Just Sh*t: A New York City Story

Chapter 5: The Potluck Dinner

The guys decided to host a potluck dinner, an opportunity to showcase their cooking skills—or lack thereof—and enjoy a night in together. They agreed on a theme of "comfort food," which only added to the pressure to impress each other.

As the evening approached, everyone arrived with their respective dishes, excitement palpable in the air. Judah walked in first, carrying a mysterious casserole covered with foil. "I present to you... my 'surprise' dish!" he announced with a flourish.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Surprise? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"You'll just have to taste it to find out!" Judah replied, grinning.

Next in was Ryan, who entered with a huge pot of chili. "I made my famous chili! It's packed with flavor and love," he said, proudly placing it on the table.

"More like packed with beans," Alex teased. "I hope you're ready for some gastrointestinal consequences, Ryan."

"Better than whatever Judah is serving," Jamie said as he walked in, holding a box of store-bought cupcakes. "I wasn't sure about cooking, so I figured I'd play it safe."

"Real nice, Jamie. Way to contribute," Alex quipped, rolling his eyes. "Next time, just bring your appetite."

Finally, Jackson arrived with a very carefully wrapped dish. He opened it to reveal a meticulously crafted quiche. "I spent all afternoon on this," he said, adjusting his glasses with a serious expression. "It's a classic, and it's actually edible."

"Wow, Jackson! You really went all out," Ryan said, genuinely impressed. "What's your secret?"

"Just follow the instructions," Jackson replied flatly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he surveyed the chaos of their gathering.

As they settled around the table, Judah took it upon himself to dish out portions. "Okay, let's start with my surprise dish!" he said, removing the foil. A strange smell wafted through the air.

"Uh, what exactly is that?" Jamie asked, squinting at the casserole.

"Just... trust me," Judah said, scooping some onto his plate.

As everyone dug into their meals, Ryan took a big spoonful of Judah's casserole. He chewed slowly, his expression shifting from curiosity to horror. "What did you put in this? It's like a mix of everything!"

"Exactly! It's my signature 'clean out the fridge' casserole," Judah declared proudly.

"I think it's a sign you need to clean out your fridge more often," Jamie replied, stifling a laugh.

As they continued eating, Jamie's stomach suddenly gurgled ominously. "Uh-oh. I'll be right back," he said, bolting toward the bathroom.

"Again?" Alex called after him, shaking his head. "What's going on with that guy?"

Ryan shrugged, trying to hold back his laughter. "Maybe he really is allergic to Judah's cooking."

After Jamie's departure, the focus shifted to Jackson's quiche. "Let's see if this is as good as you say," Alex said, cutting himself a slice.

As Jackson watched, his expression was serious and intense, like a judge on a cooking show. "If you don't like it, just remember: I put effort into this."

Alex took a bite, chewing thoughtfully. "Okay, not bad! This might actually be the best thing here."

Jackson nodded, but his lips remained pressed in a thin line, refusing to smile.

"See, Jackson? You could lighten up a bit," Judah said, taking another bite of his casserole, grimacing slightly but hiding it behind a forced smile. "You could even be funny, you know?"

"I'm not here to entertain," Jackson replied, his tone dry. "Just here to eat and survive."

Just then, Jamie reappeared, looking slightly more frazzled but relieved. "Sorry about that. I think I'm good now," he said sheepishly, taking his seat again.

"Glad to hear it! We were worried you might start charging rent in there," Alex teased.

Jamie chuckled, "Honestly, it's probably safer for everyone."

As the night continued, they shared stories and playful banter, the potluck turning into a delightful mess of food and laughter. Despite the odd dishes and Jamie's frequent bathroom breaks, it was a perfect evening filled with the kind of camaraderie that made their friendship unique.

In the end, they agreed that potluck dinners were a brilliant idea—chaos and all. They just needed to work on their cooking skills for next time. And as they cleared the table, Judah suggested, "Next time, we just order takeout."

"Now that's an idea I can get behind," Jackson said, finally allowing a hint of a smile to crack his serious demeanor.