Let Me Tell You Something About Janis Ian. We Were Best Friends In Middle School. I Know, Right? Well,

Let me tell you something about Janis Ian. We were best friends in middle school. I know, right? Well, she’s my girlfriend now.

whats the difference between outlaws and inlaws

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Heyy! I absolutly loe your age Regression fics, Can I request age Regression Regina, she's been regressing ever since the bus incident and only the plastics know. But Her mask slips and Janis finally sees it?

Save me(I’m fine)

Janis ‘Imi’ike x Regina George

Warnings: age regression, mentions to Regina getting hit by a bus, chronic pain

Regina goes back to the last time she’s ever felt genuine care and love from the one she misses the most

“Don’t wanna be lonely. Just wanna be yours.”

Regina George never asked for help. Why would she do that? She didn’t need help— she could handle herself. Until…she got hit by a bus and cold weather makes her curl up into a ball and cry from the pain in her back. Yep, the one and only, Regina George, North Shore High’s royalty has chronic pain now. She calls it her karma. For treating people like shit. Now the universe has had enough and was letting her suffer, for the rest of her life.

It’s been four months since the accident, give or take. She’s spent about half the time dealing with flare ups and the other half being in a constant baseline pain. Somewhere would always hurt. It affected her quality of life despite medications being available. She learnt not to rely on it, but also because regular ones barely took the edge off while the stronger one caused her to be too unlike herself. So…what did she do? The blonde eventually realised her actions fit the coping mechanism of age regression. The first time it happened, she had no idea why she was acting the way she did. But she came across some information online that caused her to piece the puzzle together. So she kept doing that, she regresses when the pain gets bad, to help herself get through that period of time. No one knew, of course. Regina hid it. She kept it subtle too, as much as she wanted to, she didn’t get anything the little part of her wished to have.

Maybe just watching an episode of her favourite cartoon as a kid, eating her favourite childhood snack while sitting in her bed, snuggled under a fuzzy blanket with her childhood stuffed animal. Only behind the closed doors of her bedroom.

But then everything changed two months ago, Regina had slipped into that headspace while hanging out with Gretchen because she’d been on the verge of doing so all week then her Mom burst into the room and asked her a hundred and one questions, causing her to become overwhelmed and shoved into regression involuntarily. Gretchen noticed the shift in her demeanour and urged June to leave the room. As unwilling as she was, the older woman left and Gretchen swiftly shut the door. She even locked it.

“Regina…what’s the matter?” Gretchen asked hesitantly.

Regina looks back at the girl, eyes glossy as her lips quivered. She bit onto her lower lip, fingers playing with a corner of a decorative cushion in her hands.

“I don’t know.” The blonde sobbed, “I feel weird.”

Slowly, the two friends worked through this new and unfamiliar situation. Gretchen kept an eye on her, letting her do what she wanted. But she always did some quick research on her phone and came to the conclusion that Regina’s behaviour was what she suspected it to be. Age regression. Regina likely regressed to the age of a middle schooler so she could communicate pretty damn well. But Gretchen was just a little shocked that she felt safe enough to slip into the headspace, and even stayed in that headspace— playing games on her iPad, hugging a stuffed bunny and having a fuzzy blanket laid on her lap.

Gretchen has never seen this from Regina since she was actually in middle school. They became friends soon after the blonde’s falling out with Janis. Then Karen came into the picture, too.

“Regina? Do you want to eat anything? You haven’t had lunch yet?”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Your stomach just grumbled.” Gretchen said back quietly.

