Chapter Text
1986
Natalie pushed back her dark hair, revealing her skeptical eyes. "You do realize someone's probably going to chase us again, right? Because that worked out so well last time."
Jackie giggled, completely undeterred. "That's what makes it fun! Besides, you're the fastest runner on the whole block."
"Flattery will get you everywhere, Jax," Natalie muttered, but she was already standing up, brushing dirt off her knees. Despite her sarcastic tone, there was a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
Creeping across the street like tiny ninjas, they made their way to the house with the red door. Jackie took the lead, as she always did, while Natalie hung back, as she always did – but never too far. They were a team.
"Okay," Jackie whispered, positioning herself by the doorbell. "When I ring it, we run to that big tree and hide. Ready?"
"As ready as one can be" Natalie replied, already tensing her legs for the sprint.
Jackie pressed the doorbell – DING DONG – and both girls took off like rockets. They could hear someone's voice calling out from inside before it was lost in the sound of their sneakers pounding against the pavement.
They dove behind a massive oak tree, breathing hard and trying not to giggle too loudly. Jackie's cheeks were flushed pink with excitement, while Natalie's eyes danced with amusement despite her attempt to look unimpressed.
"See?" Jackie panted. "That was awesome!"
"Oh sure," Natalie said, still catching her breath. "Nothing says 'awesome' like running away from doors."
But Jackie knew Natalie well enough to see she was having fun. The way Natalie's shoulders had relaxed, the way she kept glancing back at the house with barely contained laughter – these were the moments when Natalie's walls came down.
"Your turn to pick the next house," Jackie said, bumping her shoulder against Natalie's.
Natalie surveyed the street with the calculating gaze of a general planning a campaign. "That blue house over there," she said finally. "It looks quiet."
Jackie beamed. This was why she loved Natalie – underneath all that snark was someone who thought things through, who made sure their pranks stayed fun rather than mean.
They spent the next hour making their way down the block, ringing doorbells and darting away, each escape more elaborate than the last. By the time they reached the end of the street, both girls were laughing so hard they could barely run.
As the sun began to set, they collapsed on the front porch steps, still giggling about their narrow escape from someone's sprinkler system.
"That was the best day ever," Jackie declared, throwing her arms around Natalie in a fierce hug.
Natalie hugged her back, her voice softer now. "Yeah, it really was, Jax."
In that moment, sitting on the porch as the streetlights began to flicker on, they were just two best friends who had found in each other exactly what they needed. Jackie had someone who would always be honest with her, who would follow her on any adventure while keeping her feet on the ground. And Natalie had someone who saw past her prickly exterior to the loyal, loving heart beneath – someone who would never let her feel alone again.
"Same time tomorrow?" Jackie asked hopefully.
Natalie rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "Obviously. Someone has to keep you out of real trouble."
And as they sat there planning their next great adventure, both girls knew that whatever tomorrow brought, they'd face it together.