Hi, been a while hasn't it?
Thanks to everyone who's still reviewing. And my ever so encouraging betas, Yokky (aw!) and Myst... Mysty (*evil grin*)
Hall And Oats – "Maneater" (The song makes more sense later in the chapter) from Chuck Season 1 Episode 7, Chuck Vs. The Alma Mater.
Bit short this time, but Jenny's antagonist is introduced! *drum roll*
Disclaimer: I don't think I can buy Chuck, since paying for the ball has leeched all my savings… can't BELIEVE I blew half a grand or more on one night!
--
Jenny vs the Nemesis
--
She'll only come out at night
The lean and hungry type
Nothing is new, I've seen her here before
Watching and waiting
--
For the first time in her life that she can remember, Jenny wakes up to a gentle feminine humming that accompanies steps that sound down the hall.
Soft linen is under her fingertips and the duvet she's snuggled into is wonderfully comfy, caressing her body like a dream. She's not used to such lavishness, although the Bartowski's financial situation was not unlike her own. The only difference was that the Burton cash was a backup for extreme emergencies.
Without opening her eyes, she luxuriates in the feeling of normality. Waking up like this is better than she could anticipate, her father's not planning another con, she doesn't have to worry about leaving anytime soon, these people care about her, and better yet….she can smell bacon.
Her ears pick up slight movements around the house, unfamiliar sounds. There were hushed voices, giggling, and whistling from the others who were already awake.
She sighs and adjusts her head a little, dipping further into the pillow as it lets off a subtle scent with her movement: Chuck's scent. She can't quite describe it's sweetness, the masculine tinge, can't pin point the exact flavour of the soap that he uses- but the scent is nice, and lingers, even with the lack of his body in the bed.
Jenny breathes in deeply. She mulls over her thoughts, calmed by the gentle mix of a cool morning and all-encompassing warmth. She has an irrational and eager urge to see him suddenly.
Poor Chuck. He'd graciously let her sleep in his room even before Ellie insisted that she stay the night and adamantly demanding Chuck stay in the lounge with Morgan.
Rounding up the remains of her self-control, she pokes her arms out from under the sheets, shivering a little as icy needles pierce her skin.
Arching her back, she stretches her arms above her head and listens to her joints click. She tiptoes across the chilly wooden floor and taking off the oversized pajamas of Ellie's- changes into the outfit she had the day before.
Her footsteps are noiseless as she steals through the house towards the heavenly smell of cooking eggs.
Summoning her courage, she's about to venture into the kitchen-
"Hiya Jenny!" Short arms encircle her waist and she lets out a shocked cry.
Twisting her body, a head of oily, ruffled hair partially obscures her vision. Morgan beams up at her.
"Sorry."
Sensing her discomfort, he lets go, and almost dances into the kitchen, clad in baggy, colour faded jeans and a bright red jumper that hangs pitifully on his scrawny body.
Jenny hears him exuberantly greet Ellie and Chuck, and there is the sound of a small tussle as male laughter drifts through the door.
Chuck has Morgan in a headlock when Jenny tentatively walks through curious at the commotion.
He releases his friend when he sees her, and looks about to hug her before thinking better of it, instead beckoning her over to the breakfast table, where plates are set out already.
"Mornin' Jenny!" He calls, smiling brightly at her, Ellie giving a greeting soon after as she stood at the stove. Jenny wonders where he gets the energy for his perpetual enthusiasm. But she can't control the reciprocating smile that spreads across her face.
"Hi Chuck."
--
--
Jenny stands a while away from the other three, feeling a little out of place as Ellie squeezes Chuck in a tight hug and pats Morgan on the head.
The siblings ignore the odd looks sent their way, unlike other brothers and sisters, they're unashamed with acknowledging the other's existence, and their obviously tight bond makes Jenny smile enviously.
Ellie's voice reaches her easily to where she stands, "-good day! See you guys later."
About to walk away, feeling like she was intruding, Jenny only stops when her name is called loudly. She turns to see Ellie waving at her.
The older girl grins as she yells, unaware of Jenny's surprise. "Jenny, I'll take you to the mall after school, so just meet me by the car!"
It didn't sound like a request, and for some reason Jenny didn't want to let Ellie down, so she answers with her own small wave and nod.
With anyone else, Jenny would have declined, but Ellie Bartowski just seemed to infuse everyone she met with warmth. And it was only with Ellie, that asking a sibling's new acquaintance to go shopping was normal.
She's about to turn around again when Chuck shouts her name; she looks over at him with his best friend.
"Jenny!" He calls, "Have a good day!" Morgan nods vigorously behind him.
By the time she's thought up something that she thought was a cool thing to say, he had already made his way up the steps into the large school building.
--
Oh here she comes
Watch out boy she'll chew you up
Oh here she comes
She's a maneater
Oh here she comes
Watch out boy she'll chew you up
Oh here she comes
She's a maneater
--
Chuck gestures frantically and Jenny fears his hand's gonna fly off so she makes her way to him, intimidated by all his friends staring at her approach.
Chuck sits in the middle of the long table, and, by the way they're all laughing, they're all in the same group, although Chuck's closer friends surround him. Morgan grins at her before diving into his hot dog.
"Hi Jenny!" Chuck says happily, nudging the boy next to him to make space for her, "Sit with me!"