“Not hungry, Gretchen.”

~~~~~

Instance number two: Karen finds out two weeks later at their usual sleepover after Regina had long and tiring shifts at work consecutively for four days. Gretchen let Regina be, knowing what to expect and knowing that it was a safe and necessary thing for Regina to do that and relax…feel better. Karen was curious, and confused, but her question sets Regina off. Regina burst into tears, “Why are you so mean to me?! I just want to play my games,”

“Karen, um— hang on a minute.” Gretchen sighs, “G, it’s okay. It’s okay, she’s just curious. You don’t need to talk if you don’t feel like it, honey.”

Regina nodded tearfully, trying not to cry more. She blinks profusely, trying to get rid of the tears but they still fell. Gretchen hurriedly handed the girl some tissues and calmed her down. Karen watched the whole thing unfold, curiosity growing.

“You’re okay. I’ve got you. Okay? Just play your games, honey.”

When Gretchen sees that Regina was once again engrossed in her iPad, she excuses herself from the room with Karen— into the closet. To talk. It took Gretchen a little while to explain that so that Karen would actually understand. But ultimately, Karen couldn’t care less about it. She knew Regina could do whatever she wanted to do, whatever she needed to do. Regina was in a hell lot of pain. They knew she had to do something to feel better, and were just glad it was this. A coping mechanism that was safe…harmless.

————

“Can you call Jan?” Regina looked away from the TV.

Gretchen gulped.

Jan…like, Janis?

“You want me…to call, Janis?” Gretchen asked for clarification.

“Yes.” Regina confirmed, “Please?”

“Okay. I’ll— I’ll go do that. One sec.”

Gretchen walks into the closet with her phone, sitting down on a stool. She scrolled through her contacts, thumb hovering over Janis’ contact. She clicks on it, the line rings as she holds her phone to her ear.

“Gretchen?” The other girl asked, “Is everything okay?”

“Sorry to bother you, I know I’m one of the last people you’ll be expecting a call from but I’m fine, Regina? Not so much.” Gretchen replied.

“What’s…what’s going on?” Janis asked, clearly hesitant.

“She asked me to call you.” Gretchen revealed.

“For what?” Janis was puzzled.

“Ever since she got home from the hospital, she’s been dealing with a lot of pain and lately, she’s been using age regression as a way for her to cope.”

“So…”

“She’s regressed right now, and she asked for you. I assume she’s like 9? Or 10? She doesn’t remember what happened between you two.”

“You want me there?”

“She wants you here, I wouldn’t be asking you if isn’t going to burst into tears when I tell her no.”

“Alright, fine.” Janis sighed, defeated, “I’m on my way.”

“We’re at her house.”

“Bye.” Janis replied curtly and hung up.

Gretchen returned to Regina’s room, seeing that she and Karen were both laughing away at a comedy movie. They’ve never really gotten along like this, which was a peculiar sight for Gretchen, but she preferred it this way. No snarky comments and such…though, those have died away once Regina got out of the hospital. She wasn’t one of many words now.

“I called her for you.” Gretchen smiled. Their gazes met, Regina says, “Cool. Thanks Gretchen!”

Janis pulled up in their driveway about thirty minutes later, Gretchen sees the artist walking up to the porch so she ran downstairs to the foyer to greet her, trying to spare Janis from a possibly unwanted and stressful interaction with June. Gretchen wound up opening the front door before Janis could even knock of press the doorbell. Janis jumped, startled. “Hey.” She muttered.

“Hi.” Gretchen flashes a kind smile, “I think you two should talk.” They walk up the staircase together, Janis was taking in this environment again. One that was once so familiar…like a second home, now felt like a new city she’s never been before. The shorter girl feels a tug in her heart as a wave of sadness washed over her. So much had changed, but her heart still knew this place like the back of her own hand. With her hands in her pockets, Gretchen opened up Regina’s bedroom door. “Alright, she’s here. Karen, let’s go downstairs and get some snacks for the next movie, let these two chat for a bit.” Gretchen instructed.

“Ooh, okay.” Karen nodded eagerly, getting out of the bed, “Hi, Janis! I like the new hair colour.”

“Thanks, Karen.” Janis gave the girl a polite smile as she passed her by. Gretchen gives Janis a squeeze on the shoulder.

“Hey, Reg.” Janis walked closer, hands still shoved into her pockets. God, her heart was hammering in her chest, and she felt sick to her stomach.

“Hi, jelly bean.” Regina guffaws, waving.

Shit. That nickname. Gretchen wasn’t kidding.

Janis bites back tears as she stood next to her bed, skin touching the fabric. A chuckle falls from her lips.

“I missed you.” Regina started, “Haven’t seen you in a bit.”

That was not exactly what the blonde meant given her state of mind, but for Janis, her heart started to shatter all over again. It’s been six years…six years since she had been this close to someone she called her best friend. Someone she loved, and cared about. Someone who knew her beyond the mask, someone who knew her favourite colour of Goldfish crackers, who knew how her eyes looked like little crescents because she’d be smiling so hard, who knew she started to have this lingering pain in her side when she sneezed, who knew she hated how her Mom made fun of her for her looks and weight, who knew the darkest side of her, and never left. Until she did. Regina left. Regina, who once pinky swore they’d be friends forever, broke the promise and her heart into unmendable pieces. Tiny…tiny little pieces that were never picked up ever again, causing a wall to build up and around it.

“Why are you crying?” Regina asked innocently, eyes worried.

Janis shook her head, forcing a smile.

“Sit down with me.” Regina reached out to grab her hand, the all too familiar warmth and touch of this girl sent shocks down her spine. Janis was happy this was happening. She’s missed Regina. This Regina— the one she knew, and loved, and cherished so very much. Not the one she knew after that kiss.

