else who has to get onstage and talk about their late friend.
Again I own nothing except any original characters. Everything else is the property of Netflix.
Chapter 4
Devin's POV:
Devin spent the whole day on pins and needles, dreading the upcoming memorial service. She was a mix of anxiety, grief, anger, confusion and fear. She didn't know what she would say at the memorial, or if she'd have the bravery to even go onstage.
Devin chose to sit by herself at lunch, not having the energy for conversation. She looked around the lunchroom, and saw that most of the other students looked as gloomy and anxious as she felt. Even Mila and Lotte, who liked to scare the school by claiming to be cannibals, looked miserable, picking at their food absentmindedly.
She found herself unable to even pay attention in class. She didn't think she heard a single thing the teachers said: every lecture, every sentence she tried to read, was pushed out of her mind by a memory of Devon. She occasionally found herself glancing at his empty seat, as if expecting to find him sitting there. She couldn't believe, in just little more than an hour, she would be standing in a room full of her fellow students, remembering him, and bidding him farewell.
And then, finally, it was time. As if on autopilot, Devin joined the thrall of students heading to the auditorium, many with their heads down. She was sure she heard a few of them crying. But Devin was pretty sure she was all cried out.
Once everyone had assembled, the school counselor walked onstage, where, Devin saw, sat a large picture of Devon, with wreaths and flowers below it. Devin felt her heart break again, but kept her eyes on the man speaking.
"Students of Bridgeton, we are gathered here today to remember our student Devon Young, and pay our respects. All students are encouraged to come onstage and say a few kind words. For those of you still suffering loss, you are free to come to my office after school, or any day of the week. Now, who wishes to come up first?"
Not surprisingly, Devons fellow basketball players volunteered to go first. As one of them, a boy whose name Devin didn't know, walked on stage, Devin forced herself to keep her face straight, to fight the tears.
"Devon was a team player, and a loyal friend ", the boy said. "After every game, he would shake your hand, whether you were on the same or a rival team. If we won, he would celebrate with you. If we lost, he'd still say 'great game ' to everyone. During a game, if you fell down, he'd stop to help you up."
'That was Devon for you', thought Devin. 'He always put others before himself. Some people, like me, didn't appreciate that until it was too late.'
"Our school has lost not only one of it's best players, but we've all lost a great friend and fellow student. His passing has left a hole in our team, and hearts, that will never be filled."
The boy walked off the stage to the applause of many students. Devin joined the applause almost absentmindedly, still racking her brains for the right thing to say when it came her turn.
The rest of the team quickly followed, all reflecting on their history with Devon, on and off court, sharing stories and anecdotes. One student started crying halfway through, and had to be escorted off the stage by the counselor. And Charles Lu, being the guy of few words he was, merely said "He was a cool guy. Rest in power, dude", and walked off, to only a small round of applause.
Finally, once the entire team had had their say, the counselor started calling up fellow students. 'Its now or never ', Devin thought, and, very nervously, walked toward the stage.
Once she was on the stage, next to the large picture of Devon, looking at the faces of all her fellow students, she was at a loss for words. They were all expecting her to follow the touching speeches already made with one of her own, but what could she possibly say? How could she possibly put into words what he had meant to her? Could she possibly believe he'd meant any more, or less, to them?
She nervously eyed the crowd of students, all looking at her expectantly. Just when she thought she couldn't possibly go through with it, she saw Gina at the front of the crowd. Whether she had been there all along, or had pushed her way to the front to encourage her, Devin didn't know, but when she saw Gina, most of her fears slowly melted away. As if sensing her need for encouragement, Devin saw Gina smile and motion her to go on.
Reluctantly, Devin cleared her throat and began. "Devon was a very special person. I'd known him since before we came to Bridgeton, since kindergarten. He and Lola were the first friends I made." Devin ignored Lola's shout from the crowd "She's talking about ME!!" Reminding herself to kick Lola later, she continued.
