Living Souls (Reimagined)

Part 1; Chapter 2B

August 19th
3:05pm

The day is over and I don't know how to feel about it. Don't get me wrong, I had a great day, but I'm sad that it's over now. It's a bittersweet feeling. I look over at Jade and smile, "So, how was your first day? Not too bad, I hope." I blink as I wait for her response. Nothing. Hm, maybe she didn't hear me? "Did you like gardening class?" ...still nothing. I notice her eyes gloss over and her steps seem.. panicky? "Jade..?" I say this a bit louder, hoping to get her attention. I see her blink for the first time in like a minute, before she looks over at me. "Mhmm?" I hear her hum. "You okay..? You look like you're zoning out there." I smile, weakly, at her. She smiles back and nods before saying, "Yea, sorry, just.. Hey, wanna hang out today?" I stop dead in my tracks to stare at her. Did she just ask what I think she did..? She did. She totally did. Don't keep her waiting, you idiot! Answer her.

Before I could open my mouth to answer her I hear her ask, "um.. is that a yes..?" I blink a few times to make sure I'm not just imagining this whole thing before nodding, enthusiastically. "Yes! I would love to hang out!" She chuckles at me as I catch up to her again. "I have the perfect place we can go!" I grab her arm to lead her through the crowd and hear her give another slight chuckle. I'm gonna hang out with Jade. That's crazy. How is this possible? Does this make us friends?? I hope so. Why is this hallway so crowded. I struggle to make my way through the crowds of kids, especially being as short as I am. Suddenly, I feel Jade snatch her arm back from me, causing me to stumble. I look at her, confused and hurt. Was I being too clingy? I hope not. Jade cuts into my thoughts, "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to trip you or snatch my arm back.." I hear a bit of.. guilt..? In her voice. "I.. sorry.." She mumbles. I nod at her and say, "It's okay, I'm sorry for dragging you around."

She smiles and pats my head before stepping closer to me. She turns around, and bends down a bit. "C'mon," I hear her say. I hesitate, sort of confused, but climb on her back anyway. I feel her hands under my thighs and blush a bit before she stands up straight. "Direct us through this mess, captain!" I laugh at her words before I, in her words, direct us through the mess that is the crowded hallway. What if I'm heavy? Or if I'm hurting her back..? Oh no, this was a bad idea. I go to tell her to put me down as I spot Samuel. Uh oh. "Oh, no.. Jerk up ahead," I warn. "Samuel?" She asks back. "That's the one." I hear her sigh before she looks up to meet my eyes. "How do we avoid him? Just give me the directions and that's where we'll go," she says. She looks forward as I begin to direct her through the hallway, avoiding Sam as best as possible. "Kate, we have a pr-" Jade gets cut off as I hear the one voice I was really hoping I wouldn't.

"Kate!" Oh no.. I look at Samuel before hearing him say, "...oh.. you're here, too." I turn to look at Jade who slowly looks over at Samuel. "Good day to you, too, Samuel," I hear her mumble. I notice her grip on my starts to loosen a bit, making me squirm nervously. I guess Jade noticed because she tightens her grip on my thighs once more, making me feel more at ease. I loosen my tight hold on her shoulders that I didn't even realize I tightened. Now to deal with the problem, "Hi, Sam." I realize my words came out harsher than intended, but I don't really care much right now. I feel Jade jolt slightly, but figured it was her holding back a laugh. "What're you doing..? Why are you on her back? C'mon, let me help you down." I tighten my hold on Jade, nervous, as I see Samuel reach towards me. Jade turns so he can't reach me and I thank my lucky stars for her.

I notice him glare at Jade and I glare at him in her place. "Can't you see she doesn't want to be on your back? Let her down. Now." Um..? When did I say that? I roll my eyes, hearing Jade scoff. Then she does the unthinkable. She starts to walk away without a word. It's like she can read my mind. "Excuse me, I'm talking to you," he says. I let out a sigh as she keeps walking. Good. I can't deal with hi- I'm pulled from my thoughts as Sam grabs Jade arm and I want to scream, but before I could, Jade says, "What." "Where are you going with Kate?" He asks. "Somewhere away from you," she says before sticking her tongue out at him and walking away. "Clingy much," I mumble, causing Jade to burst out laughing. "Where to, Katie." Ba-dump. I feel my heart skip a beat and blush a bit, "Mm! What did you call me?"