My weakness

Chapter 18 : Lara?

The morning sun cast a warm glow as Jesse and Billie walked through the familiar school gates.

As they entered their first class, they noticed a new face in the room — Lara. Her eyes briefly met Jesse's, and there was a subtle spark, a curiosity that lingered in the air.

Jesse, smiling: "Hey, Billie, looks like we have a new classmate."

Billie, nodding: "Yeah, wonder where she's from."

Lara, noticing them, offered a friendly smile as they took their seats.

Jesse, extending a greeting: "Hey, I'm Jesse. This is Billie. Are you new here?"

Lara, blushing slightly: "Yeah, just moved. I'm Lara. Nice to meet you both."

Billie, with a warm welcome: "Welcome to our school, Lara. If you need any help navigating, feel free to ask."

As the class progressed, Lara's eyes seemed to find Jesse more than once, a subtle curiosity lingering in her gaze. Billie, perceptive as ever, couldn't help but sense the shift in dynamics.

During a break, as they chatted by their lockers, Jesse noticed Lara's attention.

Jesse, casually: "So, Lara, what do you think of our school so far?"

Lara, smiling at Jesse: "It seems nice. Everyone's been friendly."

Billie, quietly observing: "Well, we're a tight-knit community. You'll fit right in."

Lara, with a warm smile, approaches Jesse and Billie in the hallway and unexpectedly wraps her arms around Jesse.

Lara: "Jesse, it's been such a great first day. Thanks for being so welcoming!"

Jesse, caught off guard but reciprocating the hug: "No problem, Lara. Glad you're feeling comfortable."

Billie, watching the hug with a raised eyebrow: "Uh, hey Lara. It's nice to meet you too."

Lara, releasing the hug but still holding onto Jesse's arm: "You too, Billie. Jesse, you're lucky to have such a wonderful girlfriend."

Jesse, feeling the awkward tension: "Yeah, I am. Billie, Lara and I were just talking about—"

Billie, cutting in with a forced smile: "It's okay, Jesse. I'm sure Lara and I will get to know each other better too."

Nate, known for his disdain towards Jesse, arrives on the scene and notices the somewhat tense encounter.

Nate, smirking: "Well, well, what do we have here? Jesse, making new friends, I see?"

Jesse, maintaining composure: "Hey, Nate. This is Lara, our new classmate. Lara, this is Nate."

Lara, trying to diffuse the tension: "Nice to meet you, Nate."

Nate, scoffing: "Yeah, real pleasure. Jesse, didn't know you were expanding your social circle."

Billie, with a defensive tone: "Nate, cut it out."
Nate, with a mocking laugh: "Oh, come on, Billie. Just having some fun."

In a surprising turn of events, Lara, guided by an unpredictable impulse, leans in and kisses Jesse. The brief moment hangs in the air, leaving a ripple of shock and tension among the three.

Jesse, taken aback, gently pulls away: "Lara, uh... what was that?"

Lara, blushing and looking apologetic: "I'm sorry, Jesse. I don't know what came over me. It was inappropriate."

Billie, her eyes narrowing, trying to keep her composure: "Yeah, it was."

Nate, smirking: "Well, well, Jesse. Looks like you've got yourself in quite the situation."