I'll wait for you

Chapter 3: What are friends for

The girls chatted and giggled all the way to school. Jasmine had a plan for acing the quiz. She would study during the first period since she was already ahead in science class. During the second period, she had Math, and since Jasmine was an A+ student in Math, she didn't have to exert herself. By the third period, she would be ready for the quiz. Part of Jasmine's plan worked out exactly as she had expected. She was fully prepared for the quiz by the third period, now she feel confident that she can pass it.

Jasmine met her friends in front of the lockers next to the history class and asked, "Hey, did you all get a chance to study?"

Keke replied, laughing, "No, I didn't get the chance because I was too busy sneaking and eating chips. Besides, I had to write a note to my bae!"

Jasmine shook her head and then looked at Shay. She asked, "What about you, Shay?"

Shay replied aggressively, "No, I'm going to use my cheat sheet and call it a day. Ms Fistburn, the old hag, is not going to be paying attention. She is either going to be asleep at her desk or gone to the bathroom like she usually does. So, we're good."

Unbothered, Jasmine said, "I'm going to let y'all cheat cause I studied, so I have nothing to worry about."

The girls walked into the classroom and sat down. Ms Fistburn was standing at the chalkboard, taking attendance.

Ms Fistburn looked at the class and said, "Take a seat, everyone. It's time to put away your books and notes. I don't want to see anything else out, other than your pencils. Get ready to take the Chapter 2 History test."

Ms. Fistburn handed out the test and then sat down at her desk. The classroom was silent. Jasmine was so glad she had studied during the last two periods. She had no problem with the test and was breezing through it.

During the test, Ms. Fistburn had to leave the classroom and instructed the students to remain quiet and finish their test while she was gone. Shay took advantage of the situation and pulled out her cheat sheet, she got the answers she needed and then passed it to Keke. Meanwhile, Jasmine was down to the last five questions when her pencil lead broke. She looked over at Keke and asked to borrow some lead. Keke gave her a new pencil, which Jasmine tried to catch but it fell on the floor. As Jasmine picked it up, Ms. Fistburn returned to the class, catching the attention of Keke who got nervous and dropped the cheat sheet. It slid under Jasmine's foot, unnoticed by her. Ms. Fistburn noticed the paper under Jasmine's foot, realizing it was not there before she left. Shay also noticed it and tried to get Jasmine's attention, but it was too late. Ms. Fistburn approached Jasmine's desk and picked up the paper, asking her insolently, "What do we have here, Ms. Livings?"

Jasmine looked up to Ms.Fistburn. With a blank look on her face. Like she didn't have a clue about what was going on.

Jasmine replied back, "What do you mean?"
Ms.Fistburn answers, "I found this under your foot. And to me, it looks like you were cheating."

Jasmine was getting annoyed, "That's not mine and I wasn't cheating."

Ms.Fistburn responded, "So are you saying I'm lying?"

Jasmine affirmed, "Yes, that's what I'm saying because I didn't cheat on my test."

Ms. Fistburn stared at Jasmine, looking directly into her eyes. "Well, Ms. Livings, this paper wasn't under your foot before I stepped out of the room. But now it is!"

Jasmine looked at her friends Keke and Shay, hoping they would provide some explanation. However, they just played it cool, acting as if they didn't know how the paper got there.

Ms. Fistburn gave Jasmine a chance to speak, but since she had no explanation, the teacher gave her detention after school.

Jasmine put her head down on her desk, feeling angry. Detention meant she couldn't attend her after-school creative arts class. She kept her head down for the entire class, and when the bell rang for fourth period, she grabbed her things and left the classroom. Keke and Shay ran after her.

Shay tried to catch up with her, reaching out and touching Jasmine's shoulder, "Wait up."

Jasmine turned around and replied, "Don't touch me. Matter of fact, don't even talk to me anymore."

Keke was stunned by Jasmine's attitude. "Don't act like that. We know you're upset. But we are your friends."

Jasmine rolled her eyes then looked at Keke and Shay. "If y'all were my real friends, you would have stood up for me in Ms. Fistburn's class. But what did y'all do? Nothing! I don't think any real friends would do that!" Jasmine walked off to her fourth-period class, aggravated.

The rest of the school day flew by. The last bell rang and Jasmine was still upset. Jasmine grabbed her things and went to Ms. Fistburn's class for detention.

Jasmine walked inside the classroom and sat in the back of the class. She put her head down. She didn't want to be bothered. Jasmine was minding her own business with her head down when she heard Ms. Fistburn call her name, "Jasmine."
Jasmine, lifted her head to find to find Ms. Fistburn standing next to her.

"Ms. Livings, I would like to apologize to you about what happened earlier. Two students just came to me shortly and told me what happened. You are free to leave."

Jasmine was still appalled by the day. She grabbed her things and called her dad to pick her up. Even though she only missed half of the creative arts class, Jasmine wasn't in the mood to go.

Jackie arrived at the school to pick up his daughter, Jasmine. "How was school today, princess?" He asked.

Jasmine replied with a dry tone in her voice, "Not good."

Jackie tried to cheer her up, "How about we stop and get some ice cream on the way home and you tell me all about it."

Jackie and Jasmine had a special bond that couldn't be broken, and he knew how to make her feel better. However, on their way home, Jackie got a call from his friend, Slick.

"Hey, what's up, bro? What are you up to today?" Slick asked.

"Nothing much, bro. I'm just spending time with the family tonight," Jackie replied.

Slick said, "Nothing wrong with that. If you decide to go out tonight, let me know."

"Okay, I'll let you know," Jackie replied before ending the call.

As they arrived at their home, they found Michelle's car in the middle of the driveway with the hood up.
Jasmine looked at her dad and asked, "Is something wrong with Mama's car?"

Jackie looked over at Jasmine and replied, "I don't know, let's find out."

Jackie walked into the house, hugged and greeted his wife, and asked, "What's wrong with your car, baby?"

Michelle was unsure and replied, "I think the alternator is going out. The car barely wants to crank, and the lights were flickering and very dim this morning when I was headed to work."

Jackie walked outside to inspect the car. Meanwhile, Michelle walked up to Jasmine and asked, "How was school today, baby?"

Jasmine replied sadly, "Not good. I had a long day," and went on to tell her mom about how her day went.

Jackie walked back into the house, looking uneasy, and said, "Well, you were right. Your alternator did go out. I talked to the mechanic, and he said he could stop by tomorrow and pick the car up and work on it."

Michelle was worried and didn't like the tone in Jackie's voice.Michelle replied, "It's not going to be cheap. How much is it going to cost to fix it?"

Jackie delivered some bad news to Michelle, "Unfortunately, it's going to cost six hundred dollars to fix the car."

Michelle responded dramatically, "Six hundred dollars! We don't have that right now!"

Jackie suggested, "What about the money we have in savings?"

Michelle replied, "We spent it all when the hot water heater broke down!"

Trying to comfort his wife, Jackie said, "Don't worry about it, baby. I have the six hundred dollars to pay for the car repairs. My lucky hand from yesterday saved the day. You can drive my car to work if you need to.

Michelle was relieved they had the money to fix the car but hated the fact that it was Jackie's gambling that saved the day.