"If it hadn't been for Devon, I probably wouldn't have made it through the first days of my new schools. You probably all wouldn't believe it, but I used to be really shy. I might not have been on the basketball team, but I saw every one of his games. Cheered him on, as every friend should" .
She took a deep breath. This was too much: she was trying to remain calm, looking at Gina, her new friend, for reassurance, as a life preserver to keep from drowning, but it was no good. She knew what she had to do. This wasn't just a memorial. This was a reckoning.
"But look, while I may grieve and mourn him as much as any of you, I won't pretend to expect your sympathy, because I know I don't deserve it. " Devin felt the tears, white-hot, start to well up and roll down her face. "I've been so cruel, so cold-hearted, to so many of you. In all honesty, I know I didn't deserve Devon's friendship, and I probably don't deserve to grieve amongst you. I won't ask your forgiveness either. I've been a terrible person, a terrible friend. To Devon. To Lola. Jessi. I've hurt so many people, made the lives of many a living hell, which is probably the only place I belong. I..."
Devin found herself hardly able to speak as the tears choked her. Breathing hard, she finally choked out, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, I can't...", and dived off the stage. Gently pushing her way past the shocked students, she bolted out of the auditorium.
Tears running down her face, Devin ran into the girls bathroom and into a stall. Locking the stall door, she sat on the floor, her body shaking as she cried.
'Everybody hates me. They liked Devon, but they hate ME ', she thought. 'They probably wish it was ME who died instead. It SHOULD have been me. If I could, I'd happily trade fates. Me for Devon. He was worth TEN of me.'
As she cried, she suddenly heard that strange purring sound she'd heard in her house the day before. Suddenly she heard a voice, feminine yet husky, in her ears.
"That's right, girl. Let it out. Let ME in. I'M here for you. "
Suddenly Devin was lifted up and slammed onto the toilet. Luckily the seat was down. She suddenly found herself looking at a giant, human-sized purple cat, with a wide face, and an even wider, evil smile. Devin tried to scream, but found she couldn't make a sound.
"There, there. I've wanted to reach out to you for a long time, but you were just too full of anger to embrace the depths of your depression. But after your pathetic speech and waterworks in the auditorium, your walls of anger and spite have fallen. Now, Devin, you are finally mine."
Devin finally found her voice. "You. You're the... the Depression Kitty!!" Devin had never met the Kitty herself, but had heard the name around school. Devin had heard that Jessi Glaser in particular was a frequent patron of the Depression Kitty.
The Depression Kitty smiled wickedly. "Yes, that is my name. My full name is Kitty Beaumont Bouchet. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance finally. You were a particularly tough nut to crack, Devin. But what a cornucopia of depression you were hiding. The dead father. The alcoholic mother. The repressed sexuality. And now the loss of your only true friend. My poor dear, aren't you tired of fighting it?"
Devin felt her sadness turn to fear. She had heard how the Depression Kitty could see into your heart, your soul, and see your deepest secrets, the things that make you the most miserable, even if you had never told anyone else.
"I'm... I just couldn't do it. I just couldn't get through it! All those kids... they probably wish it was me who had died!!" Devin said the words almost robotically, as if she had no control.
"Yes dear. And why not? You've certainly done them no favors. Especially the other girls. Even your so-called friend Lola. Using her. Making fun of her at every turn. Even when she needed a shoulder to cry on, instead of lending an ear, you always ignored her. Didn't you?" As she spoke, the Kitty's purring grew louder.
Devin knew this to be true: to make herself feel better, superior, Devin had always treated Lola as bad as, sometimes worse than, the other kids: making fun of her weight, her hair, her masculine voice and manners, spreading rumors about her, or even making her spread rumors about herself. And Devin did indeed turn a deaf ear to Lola's problems. Every time she talked about not knowing who her dad was, or about her barely-present mother, or about the boys who had broken her heart, like Andrew or Jay, Devin had always selfishly steered the conversation back to her. What kind of friend was she?
