The Last Thug Standing Pt. II
Tiffany parked outside of a fancy-looking building. The walls were glass, but tinted, the occupants inside obscured from view. Elegant pillars and a magnificent fountain graced the forefront as Tiffany assisted Jessica off the bike and offered her arm for her to link through.
Jessica looked up at Tiffany before smiling and slipping her arm into hers.
"This is a really nice place, you can afford this?" Jessica speculated the exterior design, eyeing the fountain and its sculptures of geese.
"Yeah, it should be good." Tiffany smiled at her curious personality and opened the door for them.
"Thank you." Jessica shyly smiled at Tiffany's gentlemanly gesture. Tiffany experienced an ego boost from Jessica's new bashful attitude.
"No problem." Tiffany led them to the stupefied concierge.
"Reservation for Hwang." The concierge nodded before skimming the booklet.
"Two-seater on the outdoor patio, this way Miss." The concierge beckoned them forward as they followed.
Jessica wondered how Tiffany could have gotten a reservation so fast and decided to ask her when they sat down.
"Here are your menus, your waiter will be right with you." The concierge smiled and eyed Tiffany before departing.
Jessica, oblivious of the concierge's unusual behavior, casually shifted in her seat before picking up the menu.
"So how did you get a reservation so fast?" Jessica peeked at Tiffany over the menu.
"Family stuff; so what would you like to eat?" Tiffany easily evaded the question and put down her menu to look directly at Jessica.
"Mmm, I don't know. Would you know what's good here?" Jessica put her menu down as well as she eyed Tiffany from across the table.
Tiffany smirked and glanced at the approaching waiter.
"Are you ladies ready to order?" The waiter smiled at them, but his eyes seemed to linger a little too long as his eyebrows twitched upwards.
Tiffany smiled casually, "Oysters and Pearls, Jean-Louis, Consommé en Gelée, and Salade de Topinambours. Make sure it's in no special order, I just want it on the table."
The waiter nodded, "Do you want the usual drinks we get?"
"Naw- No, uh-" Tiffany clamped her mouth shut and turned to Jessica in disguised alarm.
"What kind of wine do you like?" She meekly raised her eyebrows to Jessica, but the latter just stared at her.
"Am I supposed to be well-versed in various assortments of wine?" Jessica replied back quizzically. She was already confused on what 'Taeyeon' even ordered for them.
Tiffany softly smiled with her pearly teeth, "No, sorry." She turned back to Top. "We'll have the l'ermitage."
"Sure thing, Tiff." Top scribbled it down before glancing up at both of them, noticing Tiffany's stiff form.
Jessica eyed the two, wondering who 'Tiff' was.
"I'm Tae." Tiffany notified Top.
Top eyed her again, finally widening his eyes in understanding. "Oh! Sorry, sorry- your food will be right out."
He bowed to Tiffany and then to Jessica before scampering back inside.
"You know, you kind of remind me of someone." Jessica continued eyeing Tiffany suspiciously.
Tiffany began feeling her muscles tighten before she could even relax them.
"Who might that be? Hopefully someone to your liking." Tiffany smiled that smooth whatever-you-say-grandma look.
"No, actually, you remind me of this thug in my English class." Jessica openly examined Tiffany now.
Tiffany chuckled uncomfortably, trying to keep cool. "That's disappointing, I was hoping a movie star."
Jessica stopped inspecting Tiffany for a second and smiled at her joke, "Oh? Well are you a movie star? 'Cause it sure seems like it."
Tiffany chuckled again to ease the awkward atmosphere. "To my dismay, I'm not." She let her bottom slip into a childish pout.
Jessica stared at her, fascinated by the adorable expression. "Wow, you're really cute." The cinnamon head leaned over and pinched Tiffany's cheeks.
Tiffany was pleasantly surprised, breaking out into a beaming smile, "Aw shucks, you're making me blush."
Jessica sat back down in her seat, giggling at Tiffany, but her eyes trailed to the girl’s lips.
