destroy what destroys you. || [Closed RP]

@ ZackyEffingVengeance

Johnny

Johnny looked at his phone when Whitney texted back, smiling slightly while responding, Yeah, apparently Jimmy is bringing your sister home tomorrow. Now, you can go get some rest okay? If you are forced to study, call me any time you want to take a break from it.

With saying that, Johnny turned off his phone, wondering what things would be like from now on with Whitney as time went by.



It was one of Zack's big parties at his parents house, since they were gone for the three-day weekend because of business crap and such. It was only the guys, friends from near by, and of course Amanda and Whitney. Grabbing a beer for himself and his "crush", Johnny smiled and went over to Whitney, who was sitting casually on the couch with Brian and Matt keeping her company.

"Here you go miss," Johnny waved the bottle in front of her, "You need to relax more."

---

Amanda

Ever since that cabin night, Amanda kind of kept distance more away from Jimmy to leave off less pressure. She didn't want to seem like a "touchy-feely" type of girl that would kind of creep on Jimmy just because the sex was great....because it really was. So, to kind of stay a distance after chatting a bit with Jimmy with his friends, Amanda left him to go outside to smoke with some girls she started chatting with.

"You know Jimmy sometimes brings your name up quite a bit," the blonde named Val said, who was the girlfriend of Matt, "For the past two days, he was wondering about why you haven't texted him much recently. I think his mind is kind of clouded with craziness over you," she giggled, taking a long swig of her beer.

Val was a sweetheart when Amanda first met her a couple of days ago. So whatever she says can be confidential and even Matt says the same thing that she is basically kind of a "relationship therapist" to her friends. But when it came to Val's best friend, Jimmy, she was all over wanting to know more about how things would turn out since it was rare he got any crazy over one specific girl.

"I honestly don't know why," Amanda shrugged with a smile as she took a drag of her cigarette, "I'm nothing that special. We had sex once. And we only got to know a tiny bit about each other, besides the fact we kind of knew each other last year. I don't know," she sighed.

@ RavenArtist93

Whitney

Whitney smiled at Johnny but refused the beer. "I don't wanna drink," she said. Not only would Laura and Patrick have her head on a silver platter if she even had a sip of alcohol - because they would find out, she was sure - but she didn't really want to do anything stupid. "I'll have some Coke though, if there's any."

Johnny nodded. "I'll go get you one," he said, walking off.

Whitney didn't know why she even agreed to come to this party. She didn't like parties. The only people she really knew were Johnny, Jimmy, and of course, Amanda. Amanda was outside smoking and Whitney didn't smoke, so she was sitting on the couch awkwardly, wishing she could go home. She looked up when Johnny returned, taking the Coke he handed to her. "Thanks," she mumbled.

"Why don't you get up and mingle?" Johnny asked.

"I'm not much of a party person," Whitney answered.

---

Jimmy leaned against the outside of Zacky's house, taking a long swig of his beer. It was weird, but for the first time ever, he wasn't really in the mood to party. He was definitely in the mood to drink, though. He knew Amanda was in there, and he'd honestly been avoiding her since the night they spent at the cabin, because even though he liked her, it scared him a little that she wanted to move that fast. Jimmy wasn't a commitment type of guy, even though he felt a connection to Amanda.

"Yo Jim, what are you doing standing outside all by yourself?" Zacky shouted, coming up to Jimmy. He nudged his friend. "That girl you like is out back. What's her name again? Amanda?"

@ RavenArtist93

Whitney

Whitney smiled at Johnny but refused the beer. "I don't wanna drink," she said. Not only would Laura and Patrick have her head on a silver platter if she even had a sip of alcohol - because they would find out, she was sure - but she didn't really want to do anything stupid. "I'll have some Coke though, if there's any."

Johnny nodded. "I'll go get you one," he said, walking off.

Whitney didn't know why she even agreed to come to this party. She didn't like parties. The only people she really knew were Johnny, Jimmy, and of course, Amanda. Amanda was outside smoking and Whitney didn't smoke, so she was sitting on the couch awkwardly, wishing she could go home. She looked up when Johnny returned, taking the Coke he handed to her. "Thanks," she mumbled.

"Why don't you get up and mingle?" Johnny asked.

"I'm not much of a party person," Whitney answered.

---

Jimmy

Jimmy leaned against the outside of Zacky's house, taking a long swig of his beer. It was weird, but for the first time ever, he wasn't really in the mood to party. He was definitely in the mood to drink, though. He knew Amanda was in there, and he'd honestly been avoiding her since the night they spent at the cabin, because even though he liked her, it scared him a little that she wanted to move that fast. Jimmy wasn't a commitment type of guy, even though he felt a connection to Amanda.

"Yo Jim, what are you doing standing outside all by yourself?" Zacky shouted, coming up to Jimmy. He nudged his friend. "That girl you like is out back. What's her name again? Amanda?"