She can't resist his glowing smile, placing her tray gingerly on the table, trying to keep her gaze low to avoid eye contact with anyone.
"Who's that, Chuck?" Comes a female voice, leaning around Chuck to get a glimpse of Jenny.
Chuck leans back, "Jenny, this is Shari. Shari, this is Jenny!" He crushes both of them in a hug in each arm, "There! We're all friends now."
Jenny, still uncomfortable with displays like that, recoils a little from her place snugly tucked under his arm, but Chuck's not deterred. After giving her a squeeze, he lets her go willingly, smiling at her.
They're interrupted by a derisive snort as Shari reaches over to snatch an apple from Jenny's tray.
"Chuck, don't tell me she's another of your pity adoptions?" She snickers as she takes a bite from the fruit, her mouth full she continues, "You're just too nice sometimes."
Jenny's sits quietly and looks at her food, her mortification at being insulted in front of Chuck, of all people, causes her to freeze in her spot, unable to leave.
Chuck however, ever the protector of the innocent, swivels around to pin Shari with a stare. Everyone at their table is quiet.
Shari wilts, looking slightly repentant, as she gropes for Chuck's favour. Gently, Jenny reaches for Chuck's forearm, touching him slightly and tries to convey her thoughts through her eyes. She doesn't want to be the reason Chuck loses his friend, although nice as it is, she's not used to having people defend her.
Chuck looks at her, his tight features soften at her wordless insistence.
Relenting, he rolls his eyes and turns to Shari. "Come on now, Shari. Please be nice," He gives her a pleading puppy dog smile. Shari's own features relax and a sickly sweet façade comes over her as she takes Chuck's hand nonchalantly.
"Anything for you Chuck."
As Chuck turns away to his meal placated, his fork shifting through the barely discernible parts of his lunch, Shari shoots Jenny a challenging look before engaging her friend on her other side in conversation.
--
I wouldn't if I were you
I know what she can do
She's deadly man, and she could really rip your world apart
Mind over matter
The beauty is there but a beast is in the heart
--
"Hey Ginny!" A snotty voice behind Jenny calls.
Jenny turns, her backpack slung on one shoulder and her hip resting against Ellie's car.
Shari walks towards her with even strides fit for a catwalk. Rounding the vehicle, she comes to a stop in front of her.
Jenny bites her lip. "It's Jenny," She says quietly.
There's a long pause. When Jenny looks up, Shari's peering at her. There's a condescending look upon her face.
"What did you say?" Her voice is awfully nasal and scathing. Jenny tries not to wince.
Jenny shifts on her feet, staring down at her shabby leather shoes and nervously adjusts her woolen scarf around her neck.
"Nothing." She's not quite used to being confronted like this.
The other girl lets her teeth show as she lets out a nasty laugh, "I thought not."
Going for intimidating, Shari steps closer after looking around, and Jenny tries to step back, seeing the other girl's Italian leather boots in her field of vision when she tries to evade the sharp gaze. Instead, there's no space behind her and she bumps against the car.
The worn rubber soles of her shoes fail to grip the smooth, wet cement, and her weight pulls her towards the ground as her back slides down the car door. Her father's arrest has put her on edge, and her hand inches longingly towards her weapon.
The girl towers over her prey, fallen on her rear.
Keeping her hands on her hips, Shari looks down at Jenny. "Worm, just remember this. Just because Chuck's taken an unhealthy liking to you, doesn't mean you're welcome to count yourself one of us."
She examines her fingernails while Jenny doesn't dare move, even with the freezing wetness spreading from the puddle into her clothes.
"Stay away from him."
Shari gives her one last, pointed glance before stepping away, a satisfied expression on her face.
There's a crunching of heavy shoes as Ellie Bartowski rounds the corner and takes in the situation. "Is everything alright, ladies?"
Ellie throws her bag through the open window of her car and gives Jenny a hand up.
Shari quickly becomes a completely new person, beaming up at Ellie sweetly. "No. No, 'course not, I was about to help her up myself, silly girl has no balance at all."
Ellie raises an eyebrow.
Her polite mask crumbling through, Shari makes a quick exit. "Bye Ellie! Tell Chuck I said hi!" She tells Ellie pretentiously, and flounces away with a flourish.
When Ellie ushers Jenny into the shotgun seat, there's an amused smile on her face. She closes the door with a loud thump while the hinges scrape against each other.
Ellie leans her elbow onto the window frame, poking her head in. "Are you okay Jenny?"
Hearing the other girl's small answer in the positive, she continues, "I've never really liked Shari. Chuck just doesn't see anything bad about her. He always sees the good side in everyone."
In this single moment, Jenny wishes that was not the case.
--
Oh here she comes
Watch out boy she'll chew you up
Oh here she comes
She's a maneater
--
Haha, isn't that song peeerfect for Shari?? :)
In case you've forgotten, Shari's Jill's snotty best friend in the Ex. If you remember, she's the one who Jill calls while Chuck's on the tapped line. "He's a loser who makes eleven dollars an hour." "Helllllo? Twelve-fifty.." "Chuck?!" "Is this a party line?" "I'm calling the police!"
Makes me laugh every time.
What also makes me laugh is that I nearly put *cue Boom Boom Pow* when Shari does her little catwalk in the last scene :D