Devin started to cry harder. The Kitty wrapped her large, bushy tail around her, cooing as she pulled Devin close to her purple body.
"That's right Devin, let it all out. I'm all you have left now. Stay here, with me. Step through the door. Come with me to a land of no return."
Just then, Devin heard the bathroom door open. "Devin?! Are you in there?" It was Gina.
The Kitty put her large, furry paw over Devin's mouth. "Shhh, child. Don't answer her. She's just another one of those losers. You don't need her, Devin. I'm all you need. Me, and some Cotton Candy Brandy when you get home."
Devin pulled the Kitty's paw off her mouth and struggled to free herself from her tail. "You're wrong!" She said, as she tried to pull herself out of the giant cat's grip. "Gina is my friend. I saved her life this morning. And I told her EVERYTHING. And I'd do it AGAIN!!"
The Kitty laughed. A cold, evil laugh that made Devin's blood turn cold. "A friend? Baby, you HAVE no friends, you've made sure of that. Gina just feels sorry for you. You're like a stray dog she found in the gutter. She just pities you. She'll toss you aside the next time somebody more pathetic comes along. "
Devin thought about her words for a moment, then went back to struggling. "You're WRONG!!! Gina is nice, she's kind, I told her I was sorry for everything, and she FORGAVE me!!"
Devin heard Gina step closer to the stall. "Devin, I know you're in there. I'm not leaving until you come out!!"
Devin struggled more furiously than ever. Finally she pulled the tip of the Kitty's tail to her mouth and bit. The Depression Kitty yowled in pain and released her. Bolting up from the toilet, she pulled open the door and ran out, embracing Gina as she cried.
"Oh Gina, I'm so sorry!! I just couldn't. I just couldn't, with everybody looking at me!! I just felt so terrible, everything I've said and done!! I knew they didn't want to hear from me. They probably wished it was me instead!! I KNOW they do!!!!"
Gina hugged Devin tighter. "Don't. Don't EVER think like that, Devin!! You're as much of a person as Devon was, as much as THEY all are. Don't EVER feel sorry for living. Sure, they might still be angry at you for some things, but they'll get over it, and they DO feel bad for you losing Devon. We ALL share the loss, as a community."
Devin pulled away from the hug to wipe her face with her sleeve. "But I've been such a terrible person. To almost everyone. Even Lola. I mean, she said something to me during my speech and I just ignored her. I mean I ignore her all the time. All those times she needed a friend, somebody to pay attention to her when her mom ignores her, and I just toss her to the side. I mean, her mom is always on the road. my mom's always home, just usually sleeping off a hangover. We both have so much in common, but I treat her like a non-entity. "
Gina sighed. "Well, it's never too late to make a difference. You made one this morning by saving my life. If you hadn't there would have probably been TWO memorials today."
Devin sniffed back more tears. " One good act doesn't erase a lifetime of terrible deeds. I mean, you can't pretend that what I said to you at the sleepover doesn't still hurt. "
Gina frowned. "I'm over it, Devin. I've put that behind me. I told you, I forgive you. It's time you forgave YOURSELF. Look, let's go back to the auditorium. Next step in making amends is listening to Devon's other friends remember him. Come on. "
Putting her shoulder around Devin she started to guide her out of the bathroom. As Devin started walking, she looked back at the stall. The Depression Kitty still stood there. She smiled wickedly at Devin. "I'll be seeing you soon, Devin." With a wave, she vanished.
Gina saw Devin looking at the now empty stall. "What, what's wrong? Did you forget something in there?", she asked. Devin shook her head. She didn't want to tell Gina about her encounter with the Kitty, didn't even want to THINK about it. "No, nothing. Come on. "
The two girls exited the bathroom and headed back to the auditorium. Just as they entered, Matthew Macdell was just finishing his turn on the stage. Whatever speech he'd just given must have been great, because he walked off the stage to a round of applause from almost the entire room.
