Hate to Love You (gxg)

Part 21

We were set to see the St. Augustine girls again that next Wednesday- and beforehand, I called my mother.

And we got into an argument.

"You actually enjoy spending time with those girls from St. Augustine?" she asked, "I still find the whole arrangement odd."

"I do." I said, "They've become my friends."

And maybe more.

"Just be careful, okay? Those girls are there for a reason."

"Mother, they're not just low-class delinquents who happen to have intelligence. They've all been through things...really rough situations."

"That doesn't mean they had to act out." my mother said.

Johanna was assaulted. Evelyn ended a pregnancy she didn't want to end. Colette had to steal to be able to get food on the table. And Jameson, well...I guess I'll find out.

"Mother, you don't know them." I said.

"And you should watch yourself." she said back to me.

"They're good people! Don't be so judgmental." I said.

"And don't be so naive, Flora."

"I'm going to get going now." I said, "I'll be seeing my friends soon anyway."

My mother didn't say anything and hung up.

That left me not in the best of spirits as we got on the bus to go to St. Augustine.

I sat next to Leighton on the bus.

"Are you okay?" she asked me, "You usually talk more."

"I'm okay." I said, "My mother is just impossible. She can't seem to grasp that the girls from St. Augustine are just good, smart people who have made mistakes."

"We were a bit like that in September." Leighton said, "But to pass judgment like that is unfair."

"She acts so high and mighty. She always has." I said.

"You're not very close with her, are you?"

"Sometimes, yes. Sometimes no. My whole life I've been put on the backburner compared to my twin sister. There's definitely resentment there." I explained.

"I'm sorry." Leighton said, "Your twin sister...are you two alike? Looks wise and personality?"

"Not especially. We are fraternal twins. She is taller than me and has light brown hair. Personality-wise, we could not be more different. She reminds me a bit of Amelia. She is bubbly, outgoing, loves attention- that's Cassia."

"Maybe one day she can come to campus." Leighton said, "I know that she's going through some things right now. But I'd love to meet her."

"I'd love that, too." I said- not sure about that ever happening.

When we got off the bus at St. Augustine, my heart skipped a beat at the thought of seeing Jameson.

I wonder what she is going to be like?

We were going to be having a movie night with the St. Augustine girls. In the gymnasium, there was a projector set up, and an old-school popcorn machine.

Jameson, Johanna, Evelyn, and Colette were sitting together, and when Colette spotted us out first, she waved us over.

Jameson, to my surprise, gave me a small smile.

We sat down with them, Bridgette, Colette, Evelyn, and Leighton in the front, and Johanna, Amelia, Jameson, and I right behind them.

Johanna and Amelia immediately cuddled up next to each other, and Jameson sat next to me.