Off to a great start
This was the last time Jinx would do this.
3 hours.
3 whole hours of sitting at a blank Word document, praying to whatever god there was above to give her the answer that would miraculously help finish this assignment for her. And yet, the only series of ideas she could come up with were lies to cover up the fact that she didn’t have anything to hand in.
So, now onto plan B.
By next week, she would drop out and continue her joy-filled life, forever stuck in that bar working alongside Vander. Instead of figuring out if she can really write up this essay, she’d have to figure out the correct measurements of how much alcohol goes in which drink, and if she can take on two angry dudes fighting over the fact that one of them had hit on their girlfriend before an ambulance gets called, or worse, the police.
And as sad as the thought was, it was tempting. Especially right now.
This was, in all honesty, her fault. This assignment was given out a few weeks ago to prepare the students for how girthy it would be. Jinx, being the classical example of what not to do when you're told you have a gigantic essay that needs to be completed in this amount of time, totally avoided it.
Procrastination was her number one enemy, tied with her deep hatred for her sister's current girlfriend. Caitlyn Kiraman.
Three years of New Year's resolutions, birthday wishes, 11:11 wishes, and the multiple lines of “Vi will leave the piltie bitch”, covered her manifesting book that the internet had suggested brings you all the things that you want in your life, and this was something she’d wanted ever since they announced they were together.
Call her crazy and self-centred, but this was how it had to be done. Corruption is a terrible thing, especially if it comes in the form of a tall, beautiful, and strangely scary, rich lady. She would rather be dead than have her sister be the subject of their charity scheme.
As if on cue, her phone buzzed beside her, the familiar tune of some dumb ringtone blasting from it, letting her know exactly who was calling.
Vi.
Maybe adding contact-specific ringtones was a bad idea because now, whenever she hears ‘I Kissed a Girl’ by Katy Perry, all it does is fill her with dread. Homophobic implications and all, because one she couldn’t stand the damn song anymore and two, she definitely couldn’t stand the current situation her sister was in.
Begrudgingly answering the call, Vi’s face covering her screen.
She seemed happy; the light from her surroundings bounced off her now well-fed face, the fullness of it a major difference in comparison to how slender and sunken it had been a few years ago. Her skin was glowing, and her eyes held so much love within them that it almost seemed foreign on her, a look that Jinx had thought only to be set aside for those fortunate enough to have had the luxury of it. But no, here her sister was smiling, widest she’d ever seen it, the creases now permanently carved into her skin. And as much as she hated Caitlyn with every bone in her body, she couldn’t hide away from the fact that she made Violet happy. Maybe that’s why she didn’t like her.
Whenever Jinx would see them talk, hug or, against her will, see them kiss. This bubbling anxiety would creep into her stomach, the bubbles popping in her brain and setting off a train of loud, aggressive thoughts. Therapy was supposed to fix this issue, and in most parts of her life, yes, it had helped. But in this scenario, no amount of breathing exercises and reassuring thoughts could ever stop this fear of being abandoned from coming up when she watched her sister laugh along with one of the pilties' dumb jokes. So, this single-handedly kickstarted her being the president of the Caitlyn Kiraman hate club.
“Well, you look like shit”, Violet teased, oblivious to the current situation Jinx had gotten herself into.
Of course she looked like shit. It was 10 pm on a Sunday, and the only light source in her room was the one staring at her straight in the face, mocking her. Her lack of sleep in the past few days showed in the deep purple marks under her eyes, and worst of all, her hair was an absolute mess. Blue braids were coming undone, the top of her head was disheaved and frizzy, and knotted strains of hair pushed out from two long braids.
For someone who would usually show off how well she takes care of her hair, this was well beyond a cry for help.
“And you clearly still haven’t learnt how to say hello,” Jinx groaned, a hand coming forward to rub her eye as she moved the phone to a better position, leaning it up against the pot plant Ekko had given her a few months ago when she had moved into her dorm, surprisingly still alive.
Vi chuckled at Jinx’s words before placing her phone down on what seemed to be a kitchen bench, her face moving away. “How’s school going? Anything exciting happening?” she questioned, the sound of running water coming through the screen. “The only exciting thing about school right now is the big possibility of me jumping off a bridge tomorrow if I don’t get this done”, Jinx said, dramatically holding a finger gun to her head before adding a soft pew sound, “Anyway, what are you up to right now?”.
Vi’s face moved back to the camera, her focus torn from what she had been doing. “Right now, I’m making Cait some tea”. The clasp of the kettle lid being closed and placed down confirmed what Vi had said.
Jinx knew exactly what tea she was making; it would be some dumb herbal tea that fancy assholes drink, claiming it was the healthiest thing on earth. Too bad the said healthy drink was the most disgusting concoction she’d ever tasted, and she has had her fair share of some weird mixtures.
“Caitlyn’s been under pressure from work lately, so I thought I’d make her some tea to help out”, Vi finished, flicking the kettle switch on.
