Summary:Mary Jane runs into Flash Thompson, having not seen each other for a couple years. Naturally, they make some impactful decisions to intertwine their lives. Log Info:Storyteller: None |
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"Thanks, Frank," Flash leans down to say to his driver through the passenger side window after climbing out of the car. He raps his knuckle on the top of car, and steps out onto the sidewalk, which the black sedan pulls away and back into traffic. Flash draws a pair of sunglasses out of his front pocket and slides them onto his face; partly to shield his eyes from the sun, partly to keep his face a little more hidden than it would be otherwise. It's not like Flash is movie-star famous, but he gets recognized on the street often enough; he doesn't usually mind, but today he's just hoping for a quiet morning. The car dropped him in front of a Starbucks, which he heads toward with purpose. Coffee is priority number one.
Mary Jane already went through the same routine. Despite her having fiery red hair, it seems as if it's a staple lately in this particular community. But, nevermind the fedora. The black cotton blouse and the checkered skirt that she wears. The thin purse and oval sunglasses that sits upon her slender nose. Her lips, always painted red like her hair, and this time? All too basic flats upon her feet.
Her seat was against the window. She had a laptop on her desk, researching her finances. Venti Mocha Iced Coffee no whip upon the table but with a dash of splenda and caramel syrup with three shots of espresso by her right hand, which was lifted, sipped.. and.. halted. Eyes out the window, is that who she thinks it is?!
Flash walks in and removes his sunglasses, oblivious to the redhead in the fedora having spotted him. H steps up to the register and gives the barista behind it a smile; they exchange brief pleasantries, as is customary in transactions such as this, and there's a moment when the girl probably recognizes him, but she doesn't say anything.
Flash orders an iced venti caramel macchiato, an occasional guilty pleasure, and when asked for his name he replies with "Gene". God he hates that name, but it's not like he wants to have them write "Flash" on the outside of the cup. It doesn't take long for his drink to be made, and within a minute or two of walking into the shop he's got his drink in hand, and the first blessed sip is taken. Perfect.
Flash takes his coffee and sits at a small table, sets the cup down, and pulls out his phone. Facebook, Instagram, emails.. take a few minutes to decompress. He casts his eyes up after a minute or two, and.. is that? "Emjay?"
MJ watches Flash with a smile upon her face, keeping her eyes upon him up until he actually sits down to pull out his phone. Once he says her name though? That smile grows so wide and she's already out of her seat. "Genie!" Yes. Maybe she's doing that to screw with him, but with most guys, she could get away with almost everything. Unless they want to beat her up.
"Oh my goooooshhh!" She squeals out, throwing her arms around his neck without the chance of him even getting up. "I know it hasn't been that long but.. congratulations! I knew you'd make it!" And, she still clings, because.. man! It's so good to see a familiar face!
Flash is practically tackled by the diminutive redhead before he can even stand up, but it's certainly not unwelcome. Best tackle he's been on the receiving end of.. well, ever. His face breaks into a grin, and he stands up with her still wrapped around his neck, lifting her fully off the ground as he hugs her right back. He'll even ignore the fact that she called him by that name, because she -knows- how much he hates it. "You're not doing so bad yourself, from what I've been seeing," he replies with a bit of a laugh. "Feels like a lot longer than it's been, right?" He lets her down after a moment. Maybe a few moments, because there's no way he's not going to enjoy the hug. "You look incredible, as always, Emjay," he says, giving her a quick once-over. "Sit with me?"
Once he rises, and he was always bigger than her, she lets out a loud squeal, her feet immediately off the ground nearly tossing up at the excitement of i tall. Once he finally lets her her down, she immediately nods. "Well, I can play dead hooker a million times but.. you should have seen what I did on Homeland." She makes fisti-cuffs motions, then moves back to her table. Once she gathers her things, she settles down upon the table. Glasses off this time, if someone takes pictures, let them! "Tell me.. everything. Because I always knew that you'd make it."
Pictures aren't a problem for Flash; his last relationship ended a few months ago, and the media fallout wasn't much more than a minor note on the third page of the entertainment section of the Bugle. He's not that big yet. "Well, you know, once you've played one dead hooker, you've played them all, right?" He grins, and sits. "You were on Homeland? That's awesome! I'm sure you were great!" Flash is genuinely happy, and it's easy to tell that he's not just putting it on. MJ would have seen his fake smile enough to know the difference, even if it has been a few years. "Everything, huh?" He takes a quick sip of his macchiato, and thumbs the rim of the cup thoughtfully for a moment. "I got picked up by the Giants last year, so it's been a bit of a trip," he starts. "My days are usually filled with practice, some media stuff.. and I've been doing talks and outreach at a few schools. Bullying, drugs, alcohol." He casts his eyes down for a moment. She'd have seen him at just about his worst, back in high school. "Been trying to make up for.. well, everything. I've been clean for going on two years now, though."
