As Andy finished the prank call to her parents – something Jessica’s parents were not going to be happy about. Yes, pulling the “I’ve kidnapped your daughter” card while they were going to tea with the queen when she had, indeed, been kidnapped before was not something they were going to enjoy. Though she went and texted her parents right after to tell them it was a joke. She wasn’t kidding when she said they would have called the national guard, MI6, CIA, and FBI to look for her. Though the last time she was taken, Jess had simply convinced the man to let her go… in a sense. So, in retrospect, she was only missing for approximately two weeks. No big deal. Except… she did miss the limited-edition McDonald’s toy coming out with an Andy bobblehead and was upset but… oh well. Though sold out at every store, She convinced Andy to call McDonald’s headquarters and get her a personalized one. Oh, the perks of being married to a McNugget.
Though her parents would probably try to call her again in a few hours to talk about this new revelation that she was not in London anymore and crashing at Dan’s. She wrapped her arms around Andy, bringing her mouth to his ear whispering “If they send a PI after you, don’t blame me,” she smiled before getting up and going back to her seat – enjoying as the dares continued. That was, until Dorian’s dare. The one about telling her what he’s been hiding for the past few weeks. Honestly, she expected Dorian to drink. But he didn’t, instead, he told her that he had heard the voicemail. The very once Jess had just gotten used to imagining him not have hearing. The one where she told him… well… a little too much. Her heart ached as she looked at him – not showing any emotions on her features. No, her features remained stoic… though she couldn’t stay there. “Well,” Jess mumbled, standing up from her seat next to Maddy who had begun talking to someone else. Jessica slowly walked towards the middle of the circle where the alcohol was located and grabbed herself a bottle of Absinthe. “I think,” she continued people still looking in her direction, “I’m going to call it a night, you kids have fun,” Jess mumbled, her eyes meeting Dorian’s for just a second before she turned away– taking her bottle as she walked towards her tent and slipping inside. Jess had no intention of staying in the tent. No, she just wanted one thing. The letter. Grabbing the item and leaving her phone in the tent after replying to Dan – Jessica snuck out the other side and started walking through the dark woods illuminated by only moonlight. Jess looked at the bottle in her hand but didn’t drink from it – for some reason not wanting to really get drunk tonight. She was slightly tipsy from earlier, but enough time had passed that it had mostly cleared out of her system. So, as she reached the waterfall. Jess placed the bottle away from her and hugged her chest, closing her eyes as she thought back to the night she said the words of the voicemail. Her mind going over it again, the rain, the feeling of helplessness. The hope? All of it was crushed as the helicopter flew her away to the airstrip to her new life.
Though did she still feel like that? Did Jessica still love Dorian? A part of her would always love the memory of him, her best friend, and perhaps Jessica was mistaking her past love with how her heart currently felt about him. Opening her eyes, Jess looked down at the unopened letter to her future self at her feet – a small memory of the promise Dorian had made her that they’d read it to each other in the future meeting her mind. Though it was clear that would never happen. With a sigh, Jess opened the small envelope and found her cursive handwriting five years earlier.
“Heyyoooooo Jesssssssssss. Have you ever said “Jess” really fast? Kinda sounds like a snake or some sh!t. Like hisssss. Maybe you should have been one of those witches from Harry Potter. Ehh oh well. Oop sorry I got distracted. That is not at all what this letter was about. This letter is about me (younger, sexier you) getting to know you (older, still sexy me). But first things first. Did you eat? The answer better bloody be a yes. If I’m hungry right now, I’m sure you’re hungry five years in the future. Go eat NOWWWW…”
A soft laugh escaped Jessica’s lips as she read the words. She remembered what she wrote – photographic memory – mostly – and all. But reading it with the paper in hand was a different feeling.
“Okay now that we’re not hangry anymore – let’s catch up. There are a few things I want to ask of you Jessica, and you have to be honest – okay?
- Have you had sex? Yes
- Was your first time good? It wasn’t bad
- Was it with Lyonrad? No, no it was not.
- Are you and him still together? No, no we are not.
- Are you good at it? I mean, I’ve had no complaints
- So…. Whatcha eat today? Gummy bears, Orange Soda, and a PB and J
- How’s Anna? Still Anna
- Still Anna?Yeah…
Yep
- How’s Dan? Alive and well, still getting punched on a daily
- Nuggets or Fries? NUGGETS of course
- Now the Important questions: Dorian’s, there right? You’re reading this out loud? No
- How is he? Don’t know.
- How’s his football game? Improved at all or still terrible
? Don’t know.
- Are you still annoying the bloody hell out of him on purpose? Nope.
- Still best friends? Why am I even asking? Of course, you two are. Nope, no we’re not.
- Is there anything you regret? So… so much.
The questions went on. Pages of random questions little Jessica had written for herself. From if her career choice had changed, to how certain people in her life were, to her favorite midnight snack, to her favorite memory of Dorian now that they spent 5 more years together… and so on.
Right well, those were all the pressing 231 questions I had for you. The last thing I want to leave this on, Older Jessica, Is I hope you’re having a good life. Well… don’t know how to leave this message but I love you Jess… me? Yes. I love me. Less sexy me, but still me. Also, goodbye blonde dork (The dork being Dorian in the off chance you dyed your hair blonde).
Part of her wanted to rip the letter up – throw it away. But another part of her couldn’t. Couldn’t get rid of another set of memories that held her together. Maybe if she was drunker but for now – Jess folded the pages back up, slipping them back in the envelope as she laid down on the ground and stared up at the sky.
@astxrism - Dori
@CerealKiller - Andy
@Nil - Lyonrad