Jinx’s face scrunched up in disgust. Hearing or seeing them being all lovey dovey gave her the insatiable need to blow up the nearest building and make it their problem. She was basically strapped to a chair and forced to witness kissy faces and heart eyes. “Ew. Tell someone else who cares”, she complained, suddenly way more interested in this essay than the conversation with her sister.
“When will you get over this thing you have with Caitlyn?” Vi groaned, her face staring at Jinx with subtle annoyance. Jinx just shrugged, uncaring of the woman in question. “You already know the answer to that,” she said, taking a deep breath. She needed to take the conversation elsewhere before her sister got an earful of all the reasons why she didn’t like her girlfriend. "Anyways, next question,” her tone laced with her usual upbeat rhythm.
Violet shifted uncomfortably on the other end, nervously fiddling with the hem of the jacket Caitlyn had bought her last week. The material was clean and sheltered from the damage and stains they had been used to seeing on their clothes—another thing they had claimed over her.
Jinx noticed the sudden change in her sister's demeanour, her head leaning in closer. “Vi, what's going on?” she asked, almost interrogating her.
“Powder,” Vi started, her voice steady as the bubbles from the boiling water slowly gained in volume over the speaker, “I’m going to propose to Caitlyn”
Jinx sat frozen, her eyes wide and locked on Vi’s cautious ones.
No. Fucking. Way.
According to the internet, this was not how manifestation worked at all. Jinx was supposed to receive whatever she had wanted on a silver platter with a gigantic kiss from the universe on the side; this instead felt like a harsh swing to the balls and crushed dreams. Every birthday wish, every New Year’s resolution. For crying out loud, she even wasted every 11:11 wish on this one thing, only for it to be thrown at her in the worst way possible.
Karma was such a ruthless bitch.
The click of the kettle snapped Jinx out of her thoughts. Vi was waiting patiently on the other end of the phone, her bottom lip caught between her teeth as she waited for any sort of reaction. Jinx already being frustrated and now just absolutely pissed off, snatched her phone in one quick swoop, immediately going straight for the end call button.
“Pow- “Vi pleaded before being abruptly cut off.
The picture on her home screen popping up taunted her. It was an old photo of her, Violet, Ekko, Claggor, and Mylo all sitting side by side at Jericho’s, enjoying the last meal they’d all share together before Claggor and Mylo would both move away to study overseas, unlike Vi, who chose to study in Piltover, refusing to leave her sister behind.
So much for not leaving her behind. Even now, it felt like every time Vi took a step forward, it left Jinx three steps back. And now, Caitlyn had firmly grabbed what little hold she had on her and yanked it out of her hands, dangling it above her head, always out of reach.
Jinx took one last glance at the photo, noticing the bright smiles on each of their faces as they held up sauce-covered fish before throwing the phone down. She dropped her head to her desk, a loud thud following it.
“This week couldn’t possibly get any worse”, she mumbled, her lips moving against wood.
Take back everything she had just said.
This week can get worse.
Famous last words? Or whatever that guy had said, because this had to be some cruel joke.
Despite how shitty her day had been yesterday; she’d surprisingly woke up feeling great. The sun was shining, birds chirping, and hell, even her lecture gave her an extension.
However, the world had a funny way of paying back its debts.
“I can't. I’m going on a date”, the boy shrugged, playing it off like it was nothing.
“YOU’RE GOING ON A DATE?” Jinx shouted, her body springing forward from the metal seat, her face in front of the boy opposite her. His lack of reaction showed how used to her theatrics he was. “Jinx, it's not that big of a deal.” Ekko’s voice was calm, and his face was deadpan as he watched his best friend hover over him.
No. It was that big of a deal. This was an act of betrayal; some sort of rule in the handbook of what not to do to your best friend was definitely broken. And what made the whole thing so much worse was that he chose to have the date on their movie night.
“ITS ON OUR MOVIE NIGHT? WHAT DO YOU MEAN NOT A BIG DEAL?”, her arms moving frantically, emphasising every word she said, her eyes angrily zoned in on him.
She felt disposable, like a fill-in until they found someone better. First, it was Vi with Caitlyn. How easy it was for Vi to turn on the place she’d been raised in, to turn on her sister and choose that prissy top sider over her. Now, it was Ekko with some whore that had been eye fucking him for weeks, not that she cared or anything, but it left this ache in her heart like something inside broke at his words and at the fact that he showed no sign of remorse either.
“You’re the one who told me to do it”, he reminded, in a matter-of-fact way. Jinx froze. She what? Blankly staring at the boy before scoffing; no way in hell would she ever suggest such a thing. “No, I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did. I even have the text to prove it”, he accused. Before she could say another word, a series of texts appeared in front of her face, her contact photo on his phone, smiling devilishly at her, like she knew something she hadn’t.
She snatched his phone from his hand and collapsed back onto the now-cold metal seat, scanning through the text.
Ekko 3:35 pm Sunday
“Help, that girl from my class asked me out”
Blue haired maniac 10:54 pm Sunday
“Anddd what are you gonna do about it?”
