“Oh, you have no idea…” She admitted with a shake of her head and a saucy grin, “But to be fair, I was in Field Hockey, too… so I was a nerd who kicked ass with a big, hefty stick.” With a wink, she passed over the threshold, looking around briefly, before turning back to him with a small nod, “That works. You know… you should get that all written down on a welcome-mat… slap it outside. It’s poetic.”
Jofie grimaced. “That…” His nose wrinkled. “...Actually isn’t a damn bad idea, little thing. I’m taking notes.” A mat like that would help keep people away from his doorstep, right? Hopefully. He entered behind Nora, turning on a second lamp near the main couch to illuminate the den a bit more. It wasn’t terribly dark beforehand, but he figured having a visitor meant that the home had to be well-lit. Obviously, he wasn’t used to having company, so he was just winging it as he went along. He waved a hand dismissively towards the couch, “Take a load off, mind-reading, nerdy ass, field hockey stick chucking sidekick.” Jofie disappeared into the kitchen, though the open format of the area allowed him to still hear Nora.
It was always amusing, and somewhat a breath of fresh air, to be welcomed into a home without any traces of phony formality or hospitality. There was no one waiting to take her coat, no one offering her an hor devour that tastes like shoe polish or alcohol she was too young to drink. She didn’t need to worry about knocking over a priceless Chinese vase or scuffing the marble. As she crossed to the couch and sat down, hands folding in her lap, she looked around at the utter normalcy and breathed in, sighing out relief, “Oh… That’s a hell of a mouthful for a superhero name. We’re gonna need to shorten that.”
By the time Jofie had popped the pods into the Keurig and leaned against the counter, waiting for it to work its magic, he huffed in amusement before shooting back, “Shorten anything else with your ass and you’ll be a whole goddamn gnome hobbling around my house.” The first mug was filled and with expertise, he slid the second mug in and popped in a new pod.
“You know… I am considered above average height for a female…” She chirped, narrowing her eyes at him, “Just cause you’re a frickin’ giant.” Sinking back into the couch, she inhaled the scent of coffee brewing, and let her eyes fall closed for a moment, savoring the smell of God’s greatest gift to mankind, “And I’m at least two inches taller than my sister. So there’s that.”
It wasn’t long until Jofie was rounding the corner with two mugs full of coffee and he instantly caught the mild glare tossed his way. He answered the look with a knowing smirk. “If you’re shorter than me, you’re a fucking midget. If you’re taller. A fucking giant.
I’m the perfect height. Simple as that.” Ah, yes--narcissism, his old friend. “And sound the alarm…” He sat down next to her, holding out her mug. It was ceramic and rather artistic--definitely homemade. And… covered in pink petals floating against a chalk white background. His own mug was pitch black but accompanied with an abstract splattering of electric blue. “You’ve got a sister. As if one of you isn’t enough.”
“I love this whole… center-of-the-universe vibe you give off. It’s very zen.” She remarked with a smirk, before reaching to take the mug. Her eyes studied it for a moment, a brow raised in curiosity, but she said nothing, instead taking another inhale of the liquid inside, before, eyes closed, she blew the steam from the top and took a sip, with a murmur of approval, “...You better pray you never meet my sister. Heather is a bigger pain in the ass than old Nicole and KimPam combined…” Eyes opening, they twisted over to him, “Spent my whole life trying to measure up to her, and it took too damn long to realize it wasn’t worth it.”
“You’ll come to realize that I’m the fucking zenest man you’re ever gonna meet.” Jofie was about to take a sip from his own coffee, but fell still and watched Nora in amusement. She was practically worshipping the offered beverage and although he could somewhat understand the feeling, he couldn’t help but watching, thoroughly entertained. However, as soon as her eyes opened, he looked away and finally took a sip. “Sounds like you’re describing Satan,” he muttered while grimacing. However, when she tried to lock eyes with him, he avoided it at all costs. Eye contact wasn’t his strong suit. At least, not when he wasn’t in the mood to manipulate anyone. He shrugged. “What can I tell ya, little thing? Sometimes it takes a lifetime to realize that kind of shit.”
“...Oh, I believe it. Friggin’ Buddha, over here…” She grinned, and taking another sip, considered his words for a minute, “Pretty sure Satan takes notes from my sister…” It was said with a note of jest, but there was a glimmer of truth behind the words, however ridiculous they sounded, “Not really, but hell if she didn’t enjoy making things challenging. Anyway…” Taking another sip, she rolled her eyes, “That’s a hot mess for my therapist… if I had one. You ain’t wrong though… Half of why I came here was to get away from it.”
