I Want to Be Your Superhero

Jeanie and Joey didn't talk for a few days, until Christmas, when Joey called Jeanie.

 

"Merry Christmas" he said when she picked up.

 

"Merry Christmas" Jeanie greeted him warmly.

 

"Do you celebrate Christmas?"

 

"Kind of. Not doing anything special."

 

"Oh, why not?"

 

"It's just me and Annaleigh. I got her a present, but she's being selfish and not really into the giving spirit of Christmas."

 

Joey laughed. "Did you used to celebrate?"

 

"Sort of. I used to work the shelter circuit."

 

"That's so nice." Joey felt kind of bad that he wasn't doing anything charitable.

 

"What about you?"

 

"I'm with my family."

 

"That's so cute. Do you do the whole big dinner thing?"

 

"Yep."

 

"Fun."

 

"Yeah. But doesn't it get lonely on your own?"

 

"It does, I guess. But at least it's quiet."

 

The thought of such a cute girl all alone made Joey feel bad. "How about this; I come up to New York for New Year's with you?"

 

"Really? I don't do anything special. I'll probably just be here."

 

"That's fine. I just don't think you should be alone."

 

"Ummm. Hmmm. I guess."

 

 

"Awesome. See you then."

 

"See you then. Bye."

 

"Bye."

*****************************************************************

About a week later, the day before New Year's Eve, Jeanie was trying to nail down her plans.

 

"Matt, you're going out tomorrow night, right?"

 

Matt could tell that she was trying to kick him out. "I think I might stay here."

 

"Please don't." Jeanie groaned.

 

"Oh???"

 

"Joey's coming over." 

 

"I thought you two had a fight."

 

"Yeah. I think that's in the past."

 

"Great." Matt responded sarcastically "So you're Ross and Rachel."

 

"No! We're just friends."

 

"You're Robin and Ted. I'll bet that he wants to be more than friends."

 

"No! He was the one who asked to be friends. We're like Phoebe and Joey." Jeanie started laughing. "Get it? His name's Joey."

 

"Yes. I got it. And I think it's a bad idea."

 

"You're wrong. I was just renting movies to watch tomorrow night."

 

"Good. I hope you've picked good movies because I'm going to be watching with you."

Jeanie put her hands on her hips and pouted. "Aw, come on!"

 

"I'll be good. I'll help with the baby. In case you two start making out."

 

"Just. Friends."

 

"You know that was a movie. Guess how it ended? With them not being just friends."

 

"Well, I'm looking forward to seeing him."

*****************************************************************

At 5:00 on New Year's Eve Joey knocked on Jeanie's door.

 

"Hi!" She greeted him when she opened it. 

 

Joey stepped in. "Your apartment is nice."

 

"Thanks. We cleaned up for you."

 

"You didn't have to."

 

"I felt like it. I hope you don't mind, my roommate is going to be staying with us."

 

"Oh." Joey was a little bummed out. "That's fine."

 

Jeanie gestured to the guy sitting on the couch, presumably her roommate. "This is Matt."

 

Matt stood up and shook Joey's hand. "Hi. How do you know Jeanie?"

 

Jeanie spoke before Joey could. "I told you, he's my friend." she said with a glare at Matt.

 

Joey smiled "Cool. Nice to meet you."

 

"I usually have movie marathons. So I got a whole bunch of movies" Jeanie showed Joey all of the movies she got. "Take your pick."

*****************************************************************

The trio had been watching movies for a few hours by 11:30. It had been the same thing most of the night; Joey would try to touch Jeanie and every time she would shrug away. To Matt it looked like neither was happy; Jeanie was uncomfortable and Joey was irritated. Matt had enough of the awkwardness.

 

"Can you guys come with me?" Matt got up and led them to Jeanie's room.

 

As soon as they were in the room Matt stepped out, shut the door and locked it.

 

"Matt!" Jeanie shrieked.

 

"I'm sorry, Jeanie. But you guys are clearly not on the same page. Figure it out."