{"id":3580,"date":"2010-10-22T09:30:06","date_gmt":"2010-10-22T09:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/?p=3580"},"modified":"2011-03-29T03:07:58","modified_gmt":"2011-03-29T03:07:58","slug":"with-violet-light-part-iii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/?p=3580","title":{"rendered":"With Violet Light, Part III"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Thank you for returning for the penultimate episode of our little tale. You should totally go read Parts I<\/a> and II<\/a> if you haven’t already.<\/p>\n

A couple notes…<\/p>\n

1. A lot of folks assume Julie’s geek sacred cows are mine as well. And…okay, sometimes they are. Maybe a lot of the time. But let the record show that I am, in fact, a raging Pryde\/Wisdom fangirl<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2. I have never played Starcraft<\/em>, but there was a good month of my life where I had to listen to my husband and one of my best friends talk about it INCESSANTLY. So. Certain conversations may have sort of occurred in real life.<\/p>\n

—Sarah Kuhn<\/em><\/p>\n

**<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, thank God<\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Evan sweeps me into a panic-tinged hug before I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m all the way through the Comics Bee door. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You guys made it!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he exclaims, his voice pitched just a little too loud. His straight, white teeth arrange themselves into a rictus-like imitation of a smile.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Um, Evan,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I mutter. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6have you been\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6is there alcohol here?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I scan the shop, which is stuffed to the gills with various permutations of pierced-and-dyed San Franciscans, many of whom seem to be having discussions about what is and is not \u00e2\u20ac\u0153organic.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, no\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6ugh. I wish<\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d His face collapses and he shoots a dagger-ful glare across the room, where Jill appears to be lecturing customers on line etiquette. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lady Hydra is in fine fucking form tonight,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he hisses into my ear. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m just hoping your geek super-heartthrob can save me from her evil clutches.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Consider us your reinforcements,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say, giving his arm a little squeeze. <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re you nerds<\/em> whispering about?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d brays a nasal voice.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry, Braidbeard,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say, raising my voice over the din of the indie murmur. I gesture to the motley crew that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s assembled behind me. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Evan, this is my friend Braidbeard and my boyfriend Jack\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand you already know Layla. Guys, this is Evan\u00e2\u20ac\u201dhe works here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Evan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gaze flicks over all of them in turn. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153A pleasure,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Any friends of Julie\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s are\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6well, pleasant acquaintances of mine.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Quite a crowd you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got here,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d says Jack, slipping an arm around my waist, eyes warily sweeping over the room.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6of the lame<\/em> variety,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d sneers Braidbeard, his scraggly, plaited facial hair swaying back and forth as he scans the shop. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Julie said you guys were hosting some kind of Doctor Who<\/em> trivia contest\u00e2\u20ac\u201dclassic Who<\/em> only, none of that Russell T. Davies-engineered soap opera crap. As reigning champion of the TARDIS Online Trivia Madness-a-thon, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s my duty to attend those kinds of events. But that doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t appear<\/em> to be what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s happening here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He glowers at me, eyes thinning to tiny slits behind his clunky glasses.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Reigning champ\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6wait, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re<\/em> Baker4Evar82?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Evan shoots Braidbeard a look of unabashed admiration. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m K9isMyCopilot on the boards,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I almost beat you in the last quarterfinal.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ahhhh\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI remember.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Braidbeard nods, crossing his arms over his chest and trying a little too hard to play it cool. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Frakkin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Sarah Jane questions always trip me up.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What are they talking about?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Layla whispers, her eyes widening to dinner plate size. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6this…we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re wasting time! We need to get Braidbeard to Jill!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I sigh, giving her what I hope is a soothing back-pat.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Um, anyway,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I interject, before everyone gets swept into an hours-long Companion debate, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry, B\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI must\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve gotten the dates mixed up.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Riiiiiiiight,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d says Evan, playing along. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But that doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mean you can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hang out for a bit. Personally, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d love it if y\u00e2\u20ac\u2122all stayed. No booze, but we have snacks\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwell, sort of.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He gestures to a card table festooned with a single bowl of wan-looking tortilla chips.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ooooh, look at that, B\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthey have your favorite chips,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d coos Layla.<\/p>\n