"Do you have a lip piercing?"
Tiffany almost instantly covered her mouth, but refrained. "Yeah- it was a prank gone wrong by one of my cousins." She sheepishly smiled to cover her lie, and it worked as Jessica nodded sympathetically.
"Is that dress Prada, by the way?" Tiffany gestured towards Jessica's elegant body.
Cinnamon Head's eyes lit up as she looked down at her dress and back up at Tiffany with a grin on her face, "It is! It just came out for the season!"
Tiffany's eyes suddenly lit up too, "So you're caught up with their new releases for the season?!"
Jessica vigorously nodded as they shared a smile.
"Oh, my god. Did you see those leopard print boots? They were bitchin'!" Tiffany exclaimed flippantly, immediately covering her mouth.
"Sorry- I didn't mean to curse." Tiffany let loose a guilty expression as Jessica looked at her incredulously.
"No need to apologize, I was pretty amazed with how you expressed yourself." Jessica nodded her head reassuringly at Tiffany's apology.
Tiffany let out a big sigh of relief, "Oh good, but anyways- I really liked the boots."
Jessica smiled, "I saw them, but I kinda liked the pink-lined black ones more. Now those were bitchin’.” She emphasized the last word and winked at Tiffany's pinking face.
The waiter soon returned to their table with three trays and Tiffany's l'ermitage wine.
He popped open the wine bottle, expertly filled the glasses, and settled the bottle in a bucket of ice beside the table.
"Oysters and Pearls, Jean-Louis, Salade de Topinambours, and the Consommé en Gelée."
In Jessica's eyes it was Lobster, Oysters, meat salad, and vegetable salad.
"Wow, you ordered all of this?" Jessica looked up from the lobster and met Tiffany's anxious eyes. She had her attention stuck on Jessica, "Well yeah, I didn't really know if you were the salad type or the meat type so I got both." Tiffany gestured Jessica to go ahead and grab what she preferred.
"I hope you don't mind this wine either, it might be too bitter for your liking." Tiffany smiled sheepishly again and sipped from her wine glass.
Jessica stared at her glass before tasting the wine for herself.
Once the tangy liquid hit her tongue, the flavor burst through her senses.
"Whoa, this is bitter, but it's good." Jessica sipped from her glass again before placing the drink back down.
"I'm glad. Would you like to try the lobster now?" Tiffany took the honor of taking the first piece of the cooked crustacean.
"Yes, thank you." Jessica reached over the table for her own piece while Tiffany took the chance to inspect her.
The dress was made to be short, so Tiffany wasn't surprised at the cut-off length. Her shoes, Prada ballerinas. Tiffany suddenly wondered if her underwear was Prada, but convinced herself it'd be better not to peek.
"I like your ballerinas, do your feet ever hurt in them?" Tiffany gestured to her shoes, already knowing the answer.
"No way! They're the most comfortable flats I own!" Jessica sat back in her chair excitedly again.
Tiffany then brought up the topic of Giorgio Armani and how guys should stop claiming his stuff to be gay.
*
"Wow, the night ended too fast!" Jessica exclaimed from her seat and stretched.
"It did! But I'm glad I spent it with you." Tiffany winked at Jessica before letting out a monstrous yawn.
"Ah, what time is it?" Tiffany glanced down at her watch and noticed it was past twelve. The restaurant should have been closed by now.
"Do these restaurants stay open this late?" Jessica inquired from her seat and Tiffany looked around.
"No, but I think they made an exception for me." Tiffany speculated the inside of the restaurant and spotted Top with Seungri in the kitchen.
"I guess I gotta get you home now." Tiffany stood up, stretching her legs and yawning again.
"Don't you have to pay for this first?" Jessica gestured to the empty plates.
"No, just leave it there for the waiters." Tiffany extended her hand for the girl and Jessica eagerly grasped it.
"All right."
On their way out Tiffany noticed Jessica's unsteady steps and released her hold on Jessica's hand, instead sliding her arm across Jessica's waist pulling her closer to steady her.