"I'll come inside in a minute," Jimmy mumbled, taking another drink of his beer.

Zacky shrugged. "Alright, suit yourself."

@ ZackyEffingVengeance

Amanda

As hours passed, Amanda decided to keep her sister company and have laughs here and there, which did brighten her up. Matt, Zack, and Johnny were entertaining them quite a bit during the party to make the girls feel like a part of their family. But little did Amanda expect Jimmy to...literally fuck things up.

"Amanda...uh...c-can I talk to you for a second," Jimmy stammered, obviously drunk from the excessive drinking.

"Uh...sure?" Amanda said rather awkwardly, following Jimmy to the backyard where it was not occupied, "What...do you want?"

"Wow, that's a way to greet me," Jimmy said rather loudly with a harsh scoff, "We don't talk for days because you decided to open your stupid fucking mouth and go all over me with stupid shit I can't even do. Seriously, you really think fucking a man to get with them is your agenda for a boyfriend or anybody? What kind of...of...slut are you?"

Amanda felt her chest clench and tears build at his words, seeing all the guys look over in worry at the corner of her eye and hearing the entire conversation. She looked back up at his drunken, angry gaze and let out a shaking sigh, "Well...excuse me for even...caring. And I'm sorry for even meeting you in the first place. Now...since I was acting like a 'stupid slut', I don't want to see you anymore. Just...leave me alone. And don't even try anything," she said with some tears down her face as she walked off.

"Let's go Whitney..." Amanda said with more tears going down her cheeks, "I'm sorry guys...but...we have to go."

---

Johnny

Even though Jimmy was drunk, Johnny has never seen him act like this to especially a woman in his several years of knowing him. It shocked all the guys and made even Jimmy's best friend, Brian, get pissed at what he said. But right when Amanda left Jimmy, Johnny could suddenly see the realization in Jim's eyes and the sudden regret...well...slightly.

"I'm sorry girls, I really am," Johnny frowned, giving Whitney's jacket as the girls went out the doors, "Please, Whitney, keep in touch to make sure your sister is okay."

As they disappeared in the distance, Johnny huffed in anger and approached Jimmy with Matt right behind him, "What the fuck is your problem? In all the years of us knowing you, we know you don't act like that to a woman even when you are drunk. Yeah, she blurted something out that caught you off guard but that never gave you the fucking right to call her a slut and a fucking idiot. That was so low," Johnny shook his head, purely ashamed of his friend as he walked off to get some space in a different room and think over everything.

At least I am resting for the night...because shit, I hope Jimmy makes it up to Amanda. That girl seems to have been through enough already and he only fucked it up...big time he thought.

@ RavenArtist93

Whitney

"O-Okay," Whitney said, following after her stepsister. Johnny followed them as well, handing Whitney her jacket and mumbling apologies. She had no idea why Amanda was crying, but she suspected that it had something to do with Jimmy. Whatever it was, Whitney hoped the guys would give him shit for it.

Whitney made Amanda let her drive, since her stepsister was obviously too upset to do so. When they got home, Whitney followed Amanda into her room and sat down on her bed. "Are you going to tell me what happened?" Whitney asked. Amanda shook her head and Whitney sighed. "I can't help you if you don't tell me what happened."

"Jimmy called me a slut," Amanda finally whispered. Whitney's jaw dropped. Jimmy hardly seemed like the type of guy to do something like that, especially after what he'd done for Amanda a few days earlier.

---

Jimmy

"Ahhhh, fuck you, Johnny," Jimmy shouted at Johnny's retreating form. He could feel the other guys staring at him and it was pissing him off. "Don't you have...something else...to fucking do?" he hiccuped at them. He pushed past them all and went out into the backyard, pulling a pack of cigarettes and his lighter from his pocket. He needed nicotine to calm down.

Jimmy didn't look up when he heard the back door slid open and then close again, or when he felt someone sit down next to him."You've gotta apologize to her, you know," Val's voice said. Of course it was her. She was his closest female friend and he usually went to her with problems he couldn't take to the guys. "That was really mean, what you said."

"I know," Jimmy grumbled, taking a drag from his cigarette. "She just freaked me out, ya know?"

@ ZackyEffingVengeance

Val

"Well, maybe you need to realize something about yourself: you never have the sympathy to realize what a woman feels towards stuff like this and how literally you freak out immediately when it comes to just a one word statement relating to commitment," Val pointed out, "From what you told me, she was only goofing off about the whole boyriend/girlfriend thing before going on to friends with benefits, right?"

"Yeah, so? It's still fucking weird for me," Jimmy sighed, "When I even hear that phrase, I just freak out because of what I have witnessed with girls back then and what my mother had to struggle through. I don't want any of that stupid shit because it is just a waste of time."

"Well, did she go after you about it again?" Val questioned.