His brow furrows. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Chile-Lime Fritos?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Your, um, second favorite<\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She beams, plastering a slightly manic grin across her face. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s go get some?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, okay,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says, allowing her to drag him over to the table. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But they better be unsalted.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll see if I can maneuver Jill over to the snacks\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand then I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll work my conversational magic,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d says Evan. He gives me a conspiratorial wink. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Catch you later.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153God.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I exhale slowly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who knew this match-making stuff was so fucking nerve-wracking?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nice to meet another one of your friends,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jack says, not really hearing me. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Evan seems very\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6friendly.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He drops his arm from my waist, his gaze drifting over the shop, all traces of energy slowly draining from his face. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m suddenly aware of how noisy the place is, how crammed with sweat and humanity and general chaos. <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I reach up and cup his face, stroking my thumb gently down his cheek. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You okay?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

He looks down at me blankly, eyes still unreadable, like he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wrapped up in his own little thought bubble. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Um.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d His gaze shifts back and forth. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I guess\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just kind of loud in here. And this\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6really isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t how I was hoping to spend tonight?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

I wince as a vintage-swathed pixie girl dashes past, screaming \u00e2\u20ac\u0153TEMPERTON INNA HOUSE!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d a little too close to my ear. Re-focusing on Jack, I tilt up and brush my lips against his. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll make it up to you later,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I murmur against his mouth. <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says as I pull back, the word coming out in a vaguely robotic-sounding monotone.<\/p>\n

I raise an eyebrow. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know I meant sex, right? Like, lots of sex?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6sorry.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d His gaze seems to clear and one side of his mouth quirks into a lopsided grin. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let the record show that I am for that. Very<\/em> for that, in fact.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

I squeeze his hand. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s go look at the back issue bins. This place has an awesome selection of \u00e2\u20ac\u212290s era Excalibur<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6the Warren Ellis stuff? Maybe Evan will give us a discount.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says, allowing me to lead him toward the back of the store. I cast a sidelong glance at him. His eyes have gone a little blank again, like he can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seem to focus on anything in particular. <\/p>\n

Well. I really will make this up to him later. Possibly with the aid of that Black Queen-esque leather corset I found on eBay.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Here we go,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say, reaching our destination and tapping a finger against the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153E\u00e2\u20ac\u009d bin. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Have at it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

As he starts to paw through, I scan the room for Braidbeard, finally locating his pasty form by the snack table. Evan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s chattering at him animatedly. Jill stands between them, lips pressed together, the usual superior-than-thou expression plastered on her face. Layla\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s off to the side, looking like she doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t quite know what to do with herself.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ugh, that looks\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6not so promising,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I mutter, frowning at the weirder-than-weird tableau.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I better go talk to Evan,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say, patting Jack on the arm.<\/p>\n

I scoot through the hipster crowd, shuffle my way around a muscleman with a Katchoo tattoo dancing across his bicep, and finally land in front of the snack table.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u201dbut I still think the Zerg are, by far, the most awesome,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Evan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s saying. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They have the Defiler<\/em>. You can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t beat that.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I guess,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d says Braidbeard. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I mean, if you want to play in the most suped-up, unoriginal way possible. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m a Terran man myself.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Terran<\/em>?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Evan hoots. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So pedestrian. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a human every day of your oh-so-mundane life. Why not spice things up a little with an amazingly gross insectoid-alien\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6thing?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re both stuck in the past,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d says Jill, rolling her eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who plays Starcraft<\/em> anymore?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Only everyone<\/em>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d snorts Braidbeard. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the dominant national sport in Korea.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Um, Evan,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I interject, laying a hand on his arm. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can I talk to you for a minute?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Suuuuuuure,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says, cocking an eyebrow as I drag him away.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going on?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I demand, once we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re away from Braidbeard\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s prying ears. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re supposed to be facilitating a love connection, not getting B all worked up over old-ass videogames.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re getting there,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Baby, check this out.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jack pushes through the crush of people, waving a packet of back issues. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got the entire Pryde and Wisdom<\/em> miniseries for a mere dollar.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s great,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I respond mechanically, still frowning. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Evan\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Seriously: just chill.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Evan rubs my shoulder soothingly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can handle this.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u201dokay,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I concede, as he crowd-surfs his way back to the snack table.<\/p>\n

I turn to Jack. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153A dollar, eh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n

He looks at me quizzically, his expression a little foggy. The noise in the store crescendos and I realize it must be really getting to him.<\/p>\n

I slip my arm around his waist and lean into his shoulder. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Maybe,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say affectionately, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cause the only person who wants it is you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

