The Heartbroke Club

17

"Yeah, I'm really swamped with college apps right now. I was supposed to be reformatting the website with these notes that Cara gave me, but I don't have the time. I'd really appreciate it."

Jamie Low looked frazzled. Her usually neatly picked hair was in two sloppy cornrows down the back of her head. This time, it was purple. I wondered how she hadn't fried it by now, with how frequently she dyed it. Her regular contacts were replaced with a pair of round frames. Despite her attire and her frazzled features, her skin still looked hydrated and smooth. 

"I believe it," was the first thing I thought to say.

She twitched her mouth, refraining from responding.

We shared a study hall at the beginning of the day. I was thankful for it, as it gave me time to fully wake up. I'd gotten to know her a little bit in yearbook meetings, but it struck me odd that she was asking me for a work favor. She looked stressed, though, and I sort of felt bad.

Her personal laptop was on the desk in front of the school computer in the study hall lab with a thousand tabs open.

"I know it seems weird and inappropriate for me to ask all of this from you. I've asked like three people, no dice. I really need help. I thought since you and Bree seem close now that it would kind of be, like," she made a weird movement, trying to nonverbally communicate what she meant. "A friend of a friend in need."

I thought of how I could get something out of the deal. The little moment when she'd brought up Bree made me shudder slightly. I still hadn't seen her since the night of the game. I also shuddered when she mentioned college. I knew that application season was quickly passing, and I hadn't gotten much of anything done. My parents hadn't offered much help, and I think with the stress of the move, they probably forgot that I was in the peak of my senior year.

"I think I need a little direction with starting my college apps, too."

"Well, I'm no use to anybody right now. I'm on my fourth draft of my essay, no end in sight."

"I know. I can help you with your yearbook assignment, but I'd appreciate it if you helped me whenever your schedule loosens up."

"Deal."

She reached in her bag grabbed a small notepad and gave it to me. "These are the notes. Cara said she needs that before the last meeting of the semester."

"Got you."

I thought it was suspicious when Jamie came and sat next to me; she never did that. For a second, I feared that she and Bree had a girl chat and Jamie was there to instigate. However, Jamie talked to me as if she was completely in the dark.

Had she not talked to any of her friends about what happened?

I didn't know how to feel about that thought. 

I hadn't talked to anybody about what happened, either, but that was mainly because my only other friend here was Cara. Bree had a whole friend group, and she didn't feel the need to say anything about it. Was she embarrassed?

I put my attention back on Jamie, who was feverishly typing on her laptop. "Where are you applying?"

"Everywhere."

"That's specific."

She didn't miss a beat.

"I'm applying to ivies. And I want to get into those ivies. So I have to be the best."

Jamie was all over the school all days of the week, doing god knew what. I couldn't even imagine what her life looked like outside of this place.

"The best to who?"