"Well...no...she immediately avoided me more often after that night," Jimmy mumbled, "And that pissed me off because well...I like her a lot...and...I was thinking that she was avoiding me because I said 'no'."

"That is not avoidance because of that," she responded, trying to get the logic through his head, "We girls know that if we accidentally spit something out, we keep the space or try to move on. You on the other hand began to get very cold right after all of that. That is a vibe that turned her away. You can't do that to girls, Jim. We don't know what to do at this age in our lives and neither do you. So, shit happens. Get over it."

"But-"

"No buts," Val cut him off, opening the door to go back inside, "I suggest you think this through. Plus, you need to sober up and talk with Johnny. I'm pretty sure after what shit you pulled tonight that Amanda is not going to be in the mood to see you...probably ever. So, be a mature gentleman and make it up and talk about it with her. She was only trying to have fun," Val sighed, closing the door behind her.

---

Amanda

"We are home," Whitney whispered to Amanda, turning off the car and heading to the house with her sister getting sluggish, "I'm sure our parents are awaiting on us."

Opening the front door and walking right in behind Whitney, Amanda looked over to see Laura and Patrick pouring out some liquor in the glasses. The two sisters instantly knew that they were going to be in for some questioning about what went on and "how was the party".

"So...how did it go-"

"I don't want to talk about it," Amanda rolled her eyes, going upstairs, "Just leave me the fuck alone."

"Watch your mouth, Amanda!" Patrick yelled out, shaking his head in disappointment after hearing her slam the door, "I swear, that girl needs to be put somewhere for good. I can't stand her."

Amanda lied alone in the darkness of her room, unable to take what other crap that can shit on her life. Yes, Jimmy was drunk, but even she knew that it was what Jimmy wanted to blurt out to her and he only needed alcohol to fuel that advantage. Besides her sister, there is one thing that Amanda truly needs to help her fragile heart: a friend.

Whitney

"I don't think the two of you should be going out anymore," Laura said, stopping Whitney as she headed back upstairs. Whitney turned back to face her mother, since Whitney knew that she liked to have the girls be looking at her when she talked to them. "Especially if that's how Amanda is going to act when we let you."

"Alright," Whitney mumbled, turning and heading back upstairs. She passed Amanda's closed door, knowing that she needed to something about everything that had happened. But she needed a shower first, so she went to her bathroom and quickly showered, changing clothes before grabbing her phone and sneaking to Amanda's room.

"Hey," she whispered, climbing into bed next to her stepsister.

---

Jimmy

Jimmy let out a ragged sigh as Val went back inside. He was starting to wish he hadn't gone after Amanda in the first place, because as much as he liked her, this was just stressing him out. It wasn't his fault he wasn't good at relationships. He was just a big-fuck up, and he didn't want anyone else to have to deal with that. Especially someone like Amanda, who already had enough shit to deal with.

"Best go find Short Shit, then," Jimmy mumbled, slowly getting to his feet. He didn't really want to deal with Johnny either, but Johnny was his ride home. And Val was right, he was being an asshole.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance

Amanda

"Hey..." Amanda whispered back with no emotion in her voice whatsoever, "Shouldn't you be in bed, sister?"

Whitney let out a long sigh and lied her head back against the pillow, looking over at her sister who was pretty broken at this point, "I couldn't leave you alone like this and you know that. Yeah, I may not be experienced with this crap at all but the least I can do is keep you company...and to convince you aren't a slut."

Amanda looked over at Whitney, the dimness of the moonlight illuminating on the two of them from the window, "It accidentally spit out that night in the cabin. I mean, I was just joking around...but he took it a completely different direction. Like, how was I suppose to know that my silly, joking offer was a trigger to make him become an asshole? I was just playing...and like...I never thought he could be this way."

"Maybe he experienced bad shit from relationships and what-not in the past...so even the slightest joke of that mention could set him off," Whitney muttered, "But it really gave him no right to say that..."

"Yeah..." Amanda exhaled, the two of them sitting in silence for a good several minutes.

"What are you going to do with him?" Whitney asked curiously.

"Simple: just stay distant...including his friends," Amanda said with a deep frown, "You can hang out with Johnny...but...I can't be around anyone else of that circle..."

---

Johnny

"Hey, short-shit? Can I come in?" Jimmy said from the other side of the guest room door, in which Johnny sighed and responded with a 'yes', "Can we please talk? Look, I'm sorry I fucked up tonight..." he noted, closing the door behind him.

Johnny let out a long frustrated exhale and sat up on the bed to look at him, "It's like...you do this all the time with any girl. They joke or act serious about the whole 'commitment' thing and you just go way off the deep end. It's like, we can barely have a good time with ladies without worrying about you going off on them like an asshole and being a fucking buzz kill. I know you love to have fun, especially with women, but come on, man? Amanda was just joking around and you just totally took it a new direction."