"Did you drink too much?" Tiffany whispered into Jessica's hair as the girl nodded an affirmative.
Once they made it outside, the breeze soothed Jessica's body, but it also made her shiver.
Tiffany noticed and then realized Top and Seungri were watching them from the door, obviously waiting.
Tiffany motioned them to come out, "Hey! Bring me that extra jacket I bought you!"
Top nodded and hurried back inside.
Jessica looked over at the door and noticed Seungri.
"You guys remind me of the thugs in my English class, except you have class." Jessica straightened her posture and wrapped her own arm around Tiffany.
Tiffany in turn, wrapped her other arm around Jessica and pulled their bodies together for heat.
"What if we were the thugs?" She spoke against Jessica's hair.
"I'd throw up, right now, and that dinner would go to waste." Jessica said in a serious, flat tone and made Tiffany chuckle.
"Whatever you say."
Jessica tried turning to face Tiffany, but Tiffany didn't give her enough room to move so she laid her head on the girl's shoulder. Strange.
Soon enough, Top came back out with a leather jacket.
"'Ere, yer gay ass Amanee shet." Top had chosen to slip back into his piercings and ghetto accent as he was also now dressed in his full body motorcycle gear.
"Uh, no, Ar-mon-ee." Tiffany gave him a queer look attempting to play off the ghetto accents and not have Jessica react to him, but it was too late.
At the familiar accent, Jessica backed away from Tiffany immediately and sized Top up ferociously.
"You're the thug from class!" Jessica then turned to Tiffany.
"Why do you know him?!"
Tiffany instantly panicked, she looked up at Top then to Seungri now approaching from the restaurant. He was also fully accessorized, and Tiffany found herself in a rut.
"Uhhhh- H-He's one of the thugs?" Tiffany gave Jessica a weak shrug and fearful grin.
"So you know the other girl too, huh?!" Jessica slipped out of Tiffany's hold and glared at her.
"Yes, bu-"
"Wait! Put your hair up and smile that smug smile." Jessica eyed Tiffany with a hard gaze. Tiffany felt helpless. Jessica didn't seem tipsy enough now.
"Jess, lis-"
"No. Now." Jessica's voice came off strong again and had Tiffany pulling up her hair into the familiar ponytail.
Jessica stared furiously at Tiffany. "Your name starts with a T and your last name is Hwang. J plus T does not equal forever, and there is no relationship between me and Miss Hwang." She recalled the earlier events of their day with a grimace.
Jessica scoffed before continuing, "It was pretty stupid of you to even use 'Taeyeon' since her name starts with a T too, dumb ass. You even switched clothes with her at the club! Your nasty ass gangster clothes! I should've known!"
Her words started hurting Tiffany's feelings again and Tiffany came to the conclusion that Jessica was more drunk than she thought she was. Jessica was rambling, almost forgetting everything Tiffany had proven she could be for her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you mad." Tiffany's expression fell and Jessica scowled.
"Don't even try pulling that pout now, it just disgusts me. Do you think you're attractive? Because you're not." Jessica verbally attacked Tiffany and Top and Seungri were getting tired of it.
"Hey, can you stop hurting her like that? She has feelings too." Top stepped forward and patted Tiffany on the back.
Tiffany shrugged off his hand and looked back up at Jessica, "I'm sorry, I just wanted to prove to you I could be a better person." Tiffany wanted to sigh, but stood strong. She knew she should just wait for Jessica to calm down.
Jessica was taken aback, she felt like the bad person now. Tiffany treated her with the utmost respect in the last few hours and even brought her to an extremely fancy restaurant.
"Why would you even waste your time? You probably do this for every other girl you pick up." Jessica scowled, finding her rage again.
"Fine, then at least let me drive you home." Tiffany took out her keys, signaling her surrender, but Jessica remained rooted in her spot.
"I'm not getting on that deathtrap with you." Jessica spoke through gritted teeth and Tiffany looked at her in disbelief.
