Classification: P/J
Story Synopsis: When Joey returns from her trip away, she starts acting more than slightly strangely. Is she merely outgrowing Capeside and all the friends it holds for her, or is her weird behavior down to something else?
It was just before 1 o’clock and Capeside High’s cafeteria was teeming with students, talking, laughing, hurriedly copying up homework assignments due next lesson. Joey sat by herself at a small corner table, radiating an aura which could be clearly read as: “leave me the hell alone.”
Jen appeared not to notice the fierce glare which greeted her as she took a seat opposite Joey. Settling breezily into the chair, she began picking her way through the meal which lay before her. Lifting a forkful of lasagne up for closer inspection, she scrutinised the limp pasta and insipid mince.
“Am I the only one who thinks this lasagne resembles food in no way, shape, or form?” she commented in a conversational tone. “I mean, I swear there’s some big cover-up going on in this cafeteria. They could be passing anything off as food in this place--”
“Excuse me, but I don’t remember inviting you to sit down, Jen,” Joey interrupted icily. Jen blinked, obviously unperturbed by Joey’s snappishness.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I just figured you could use the company -- you know, since you drove everyone else out of your life. “ Jen chewed her food nonchalantly.
Jen glowered and began stabbing viciously at her own half-eaten chicken and mushroom pie with her fork.
“Was that supposed to be subtle? Because if it was, you definitely need lessons in being tactful,” she muttered.
“I’m just stating the facts,” Jen said blithely, continuing to eat her meal.
“The facts being, what?”
“Oh, just that you’re behaving like a royal pain in the ass and everyone -- including me -- is sick of it.”
“How dare you!” Joey exclaimed in outrage.
“Whoa, don’t heave a kidney. It’s not like you’re not aware of what a bitch you’re being.”
“Talk about the pot calling the kettle black,” Joey hissed angrily.
“Oooh, right through the heart,” Jen replied sarcastically. Taking one last mouthful of her lasagne, she discarded her tray, brushing crumbs from her fingertips. Meeting Joey’s defiant gaze squarely, her tone finally grew solemn. “Look, I didn’t come here to insult you. Believe it or not, I’m just trying to do you a favour. Maybe there’s more to this than your just being in a permanent bad mood. I don’t know, and frankly, I don’t care. I just think you should stop being such a cow before you find yourself with no friends left.”
“You’re lecturing me?” Joey snorted derisively. “That’s a bit rich, isn’t it?”
Jen smiled wryly, “Touché.” She stood up, retrieving her bag from beneath the table. “Just think about what I said,” was her parting word as she strolled away, hips swinging slightly.