Ekko 11:00 pm Sunday
“Where have you been?”
Blue haired maniac 11:01 pm Sunday
“Doing this dumb assignment and talked to Vi. Anyway, here’s a website on how to let a girl down easily btw”
Ekko 11:01 pm Sunday
“Ha.ha. Funny”
“I would’ve taken her up on the offer, but she wants to meet up on movie night”
“Anyways, still up for watching that movie you showed me on TikTok?”
Blue haired maniac 12:40 am, Monday
“Forget it.”
“Go on your stupid date instead of movie night”
“Don’t feel like watching it anymore.”
Ekko 12:40 am Monday
“What????”
“Jinx, you can’t be serious?”
Read.
She cringed at her messages, groaning at the fact that she had made yet another stupid decision while she was angry.
“Look, Ekko, I didn’t mean it”, her voice was quiet as she handed his phone back.
This was typical Jinx behaviour. And the very reason she couldn’t keep a single friend for longer than a few weeks before they got fed up with her and left. The same goes for her poor attempt at relationships.
But strangely, Ekko was different.
“Yeah, I know”, his voice smooth, wrapping around her like a thick velvet blanket, “that’s why I turned her down to spend the day with you instead”
“But you just said?”
“Thought id shit stir a little”, he teased, wearing that usual shit eating grin he wore when he was right about something.
In moments like these, when Ekko saw straight through the anger, saw the unstable parts of herself and still sat by her side, always comforting, always listening. It created this feeling in her gut, a violent buzzing.
And it hurt, not in the way that eased her thoughts, but in the way that it let them loose.
He was the light protecting her from the monsters that swarmed her, haunted her. At the same time, his light couldn’t protect her from the way she stared at him now, the way that this line between her and him slowly began engulfing her.
And she strangely wanted it to do so.
But every time she wanted to, it overwhelmed her. Burn marks scorched her skin, and she’d step back further, forever in this dance of wanting and fearing.
Jinx simply couldn’t risk losing the one person that saw her. Actually, saw her. Not the façade, not the angry, crazy girl, not the girl who held a grudge and definitely not the girl who was mentally ill. He saw his best friend.
He saw Jinx.
Just as she was about to make some comment about how sappy he’d become, guess who decides to make her grand entrance?
Best friend snatcher 2000, whore edition.
“Ah, surprised to see you here, Ekko” The girl stood at the end of the table, her focus solely on Ekko.
Jinx hardly knew the girl, and definitely not enough to start calling her names. But she could be jealous, and she was. The girl looked like she was torn straight out of a shitty porno, with curves that perfectly accentuated her body, her skin bright and no trace of stress ever even laying a single finger on her. She had all the things Jinx didn’t. Except for blue hair, of course.
She was the total opposite of her in every way possible and, unfairly prettier too.
And that just pissed her off.
“Oh, hi Isabella”, he greeted her with way too much enthusiasm than Jinx would’ve liked. The awkward feeling creeping into their space itched at Jinx’s skin as she watched the girl make heart eyes at him right next to her.
If they’d ever been a time. Other than watching her sister gush over Caitlyn. That made her want to rip her eyes out, it was this one right now.
The girl, finally out of the trance she’d been in, noticed the blue-haired girl sitting opposite the boy. “Oh, Jinx, I didn’t see you there. How are you?” Her voice was sickly sweet as if she’d been forced to address her presence.
“I’m just peachy”, Jinx’s tone lathered in sarcasm, smiling at the girl before dropping it almost immediately, suddenly extremely interested in the skin next to her nails.
“Ahaha, right. Anyways, Ekko, about that date”
He shifted nervously in his seat, his hand coming up to play with the white locks that hung in front of his face. “I said I couldn’t make it?”
She began fiddling with the skirt that was defiantly well beyond modesty length, and Jinx hated the fact that she lowkey wanted one similar. “Turns out I actually have Friday afternoon free, so if you wanted to…?” She twirled a loose piece of pitch-black hair between her fingers, her face gazing at him in a way that made Jinx feel unbearably nauseous.
Say no
Say no
Say. no.
“Yeah, sure, I’m free then”
You’ve been replaced. A sharp voice rang in her ears.
No, that’s not it.
He wouldn’t?
“Awesome, see you then,” A faint feminine voice giggled, the sound of footsteps following after.
He doesn’t want you anymore.
No.
Please no.
The voice slithering and whispering, squeezing into her brain. The aching sensation of her skin tingling and the pressure of her nails digging into raw flesh did little against the raging monsters, screaming and scratching at her. She wanted to scrub this feeling off her skin till it was raw and bleeding, till the voices finally left her alone, but it was too late.
The seed was planted.
And jinx would nurture it.
“I’m going”, her voice pathetically quiet, as she collected her stuff.
“Jinx what? Breaks not even over yet?” he furrowed, watching her movements carefully.
“Ekko just fucking leave me alone”, She spoke sharply, avoiding his eyes as she turned away and left.
This week was going to be hell.