"Then how else are you going to get home?" Tiffany fully faced her.
"I'll walk." Jessica stood there for a second as everyone took in her unsuitable outfit and shoes.
"Just get on. We're a good ten miles from the city." Tiffany pleaded with the cinnamon-headed girl, and it looked like Jessica was going to give in.
"I'd rather have one of the guys take me." Jessica turned to Seungri.
Tiffany pursed her lips together and jammed her key into the ignition, "Fine, just hurry up and get home."
Seungri stared at Tiffany and then at Top before leading Jessica to his Harley. Seungri pulled out his extra monster-decaled helmet and handed it to Jessica.
Jessica gave the object a nasty look before slowly putting it on.
Watching only got Tiffany more upset. She quickly started her engine, loudly revving it up, before releasing her brake and speeding out of the parking lot.
Top watched Tiffany go before putting on his own helmet and loudly starting his engine.
Seungri attempted assisting Jessica onto his bike but the girl slapped his hands away.
Top zoomed out of the parking lot.
Seungri suddenly felt abandoned and retreated shyly, wanting to ask for her address but thinking better of it.
"Building 778 on Broadway Avenue, hurry up." Jessica commanded while waiting for Seungri to get on.
Seungri nodded, hastily climbing onto his bike in front of Jessica and starting his engine.
*
Tiffany made it home as she stomped up her stairs and threw herself onto her bed.
Their next English class wouldn't be until this Friday.
After going over her schedule, she shut her eyes for sleep, but found it pointless. Her mind was still running.
She looked to her closet and thought of all the "gangster" clothes she had in there.
Tiffany regarded herself as the cleanest person in their group and she didn't need to feel insecure just because some cinnamon head made a fool out of her. She designs her clothes, for Pete's sake.
Turning over in her bed and staring out her window, she couldn't stop berating herself for the entire debacle.
She wanted to prove Jessica wrong so badly. Nobody had ever made such a fool out of Tiffany. Jessica's voice rang in her head like a broken record, further incensing the irate girl. It was going to be a long night.
*
It was Friday morning. Tiffany hopped out of bed refreshed and revived as she headed straight for her bathroom.
She turned the water on to the hottest temperature she could handle and started her cleansing ceremony.
Today would be the day she would make her true feelings be known. She had figured out what had been wrong between her and Jessica and therefore, she has chosen to confront their issues.
After showering she toweled herself down and headed to her closet, she picked out her regular street clothes; straight-leg jeans, loose button up, and her black studded blazer.
After dressing up, she checked herself twice in the mirror and headed down stairs. She grabbed her steel-toed leather boots by the door and quickly pulled them on before grabbing her motorbike keys.
*
"Now for your creative writing essay presentation, we should start with Miss Hwang since she was part of the main topic and then Miss Jung."
Tiffany abruptly got out of her chair and trudged to the front of the room. She could feel everyone's eyes on her, especially Jessica's burning gaze, but she began her presentation stoically with a firm voice.
"Mine and Jessica Jung’s relationship is like a burning pit of fiery hell; she is the Lord Voldemort to my Harry Potter. Miss Jung exercises her cruelty on me to cover up her FAT ASS CRUSH ON THIS DIVINE PIECE OF WORK. She often likes to believe I have other women on the side due to her low self-esteem and trust issues, but I don’t blame her - I am good-looking. Jessica Jung even MASTURBATES-”
“SHUT THE HELL UP!!!” Jessica turned her seat over and slammed her hands on her desk as she stood up in righteous indignation, her face red.
“NO- YOU SHUT THE HELL UP! I’M TIRED OF YOUR WHINING!” Tiffany pointed an accusing finger.
The teacher’s eyes began to sparkle in excitement. An altercation!
“YOU DUMB BITCH! NOBODY LIKES YOU! DO US ALL A FAVOR AND KILL YOURSELF!”
“ADMIT YOUR LOVE FOR ME!!!”