"Ok, who next?", the counselor asked. Devin saw Missy raise her hand. "Miss Foreman-Greenwald? Ok, come up. " Missy lowered her hand.
"Oh gosh, I don't know what to say", she said.
Devin remembered what Gina had said in the bathroom about making amends, and realized just what she had to do. Walking up to Missy, Devin smiled.
"You should just say what you feel. The truth. I know you liked him, Missy. He was a special person. Also, I want to give you THIS. " Reaching out, Devin pulled Missy to her in a hug. Missy looked totally shocked, but quickly returned the hug.
"I'm sorry for all the mean things I've said to you, Missy. At Jessi's sleepover, and that day on the bus. You're a great person Missy, and that's why Devon liked you. "
They separated, and Missy smiled back at Devin. "Thanks Devin. And I forgive you. And I'm sorry for the things I said that day too. If there ever was a time we all needed to come together it's now. "
Devin smiled. "I couldn't agree more. Now get up there, and make him proud. "
As Missy walked up to the stage, Gina smiled at Devin. "Devin, that was very sweet. That meant a lot to Missy. You really are changing, Devin. "
Devin frowned. "I'm TRYING to. I just hope it's not too late. You and Missy forgave me, but that's only a fraction of the damage control I have to do. "
Gina laughed. "Well, one day at a time. Look, I wouldn't feel right if I left you by yourself after school, seeing how sad you are. How about you come to my place after school?"
Devin was shocked. "You... you really want me over at your house?"
Gina smiled. "Yes, of course. You really need a friend right now, and, forgive me for saying, one more stable than Lola. My place isn't that far from here. We can walk there after school."
Devin nodded. "Ok. But can I bring my sister? Her school lets out same time as ours, and I usually walk her home. Her school is close to here. I don't want her at home if I'm not there."
"Ok, sure", Gina said. "I have a little sister too. I'm sure they'll get along great. "
Smiling at each other, the two girls turned to watch Missy give her speech.
Missy's POV:
Missy nervously walked onto the stage and looked at the sea of fellow students. She had no idea what to say. She had tried to rehearse the speech in her head all day, but the anxiety of speaking to a roomful of people about their dead schoolmate had been to much. She hadn't been able to concentrate. Even when she had tried to write a couple quick speech ideas in her notebook, she had hit a wall.
Now, staring at the roomful of her schoolmates, her anxiety was worse than ever. Her tongue and mouth felt dry, the way it always got when she was nervous. She looked to her side, at Mona, for encouragement, but the Hormone Monstress shook her head sadly.
"I can't help you here, sugar. This you must do yourself.
Missy swallowed nervously. Her eyes eagerly searched the room for Elijah. She finally found him in the second or third row, looking at her. Their eyes met, and he smiled, which made some, although not all, of her fears evaporate, but enough to begin talking. 'Ok, I can do this', she thought.
"Devon was a very kind person. He was nice, funny, a great athlete. I enjoyed the time we spent hanging out. " As she said this she again remembered their trip into the city to meet her cousins. " In a way, he taught me to be true to myself, and to speak my mind. I never played on the team, but I watched him play. It's true, he was always a good sport, whether we won or lost. "
Missy kept her eyes on Elijah. She didn't want to say anything too revealing, which might let Elijah know how she had once felt about Devon. But she also didn't want to say too little, and make it seem like she didn't put as much effort into her words as the other students. What else could she possibly say, though?
"While I might not have known him as much as some of my other friends, I'm glad his time with them made them as happy as it made me. All the times he made them laugh, picked them up when they were down, lended an ear when they needed to talk. He was the whole package: a great athlete, an amazing friend, a brother figure, and an inspiration to so many. I will truly miss him. Thank you. "
Missy walked off the stage to thunderous applause. She made her way towards Elijah, who was still smiling as he joined the applauding students.
"That was a really great speech, Missy," he said as they hugged. " You'd actually make a really good pastor, or motivational speaker."
