Unexplainable [Original Version]

[chapter two: "the way shit goes"]

"It's just the way shit goes around here. Can't really complain with this nice ass schedule, though." I shrug before continuing to eat.

"That's true. Hauling our assess out early in the AM a couple of days a week is better than being on the road nonstop." Scott agrees.

"That was always the fuckin' worst." I scoff before returning my attention to my meal.

Once Joli is done eating, she heads over to one of the mirrors and starts doing her makeup. I've always thought it's such a weird thing to watch, really. I mean, some chicks look completely different after they've done their makeup; that's not necessarily the case with Joli, though. Or maybe it is, but I'm just around her too much to notice much of a difference. Who knows?

By the time we arrive at the arena to shoot the vignettes, Hulk and Eric are already sitting around, waiting on us. I check the clock in the room as we walk in though; it's only about 2:30, so we're early. There shouldn't be any fuckin' complaints from anyone.

"Hey! Let's go ahead and get started, shall we? Kevin, Scott, get up there with Hulk. We'll get Hulk's stuff out of the way first, since the rest of you have quite a few to shoot. Jolene, Sean, you can just wait around." Eric motions for Scott and I to step forward as he says our names, and as he tells Joli and Kid to sit back, he gives them little waves.

It takes about an hour to shoot all our stuff with Hulk, and once he's done, he says quick goodbyes to all of us before heading out. You know, I've grown to like Hulk quite a bit over the past few months. He's not too bad a guy once you get to know him.

Since we've got a lot to do today, we go straight from the Hulk vignettes into the next set. Some of them are of Scott, Kid, and I, some of them are of me, Scott, and Joli. It goes in every possible combination, or just about it. Joli even got to shoot her first solo vignette since joining up with us, which was really damn cool. There's just something about watching your friends do their shit that can bring a smile to your face.

"Nice work today, everyone. You all did very well, especially considering how hungover I'm sure you all are." Eric smiles at all of us once we've wrapped up for the day. "You're all very talented."

"If that's all you need from us today, we'll be heading on out." Scott laughs as he jokingly taps Eric's chest. "Plan on getting some rest before Nitro tomorrow."

"Not too much. I expect you two here bright and early in the morning to help go over scripts and all that fun stuff. We can make sure all of the vignettes look great, the usual things." Eric looks between Scott and I before he pats Scott's shoulder. When Scott gives a dejected half-smile in return, Eric laughs. "Would you like a wake-up call?"

"Only if you're buying us some fuckin' breakfast, too." I laugh and so does Scott. Eric laughs along, but I know he's not amused. Our smart-ass humor usually ticks him, even if he acts like he enjoys it.

"Anything extra you need from us?" Kid asks, pointing at himself and Joli. Eric shakes his head, looking between the two of them for just a moment. His gaze lingers on Joli for a second and I can't help but roll my eyes; she contributes a lot more than damn good looks, but I don't think he sees that.

"See you all tomorrow!" Eric waves and we all mutter some sort of farewell. We're back in the car in no time, with me in the driver's seat and Jolene beside of me. Even though she just lit a cigarette up as soon as we exited the building, she's basically done with it by the time I start driving.

"I know you don't like Eric, but you all right, Joli?" I ask as I spare a quick glance in her direction, as I can't really take my eyes off of the road for too long.

"Eric's just aggravating. He's no problem." Joli laughs before taking another drag on her smoke. "I'm fine though. It's nothing."

"Don't let her lie, guys. It's something." Kid pipes up, and from the rear-view I notice that he's pouting. "When you guys were working with Hulk, Joli had to go call some lady. She came back looking all frustrated like that."

"Not fair, Kid! I couldn't hide it from you, because you were right there." Joli mutters as she drops her finished cigarette out the window.

"Hide what? We don't do secrets, Joli. You can trust us." Scott pats Jolene's shoulder as I stop for a red light. "Is it something shitty? Because we can handle shitty news."

"We're all pretty used to shitty news at this point in our lives." I laugh, trying to give Joli some sort of reassurance. I see her give a small smile before the light turns green.

"I trust you guys more than anything. You're my favorite people." Joli's quiet for a moment before she lets out a heavy sigh. "Okay, fuck it. I got invited to a high school reunion."

"What?" Scott, Kid, and I all blurt out at the same time.

"How long has it been since you were in high school? It's been, what..."

"12 years. Well, nearly 13. I don't know, the whole thing is fuckin' weird." Jolene cuts Kid off before laughing awkwardly. "I don't get it. I mean, a group of women I went to school were on the phone, and they tried explaining it to me. Something about them desperately wanting all of us back together for our tenth anniversary, but that not working out? It's as convoluted to me as it is to you."

The whole thing sounds fuckin' ridiculous to me, but it's obvious Joli's not too keen on it either.

"I take it you don't want to go? I mean, I don't blame you, but has it got you all out of sorts?" I ask, trying to figure this whole thing out.

"I mean, it's next weekend, so it's not like I'm not free. It's just..." Joli sighs. "Why would I even want to bother? What's the point of going back to my hometown to see a bunch of people I've not talked to in years?"

"Thrill of the experience, I guess. I wouldn't be too interested if I were you." I shrug. "Sounds like it's just something lame they're trying to put together last minute."

There's something, some reason as to why she doesn't want to go. Joli seemed too upset about it when we started talking about it for her to be simply confused or annoyed at the idea.

"Do you have any interest in going?" Scott questions, making Joli shrug.

"Yes and no. It could be a lot of fun, but it's more likely that it'd just be a big, boring waste of time."

"What if I went with you?" I quickly glance at Scott from the rear-view while Joli turns her head around to look at him. "If things get to be too lame, we can just bail and go find something else to do."

"You'd seriously go with me to that shit show?" Joli sounds a bit relieved, so that's good.

"Of course. Besides, I don't want to miss a nice opportunity to watch little Joli get all dressed up." Scott chuckles and so does Joli.

I guess that settles that, then. I just hope Joli doesn't have too bad of a time while they're there.