“You mean minus the fucking planet for a gut and earlobes dragging across the floor?” Jofie had a hunch that every single word in that sentence was highly offensive, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. Not by much. As he listened to Nora, he studied the top of his mug with a far off gaze, his conscience falling back into his mind as the wheels turned slowly. Finally, he said, “Guess that explains where that far off look of yours came from. Shit haunts you, doesn’t it?”
Looking him over, she studied him for a brief moment, “So… Fit Buddha, then.” Giving a passive shrug, Nora returned to her coffee. As he continued, his reaction not entirely what she’d anticipated, she blinked, and taking a thoughtful sip, nodded faintly, “I mean… not in some emo-cloud-hanging-over-my-head-guess-I’ll-shop-at-hottopic-now kinda way. But stuff like this? Forced ‘fun’... kinda brings it out. My parents were big on social gatherings. Mainly parties that involved showing off how much dad saved by paying his employees a crap wage. They’d prance Heather and me out in front of everyone and make us share all about our ‘big wins’ that year. Took its toll after a while. Started to worry I’d run out of crap to spill… so I started filling my schedule with too much. Half downed in it before I realized I was over my head.”
Again, Jofie just listened. This woman had a fair share of things on her plate, which he had predicted, but not to this degree. And even then, his gut instincts told him that maybe there was more to learn… but he wasn’t one to pry. Let alone someone who tended to get close enough to others and
want to pry. It was in that moment that he wondered how in Hell he got in this position. How in the hell did she manage to get into his house?
Why was he suddenly listening to Nora’s woes, after just meeting her less than an hour ago? His head was nearly spinning with questions, but he kept every ounce of the sentiment on lockdown, visage indifferent. No matter. Come tomorrow, they’d part ways and he would treat this like some wacky dream.
Another sip. “Well? You’d say you’re above water now? Or still paddling?” he asked.
Still looking into her coffee mug, Nora reached for the metal chain around her neck and pulled it free, casually showing the charm on the end - a hollow circle within which was a triangle - “When it got really bad, I started taking medication to keep up. Ritalin I didn’t need… Took me bottoming out in the middle of a mathletes competition to wake my parents up. Sent me to a twelve-step and told the neighbors I was traveling abroad for the summer. When I got out, I cleaned myself up, and decided I was done. Done with that life, with trying to impress people… So yeah. I’m pretty good, now. Just get a little edgy without coffee, but I’m pretty sure that’s just cause I tend to be kind of a bitch, anyway.”
And there it was. He knew there was more, it just wasn’t exactly the route he expected this conversation to travel down. Either way, he supposed in a roundabout way it explained why he was able to tolerate this woman for so long. Perhaps too long. Lips pursed in something akin to being impressed, he hummed to himself while studying the necklace, before placing his mug down on the coffee table. On a coaster. He fucking hated those ring stains. “Not a bad journey at all, little thing. I can…” Understand that. “Get behind that. And don’t worry.” His smug smirk made a swift comeback. “I can handle bitchiness. And I can spot them. You’re not even on the fucking radar.”
“Yeah, I mean… I coulda used a GPS or something, and the food joints on the way kinda sucked, but I got through it and I’m not too mad where I ended up.” A brow rose and she chuckled dryly, “Not… the actual location. This town is… wild.” Looking over at him, she tucked the necklace back beneath her blouse and grinned slyly, “...I’m a little offended. I like to think I’m plenty bitchy. I once borrowed a library book… and didn’t return it. And… didn’t pay the fine. I’m a damn beast.”
Jofie shrugged. “Ya also can’t be picky about that same journey when you want the destination that bad. You take what you get, say fuck it, and keep it moving. Like ya did.” However, his smile turned somewhat impish upon hearing her dastardly book story and he couldn’t help but gasp lightly in faux astonishment. “Nora, Nora, Nora…” he sighed while shaking his head in disappointment. His hand gave a brief twitch or two in his lap. He palmed it with the other one, forcing the tick to die out. “I’m feeling pretty goddamn scandalized right about now. Me, in the presence of a book thief… I take back what I said. You’re a fucking savage.”
“See… Fit Buddha. You’re just chock full of philosophical crap. But you’re right, and I’m not sorry, even if it’s not where I figured I’d end up. Hell… just knowing how pissed my parents are that I didn’t go on to be a lawyer or doctor or… saint or something makes it all worthwhile. And honestly? I wouldn’t trade my job for anything.” Giving a shrug, she finished off her coffee before she set it down on a coaster beside him, having caught the look he’d given the table earlier. Her gaze drifted, briefly, and from her peripherals, she caught the twitch, but said nothing, “...Damn straight I am. Best part is, I never even read the damn thing. I think I got it in a drawer in my bedroom somewhere. Just a reminder of my rebellion… My trophy.”
