thirteen → jade west

Chapter 16

In the quiet aisles of the local library, Beck, Andre, and Cat were sprawled on the floor with a pile of books and magazines scattered around them. They were supposed to be researching for a group project, but the allure of a dusty archive of society pages proved too intriguing to ignore.

"Hey, check this out," Cat exclaimed, her voice a mix of awe and curiosity as she flipped through a glossy magazine, stopping on a page that caught her eye. "Doesn't this girl look just like Jade?"

Andre leaned over, squinting at the photograph. "Wow, it really does. But what would Jade be doing at some fancy event like this?" The photo showed a younger Jade, dressed in an elegant gown, surrounded by adults in equally formal attire. Her smile was perfect, practiced, but her eyes betrayed a sense of discomfort.

Beck, who had been quietly skimming through another book, glanced over. The moment he saw the photo, his heart sank. There was no mistaking it; the girl in the picture was Jade. The realization hit him like a wave of cold water. "That's definitely her," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. The thought of Jade, his Jade, being part of a world so alien to their own, filled him with an inexplicable sense of betrayal.

"Why would she keep this from us?" Cat wondered aloud, her fascination with the photo undimmed. "I mean, it's like she's a totally different person here."

Andre looked thoughtful, his brow furrowed. "Maybe she had her reasons. Jade doesn't really talk about her family or where she comes from."

Beck felt a tightness in his chest, a mix of hurt and confusion. He had started to develop feelings for Jade, feelings he hadn't even fully admitted to himself, and seeing her in this new light was disorienting. "We should talk to her about this," he said finally, the words heavy with emotion. "But let's not jump to conclusions. There's got to be more to the story."

The friends agreed, but the discovery in the library had changed something. As they gathered their books and prepared to leave, the air between them was filled with unspoken questions and concerns. Beck walked a little slower than the rest, his mind racing with thoughts of Jade and the secrets she might be hiding.

The image of Jade, poised and perfect in a world of opulence, lingered in his mind. It was a stark contrast to the girl he thought he knew, the girl who laughed at his jokes and shared his love for the arts. The realization that there was so much more to her than he had ever imagined was both intriguing and unsettling.

As they stepped out of the library, the afternoon sun casting long shadows on the sidewalk, Beck made a silent vow to himself. He would talk to Jade, give her a chance to explain. Because despite the confusion and the hurt, he cared about her too much to let this discovery drive a wedge between them.

*

The afternoon sun was beginning to dip below the horizon as Beck, Andre, and Cat quietly followed Jade, their steps echoing softly on the upscale streets of Holmby Hills. None of them had ever been to this part of town before. The grandeur of the houses they passed was a stark contrast to the world they knew, and with each step, Beck felt his heart grow heavier.

They found Jade entering a particularly impressive gate, her figure small against the sprawling mansion it concealed. The realization hit them all at once: Jade lived here, in one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the city.

"Jade!" Cat called out, her voice breaking the silence. Jade turned, surprise etched across her face as she saw her friends standing there.

"What are you guys doing here?" Jade asked, her voice a mix of confusion and apprehension.

"We need to talk," Beck said, his voice firm but tinged with an emotion he couldn't quite hide. Andre stepped forward, holding out the magazine they had found in the library.