MJ had to laugh at the dead hooker comment, which was stifled immediately by her coffee drink. True to form, cameras were soon following, snapping pictures here and there, occasionally tapping on the window, then soon giving up due to well.. them not really looking. "Oh hell yeah. I had a full on scene where I was grabbed, shoot at, ran, and cried. It was some of my best work. I'm actually auditioning for a TV show here, it's yet to be released though. So, here's to hoping."
She listens to his story, nodding, sipping again, not dwelling on how bad he was or.. how bad she is now. Mary had her demons too, but she hides it behind a generous smile. "If you need help, I'm there." She'd high five him, but that seemed a little too cheesy. "When we're done here, would you mind walking me to my hotel?" She looked uncomfortable, but it passes immediately. "If you aren't too busy."
"I'll have to track down the episode and watch it," Flash says with a grin. "I always did love watching you act." He sips his macchiato again, and gives a nod when she offers her help. "Thanks, Emjay. I hate to be a walking cliche, but it's really true that you just need to take it a day at a time. Having good friends to lean on a little bit makes it easier." Flash is really bought into the whole AA deal, even carries his chip around with him. "I'd love to. Or I can have my driver pick us up, if you'd rather not walk," he offers, pulling his phone out of his pocket again. "I just need to make a quick call before we head out." His agent won't love being put off -again-, but hey, Flash pays him a ton of money for the privilege of being rescheduled.
"Oh God, nooo…" MJ playfully says, her leg shifting up from an oncoming hit, shielding her face, which was red, in the process! "Please don't, its so embarrassing! It's dumb, I know!" She draws her hands down and starts to laugh, completely flushed. But, it all calms slightly, her eyes staring into his a bit meaningfully, her head nodding like an apt pupil. "Im glad you found this. Everything. I know at times we butted heads with each other, but I'm sorry, I should have been there for you." She reaches over to squeeze his hand again, then draws back to take a sip of her drink. "Whatever you prefer really, I just don't feel okay walking alone."
"We had our moments, but I think at the end of it, it just wasn't a good time for either of us. I was.. pretty messed up about a lot of things. Everything that happened? None of it was on you," Flash says, offering a soft smile and a little shrug. "I wouldn't mind the walk," he continues, finishing off what's left of his drink. Mostly caramel at the bottom. That's the best part! He pauses, looking Mary Jane in the eyes as he asks, dead serious all of a sudden. "What's going on, Emjay? Don't feel okay walking alone?" He knows her well enough to read that as trouble. And now he's in a place where he might actually be able to help her.
MJ nods, pressing her fingers against her straw to seemingly sip endlessly. Her eyes dart back and forth, finally relenting i to a smile as her shoulders shrug. "Walk it is!" Though, for a moment she didn't want to become that sort of person, the one who lays her problems at a persons feet. So she lies, badly. "Oh! It's nothing, really. Just the things that happen in the city lately, a girl could use an escort."
Flash gives a slow now. He may not be a genius, but he's perceptive enough to know that's not the whole story. But he's not going to push it. She'll tell him when she's ready, he figures. Flash is one who knows from experience that people don't really face their problems until they decide they're ready. "Well it'd be my pleasure," he says after a moment, bringing back his own smile. He stands up, having finished his drink, and takes a few steps to discard the cup in the appropriate receptacle before returning, to offer her a hand up. "Are you ready to have dating rumours splashed on the front pages of all the entertainment rags tomorrow?"
What should have been a two hour stay, turned into only thirty minites. MJ finished off her coffee in due time, and since Flash was ready, the barista quickly prepared another sugary sweet treat for MJ to drink. And the young woman got a gracious tip!! She takes Flashes hand to stand, then gathers her things which were placed in her soho boho bag. "I'm too sure they're already posting the headlines, Flash and… who is that girl?!" She teases. "Maybe having you on my arm will be a good thing!" And she'll stop getting random, untraceable 'love' letters..
"MJ Watson steps out with handsome unknown man, more like," Flash jokes as they step out of the coffee shop onto the street. He'll happily take her arm, linking hers through his if she's amenable. "So, tell me what you've been up to, besides dead hookers and kicking ass on Homeland," he says as they walk. "Keep up with any of the old crowd? Any boyfriends I need to worry about upsetting when they read the papers tomorrow?"