“Think that’s the only variation of “you’re full of shit” that I’m willing to overlook,” Jofie said, just barely holding back an eyeroll. “Where do ya work now? Professional Harasser… Hired Thief… Barbie Bitch Magnet…” He listed off the options, each consecutive one droning with sarcasm and mirth. The amusement nearly doubled as a snort nearly escaped him, though he was able to hold back in the knick of time. On the downside, he nearly choked, and had to cover his mouth with a fist while looking away from Nora. “Little thing… New trophy,” he coughed, “New fucking trophy. That’s just damn sad and you know it.”
“All of those… But also I’m the new teacher’s aid for the elementary class. I get to wrestle bugger-munches all day for half the pay Barbie makes, and somehow, I still haven’t driven my car off the bridge. Guess I’m a masochist.” Giving a shrug, she chucked, “For real, though, it’s the kids. They’re the only damn things in this town worth having around, half the time.” He laughed, or tried not to, and a laugh bubbled up from her as well, as she shook her head, “Listen! I would’ve gotten shipped off to boarding school if I did that kinda crap around my parents. That’s edgy for me.”
“Living the mother fucking dream, little thing.” Jofie cleared his throat one last time, a thin wave of annoyance intermingling with his lingering laughter. He prided himself for keeping composure around others, but he had actually choked on his own damn snort. Terrible. Pathetic. Regardless, he shoved his emotions back down into the pit of his being like most healthy individuals did and shot Nora a deadpan look, head knocking to the side. “Uh huh… You were so fucking edgy that you gave the
book a papercut. Respect. But, hey,” another shrug, “Guess most people would say that’s a good thing or whatever. Definitely not measuring success with how much of a fucking edgelord you are.”
“Gave the book a papercut… You know what? I don’t even care… I’m using that.” She couldn’t imagine having this conversation with anyone else in Moss Creek, but hell if she wasn’t going to at least try to slip it into a casual conversation, if only to see the brows raise in astonishment and confusion. Maybe she
was a little bitchy, “Alright… I… should probably go. Because I am not gonna be one of
those people and sit here till things get awkward and we run outta things to talk about.” Rising, she brushed out the wrinkles in her skirt, “Cause this was actually… not completely awful, and in this town, I’ll take that as a small miracle. I’ll see you around, Jofie?”
He waved at her dismissively. “Be my guest. People tend to use my genius shit anyway.” However, he couldn’t help but look at her fully this time, surprised as she announced her departure. That was… easier than he thought. He didn’t whether to sigh in relief, drown in suspicion, or huff in… No. Not disappointment. Something else, surely. Either way, he nodded and stood as well, rolling his head. “You’re fucking awkward no matter what, little thing, but think what you want.” Some cockiness infected his grin, hands in his pockets once more. “Well look at that. We tolerate each other… It’s a damn miracle indeed. Maybe you were onto something about that Moses shit, huh?”
He held out his hand again. “I’ll see you around, Nora. And uh… one more thing?”
“Ha! Right. I’m the awkward one…” She grinned a little, shaking her head, “Whatever you gotta tell yourself to sleep at night.” He rose and she gave a small nod, with a chuckle, “Yeah, now you just gotta part the red sea and rescue a nation and I’ll be impressed.”
With a wink, she started to move, before he continued, a brow raised as she paused, “Sure, what’s up?”
“...Try not to stare at my ass next time. Felt a little violated there,” Jofie said, returning her wink.
Looking him up and down with a point glimmer in her eyes, she shrugged and smirked, “...Hell if I’ll make that promise. Bye…” Wiggling her fingers in a wave she was pretty sure would probably just annoy him, she made her way back the way they’d come in and slipped back out into the cool night.
The longer she stood there, listening to the music play, the more her leg began to twitch with irritation, and she silently cursed the increasingly chilly weather, while trying desperately to ignore it all the same. The singer was enthusiastic, and the passion that filtered through the vocals and instrumentals made the music all the more enjoyable, even if it wasn't exactly what she cared for. After a while, her foot began to tap gently on the ground, until the motion made her flinch and swearing beneath her breath, she shifted her weight into her other leg.
"Who even is this? Don't know these guys at all!"
The words caught her just through a lull in the song, and glancing over, Sage blinked softly, before a bright smile formed on her lips "Oh! I don't know, either!" She explained, giving her head a shake, "They're good though, right?" Shifting again, wincing as her leg twitched uncomfortably, she bit her cheek, "Not my jam, but definitely good..."