Missy smiled. "Thanks, but my intended profession is ambassador to the moon. And hopefully, afterward, first female president ON the moon. But when we open a church on the moon, you'll definitely be my first choice for preacher. "
Elijah laughed. "Sounds great. So, what you doing after school? The church is doing another food drive this afternoon, if you want to come help. "
Missy smiled. "Definitely! I'll totally be there." Missy knew her parents weren't crazy about her spending her time around the church, as they were non-denominational Jews and disliked organized religions, but Missy had to admit she liked helping out at their activities, as it gave her time to hang out with Elijah.
After promising again to see him there, she turned to see Devin. Devin smiled.
"Thank you, Missy. I know Devon would have loved to hear that speech. It was wonderful. It meant a lot to me. "
Missy smiled hesitantly. "Thanks, but I'm not sure. Truth is I didn't know what to say. It just sort of came to me. "
Devin smiled again. "Well, it was beautiful. Again, I'm sorry for the things I've said to you in the past. And you're absolutely right, we all need to come together. It's what he would have wanted. "
Just then Jessi walked up. "I guess I'll go next. I didn't know him that well, but I guess I'll try. "
Devin turned to Jessi. "Look, Jessi. I just wanted to say: I know we've had our differences, but I'm working on being a better person. it's what Devon would have wanted. Also it's what I want for MYSELF. I mean, I realize now it was messed up for me to talk about your leg hair and stuff. Your body, your choice. I'm really sorry. "
Jessi groaned. "it's ok. I haven't shaved since then. My legs are the least of my problems right now."
Devin laughed. "Yeah Lola mentioned something about the yeast infection. And I heard about the new sister. Don't worry, you'll get used to it eventually. My sister and I are like THIS now", she held two fingers inches apart. "Plus, as the older sibling you have seniority, so you're like the boss."
Jessi laughed. " Well I only have to deal with her when I'm at my dad's. So yeah. I don't have to put in the big-sister energy 24/7. But I DO live across from Lola when I'm at my mom's. "
Devin smiled. Jessi noticed her smile was different than usual. More of a genuine smile of friendship than she usually put on. "Yeah I heard. Maybe we can all hang sometime. Like I said I really am sorry, Jessi. I want to be a better person. For Devon. For my sister. And for myself. "
Jessi shrugged. "Sure, I guess we can hang. I don't know when, my mom's usually working, so I can only come on days when she'll be around. I usually stay at my dad's. But I'll let you and Lola know. I'll introduce you to my friend Natalie. Lola met her yesterday. "She decided not to add that in this case, 'met' meant an almost brawl." Do you want to hang with us too, Missy?"
Missy was shocked, she didn't usually get invited to stuff."Well, sure, but today I have plans to meet Elijah after school, and we have a movie date on Friday. But I'll keep my calendar open!"
Devin smiled. "Great. Let me know. You'd better go make your speech, girl. But first", she reached out and hugged Jessi. Jessi looked a bit surprised, but returned the hug. Then, after a quick "see you later" to both Devin and Missy, walked toward the stage.
Missy turned to Devin. "Well, I'll see you later, Devin. I'm going to go find Elijah again, we're going to help out at the church after school. Wanna come?"
Devin shook her head. "Sorry, I'm going to Gina's after school. Rain check?"
Missy smiled. "Sure. Let me know. See you, Devin." After another hug, Missy walked off to find Elijah as Jessi began her speech.
Jessi's POV:
Jessi stepped onto the stage and looked at the crowd of students watching her expectantly. She didn't exactly know what to say: the only funeral she had been to was the service for Andrew's grandfather, and she had only been a guest. She hadn't had to actually speak.
Nervously, she began: "I didn't know Devon all that well, but he was a good pal of my friends Nick and Andrew, and the other boys on the basketball team. I saw him play, and he was a great player. I'm not much of an athlete myself."
