Chapter Text
Jay was never someone people considered “interesting”, only really described as weird.
All throughout high school, he learned to keep his mouth shut and not ask for a lot, to stay out of sight before someone punched him in the gut for simply existing. He was smart yes; but awkward and not much to look at with his shaggy hair scrawny, too long frame.
But then college hit, and he finally got to study his passion for film making and meet people with similar interests, making two official friends. Two guys named Alex and Seth.
Alex, -a theatre major- though first coming off as overly blunt and too in his own head, turned out to be a good friend and pretty friendly towards Jay. He would ask the taller guy his opinion on the little things about whatever passion project he was working on at the moment.
Seth, a more laidback Communications major with a minor in Film Production, who didn’t mind Jay’s initial timidness and actually admired how hard working the latter was.
It was overwhelming at first, having people actually care if he’s alright, who want to see him and spend time with him. But it also felt nice, surreal even.
And part of being a good friend is doing favors for one another, right?
That thinking was how Jay ended up being script supervisor for Alex’s newest film, Marble Hornets. And though the script itself was.. Questionable (even for “film student” standards) to work with, what really scared Jay was meeting the actors.
At least Seth is also going to be here, so there’s nothing to worry about.
Jay told himself as he started to knock. Almost instantly, the door swung open, an excited-albeit on edge- Alex smiling. “Jay! Come on in,” The shorter man chirped, moving the other to the couch swiftly.
Jay tried to smile back at him, but it seemed more like a grimace as he bounced his leg. “H-hey, am I late or..” He gestured around the seemingly empty living room.
“You’re early actually,” Alex responded, about to continue speaking before his phone started ringing.
Jay waited as the latter spoke, whatever the person on the other line was saying only made Alex more ecstatic. He hung up swiftly and just sat alongside the other, not even bothering to explain who called.
“So.. are the actors all from college too or?” Jay suddenly said, trying to break the silence.
“Yes, mostly. One of Amy’s friends-Jessica- offered once I told her about it, Brian-you remember him right?- also agreed to try out.” Alex stopped for a second, seemingly trying to remember any missing details.
“Oh, and also Brian’s friend. Tim is his name I'm pretty sure.”
Jay made a simple “ah” sound in acknowledgement, mentally trying to further bury himself in the couch cushions.
God, did he hate meeting new people.
Kraile was in the middle of explaining how Jason Dean from Heathers should be considered an “80s classic” villain (Jay only half listening, he knew to start tuning Alex out when he started ranting about films) when the front door opened, bringing in a tall man with short, dirty blond hair and a woman with straight dark hair walked in.
Jay instantly stiffened, but it luckily went unnoticed. “Hey Alex! Sorry for the wait,” the man said with an apologetic smile, pockets deep in his dark jacket.
(Jay noticed he had even had a mustard yellow hoodie under it, but still looked rather uncomfortable. Was it really that cold out right now? He had forgotten to check the news for the weather today.)
“Don’t mind him, we brought drinks as a peace offering.” Jessica’s voice brought him back from his thoughts, looking at the bottles now placed on the coffee table.
Quickly, Jay was forgotten as the trio talked and talked about shared excitements on working on skills that he just couldn’t really share; eventually feeling suffocated despite the amount of space Jay had currently on the couch.
This would be so much easier if Seth was here, he was easy to talk to. Why isn’t Seth here yet?
He should say something-anything- to the people currently here.
But he doesn’t. He can’t.
God, why was he like this? Why is it so hard to talk to others? It’s not the end of the world.
…
But it sure as hell felt like it.
Before he could even process what he was doing, he stood up -rather wobbly, when did he even start shaking?- and bolted to the door, barely even hearing what Alex yelled out after him before making it outside.
Finally, he was alone.
So why was there still a pit inside his stomach?
“...hey,” A gruff voice suddenly spoke, catching Jay off guard.
Great, he wasn’t actually alone.
Before he could speak, the feeling of smoke suddenly attacked his nose, causing Jay to start coughing into his arm. (Could this get any more embarrassing? Who even was this guy?)
He heard the man chuckle slightly, and Jay was almost glad he started coughing and hid his face since he could feel it warming up.
“Sorry, let me put it out.” Jay heard some ruffling before the sound of the latter stepping on a cigarette bud, clearing the air around them.
Slowly, Jay lifted his head to look over. The man was shorter than him, but more well built; hidden behind the smell of ash was a hint of a cheap cologne against his fiery flannel.
Jesus, he’s pretty. (Wait, what?)
“I’m Tim, A friend of the lead” The man- Tim extended his hand.
“Jay, friend of the director.”
After talking for a while, they decided to actually walk into the house, only to be met with the consequences of his actions… aka his friend's infinite questions.
“Jay what the hell? Why did you just run out the door? Are you alright? Why are you so red-”
“Relax Kraile, we were just talking outside.” Tim cut him off lazily, and Jay made a mental note to thank him later for that.
“Oh, you met Tim!” Brian smiled at them both, clearly pleased. “Don’t let his attitude get to you, he’s a real sweetheart after a while~”
The ravenette quickly muttered a “Shut it” while Jay laughed into his hand, suddenly feeling like the air in this house was breathable.
Maybe this wasn’t a bad idea.
Well, as long as he kept seeing Tim.
(And he’ll be seeing him. One way or another.)