He snaps out of it, his eyes refocusing. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Whatever. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s some seriously sexy stuff in here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He grins, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the problem,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say, happy to see him looking a little more animated. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Kitty Pryde is how old?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Old enough.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He brushes his lips against my temple. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t I buy this and we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll continue this conversation somewhere more pri\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Goddammit.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I pull away from him, my eyes latching onto the snack area \u00e2\u20ac\u00a6where Jill is wandering off, shaking her head in disgust. Braidbeard and Evan are so locked in heated debate, they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even notice.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What is Evan doing?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I growl. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This is so not what we discussed!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Julie\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hold on,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I mutter, stomping my way back over to Evan. This time I grab his arm and drag him to the side with no preamble. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Now you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve driven Jill away completely?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I hiss. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How is this helping? You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re totally\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6cock-blocking<\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

He raises an eyebrow. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m<\/em> cock-blocking?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes! You! Who else is there?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say, my voice taking on a deranged sort of cadence.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hmm.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He studies me for a moment. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I really think you need to just wait and see how this plays out.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What does that even mean?! I\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

I cut myself off, vaguely aware of my name being called from across the room. I whip my head around and see Jack standing by the register, gesturing excitedly to something on the countertop. I give him a little wave, then turn back to Evan.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Look,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I growl. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I realize Braidbeard\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not the easiest person to\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6like, but if anyone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gonna hit it off with him, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gonna be Jill. And you promised to help with that!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He holds his hands up, placating. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry if what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s happening doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t appear to be\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6productive. But you need to trust me. I got this.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

I let out a frustrated exhale and flap my hands at the snack area. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6get Jill back.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

I elbow my way through the crowd and land by the back issue bins, nearly running into Jack in the process. <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says mildly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Did you see me by the counter? I was trying to show you something.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Right\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6yes,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say, glaring in Evan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s direction. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t tell what it was from over there.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

He brandishes a tiny, Barbie-pink piece of plastic. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Um, Star Sapphire ring? I thought it was perfect\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, nice, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll look adorable on you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say absently, craning my neck in an attempt to find Braidbeard in the crowd.<\/p>\n

He frowns. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Actually, I got it for\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Gah\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6what the fuck?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I growl, my gaze locking on the snack area, which is suddenly deserted. No Braidbeard. No Jill or Evan. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Where did they go now<\/em>?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Before I can continue that line of thought, a blonde tornado whirls out of the crowd and lands in front of us. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Would you mind telling me what, exactly, you were thinking?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jill growls, her ponytail sticking straight out from her skull\u00e2\u20ac\u201dit\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gone from insolent to seriously pissed off<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wha-huh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I sputter.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve thrown my store into utter chaos,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she sneers, shooting me a glare that would easily reduce Doctor Doom to a sniveling wuss. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I run a tight ship here, lady. And tonight, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just me and Evan and neither of us can afford to be distracted.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m vaguely conscious of Jack slipping a protective arm around my shoulders. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t understand,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say, my brow furrowing. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What are you\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Julie.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Layla sidles up next to Jill, her wild eyes projecting a strange mix of anxiety and glee. Jill modifies her bitch-glare to encompass both of us. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Um\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Layla twists her hands together. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You need to\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Take care of the problem,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d hisses Jill. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Or I will ban you from this shop for life<\/em>. And I will be forced to unfriend you on Facebook.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153At least then I won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to hear about it every time you want to make a fucking grilled cheese sandwich in CafeWorld!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I yell as she tornadoes her way out of view.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Damn,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say, shaking my head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Even Braidbeard deserves better.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Jack rubs my back. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry your master plan tanked. But I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m thinking this means we can go now?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Layla\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand shoots out, latching onto my arm. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Julie, you need to see something. Now. Evan is\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6just come with me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Gah, fine,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say, allowing her to drag me away. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be right back!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I call over my shoulder.<\/p>\n

I allow Layla to steer me over to the indie section, a wild woman on a mission. As we push through the last mini-crush of people, my eyes settle on Braidbeard, who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s scrutinizing a particular page in Ghost World<\/em> as Evan looks on. <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153See, this is just dumb,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he smirks. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why do we spend umpteen million pages on this chick\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s search for a frakking bondage mask? Who cares about that shit?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Millions of readers, judging by how many times it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gone back to press,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Evan says evenly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And that story is about more than just, you know, a bondage mask. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re watching someone try to define herself through superficial means.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, God,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I breathe. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This is what Jill was talking about: Braidbeard\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fucking trapped<\/em> Evan.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Layla puts a hand on my arm. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just watch.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Huh.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Braidbeard squints at the page. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I guess I can sort of see that. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s an outcast like the X-Men or whatever.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

