She's My Ride Home

Soft giggling echoed throughout the large theater. All the occupants, were almost invisible in the almost black room, the only illumination being the screen. Brian, entered holding a huge bucket of popcorn. He looked at the screen, and lifted his eyebrow at the blonde haired actor who walked out of some sort of room shirtless. He looked towards where Jackie sat, she held a sheepish grin on her face and Brian couldn't help but hiss a little. He walked towards her and sat down. Jackie quickly stuffed her hand into the bucket, grabbing a handful then slowly picking at the popcorn.
“Don't stare at that dude...” Whispered Brian into Jackie's ear.
Jackie glanced over at him, then back at the screen, as said blonde actor was handed a t-shirt. She turned to him and whispered back; “You're just jealous...”
Brian gave a soft snort watching her expression, as it became slightly disappointed at the guy getting clothed. “Jealous of what?”
She watched the screen then looked at Brian, smiling. “Of the fact, that I don't stare at you, the way I stare at Thor...”
Brian stared at her, his tongue tied. He couldn't deny it at all, he was jealous...and did want to play it off, but she got him right there. He couldn't think of anything to say. He gave a small eye roll and looked at the screen with a pout. Jackie giggled, and kissed his cheek softly. Brian looked over at her quickly.
“Admit it...” She said with a partial grin.
Brian sighed. “Fine...yes. I'm jealous, cause you don't look at me like that anymore.” He huffed.
Jackie laughed softly, and placed a kiss on his cheeks. “Brian...I'm really glad we're spending more time with each other...”
Brian smiled. “Me too...”
Jackie smiled staring at him, his chocolate brown eyes, almost masked in the darkness of the theater. Brian smiled, leaning his head in towards her, leaning his forehead against hers. Jackie, felt a soft heat come up to her cheeks. Sure it'd been a while since she'd seen and been with Brian for this long, but she couldn't deny that she still loved him, no matter how rocky the beginning of their adulthood was. Brian sighed a little, then brought himself just a little closer, sealing the small space between their lips. Jackie smiled as they kissed, the butterflies in her stomach were throwing a party of their own and her brain was most certainly throwing its own little fiesta. And Brian's feelings, well they could equally match that of Jackie's.
I blinked a little staring at the bouquet of flowers in my hands. I lifted my head and stared at the elevator's button. The number 13 - or at least it looks like a 13. It's kind of scratched and it's blinking a dim orange-yellow light. I kind of assumed that Jackie would live in a brighter, well kept place...but this place doesn't even look half decent. To be honest it looked like a dump.
The elevator gave a soft ding, and I exited quickly. I stared down the beige halls, then walked quickly towards the door at the end of the hall saying 13B. I gave a quick nod, mentally preparing myself, and then looked down the halls. I looked back when I heard a creek, then smiled when I saw Jackie standing at the door.
“Brian, what are you doing here?” She said in almost a shriek
I stared, unable to keep my smile any longer. “Well...I thought I'd come pick you up for us to go out today, instead of just meeting up. I thought it'd be nicer.” I smiled a little offering the bouquet of flowers currently in my hand.
She gave me an unsteady look, and then gave a nod as she took the flowers from my hand. “Fine, come in.”
I followed her inside her apartment, and looked around. It wasn't that great looking to be honest, and I don't want to be an asshole, but this place looks like a dump on the inside too. Compared to what I expected based on the way Jackie kept herself looking I imagined her living in a penthouse apartment with a skyline view. She didn't deserve to be living in the apartment building with the prison colored walls and peeling wallpaper.
“Brian, sit. I'll go get ready.” She said sternly, knocking me out of my thoughts.
I plopped down on the couch and stared around. There were some boxes lying around, they were sealed shut, like she was planning on moving somewhere. There were a lot of pages lying around on the kitchen table and I stood and walked towards them I couldn't help but pick some up and admire them. They were designs, for what I assumed was her clothing line,that were pretty bad ass. Jackie always did look great, and she still does. I guess this is her calling, fashion design and stuff, but-
“Brian, let's go.”
I turned around quickly and smiled. “You're quick.”
She only gave a shrug.
~:~
I stared at Jackie, as she herself stared out the window. I huffed, once more, trying to grab her attention. But she never looked at me. I hissed a little, then stood and sat next to her, taking her hand in mine.
“Jackie...” I whispered softly, leaning closer to her.
“What?” She said in an aggressive tone.
“What's wrong?” I cringed a little, and gave her palm a soft squeeze. “Ever since I came to your apartment you've been giving me a cold shoulder.”
“No I haven't.” She said with some sort of growl, turning her attention back to the window of the bus.
I sighed and leaned my head on her shoulder.
“Jackie, seriously; tell me what's up. Was I not supposed to see you or something? Was there some other guy in there with you? I understand if you really don't like me, but you could just tell me.” I narrowed my eyes at the ground thinking that there better not have been another guy in there.
“No Brian, I really do like you,” She sighed. “No, I love you, you know that...It's just...”
I lifted my head and looked at her. She was frowning, while staring out the window. Her beautiful brown eyes were beginning to fill with tears.
“Hey, what's wrong? It's just, what?” I gave her arm a gentle tug. “Please look at me, Jackie.”
She looked at me, her lips pulled down in a massive frown. She gave a semi-stifled sob, and then clung to me. I stared at her in shock for a millisecond before I securely wrapped my arms around her and held her close.
“I just hate it Brian,” She cried. “Things with my job have been going so downhill lately and I don't know if I can take it much longer!”
I looked down at the girl in my arms and then pulled her closer if at all possible.
“What are you talking about?” I questioned. “Your designs were amazing! I thought you'd be getting a lot of business.”
“It's not that Brian, it's the people I have working for me!” She cried. “And for fucks sake, have you seen my apartment? Brian it's a mess! The ownership changed hands and this new guy is horrible. He doesn't give a fuck at all. And I can't fucking afford to move into a new apartment; I just can't!”
She was clinging to me for all she was worth, and as the sobs racked her body I held her in my lap and rocked her back and forth. I didn't know what to say to my best friend, who looked like she had it all together on the outside but inside she was coming apart at the seams. She didn't deserve this, and I wouldn't be the person to stand and pretend that they didn't know what was happening; I wouldn't let her fall. I owed her a lot over the years, and if I could start paying her back this way then I'd be more than happy to do it.
“Shh, don't cry,” I ran my fingers through her hair and slowly rubbed her back. “I promise I won't let you do any of this alone.”
She nodded against my chest and I felt her press a subtle kiss to my collarbone.
“I love you Brian…” She trailed off in a whisper.
“I love you too Jackie,” I kissed her forehead. “I swear it I'm not going anywhere, you're not alone.”