So it's almost nine pm, I'm finishing up some chemistry homework, when I realize I haven't finished the chapter. Internally screaming, I yeet my laptop upstairs and onto my desk. Enjoy this pls, I spent an hour of homework time on this lmao. Even made it a little longer than usual :)

(Also yes, the title is kind of a joke from last week that fits in with this ch haha)

The meeting with Jesse was hopeful, but it didn't stop school from stinking so much. Gil was still ignoring me, as usual. He wouldn't even look at me. I gave up on trying to talk to him, he just wouldn't listen. How much longer would I have to wait until I could fix things?

I trudged on until the end of first period, my mind lost in what had happened yesterday. It went on even better than I expected. I would've liked to stay longer, but her father had called her home for dinner and she was forced to leave early. She did give me something before she left though, a napkin with a string of numbers on it.

Don't get cocky, this is just so we can communicate or whatever. Don't mess with it or I'm blocking you, that was the last thing she said before she left. I couldn't help but smile to myself, she was always so serious.

Still, ever since I put her contact information on my phone, I felt incredibly nervous again. God, I had Jesse Lynn's phone number for goodness sake! People would get the wrong idea...no, but it was normal for people of the opposite gender to have each other's numbers right? Maybe it was strange for me since my contacts were so empty...ha ha.

I met up with Axel and Olivia after class before second, they were so eager to know the details I was practically bombarded with questions.

"What happened with you and Jesse?"

"Did you talk to her?"

"Did she get expelled?"

"Did you get expelled?"

Olivia stared at him for a moment, waiting for him to realize. He blinked, then shook his head sheepishly.

"Sorry, I got too caught up."

I chuckled, swapping a book from my locker and closing it shut.

"It's kind of a long story."

The bell rang, much quicker than anticipated. I hadn't realized how long it took for me to get out of class and how many questions they would ask. They both groaned.

"Come on, just a bit! I wanna know all the juicy det-er-" Olivia's voice died down immensely. Axel had an unsure expression on his face, he wasn't quite looking at me though.

I was about to turn when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Booke's gotta get to class." Jesse exclaimed to my extreme surprise.  My eyes darted towards her, standing still on my left. She appeared so suddenly and so out of the blue, face firm. I felt her grip on my shoulder tighten. "Right?"

"Oh, I uh-" I didn't know what to do, I fidgeted nervously, "sure, I'll see you guys later?"

"Yeah." Olivia hesitated, scratching her head, not knowing what else to say.

Jesse didn't spare another moment, she took her hand off and began heading to second period, pace brisk and steady. I couldn't help but follow after her, waving an apologetic goodbye to the two.

"Hey, wait up!" I cried out, attempting to make my way through the crowd. I felt their eyes on me once again, but the feeling was familiar in a way it shouldn't be. I was used to it.

I had lost her. Though I wasn't quite sure how. Either she didn't hear me or ignored me. I refused to accept the latter.

Besides, things were different now, right? We started fresh, new. We were even on the way to becoming friends.

I sighed involuntarily, I guess I'd see her in class, she was in my second period after all. 

I took a seat as the concluding bell rang, not looking forward to Mr. Smith's upcoming lecture. My eyes wandered to the front of the room where Jesse sat. She was unusually quiet, chin propped up on her hand as she stared into oblivion, not caring much. I found myself crossing my fingers, please don't make more sassy remarks.

I would hate for her to get in trouble again, especially since I just got her out of it. All that would've been for nothing.

The lecture was boring, as usual. The notes were sloppy in my notebook. The only thing particularly interesting was Mr. Smith's assistant, she was about his age with long hair, from the looks of it died a faint bluish color. She almost tripped on the projector cord, which stirred the whole class into a fit of laughter and more of Mr. Smith's yelling.

Oh, but I'm getting off topic. Class ended, and I was relieved that Jesse had been quiet all class, much to the teacher's enthusiasm. I quickly packed my things and made my way to follow her before she could escape my sight.

She walked fast, efficient through the crowds until we had reached a deserted part of the school. I recognized it, the principal's office, and the entrance to the roof. For a moment, her head turned, and she gave me a knowing look. Then she opened the door and headed up. Taking the sign as a gesture to follow, I trailed after her.

"You know, I still have a reputation to uphold Booke." Her voice was steady as I took a seat next to her on the ledge. Bright rays of sun blanketed us like a switch from the clouds, a chilly autumn breeze drifting through the air. "If people saw us hanging out together right after we fought, who knows what they might think. You've gotta understand that at least."

I dwelled on that for a bit, thinking. I should've known. Public appearance and image is everything after all. I took out my lunch, which sadly, only consisted of a slice of bread wrapped around some peanut butter and a bag of crackers.

"I get it. I'm sorry."

She blew a strand of hair out of her face, shaking her head.

"You don't have to apologize. Seriously, just stop."

"Sorry, can't help it." I chuckled, at an attempt to make her laugh. She gave me this look of amusement as she rolled her eyes.

"Anyway, I need to tell you something. I need you to keep Axel and Olivia out of this." Her tone grew firm, and I stared at her, not in the least expecting that. "And before you ask why, let me explain.

"You know they're my old friends. What you don't know is what happened between us, and it's best if it stayed that way. I hate my business becoming everyone else's, because then it begins to spread. No matter what hold you have on it. It starts out as small talk, rumors, and then gossip. Then everyone's talking about you and you're the laughing stock. So just...keep quiet about this. For now. I don't need them back in my life right now, and I definitely don't need anymore drama." Her expression tightened, as if she dreaded thinking about it.

"I understand." I tried my best to give her a reassuring smile. "I'll keep this a secret. And I won't approach you in public."

I promised I'd try to understand her. She's got so many walls built up, so many things I don't know. So many things I hope to understand.

A little breath left her lips as she stared up to the sky, entranced by its change.

"Thanks Booke."

"Of course, that's what friends are for, right?"

Maybe I was imagining it, a solemn look glossing her eyes for a second before returning. She tapped her fingers against the ledge, lost in thought again.

"Should we get to class...Lynn?" I joked again, trying my best to ease tension. But by hell it felt weird calling her that.

She turned to me in a flash, look saying 'no.'

"Don't call me that."

I gestured an apology, shrugging nervously with a laugh.

Let's be honest, if she wasn't on my side, I probably would've died already.