Jimmy stayed quiet before nodding, "I know. I'm just...stressed right now. I don't want to be dealing with this shit and bring Amanda more crap of mine that she really doesn't need. In all honesty, I do regret meeting her."

Johnny looked up at his friend with disappointment, shaking his head slowly with another sigh, "I understand growing up was hard...but you can't take it on almost everyone around you. And I don't know how you regret meeting her because shit, I don't regret it at all. I think she is maybe a wake up call to make you realize how big of a dick you can be. And look what happened," he scoffed, "I forgive you man...but you need to grow some balls and man up to the ladies. Pushing them away is only going to make you realize how hard it is to make you let anyone in. But whatever, I don't even know if you care at this point."

Whitney

"You aren't going to talk to him about it at all?" Whitney asked curiously. Amanda had every reason to have nothing to do with Jimmy ever again, and Whitney knew that. But her stepsister obviously had an attachment to the older boy, and he had obviously been very intoxicated when he said what he said to her. "He might want a chance to explain himself."

"Well he doesn't deserve one," Amanda huffed.

Whitney rolled over to face her sister. "I know what Jimmy said to you was hurtful and mean," she started. "But did you ever think that maybe there's a reason he said all that? I mean, he doesn't seem like the kind of guy to say things like that just to be mean."

"I guess you're probably right," Amanda sighed. "But I still don't know if I wanna talk to him."

---

Jimmy

"You can stop fucking giving me shit for this whenever you want," Jimmy said, glaring at Johnny. Sure, Johnny was right. Pushing Amanda away would only make it harder for him to let people in. But he didn't really want to let people in. Jimmy was more of a loner, it was just his nature. "I'll apologize to her, but that doesn't mean I want to open up to her or anything. I-I did this to help her and then she turned it around on me."

"Turned it around on you?" Johnny repeated. "All she did was ask you what you two were. And you gave her an answer that obviously sufficed, but you had to go and do what you do."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Jimmy asked. Johnny was seriously starting to piss him off. He knew he fucked up, but Johnny just wasn't letting it go.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance

Johnny

Johnny couldn't stand his friend's stupidity anymore and went up to him to physically confront Jimmy, despite being shorter than his friend, "Look, you stupid fuck, I understand life was hard growing up and it was the same for all of us. Matt used to be in a gang and got beaten up and nearly killed, yet he didn't take his rage on himself or anyone else in the way. Brian was an ignorant son of a bitch to his father but made it up completely. Zack was a person who would get into a lot of trouble with the police and his life and yet, he still managed to pull himself together. You on the other hand are taking your shit on everyone else! Please, for the love of god, think about everyone else but yourself for once. You don't even have sympathy for anybody! Yes, you are such a lovable bastard but you have this other ego that fucks everything up."

"Fuck you, short shit," Jimmy shoved Johnny away, getting very irritated with Johnny and not wanting to believe the words he was saying.

"Push me all you want but for the sake of your friends and family, please fix that dark part of yourself, please? We can't have that crap happen if we go on tour someday!" Johnny exclaimed, "I hate being Dr. Phil here and trying to fix your relationship or friendship problems. Grow some balls and do it yourself!"

Jimmy wanted to attack Johnny at this point for going at him with his talk, but then he paused himself and realized the one thing that killed him the most: he was right.

In a long silence, Jimmy finally sighed and turned away from Johnny, "Fine...I'll go fix everything here... Just, leave me alone for a bit so I can figure it out without you going over me again," he mumbled, slamming the door on the way out.

---

Amanda

"I understand sister..." Whitney whispered, patting Amanda's back comfortingly, "I'm going to head to bed. Maybe we can...go get some coffee in the morning? To try to clear your head a bit and talk about more positive stuff besides him?"

Amanda looked over and smiled, "I'm down for that. Goodnight, Whitney."

"Goodnight, sister," she responded before closing the bedroom door and going to her room.

Resting in the darkness for a good hour, unable to fall asleep because of the self-blame and Jimmy's words running through her mind, Amanda suddenly felt her phone buzz and noticed that it was the one person she didn't want to even talk to: Jimmy.

"Hey...look I know I fucked up and I want to talk to you about it sometime. I'm sober now...I'm so...sorry. Can I see you?"

Amanda hesitated and felt her heart clench at everything that went on tonight. It was several minutes until she responded:

"I just want to rest it off... I understand that I pissed you off and I just can't bare the fact of what you said to me. I know you were drunk but that fucked me up. Just...leave me alone."

Minutes later after responding, her phone buzzed again:

"Can't do that...I'm already at your house below your window"

Whitney

Whitney wasn't sure what to do about the whole Amanda and Jimmy situation. On the one hand, she knew that what Jimmy had said and done to her stepsister was very mean and Amanda had every right to push him away. But on the other hand, she also knew that Jimmy was very drunk when he said those things and might not have meant them. To Whitney it honestly seemed like Jimmy was scared. She crawled into her own bed and drew the covers up to her chin, sighing. Things had been so much less complicated before Johnny and Jimmy came along. Not that they were ever simple, mind you.