My jaw drops so far, I swear I feel it scrape the floor.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Right.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Evan nods approvingly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And who hasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t felt that way at some point?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Braidbeard looks up from the page and regards Evan seriously. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Maybe you could, like, explain more of this dumb book to me later. I mean, if I decide to buy it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Evan raises an eyebrow, a half-smile playing over his lips. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You are so<\/em> buying it. And I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll only explain it to you if you admit that the Defiler is the most awesome thing ever invented.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He holds out a hand. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Deal?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

I wait for Braidbeard\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwho I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve never known to welcome any kind of human touch whatsoever\u00e2\u20ac\u201dto recoil. Instead, he shuts Ghost World<\/em> and takes Evan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand. And maybe holds onto it a teeny bit longer than is strictly necessary. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Deal.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

I honestly didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think it was possible for my jaw to drop farther.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey, guys,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Layla says, as I unsuccessfully attempt to shut my gaping mouth. <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Damn, I was wondering where you losers wandered off to,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d snits Braidbeard. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can we go yet or what? This party blows. Well, mostly,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he quickly amends, casting a sidelong glance at Evan.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, shit,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d says Evan, panic dawning in his eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How long have we been standing here? Jill\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s probably looking for me\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He hurries off.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Braidbeard demands. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Go? Now?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6are you GAY?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I splutter.<\/p>\n

He shrugs, tucking Ghost World<\/em> under his arm. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What of it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6you\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6when did you become GAY?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I squeak.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Um, Jules.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Layla glances over at an androgynous-looking couple in matching \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Veganism is Beautiful\u00e2\u20ac\u009d t-shirts shooting disapproving looks our way. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You might want to keep it down.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Braidbeard makes a big-ass show of examining his nails. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Unlike you<\/em>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I like to keep certain things private.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do you mean \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcunlike me\u00e2\u20ac\u2122? And\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6and\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6what do you mean \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcprivate<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u2122?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

He hugs Ghost World<\/em> to his chest, the ultimate indie-kid shield. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I mean,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says, giving each word maximum enunciation, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153that I am known for certain things. For, like, possessing kick-ass taste when it comes to shit like DC\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s various crossover disasters. And for being generally awesome\u00e2\u20ac\u201dlike Batman. Everything else is on the Bruce Wayne side, which means it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s my frakking business<\/em> and no one else\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

My forehead crinkles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Of course you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says patronizingly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Your<\/em> only concern these days is ramming your tongue down Jack\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s throat in as many public places as possible.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He shudders, making exaggerated gagging noises.<\/p>\n

Hot fury flushes my entire body. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Excuse me, what the fuck<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wait, wait\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwhoa.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Layla places a gentle hand on each of our shoulders. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think I get what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going on here. Let me translate from Geekanese to\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6normal person language.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Her gaze slides from me to Braidbeard and then back again.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Julie,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she says, her voice taking on the soothing cadence of a diplomat trying to broker world peace, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Braidbeard is about as comfortable expressing himself sexually as you were pre-Jack. Which is to say\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6not very. Or not at all. I think you can understand that, yes?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I open my mouth to protest, but she shakes her head firmly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And Braidbeard: if you can learn anything from Julie\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s example, it should be that you can love someone freely and without reservation and still maintain your essential, um\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6geek\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6crankiness. Er, uniqueness. Whatever you want to call it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n

We stand there in silence for a protracted moment, Layla\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s words echoing and re-arranging themselves in my brain. Braidbeard hugs Ghost World<\/em> a little tighter, and gives a non-committal sort of shrug. But when he meets my eyes, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a flicker of understanding.<\/p>\n

I feel myself starting to nod. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I guess that\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6makes sense. Sort of.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Layla beams and pulls us both closer, squeezing the breath out of me with her bizarre strength. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It takes a very special person<\/em> to bring you\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6unique types out of your shells,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she trills. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And Evan seems soooo sweet!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153He thinks Tennant is the best Doctor,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d sniffs Braidbeard. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But no one\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s perfect.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

