CLARA THE OWL

Once settled in his meek abode, Jacob's mental fortification crumbled like a castle made out of cards. The scenes probed at his mind's eye with a vivid vengeance and with no more need to keep up pretenses, Jacob broke down.

He pressed his eyes with the butt of his palms and silently sobbed, the ache in his heart tore at him as he recalled the state at which he found Dianne in. Finding your woman in a room with a guy is heartbreaking, but walking in on her with two men? His lack of reaction was merely due to his pessimistic nature.

Jacob knew he was out of his league with Dianne, but this did not mean his interest was ingenuine. Nonetheless, deep down, he had tried to build up small walls around his heart in preparation for the inevitable heartbreak, Jacob kept his expectations low. And even then, it was not enough. He was like a soldier dressed in leather armor, prepared for a sword wound only to have a machine gun's whole magazine emptied on him.

While Jacob was licking at his wounds, the only bedroom's door creaked open and an owl walked out, making a beeline for the kitchen. As she reached out for the miniature fridge, Clara almost jumped out of her skin when she heard movement from the couch. Immediately, she got a hold of a kitchen knife and began to inch closer to the sofa. The remnants of sleep now washed away by adrenaline.

She thought of buglars and her resolve to tackle the situation solidified. No way some bastard was going to waltz in her home and do some shopping. When close enough, Clara peeked over cautiously, her knuckles turning white around the weapon's handle; she was ready to strike at any unexpecting movements. But then she recognized the green pizza tracksuit and the mushroom of hair that always shadowed over a pair of brown eyes.

"What the Fuck dude! You scared the sleep out of me!" Clara raised her arm ready to smack Jacob for the stress he'd put her through, heck, she had a knife in her hand! Thinking about it, she decided to return the kitchen equipment and get some coffee, she will need it to calm her nerves.

"What the hell happened to you? You look like shit, Jace! Also, ain't you suppose to be at work right now...wait, you got a class this afternoon too yeah?" grabbing two mugs, she brewed Jacob and herself a pot of coffee as Clara kept on bombarding the downhearted man.

Clara was a slightly tall lady; standing at 170cm (5'7"), she was leaning into the plumper stature due to her junk food sprees. She was a brunette with green eyes. She and Jacob go a long way back, and have been roommates for close to a year; courtesy of Dianne's friend web. And they had woven a comfortable friendship over the past months. Clara was one of the few that Jacob would refer as a close friend...to the point that they even had nicknames.

As she set their coffees on the wooden table, Jacob adjusted himself on the couch so that Clara could also have a seat. For a while, the duo sipped in silence, each calming their nerves until Jacob broke the ice.

"You're getting fat, Cara," Jacob conveyed, giving her the side-eye.

"Tsk! You ought to take notes you damn Mantis!" Clara retorted.

They resorted to a couple more snarking comments, effectively lightening the mood. Clara set down her mug and turned to stare at Jacob, her gaze inquisitive. Jacob sighed as he too set down his coffee to address the woman. He knew it would be utterly impossible to ignore a curious Clara who's had coffee.

"What about Anne, she not coming?" Jacob sipped the now warm coffee.

"No need to worry, and get to spilling the beans already, my girlfriend is the late type anyways," she brushed off his excuses and rose to get more coffee, however, Jacob declined a refill; after all, unlike her, he valued his sleep. And was not yet ready to join team Owl.

As Clara got comfortable beside him, Jacob recounted the day's events while on his delivery. It was a short tale, nonetheless, his roommate soaked it all up and was very expressive about it. Clara knew of Dianne, in the general sense since she was acquainted with her woman, Anne. Did she like Dianne? Jacob's roommate was neutral towards his girlfriend as it all felt superficial.

She knew Jacob all too well to be aware that he was not the one to initiate the relationship as the guy had principles and insecurities. So, why would a lady like her associate herself with her mantis of a roommate? She had no idea, but to her, Dianne is the type of person you ought to keep at arms reach and not let near your heart. And Jacob learnt it the hard way.

"Urgh, that Bitch! What the hell, 2 guys? And filming? Dammit Jace, you have bad taste in women. The next time I see that bitch am boxing her!" Clara was fuming. It were as though she had experienced it first hand. They had switched roles. Jacob was now trying to calm her down like this had not just happened to him, and was but a story he was narrating.

"You gotta get in shape for that Cara. Women lose their charm in cat fights~Ow!" Jacob massaged his shoulder, though Clara was being considerate and hit him lightly, it still hurt. Oh, the curse of not having enough fat to cushion pain!

As the two resumed their siblings' banter, there was a knock at the door, causing Jacob to look at his watch. He was running late for class, and also had not yet returned the delivery bike. He quickly rose and took the mugs to the kitchen.

"Go take a quick shower Cara, I think that's Anne," he kept his voice low as he unzipped his jacket and took off his work clothes. Inside, he was dressed in an old black T-shirt and grey pants that had seen better days.

"Huh, why though? I rarely do physical tasking duties..." She sniffed at her grey tanktop and stared blankly at Jacob. Clara had on a pair of dark green pajama shorts; her home attire. But this did not bother Jacob, which the Owl appreciated and one of the main reasons she got on friendly terms with the man.

Her male roommate never looked at her lecherously, she could have as well walked around the unit buck naked and his pants wouldn't bulge. As she was into women, Clara was grateful for Jacob's indifference to her body; but it slightly pissed her off for some reason.

"Yes, I can tell, but it's been two days since you soaked, am sure Anne would appreciate a clean and 'steaming' gamer girl waiting on the bed," Jacob was getting strategic with his words. Clara never stood a chance.

"Hold her off for some time for me Jace!" she dashed off to cleanse.

Jacob chuckled and walked over as the door was knocked on again. He opened it and was now before Anne. She wore her auburn hair loose, with two bangs plaited at either sides of her temples. She was dressed in a light-pink cotton shirt, tucked into high waisted white pants. She was 157cm(5'2") and liked heels, boosting her height to Jacob's eye level. Her dull grey eyes lit up when she saw Jacob at the door.

"I brought cake Jace," she balanced a white box on her delicate hand while smiling at her girlfriend's roommate.

"Am heading out right now, wouldn't make it to the tea party," Jacob kissed her cheeks in greeting as he rushed past her, "I also got the Owl in the bath for you, you owe me a couple pizzas for this. Enjoy!" He whispered as he allowed Anne in and he raced out.

Anne smiled predatorily as she shut the door behind her, silently thanking Jacob for offering her such a meal. Setting the package in the kitchen, she proceeded to strip along her way to the bathroom.

"Ah, Hey! Dammit, I told him to keep you away while I shower," Clara exclaimed when she felt a pair of hands fondle her breasts from behind.

"Heh! You underestimate Jace's wit," Anne chuckled as she turned a blushing Clara. As she was shorter, she had to tip toe for the kiss.

"You got a lil chubby, I like it!" Anne declared as she grabbed the taller woman's ass and began to massage them with expertise, as she had done this multiple times.

"Ahh~ can't we do this in the room?" Clara begged against Anne's soft lips, she was heating up and wanted to get under the covers to explore the flames. It had been weeks since she last saw Anne, and she was starving.

"No way am wasting Jace's present!" Anne shut her up with another kiss as the warm water rained upon them.

And for the next half an hour, Anne once more showcased her title as a baker, as she fondled, kneaded, slapped and stretched. Of course, Clara was the dough.