Whitney was having a little trouble falling asleep, and so she decided she would text Johnny. He seemed to be Jimmy's closest friend, so maybe he could shed some light on what was going on. Have you talked to Jimmy at all? she texted.

Her phone vibrated a few minutes later. Yeah, he's being very hard-headed about the whole thing. But I think he's going to apologize to Amanda.

That's good.

---

Jimmy

Jimmy stared up at Amanda's bedroom window, waiting for her to open it or stick her head out or something. And that's what she did a few minutes later, staring down at Jimmy. "What are you doing here?" she hissed. She sounded angry and Jimmy knew she had a good reason.

"I came to talk to you and apologize," Jimmy replied, and rather loudly at that. Amanda shushed him with her hands.

"Well I don't want to talk to you right now," she said. Ever from all the way down here and in the dark, Jimmy could see the hurt on her face. "You really hurt me Jimmy, and I meant it when I said I wanted to rest it off."

Jimmy frowned. This is one of the reasons he didn't like to bother with situations like these. They were too complicated, there were too many gray areas. "Fine, then I'll come back tomorrow," Jimmy relented. "I'll be sober then and we can talk."

@ ZackyEffingVengeance



Amanda

Waiting at the park nearby rather nervously because of all the stupid drama last night, Amanda wrapped her arms around her chest, her black hair flowing against the cool September breeze that lowered down the exhausting heat from the California sun. After a year of knowing Jimmy everyday in class, Amanda did not even expect him to get so insecure and so uptight so easily over certain shit that confused her to no end. She can remember how much he always wanted to be her partner in class and how they would pass notes getting to know each other a bit more. It always got to her why Jimmy didn't ask to hang out with her or get to know her more personally. Something deep is getting to him that is causing him to lash out so out of the blue.

"Hey," Amanda heard Jimmy's voice, her eyes looking up at him as he sat down with a long sigh, "I'm...glad you came. I thought you would hate me from this point on for good."

"Not necessarily...not after what I have once known you for in class last year everyday when I saw you in school," Amanda breathed, trying to keep her calm at maximum, "Now...I have some questions that are really getting to me. Why do you avoid so much of me so much? I mean you talk to me nonstop during class last year and despite me being very shy and more to myself, you wouldn't even ask to hang out. You would act like I wasn't there at all outside of class. Something is really confusing the fuck out of me."

Jimmy ran a hand through his hair and let out a long breath, "Look...I went through a lot of shit in life that involved relationships with family, friends...and past girls. There is this whole...trust and commitment thing that I don't fully connect with, considering I saw the worst of it growing up. Maybe not the worst in the world but it was just stressful and exhausting."

"What does this have to do with me?" Amanda asked.

Jimmy clenched his jaw, "I really like you Amanda...and I just...don't want you to get hurt. That's why I avoided you so much last year outside of class and after that cabin trip. Yeah, it was fun but....I was afraid it would go too far."

Amanda frowned at his words, realizing there was definitely more to him than she thought, which she knew from the start for the most part, "I see... I'm...sorry I triggered something at the cabin. I was goofing around and I didn't know saying words like that would bother you that much...especially to the point with what you said to me last night."

---

Johnny

Knowing that Jimmy was out spending the day to apologize to Amanda when he could, Johnny thought of spending his time with Whitney today to get more homework help, since she was apparently the Einstein of the school from what he saw with her intelligence. He was meeting Whitney at the nearby library and brought coffee over with her cup being the same one she got when they went out to the shop. Entering the library, Johnny smiled to himself when he saw Whitney looking through textbooks with her hair in a bun and her glasses resting on the bridge of her nose delicately.

Once he walked over, Johnny gently placed the coffee down and took a seat across from her at the small table, "Hey, gorgeous. Brought your favorite drink. I hope I did well."

"Oh wow, thank you, that is so kind," Whitney smiled brightly, a sight that Johnny hopes to bring about her beautiful facial features from this day forth more often, "I need the boost anyways."

"You are telling me," he chuckled, setting his bookbag right near the table's leg, "What kind of hellish homework are you doing?"

"Advanced Chemistry," Whitney sighed, "This stuff is frustrating. It's easy mathematics but it's just so much work. I can't believe I have to do this."

"Same here, and I'm the one complaining about normal Chemistry," he chuckled, "You are the only tutor I can trust with this. And we are in the landmark of knowledge: the library," he slurred the last sentence in a goofy way.

Whitney

"I honestly prefer biology," Whitney said, taking a sip of her coffee. It was still a little warm but she managed to not spit it out. "Which I guess is a good thing, since Laura and Patrick want me to go to medical school." Whitney made a face. As much as she hated the fact that Laura and Patrick were trying to force her into becoming a doctor like they were, she honestly wanted to. It was the only thing she'd ever really put time into pursuing, and she actually liked it. She loved anatomy, and the thought of owning her own practice one day was a promising one.

