IM SORRY I FORGOT TO POST YESTERDAY AJDHDHALSHDF

I hope you like this chapter anyways, the next few ones should be more interesting hehe ;)

"So, you really can't tell us anything?" Olivia's face fell, disappointment blatantly clear. Axel just sighed, arms folded across his chest.

"It's not that I don't want to," I explained, shrugging, "but I'm respecting Jesse's privacy, and her business."

They didn't look too convinced. I shook my head.

"Look, I'm doing my best, alright? I know you're eager to hear more, especially since you guys used to be friends, but...but I promised. And to be honest, I don't wanna get on her bad side again." I gave a little laugh, trying to lighten the mood. Olivia hesitated, let out a sigh, and smiled gently.

"You're too good sometimes, you know that?" She got off the locker she was leaning on, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "Fine. We won't bother you about it. But if something comes up, we'll be the first ones to know."

She grabbed Axel's arm and waved goodbye, despite his protests. I bid farewell and began to walk off school campus, readying for my trip home.

Autumn winds blew crisp, cool air across my skin, twirling itself in my hair. Leaves scattered across my feet, the evening sun sinking slowly towards the horizon. My feet sunk into the concrete, my pace slow.

I liked the silence. So different from the noise and business of school. It was a time I could get lost in my thoughts with almost no distraction. Of course I was alert, but I couldn't help myself from drifting away at times.

My phone vibrated violently in my pocket, a continuous string of buzzes. I looked at the name and answered, holding it to my ear.

"Hey, what's up?"

"You up for a tutoring session?"

*"*"*"*"*"*"*"*"*"*

"Seriously, you don't have to pay for me-" I shook my head as I tried to give her the money, which she flat out refused.

"Consider it payment for your help." Jesse exclaimed bluntly, before taking a sip of her drink. I gave up, defeated, and sat down. I pulled out a textbook and one of my notebooks, flipping it to a blank page.

We were in a different cafe than last time, one a bit farther from the school. Jesse picked it herself, and she seemed pretty friendly with the cashier, so I didn't argue. The real reason, I guessed, was so that there'd be less of a chance someone from school would catch us together.

"We'll start on math, I hope you don't mind. I'm pretty caught up on Mr. Roole's lessons and it doesn't seem that hard. So that's where we'll start." I flipped open to the chapter we were on, much to her resentment.

"How about we 'don't' do math?"

I put down my pencil.

"Then what subject do you wanna start on?"

"Um...none?"

"I thought you called me here for tutoring," I told her, confused. "Did you not want my help?"

She hesitated, propping her elbow on the table and chin on her hand. Her expression fazed, thinking.

"Of course I do." She finally said. "I mean, yes. I just-school stuff makes my mind hurt."

I grinned, there she was.

"I'll guide you through it. It won't be as difficult once you get the hang of it. Trust me on this."

"...alright."

We started easy, well, as easy as I could teach. I went over tan, sin, and cos in the most simple way possible. I feared both homework rage and Jesse's rage in general, so I tried my best to stay calm. Even as she moved her chair and sat closer to me so I could teach her more easily. Her shoulder brushed across mine for a mere second, and I stilled, frozen.

"I don't have cooties, you know." She teased, rolling her eyes and working on another practice problem, right after moving a bit to the side to give me some space. I let out an unnoticeable sigh. It wasn't that I was disgusted of her, I don't think I could ever be. I think it was just me, being afraid, being...

"I f*cking hate triangles." Jesse groaned and let her head fall on top of the notebook, hair lingering at her sides, before muttering something I couldn't hear.

"Aw come on, you were just getting it now too, you can't stop here." I reassured her steadily.

A loud noise from my phone erupted suddenly, startling the both of us. My shoulders tensed and she looked up from the notebook.

"Sorry, it's probably my Mom." I apologized, taking the phone out. I bit my lip at the name. Petra? It was too late for me to hide my screen, as soon as the name caught her eye her gaze hardened.

"Answer it." Her tone was one I couldn't refuse. I nervously pressed the green answer button and held it to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Lukas."

"Hey, Petra. Are you okay? I'm just curious to why you called..." my knee bobbed rapidly under the table, feet tapping as well. Jesse's hand grabbed my arm with the phone, and she pressed the button for speaker.

"I'm just wondering how Jesse's doing. I don't know what's happened recently, but I know you've been in close contact with her from the incident. I just want to see if she's okay."

I couldn't prevent that even if I wanted to. I winced, and a scowl emerged on her face. I prepared for battle.

Jesse grabbed my phone and clutched it tightly, readying an angry retort.

"If you want to check in on my well being, do it yourself." She growled, burning fire. "Stop being a coward. And leave him alone."

She hung up before Petra could reply. I wanted to say something, but all that could come out was her name.

"Jesse?"

"Has she been calling you? About me?"

I gulped.

"Only once." I replied honestly. "That was right after the whole incident. She hasn't called until now."

Jesse heaved a long breath, rubbing both hands through her hair to push it out of her face. She stood up from her seat.

"I'm gonna take a minute."

I was left in the ambient silence, a ring of small talk and chatter from the cashier in the back. Sunset's light peaked out from outside and streamed into the windows, illuminating the cafe in somber light.

I followed her outside. She was still, hands in her pockets, staring down at the ground.

"Don't apologize." Was what she said before I could speak, hearing my footsteps. "I'm not mad at you."

That gave me subtle relief, but that didn't stop me.

"I know things are hard, so I was thinking, maybe we can put off tutoring for just a bit. Get your stress levels down. Something like that."

"What are you suggesting?"

I for one, didn't regret my next choice of words.

"Would you like to go to the pier with me?"