Jessi wracked her brain for what to say next. Her anxiety from the other day came creeping back. Her eyes scanned the crowd for a familiar face, somebody to anchor her to earth so her anxiety wouldn't blow her off her feet. She couldn't see Missy. She'd probably moved to the back of the crowd after they talked. Andrew and Nick were probably also further back. She thought she saw Lola's blonde mop in the middle of the crowd, but she needed somebody more... grounded to keep HER grounded.
Finally she saw her: Ali, in the second row, staring at her through her large red glasses, smiling at Jessi to encourage her. Jessi's longing for Ali from the previous year came rushing back. Suddenly she realized how short time truly was: what if SHE was next? What if a car struck Jessi on the way home? What if she slipped in the shower and broke her neck? Stupid thoughts, she knew, but the truth is one never knows when their time will come. One day your birthday cake will have its last candle, and the winds of fate will snuff out the flame forevermore.
She knew what she had to do. After this speech, she had to tell Ali how she really felt. Ever if it made Ali upset, coming only a few months after her breakup with Samira. Even if Ali rejected her. A firm "no, sorry" was better than a lifetime of not knowing.
"But his passing has taught me one thing: we never know when our time will come. We must all cherish the time we have. Love one another. Be honest and open. Live each day like it's your last. Play to win. " That got a couple laughs from the basketball team. " And most importantly, always look ahead, to a better tomorrow. MAKE a better tomorrow for yourself, and others. It's what he would have wanted. It's what WE must want for ourselves. Thank you. "
Jessi walked off the stage as the students applauded, but it was mostly a distant buzz as she concentrated on only one thing: the Asian girl with the red glasses and turquoise earrings shaped like a finger giving the bird.
"Hey Ali", Jessi said, as she approached her.
Ali smiled. "Hey yourself. That was some speech, Jessi. You really killed it, bitch. "
Jessi smiled. " Thanks, Ali. Look, can I talk to you? Like, in private? It's too crowded and noisy in here. "
Ali nodded. "Sure. It's probably almost over anyway. Almost everybody has had their turn. Why don't we just go out into the hall?"
"Sounds good", Jessi said, and the two girls walked through the crowd of students and headed to the auditorium doors, and stepped through them into the hall, where they stood alone in a sea of lockers and doors. It was almost eerie: if they didn't know the entire school was behind the auditorium doors, they might have been all alone at the school. Jessi WISHED it was just the two of them: it would have made what she was about to say to Ali so much easier.
"Look, Ali. What I needed to talk to you about is..." Jessi took a deep breath. Why was it so hard to say this? For a girl who had run away from home last year, telling somebody she liked them should have been a cakewalk. "Look, remember last year, when we hung out? How weird I sometimes got? Like on Thanksgiving when I stopped by your house? And then when you came to my house after Missy posted that thing about our arrest? Well, what I wanted to tell you, both times, was,I like you. Like, as WAY more than just a friend. You're amazing, Ali. You're smart, you're funny, you're fearless. And VERY beautiful. You just make me feel so many things, Ali, but I just couldn't tell you back then, because you were so upset about Samira, and I didn't want to risk upsetting you further by telling you so soon. But after Devon, it just made me realize how short time can be, and I just couldn't wait any longer. And even if you don't feel that way for me, I'd rather you tell me so than live a lie, pretending I don't have feelings for you. "
Jessi stopped talking to catch her breath. Ali stood still, looking straight at her, but her face was unreadable. After a minute, she finally sighed and replied.
"Look, Jessi, I know. I think I knew back then that you liked me. But at the time I just wasn't ready. After Samira broke up with me, I just wasn't ready to open my heart to somebody else. But at the same time, I was half hoping you'd tell me how you felt. And now that you've told me, I'm happy. And the truth is, I think I feel the same. But to be honest, I don't think now is the best time. I mean, I DO like you the same way, I feel the same. But, I'm just not ready. I'm sorry. I hope you understand. I just need more time to figure things out. Especially now . "
Jessi felt a lump in her throat, the kind you feel when you're about to cry, but swallowed.