**<\/p>\n

Despite Braidbeard\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s pleas, we end up staying for a good while longer and Layla and I spend a few giggly moments debating how we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to relate the entire tale of our not-exactly-successful-matchmaking to Mitch. I keep scanning the crowd for Jack, but he appears to have disappeared permanently into the back issue bin jungle.<\/p>\n

As the party begins to dwindle, Layla wanders over to Terry Temperton\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s table, having decided to get her newly-purchased copy of Angst Sundae<\/em> signed. I lean against a shelf of Marvel trades, trying to process the evening.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not exactly the night I was expecting to have,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d says Evan, sidling up next to me. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I should thank you for that, probably.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

I smile wearily. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think so. My scheming skills are more Wile E. Coyote than Sydney Bristow. And I guess I was actually cock-blocking you<\/em>?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re way good at it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says with a chuckle. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Cock-blocker extraordinaire.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

I roll my eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll put that on my resume.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

He smiles dreamily. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe I have a date with Baker4Evar82.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t either, especially since you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re so\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6well, nice?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I raise an eyebrow. <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No judgment, missy,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says, poking me in the arm. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Doctor Who<\/em> trivia is way sexier than it sounds on paper. And we all have our types.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say. I notice Jack heading our way and a dorky smile overtakes my face. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I guess we do.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hopefully I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be seeing you on more non-Wednesdays,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d says Evan. He gives me an impulsive hug and peck on the cheek. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Especially if my date goes, you know\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6well<\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Guh,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I shudder as he saunters off, still not quite willing to picture Braidbeard in any sort of remotely sexual situation. <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey, you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say, as Jack approaches. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll never believe\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You want to tell me what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going on?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says softly. Too softly. I scrutinize his face and realize he looks like a bomb ready to go off. His hands clench and unclench, like he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s barely keeping himself together. The vicious hurt radiating from his eyes cuts into me, precise and sharp and awful.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Baby,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say gently. Somewhere in the deep recesses of my brain, I hazily realize that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the first time I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve ever called him that. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wro\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going on with you and\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6and\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6him?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says abruptly.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6who?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Him<\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He waves an arm in the direction of the register, where Evan is ringing up the last few customers.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Him\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 as in Evan<\/em>?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I look at Jack incredulously. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you asking what I think you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re asking? Because if so, we need to back the fuck up.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

He rakes a hand through his hair, causing it to stick up in a wild parody of his usual casually-mussed coif. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve spent the entire night chasing after him. And he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not exactly resisting.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Whoa.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I cross my arms over my chest. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can pretty much assure you that he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not interested in\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re my girlfriend<\/em>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he growls. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know when some other dude is trying to\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Where is this fucking possessive Alpha Male act coming from?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you gonna turn into a wolf now?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t\u00e2\u20ac\u201ddon\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t joke about this.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He shakes his head vehemently. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know this long distance thing sucks, but that doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mean you have to treat me like an afterthought.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6what<\/em>?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Waves of frustration crash into me, and I feel my hands balling themselves into tight little knots. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How can you say that? I love having you here. I\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Right, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why you keep telling me I shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel obligated<\/em> to visit. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why you suggested we spend our only night together hanging out at some random party so you can flirt with some equally random guy<\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d His voice cracks on the last word and I realize his eyes are bright with angry tears.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not fair,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say, my voice trembling dangerously. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And that wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t flirting. For fuck\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sake, Jack\u00e2\u20ac\u201dEvan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gay<\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

He deflates, his arms dropping to his sides. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know what,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says flatly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t matter. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not even the point.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Then what is?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I ask. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Please. Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just talk\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He shakes his head slowly, his anger giving way to dull hurt. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m done trying to get your attention. Why don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you go talk to Evan<\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d With that, he turns on his heel and storms out of the store.<\/p>\n

As I stand there with my jaw once again scraping the floor, Layla rushes to my side. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Did I just see Jack make an\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6uncharacteristically dramatic exit?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she says, brows knitting together. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going on?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You tell me,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I say, right before bursting into tears.<\/p>\n

Read Part IV<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Thank you for returning for the penultimate episode of our little tale. You should totally go read Parts I and II if you haven’t already. A couple notes… 1. A lot of folks assume Julie’s geek sacred cows are mine as well. And…okay, sometimes they are. Maybe a lot of the time. But let the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[403],"class_list":["post-3580","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-with-violet-light"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3580","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3580"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3580\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3580"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3580"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3580"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}