"It isn't how it is. I live alone, in an apartment I can barely afford. I can't pay for school, but everyone turns a blind eye. But it lets me do things like this." Jess sighs.
"Sorry. That was kind of dumb of me to say just then." She says. A pause.
"By yourself?"
Jess shakes her head slightly.
"It's fine, you didn't know. It's not like I told you and you forgot."
"Yeah. CPS can't touch me," she jokes.
Kris suddenly starts rifling through her bag, pulling out $3.40, to the cent. She was impressed that she'd remembered the exact number but wasn't sure why.
"Here, for yesterday. You paid for me I think." She says, placing it on the table. It wasn't entirely clear to her not only how she remembered something so minuscule, or why she felt like she had to repay her. However, in the back of her mind, she still felt like she had to repay Jess in some way, but wasn't sure how.
Jess looks a little bemused.
"Keep it. I paid, sure, but it was because I wanted to, not because I expected anything in return. It's basic kindness, dear." she says, leaning away from the table slightly.
"I know." Kris replies, erasing Jess's second 'dear' from her mind. "Take it anyway. I'm gonna pay you back somehow whether you like it or not." She pauses. "For a lot of things, actually." The last bit was quieter and more to herself.
Jess chuckles and takes the money, sliding it into her bag.
"Dually noted."
She pauses.
"What was that last bit?" she asks.
"I don't know I just think you've already done a lot for me. Little things." Kris explains. "I don't know, even though it's only been like two days. Thanks for that."
Jess hums contemplatively.
"All I've really done is unleash chaos on the poor, unsuspecting masses of people at our school, buy you coffee, take you to a record shop and get you ice cream. I haven't really done anything particularly noteworthy. All I've really done is be kind. I don't need thanks for any of that. I'm just being me."
Kris smiles.
"I guess that's what you did for me. In my eyes, that's a lot. You being you is enough for me." She says, realizing how awfully poetic it sounded, and immediately wanting to take it back.
(kris right now https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1970393578286522/)
(XD that's amazing and exactly true, but jess is a bit dense in regards to romance and love)
"Well then, I suppose I'll keep raining destruction down upon innocent souls, tormenting the teachers and every other day I'll get you coffee!" Jess says brightly.
"Sounds good to me." Kris laughs. She glances out the window. "Doing this kind of thing seems like something I could do every day, so, yeah."
Jess smiles softly, then hears her order called out.
She bounces up excitedly and goes to grab her nuggets, then rushes back, smiling like a little kid.
"Nuggets acquired." Kris comments. "Are you eating here or do you wanna go now?
Jess sits down decisively, swinging her legs happily.
"Eating here." she replies, opening the container and starting to nibble on a nugget.
Kris unexpectedly liked watching Jess's childlike tendencies. She smiles and doesn't continue further, leaving Jess to her food.
Jess finishes her nugget and considers the rest before offering some to Kris.
"Food is better when shared, don't you think?" she asks.
Kris, again, panics. "Uh, if you-? I don't know maybe?!"
'You idiot.'
Jess considers Kris' reaction with a not inconsiderable ammount of confusion.
"You okay?"
Kris completely freezes for a moment, entirely red.
Jess reaches out tentatively, prodding one of Kris' cheeks.
"Hello?" she asks, entirely confused by this whole situation.
"Hi!" Kris responds, too late to realize. "I mean-" Kris's eyes return to focus and look at Jess's. She forgets what she was saying, to her dismay.
Jess' deep blue eyes are showing signs of amusement now.
"The nuggets? Y'know, sharing makes them better and all that?"
"Oh. That. I was thinking of something else. Never mind." Kris averted her eyes.
Jess chuckles.
"Do you want any?" she reiterates.
"No thanks I'm good." Kris says hurriedly. "You ready to go?"
Jess shrugs, pulling the box of nuggets back to her and starting to demolish them.
"In a little bit." she replies.
"Cool." Kris says, exhaling, her hands resting on the rim of the table.
Jess finishes her nuggets and stands up, stretching.
"I'm done." she smiles, taking the empty box to a trashcan.