"Ok. It's fine. I understand. Take your time.No rush. I just had to tell you. "
Ali smiled. "And I'm glad you did. But for now I just think we should take it slow. Like we should definitely hang out again, do something crazy, like with that statue!! I'd love to see your badass side again!"
Jessi forced a smile. "Definitely. I'll totally let you know. Lola wants to go to the sewer sometime. Not sure if that's something you'd be up to. "
Ali laughed. "If I can find some knee length boots and maybe a gas mask for the smell, I'll let you know. Thanks for being cool about this Jessi. I'll see you later. "
As soon as she said that and started walking away, the auditorium doors opened and a swarm of students poured out, all chattering loudly. Jessi lost sight of Ali in the blur of people, for which she was glad, because she didn't want Ali to see the tears she'd been fighting now running freely from her eyes.
'Why can't I EVER have anything I want? I can't have a complete family with BOTH parents in the same house. I can't go through a class without dying from anxiety. And I CAN'T have the girl of my dreams. '
Grabbing her backpack and coat from her locker, she joined the throng of students headed out the door, lost in thought as she walked home. She didn't hear Connie speaking until the Monstress practically screamed in her ear.
"JESSI!!!!"
Jessi wheeled around. "What, Connie?!!"
Connie frowned. "Hey, don't take that tone with me!! I'm just touching base. I saw everything that happened today. The drama. Boys and girls both crying over Devon. You and Devin making up, loved that. Your speech, very Oscar worthy. And of course, you giving Ali your heart and her stomping on it. You just can't catch a break, Jessi bear. "
Jessi shook her head. "Tell me about it. I don't know what to do. Maybe I should just start living like Lola: on my own, with a fridge full of Hot Pockets and ice cream, no visitors, just me and a TV screen. Nobody could hurt me anymore. "
Connie laughed. "Well, before we go to that extreme, why don't you text Natalie and see if she can hang again today? And Lola. I'm sure you can keep the peace. I won't be available too much: my sister is getting reassigned so she's having a party celebrating her graduation from her old client. it's a Monster tradition. Just call me if you need me. "
With that she vanished, leaving Jessi alone again with her thoughts. Eventually she decided she WOULD call Natalie. Her and her dad had gotten a motel room not far from Jessi's mom's apartment. And she guessed she'd ask Lola to hang too. Not like she'd be able to stop her anyway.
She pulled out her phone to call the two girls, preparing herself for whatever drama the rest of the evening may bring.
End of chapter 4.
Sorry I was away for so long, been dealing with lots of stuff, including writer's block. I promise from now on, chapter's will be written quicker. Hopefully.
A bit about this chapter: I decided to start with Devin because I wanted to show early on how big a part depression, and, by association, The Depression Kitty, will play in her arc, similar to how it played a part in Jessi's in the early seasons.
Speaking of Jessi, I was initially going to have her reject Devin's apology, and throw it back in her face, and have Devin walk off even more depressed, but I didn't want Jessi to seem like a bitch, so I decided to have her accept the apology, if somewhat reluctantly, and agree to hang out.
Also, me and my friend/co-writer debated for a while whether Ali should reciprocate Jessi's feelings, or not. We decided that ultimately, while she may indeed feel the same, as she confirmed, that she still needed time to sort things out. But don't worry: I'm not going to abandon this subplot the way the show did. I mean, S5 got us shipping and hoping for Jessi/Ali, only for S6 to just drop that ship like a newborn giraffe. Don't worry, with me, we WILL get a resolution!!
Anyway I'll see y'all in chapter 5, coming soon...er than this one, lol. In chapter 5, we'll see Gina and Devin's hang sitch, catch up with Missy and Elijah at church, and see whether Jessi's second hang with Natalie and Lola goes better than last time. Also, I'm planning a Leah part next chapter, cause I want to add some new POV characters, so hopefully I'll be able to work her in.
Anyway, see y'all soon!!!
I