“I’D RATHER CUT OFF MY EARS! AT LEAST VAN GOGH MADE ACTUAL PIECES OF WORK!”
“WAIT-” The teacher finally intervened, “If this must continue, you two had better take it outside!”
Tiffany readied herself to run Jessica over, her muscles tensed, knees bent.
Jessica noticed Tiffany’s stance and mirrored her, adrenaline pumping, ready to bolt out of the classroom as soon as Tiffany made the first move.
At the squeak of Tiffany’s boots against the floor, Jessica took off running.
Jessica dodged Tiffany by weaving through desks, but Tiffany easily kept up with her by vaulting over them.
“COME BACK HERE AND LOVE MEEEEEE!!!!!”
Jessica made it out of the classroom, sprinting down the corridors.
“YOU’RE SICK!!!” She threw back.
Tiffany fluidly followed her, rounding the corners and rushing towards the exit doors hoping to finally close in on her.
“SAYS THE GIRL WHO GOBBLED DINNER FASTER THAN AN ELEPHANT!”
Jessica made it outside and skidded to a stop, beyond affronted.
“YOU DUMB BITCH!!”
“YOU’RE THE DUMB BITCH! COME UP WITH A NEW INSULT!”
Jessica u-turned and charged in Tiffany’s direction.
“ARRRRRRRRRRRGH!!!”
Tiffany rammed her body hard against Jessica, the latter colliding into her heavier body.
They rolled in thin air until Tiffany’s back slammed against the grassy ground, the air unceremoniously pushed out of her lungs.
Jessica quickly tried taking advantage of her position, but Tiffany rolled her over. Using what little momentum and strength she had left, Jessica trapped Tiffany back under her.
Tiffany struggled with the older girl, trying to force her back underneath, but the younger started flailing and screaming again.
“GET OFF ME, YOU DAMN THUG!”
Jessica freed her limbs from their entanglement with Tiffany’s, finally able to sit up. She immediately slung her arm upwards, ready to slam her fist into the dirty girl’s face.
Tiffany saw Jessica winding her arm back and quickly righted herself. As she pushed up, her inertia caused Jessica’s forceful punch to impact the ground beside her harmlessly, pulling the latter down. Their lips met somewhere in between, chests heaving and breaths short.
Jessica’s eyes widened and Tiffany smirked with her eyes now closed.
Tiffany took the chance to quickly snake her arm around Jessica’s body and hold her head in place.
Jessica struggled to push away from Tiffany, but her hands were shaking and she could feel her whole face burning with a blush.
Tiffany took Jessica’s fleeting moment of vulnerability to her advantage and rolled her back onto the ground. Jessica’s whole body was trapped underneath her as Tiffany tried prying open her mouth.
Jessica squirmed. She really didn’t want to lose like this, but it was really...nice. And by really nice, she meant, blood-rushing, heart-thumping, excitement.
She knew she had to give in sometimes, so when Jessica finally let Tiffany’s tongue into her mouth, she let her hands creep downwards.
Tiffany felt triumphant above Jessica’s willing surrender. The whole world was at her fingertips until she felt pressure on her waistband.
Tiffany’s face burst into flames and she immediately released herself from Jessica’s lips.
She stared at Jessica and the cinnamon head stared back, both their faces matching in color.
“I- I’m not ready.” Tiffany stuttered out her weak protest and Jessica’s red face turned impossibly redder.
Jessica looked away, blinking in rapid succession.
Tiffany could see Jessica’s tears start to well up in her eyes and quickly slipped into trepidation.
She looked to their side and saw their whole class by the windows and cursed herself before turning back to Jessica. Her hands were covering her face and Tiffany did the only thing she knew was right.
She picked herself up off the ground and grabbed Jessica’s hands away from her face before yanking her up and into her arms wordlessly. Getting Jessica stable on her feet, Tiffany grabbed her waist and lifted her over her shoulder.
She strode resolutely to her motorcycle before Jessica could start protesting and started her engine.
Putting Jessica on the backseat, she headed for home.