“Okay.” Janis croaked, sniffling and carefully sitting down on the soft, silk sheet covered mattress.

“I must have done something wrong, Jan.” Regina started, “I haven’t seen you in such a long time. I’m sorry if I did something wrong.”

How could she answer that question? Really, how? Regina knew something was wrong, just not what was wrong. This version of Regina had no hostility towards her. This version of Regina was her Regina.

“Nothing. You did nothing wrong that we can’t fix.” Janis spoke up after a moment of silence.

Janis knew in her heart she wanted to talk to her someday, she just did not expect the conversation to start this way. After the past few years of consistent therapy sessions, Janis had wrapped her head around the reason why Regina called her names. Regina was afraid, having to accept that she herself was gay too— that the feeling was mutual. She didn’t know how to be okay with that. No one around her was okay with that. Janis knew Regina’s Mom was…homophobic. But when things went down and when she was the target of the horrendous situation, nothing else mattered but surviving. Nothing else mattered but standing up for herself instead of standing out and taking the humiliation. Janis was proud to be who she was…a hot lesbian. But seriously— A Hawaiian artist, a loving daughter and a loyal friend.

Regina was then shaking her head as though to get rid of some thoughts. Then Janis sees her blinking profusely. Then a gasp, “I hurt you. I hurt you. My best friend. Because — because I scared myself. You didn’t deserve that.”

The vulnerability of it all let Janis know that the girl before her was still regressed. Just no longer in the headspace of nine or ten years old.

“I’m sorry, Janis. I’m so sorry. Please. I’m sorry.” Regina hiccuped, “I’m sorry, will you forgive me?”

Janis got what she wanted all this time. An apology— a sincere apology. And this was just that. A tear rolled down Janis’ cheek,she nodded, “We’re fine.”

Regina leaned forward to engulf the brunette into a hug, “Thank you. Oh my god, thank you.”

The dam breaks, Janis let herself cry as she rubbed the taller girl’s back, “That’s all I ever wanted to hear.”

————

A few minutes later, Gretchen came back upstairs with Karen bearing a snack platter— strawberries, M&M’s and Colors Goldfish crackers. Regina immediately picked out Janis’ favourite one and gave it to her. Janis laughs tearfully, “Thanks, Reggie.”

Regina grins, “You’re welcome, jelly bean.”

“Aw.” Gretchen remarked softly. “So…G, you wanna pick out what movie we’re going to watch next?”

“Mhm.” Regina nodded, glancing at Janis, “Bolt. Her favourite movie.”

“That’s a good one.” Gretchen put the movie on, settling back down on the bed.

“I love that movie! The dog’s so cute.” Karen quipped.

“I know, right?” Regina agreed.

Janis stayed until the movie ended, then told them she’d be going. “Noooo.” Regina gasped, “Can you stay a little longer?”

“Um, G— she’s busy.” Gretchen intervened.

Janis froze in her tracks, looking at all three of them one by one. “One more movie?” Regina requested.

Janis inhaled deeply, “Okay, one more movie. Then I gotta head home, Reg.”

“Alright.” Regina agreed to that, “Just one more movie.”

“Do you wanna stay for dinner?” Gretchen asked, “June’s going out in a bit for the night. So it’s just going to be us. We’re calling for takeout.”

“I really have to get home in time for dinner later. I promised my dad I would be home to eat dinner with him.” Janis explained, “Maybe next time?”

Gretchen nodded in understanding, “That’s okay. We get it. Also, Regina, time to take another pill.”

“Ugh, I hate it.” Regina grumbled.

Janis looked at the girls playfully, “Take it and I’ll come by again tomorrow.”

Karen laughs, Gretchen was…impressed. She was glad they worked it out and could be around each other again. Gretchen could only hope Regina would remember that they’d worked things out after getting out of the headspace. Regina took her next dose of the meds while Gretchen and Karen looked through a food delivery app so they could order dinner. Janis just sat there, but for once— she felt comfortable in their presence.

While watching the movie, Janis felt a hand on her thigh. It was Regina. Janis wanted to move at first so the hand would fall off her leg. But she didn’t, since the other girl didn’t seem like she wanted to take her hand off. So, she just let it happen. What really caught her off guard was towards the end of the movie, Regina had nodded off— her head was now resting on Janis’ shoulder instead of Gretchen who was sitting on her other side.

“Gretchen.” Janis said through gritted teeth, “She’s asleep. I should get going.”

“Yeah. Of course.” Gretchen noticed how Regina was basically snuggled up against Janis. She wraps her arms around the blonde carefully, allowing Janis to get out of her spot. Janis quickly left after saying good night to them and drove home right on time for dinner with her Dad like she’d promised.

Honestly, today was a lot to process. From Gretchen’s phone call to Regina falling asleep on her shoulder like old times. Was this really it? It was so much easier than she pictured it to be in her head. Way too easy. But maybe sometimes, things get to where they need to be, in completely unexpected ways. And it doesn’t have to be hard. Sure it was an absolute shock, but she got through that. She got through much worse. Janis was proud of how she handled everything today— she did her best. And took risks. Maybe life wasn’t all bad, a little bit of kindness could go a long way. Was she finally getting her best friend back? Janis didn’t know for sure, but she had something she didn’t have for awhile: hope.

🏷️Tag list:

@ashecampos @auliisflower @cheesysoup-arlo @frogs00 @ludoesartandstuff @pda128

💭A/N:

This one took me awhile to get to, but here it is. Thanks for waiting, and for this request :p

Geffory (the giraffe) is my lap buddy rn because today started out rough

Agatha & Rio | Agatha All Along 1x05