"Well I'll have to have your help with that, too," Johnny chuckled. "And math...and English...and history...and--"

"So everything?" Whitney laughed, interrupting him. She reached over and took Johnny's chemistry book from him. She skimmed over a random page, feeling a little jealous when she realized how easy this material was. "So what exactly do you need help with?"

"I'm having a little trouble understanding thermodynamics," Johnny explained. "None of it makes any sense, especially the little symbols."

---

Jimmy

"I didn't know it would bother me that much, either," Jimmy said. He felt bad that he'd said those things to Amanda, but it wasn't his fault, not really. Deep down, there was just some little piece of him that screamed at him to run at the first sign of commitment. "I'm trying to fix that, but it's gonna take a long time."

"I know that it's not going to be an overnight thing," Amanda said, looking at her hands, which were folded in her lap. "But I need to know that you actually are going to try, because I'm not going to waste my time and energy if you're not."

"I am going to try," Jimmy said. "But...you can't get offended if I don't succeed. Because...it's not you, it really isn't. It's me. And I know that sounds like a load of cliche bullshit, but it's true. I just feel like I'm not meant to be with anyone, not permanently anyway. It's just weird to think about. I dunno. I really don't. It's all so frustrating."

@ ZackyEffingVengeance

Amanda

"I understand completely," Amanda nodded, letting out a long sigh while rubbing her arms a bit awkwardly, "I mean...do you want me to give you space at this point? I really don't want to rush you head on at all. Especially if it causes this much stress already."

Jimmy glanced down at the ground before looking over at her with complete empathy in his eyes and facial expression, "I honestly....really do want to try. I have always wanted to try it with you, ever since last year. I just pussy'd out quite a bit. I don't want to hurt your heart."

Amanda only smiled and leaned over to kiss his cheek, "I know you don't...but I am willing to give you a shot."

Jimmy chuckled and wrapped his arm around her waist to pull her closer to him while he let out a long sigh of relief, "So, can we call a truce now? And forget that asshole part of me that said that shit last night?"

"I can forgive you...it might give me some time to forget about it but you can always make it up to me," Amanda said in a soft tone, "You want to get ice cream?"

"That sounds so good right now," Jimmy groaned, causing Amanda to giggle lightly, "But I'm treating you. No exceptions."

Amanda rolled her eyes playfully, "Fine."

---

Johnny

Johnny carefully studied Whitney as she looked over his assignments and text book that was given to him. He honestly was so fascinated on how intelligent she was to him and how kind to the heart. Johnny surely was never going to fuck up this chance to get to know her and to pray the fucking Lord that he got a shot in going out with her in the future.

"Damn, I wish I had it this easy," Whitney sighed.

"I wish I could be as smart as you and call that bullshit easy," Johnny chuckled, earning a slight giggle from her that made him smile wider, "You know, I have to admit, you are pretty damn adorable when you laugh like that. It brings out a more bubbly side of you I absolutely love. Although, I have a huge thing for very smart, beautiful women."

"Johnny," Whitney blushed red, "This is homework time, not flirty sessions gone wild. We need to focus."

"It's going to be hard to for me," Johnny joked, letting out a slight laugh at her flustering, "I'm joking, you goofball. Teach me this crazy shit because you are the only genius in this damn shithole on how to do this correctly. Even my parents thought it was nuts because of my brain not able to connect with mathematics," he chuckled.

Whitney

"I'm sure there are much more qualified teachers than me," Whitney said, looking down at Johnny's book. She honestly didn't like tutoring; she only did it because Laura made her. Because even though she understood the material, her shyness and anxiety made it difficult to relate it to other people. Especially in a way they could understand and learn it. But as much as she wanted to deny it, Whitney felt a connection with Johnny and so she was willing to overlook all of that to help him. "Anyway, find a specific problem you're having problems with and we can start from there."

Johnny took the book back from her, flipping through the pages. "Alright, how about this one?" he said, pointing to a question.

Whitney looked over at where he was pointing. "Oh, this is easy," she said, realizing that to Johnny, it probably wasn't easy. She reached for a notebook and pencil, quickly writing out the problem. She worked through it as slowly as she could, stopping between steps to explain them to Johnny. "Think you can try one on your own now?" she asked.

---

Jimmy

Jimmy ended up taking Amanda to a frozen yogurt place, because it was closer and hello, Orange Leaf was the best fucking place ever. "Fhis is fo good," Jimmy said, his mouth full of frozen yogurt.

"Don't talk with your mouth full, that's gross," Amanda scolded, but Jimmy could hear the playfulness in her voice.