Mj does link arms with him, more@so that she could focus on her new iced drink. Sure, there were probably people watching, but she's sure it's because of Flash. "Oh! Coachella, I was there a bit after school. Got a small blurb that my dress made me look like a diamond queen.". She Bob's her head, "Now that Im of age, Ive been asked to do more adult shoots. Swimsuits, posing with weapons, sunrise shoots, ectera." Though, the old crowd? "I try?". She shakes her head. "But no. I feel.. or am mostly alone. Everyone plans to go to college and I don't think my work life allows it. I don't even have a real home. I've been living in a hotel.". MJ loves to laugh and it shoes, she was all toothy smiles and coffee sipping! "Nah! No boyfriend's.." She frowns. "Secret admirers.. yeah..!". Her voice wavered. "What about you? Who was that young lady you were dating?"
"I kept touch with a few after high school, and while I was at college, but after my accident, rehab.. they all kind of drifted. I think I was harshing their buzz. For the best, really, since they weren't helping me at the end." He's not mad about it, just one of those things. "Jessica? She was.. well, we had fun for a while, but by the six month mark we just wanted different things. I think in a lot of ways I was just someone for her to show off. We went to a lot of parties, hung out with her friends, but when it was just us… she didn't really want to be with just me, I think." He looks a bit sad for a moment, but shrugs and shakes the mood away. "Adult shoots, huh? I wouldn't turn down a set invite for that," he jokes, giving her a little nudge with his elbows. He's mellowed, for sure, but he's still the same old Flash in a lot of ways.
"I feel like I was one of them. I wanted to come see you..". She tugs his arm to bring him round the corner, contiuing their stroll. The conversation changes, and she nods her head. "Thats one thing agents do. I sometimes get set up with someone psuedo famous so that we can attend a little party, but is all just.. nothing." His comment about adult shoots get a roll of her eyes and a laugh, leaning into his arm in the form of a bump. Yrah, they both had mellowed. She was a party girl and he was the bad boy. "How long are you in town for?"
"About another three years, unless the team decides to get rid of me before my contract is up. After that, who knows. I'd love to stay in New York, but it really depends what the team needs." He shrugs, but smiles. "I can see that, about parties. My agent had suggested a few things I should go to, but since Jess left, I haven't had anyone to take, and not really been interested. I was actually supposed to see him today to talk about a few events. He'll have to wait until tomorrow though." Flash laughs, and then stops suddenly. "Wait. You could come with me. Some big charity thing for the Library next week. If you're not busy, of course. And, you know, no expectations, no pressure." Because if he goes to these things alone, there's too much temptation to drink, and that's a slippery slope.
Mj nods, that business savvy brain already working out something. She doesn't know what just yet, but those gears were turning. And there it was, the opportunity, glaring right in her face. "Okay! Ill go with you, but here. Let me put this idea in your head to see if you're okay with it." She stops walking, moving to the curb to dump her empty cup. Once at his side again, she tugs him along. "Okay, lets find a place together. Or i move in with you. Strictly friends, no strings attached! I'll pay my rent on time and whatever else, but.. it just doesn't make sense for me to have my own place and I'm barely there." Plus, he can make her feel safe. "Agree, and I'll go with you." She was going to go regardless, but this was just the icing on a moist cake.
"Uh." Flash is a bit stunned by the request, but it brings an almost immediate brightening to the smile already on his face. "Yes? I mean, hell, I have an extra room in my apartment. I'm not gonna make you pay rent, though. That'd be weird." He pauses, looking at Mary Jane to make sure she's not just pulling his leg. "If you're serious, I'm all in." His agent isn't going to be thrilled, but it's not his job to be thrilled, is it. "Just tell me where to send the movers to pick up your stuff!"
MJ waited with bated breath, clutching his arm somewhat tightly until he answered! "Eee!" She screeches, jumping up and down after she left go if his arm, clapping repeatedly and bouncing until she's giving her old friend a hug! "Ooh thank you thank you!!" She squeals, still bouncing! "I don't have much but here! Here!" God, she was so happy that she forgot to mention that they were there! She tugs him through the front door, waving to bellhops and workers, right to the elevator and up to the fourth highest floor. God, she doesn't even know why she dragged him in, she wasn't thinking!
Flash laughs, and hugs MJ right back, still smiling. In truth, it'd be good for him to have a platonic friend around; he doesn't have very many real, honest to goodness friends these days. Teammates, people he's hired to help manage his finances and his career, but not a lot of just plain friends. So he feels good about this. He's lucky. He probably doesn't deserve it, really. He'll probably do something to mess it all up, just like his old man always told him. "Oh, we're here!" He hadn't even realized himself, until she's pulling him inside and up the elevator. "Nice," he comments as they walk through the halls. "You sure you're looking to downgrade to regular living?" He smirks.
