“I'll text you,” she replied, walking away.
“Alright,” I said, watching her go.Could it be that I was on the verge of losing not just one, but two friends in the span of two days?
As I walked home, I felt a strong urge to reach out to Marco, but what could I possibly say?I chose not to.When I got in, I found that my mom had left me some pasta in the fridge.I popped it in the microwave, though I wasn't really hungry, it felt like my stomach was in knots.Just then, my phone buzzed—it was Jessica.
“Hey!”
“Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?”
“How was France?”
“Bien, bien.”
“Welcome back!I missed you, Jess.Are you coming today?”
“Absolutely!I can be there in about an hour.”
“Sounds great!”
“Gitchie, gitchie, ya-ya, da-da, bye-bye.”
“Alright, see you later!”
I smiled, putting my phone down.Jessica was the funny one.With her quick wit and infectious laughter, she had a way of making everyone around her feel at ease.The same age as me, she was enrolled in a technical college, not out of passion, but simply to fulfill the obligation of attending school.Her grades weren't great, but somehow, she managed to pass each year.
Her parents didn't have high expectations of her, and she was perfectly fine with that.As she often said, “I might as well work as a waitress my whole life; it doesn't matter to me, as long as I'm happy.”
After tidying up my room and setting out some snacks for later, I heard a knock at the door just as Jessica arrived.
“Salut!”she exclaimed, arms stretched wide as I opened the door.
“Hi!I've missed you!”I said, pulling her into a warm hug.
“Is Emily here yet?”she asked, scanning the room.
“No, not yet.I'm not even sure she'll make it,” I replied, my gaze dropping.
“Why's that?”
“We just had a little disagreement, that's all.I'm sure she'll come around,” I reassured her, though I hoped it was true.
“So, what's been going on?”she asked, a grin spreading across her face.I couldn't help but chuckle.“I wouldn't even know where to begin.”
A phone buzzed; it was Jess’s.“Em just texted.She's not coming,” Jessica said, and I felt a twinge of disappointment, though I couldn't say I was shocked.
I brewed us some green tea, and we settled on my bed.I filled her in on the latest school vandalism incidents, Marco, and theVipers.She listened intently, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity.
We then dove into some light gossip about our town's escapades, and she excitedly recounted her adventures in Paris and the hot guys she had met.It was so easy to talk to her, and I truly enjoyed her company.
“And guess what?I've got some exciting news!”she grinned, flashing all 32 teeth like she just hit the jackpot.
“What is it?”I asked, eager to know more.
“I'm sort of dating someone, and he's absolutely gorgeous,” she said, rolling her eyes dreamily.
“Really?That's awesome!Who is he?”
“Oh, you wouldn't know him—he's not from around here.I'm really bummed about you and Marco breaking up, though.I always imagined us going on a double date.Just picture it—two gorgeous guys walking with us!”She closed her eyes, lost in the fantasy.Just then, I heard the front door open downstairs.