Jimmy quickly swallowed his ice cream before continuing. "You know, I'm glad that you decided to forgive me," he said. "Because even if we stay just friends, I like being around you. You're easy to talk to and shit." Jimmy really did mean that. He wasn't sure that he wanted to pursue a relationship with Amanda - and didn't know that he would anytime in the near future - but that didn't mean he didn't like spending time with her. And who knew, maybe that would be the key to figuring out what he wanted?

@ ZackyEffingVengeance

Amanda

"I'm glad I can be easy to talk to," Amanda smiled, scooping up some of the chocolate cheesecake flavored frozen yogurt with her spoon and placing it in her mouth with a groan of approval, "Damn, I don't know how they make this taste so good."

"I know right?" Jimmy chuckled with a goofy smile, a sight that Amanda hopes to see more often after what happened the night before, "Heck, maybe we should go to this once a week and then go to this cool private hangout spot after every gig I start to perform at in the very near future. Matt already booked us at some small places to play at before we have a shot at Chain Reaction. I'm so pumped for that."

"You will have to take me to go backstage and see everything sometime," Amanda suggested.

"Hell yeah, I will have you hang out with me backstage and if anyone has a problem, I will kick their ass," Jimmy smirked, "Though, don't go all crazy if groupies try to flirt with me. I promise, that all goes to Zack and Johnny, not me. You can be my bodyguard."

Amanda thought about how 'groupies' were going to be like at the gigs and how Jimmy would handle around them. She has to admit, she can get quite jealous at times. But if guys flirt with her and Jimmy just wants to be friends, she's not going to let him get in the way if she chooses to have a good time.

---

Johnny

"Damn, you are like...a super smart woman with quite a charm," he teased, taking the book from her and beginning to work on problems that were definitely a lot easier to understand for him, "I hope I"m not pressuring you too much to do this shit for me. I mean, I could take you to the movies after this?"

"Oh wow, I mean there is this one movie I did want to see but I don't really have the money for it," Whitney frowned, "Plus, I have to study all day."

"Well, after all the studying that we can work together on, I will take you out myself," Johnny offered, "There are no 'buts'. I want to treat you because you work your ass off and you deserved to be spoiled. Maybe after the movies you can come to my house and hang out with my parents and sister? You do know they love you, right?"

"But...well...okay, I guess I can use some fun afterwards," Whitney smiled slightly, "Thank you, Johnny.."

"No problem, beautiful," he winked as he sipped his coffee.

Whitney

Whitney knew she would have to come up with a way to get out of going to Johnny's house. It wasn't that she didn't want to hang out with Johnny, it was just that she knew Laura and Patrick would be mad at her if she wasn't home when they told her to be home, and she definitely wasn't in the mood to be yelled at again. She understood that Johnny was just trying to be nice to her - and she really appreciated - but he didn't understand how her home life was structured. She couldn't just run off and do whatever she wanted like it seemed Johnny could.

A bit later, Whitney and Johnny finished studying and headed to the movies. She actually was excited about this part, even if not studying like she was supposed to made her slightly anxious. "Thanks again for doing this," Whitney whispered to Johnny, following him into the dimly-lit theater.

"It's no problem," Johnny replied, smiling at her. He chose a seat close to the back, near the center of the row.

"Just don't try anything, okay?" Whitney teased. She knew Johnny probably wouldn't actually try anything, except maybe holding her hand. He just seemed too shy.

---

Jimmy

"You wanna go catch a movie?" Jimmy asked, leading Amanda back out to his car.

The dark-haired girl nodded. "Sure, sounds like fun," she said. "There's a new horror movie out that I've been wanting to see."

Jimmy grinned, starting up his car. "Fucking awesome," he said. He drove to the movie theater, getting there just in time to snag a seat near the back of the full theater. "These are the best seats," Jimmy commented as the previews started. "I don't have to crane my neck to see the screen and nobody kicks the back of my seat!"

Amanda laughed. "You sound like you've spent a lot of time at the back of movie theaters," she said.

Jimmy shrugged. "It's a good place to hide when you skip school," he explained.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance

Amanda

"It does seem actually more private and more secluded from worrying about stupid shit, such as school," Amanda agreed to what Jimmy was saying about sitting here in the very back row in the movie theatre, "It's been a long time since I have been to the movies."

"Really? Well, with me, you can come with me whenever you like," Jimmy stated with a smile, "For now, let's just relax together and eat the popcorn."

Amanda chuckled, fishing out the big bucket of popcorn that she got at the concession stand near the front entrance, "Be careful, I get insanely greedy when it comes to getting the popcorn at the movies. They make the best popcorn here," Amanda noted as she took a large amount in her hand and stuffed it in her face with a giggle.

Jimmy grinned and challenged her by taking a bigger load of popcorn in his hand and shoving it in his mouth, pieces of popcorn flying past his face that made Amanda laugh quietly, "Oh shut up," he said with his mouth full, "I missed a small amount of it."