The hug didn't last very long. MJ pulls away from Flash, and on e they were walking through the hotel halls after the elevator let them out, she pulls out her keycard to give the door a swipe and a push!! Once inside is a look of horror, briefcases, suitcases, purses, shoes, nearly everything was strewn across the floor! It was like a tornado had come through and back again. "Why? Whats wrong with your place?" Yeah, MJ was a mess.
"Oh, there's nothing wrong with my place," Flash says, following her into the hotel room. Yeah, this is a mess. But he doesn't say anything about it. Not his place. "My place is awesome, really. Twenty-second floor, big balcony, lots of space.." He walks through, stepping casually over the clothes strewn about. "It's just not a hotel. No 24 hour room service, no housekeeping." That really wasn't intended as a dig at the mess, but it would be easy to think so. "I could probably get some mints to put on your pillow if you wanted though," he says with a grin.
"You really need to let me pay you rent..". MJ advances forward, going straight to the tiny fridge to snag two bottles of soda. There was alcohol there, but MJ obviously didn't want it. "Fizzy bubbly?". She asks, holding out her soda filled hand. "No mints! Honestly, I think school and work would be enough!". Speaking of, are you busy Friday?"
"Tell you what, Emjay," Flash says, taking a bottle and popping the top; even if it's not a twist-off, he's got enough practice with beer bottles that this shouldn't be an issue. "Let's figure that out after a couple weeks. I'm not worried about the money, and.. well, let's be honest. We haven't seen each other in a couple years, and we're kind of flying by the seat of our pants here, right? You might decide it's not so great, living with me, and I'd hate for you to have dumped a bunch of money into it." He takes a sip, thankful for the refreshment, and for the fact that she's not drinking anything hard. "Frankly, I'm just happy to have some company.. it's kind of a big place for just me." And he doesn't always do so well left alone with his own thoughts.
"Okay, that's fair.". She says with a shrug. "But I'm going to take you not answering my last question that you're not busy Friday.". And then she bounces about the hotel room, then heads straight to the bathroom. "So what should I expect?". She calls out. "Underwear everywhere??!". Like hers wasn't.
"Practice in the morning, but I should be free after 2:00. There's probably a party or something.. one of the guys always has something planned, but I'm not obligated to anything," Flash says, following her as far as somewhere he can sit down. He's certainly not going to walk right into the bathroom with her! "I dunno, the cleaners came through yesterday, so the place is pretty clean right now? I'll do my best to keep it from turning into a replica of my college dorm though." He grins. In truth, it's not that bad, but he's a single guy, so there's a cap on 'not that bad'. "Can't promise it'll be immaculate. I'm a dude. But you can tell me to pick up my shit, and I'll listen."
"Oh..". She calls out, trying her best not to sound disappointed. She wasn't going to ask Eddie to sit with her, she was sure he audition would be boring. Hell, even embarrassing. So it was a good thing she would be busy. "It's cool! I can get everything packed up and pay out the rest of the week. Meet me here after?". She finally exits the bathroom after that line, her wet hands shaken free, then dabbed with hand sanitizer and rubbed together quickly. "Any rules and boundaries?"
"If it's important, I can beg off practice for the morning. Probably have to make it up during the week, but that's no big deal. Either way though, I can meet you here and get you moved in," Flash says. He's still a rookie on the team, so his leeway for favours from the coach will only go so far, but he can probably swing a Friday morning. "Rules and boundaries?" Besides the obvious? He's not going to be thrilled if she starts drinking heavily and doing lines of coke on the kitchen counter, but he's also not going to say that outright, because he figures she knows. "Nope." Flash shrugs, smiling at the young woman. He's not really big on 'rules'. She probably remembers this from their younger years.
"Nonono, that's important! I'll be fine!". She puts on a happy face, she really was happy to see him. And it was good to run into an old friend. "You get going. I want to go to sleep early for my audition tomorrow.". She hands him her phone after unlocking it. "Put your number in there? I'll text around..". She looks up at the ceiling, then nods, "Five? That should be enough time for me to be packed. Cool?"
Flash takes the phone, quickly puts his info in. "Cool. Five works," he says, smiling back at her. "See you tomorrow, Emjay. This is gonna be good." He hands the phone back, and leans in to give her another quick hug, before turning to head back toward the door, and out. On the way, he might snag a bra on his foot, lean down to pick it up, and then fling it back at her playfully. "Don't forget that one," he says with a smirk, and then ducks out the door!