"Yeah you did," Amanda giggled again, leaning over to brush the popcorn off of him, "Maybe no challenges on the popcorn because I don't some of this shit getting in places I don't want it," she joked, taking more pieces of popcorn and eating it.

---

Johnny

Johnny kept in mind not to try anything to fast with Whitney since she was new to all of this, especially with hanging out with a guy who happens to really like her already. I guess it was that certain "spark" that connected with her that made him open his eyes and see how a kind-hearted person Whitney is and how she deserves to have someone love her other than her sister.

Fishing out a candy box he snuck into the movie theatre from the store a while ago, since he didn't feel like paying a fortune for candy here, Johnny snacked on it quietly while watching the previews with Whitney. Swiftly and cautiously, Johnny moved his arm next to her to where it wrapped around her shoulders. He smirked when she looked up at him with a playful glare.

"I thought no trying anything, mister," Whitney whispered.

"I'm only snuggling up with you," Johnny chuckled, "Is that illegal in the world of Whitney?"

Whitney hesitated before responding with a smile and a sigh, "I guess it isn't...it actually feels....nice..." she said softly, nuzzling her side into Johnny with her head soon resting on his shoulder, "It actually does feel nice to be held by someone other than my sister..."

"I'm glad," Johnny smiled, kissing her forehead with his thoughts going wild on how far he would be willing to go for her in the next several weeks.

Whitney

Much to Whitney's chagrin, she quickly found out that Johnny had selected a horror movie. She was definitely not a fan and soon found herself with her face buried in Johnny's shoulder. "You could've told me you didn't like scary movies," Johnny chuckled to her. He wrapped his arm tighter around her shoulder.

Whitney chanced a glance at the screen and immediately covered her face again, letting out a squeal of sorts. "It's not that I don't like them," she whispered against the fabric of Johnny's shirt. "I just don't like blood and guts."

"Well next time we'll have to pick a better movie," Johnny suggested. Whitney thought that sounded like a ploy for this to happen again and she almost wanted to say something, but in the end she decided not to.

---

Jimmy

After the movie was over, Jimmy led Amanda back outside to his car, blinking in the sunlight. "We should do that again," Jimmy suggested. "You can bring your sister along, which also probably means Short Shit would come, too." Jimmy liked the idea of a double "date", if only because it would give him a chance to hang out with Amanda with no pressure.

The dark-haired girl nodded her head. "Sounds good," she agreed.

"Awesome." Jimmy grinned. He started up his car. "Well I guess I should be getting you home soon?"

Amanda shrugged. "I guess so," she said. "Laura and Patrick are probably wondering where I am." Jimmy frowned a little. Amanda's dad and stepmom were obviously very controlling.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance

Amanda

As Jimmy started up the car and headed out of the parking lot of the movie theatre, Amanda's thoughts wandered as she slumped against the passenger seat while watching the surroundings pass by from the car's speed. Things were surprisingly a lot better today than she expected. Honestly she really thought Jimmy would push her away so quickly after that event that night.

Shaking the thoughts out of her head, Amanda gave attention to Jimmy when he began to speak, "So really...why go back to your parents if you hate them so damn much?"

Amanda let out a sigh, "Because I would hate to keep my sister there all the goddamn time by herself with those lunatics. I mean, if she was gone from the house, I would be on her side with that idea. But with how set she is for her future compared to mine, there is no way I can abandon her while being consumed from all that pressure..."

"Do you think you could be happier if you weren't in that house?" Jimmy said softly, lowering the music to hear her better.

Amanda frowned, "Trust me, if I knew my sister was fine without me, I would be long gone. Unfortunately, I have no where else to go...because I am not wanted anywhere else besides my sister. Quite sad, isn't it?" she sighed once again, staring down at her hands a bit.

---

Johnny

Even though he felt bad that the movie he picked was something not of Whitney's taste, Johnny still found it completely amusing and rather adorable to see her clinging on to him for dear life to shield from the horrors that were displayed on the silver screen. It definitely did motivate him to wrap his arm around her tighter during the entire movie, encouraging her to cuddle up more against him to get comfortable.

"Sorry this isn't the best movie...but I have to admit, I am loving the cuddle session we have going on here," Johnny chuckled near Whitney's ear.

Whitney looked up with a playful glare, "You sneak."

Johnny stifled a laugh, "Oh you know you love it," he smirked down at her, kissing the top of her head where he felt the feathery texture of her hair that smelt of the sweetest of scents.

After the movie was over, Johnny escorted Whitney out of the theatre and back to his car. She was still slightly petrified of that movie but her comfort was settling in on how rather kind and much of a gentleman Johnny was acting towards her. It was something she needed for a long time.

"Next time, I'll pick out a movie just for your tastes," he grinned as he ignited the engine, "We should definitely do this some other time. I really enjoyed this day very much and I thank you for that."