Untold Story Of Jessica

"What is This Feeling?"

"The next morning, the memory of Daniel's smile lingered like an unanswered question, tugging me back from reality. Why was I thinking about him? Why couldn't I control these feelings? And why did this strange pull feel so... familiar?"
"Are you up?" My mother's voice echoed from downstairs, pulling me back from my thoughts.

"Yes, Mom! Coming in a bit," I called back, my voice still heavy with sleep. I dragged myself out of bed, freshened up, and began dressing for school.
Once ready, I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs, where the comforting smell of breakfast filled the kitchen. My mom was busy preparing my lunch, her back turned as she worked.
As I sat down at the table for breakfast, my mom turned to me, giving me a look that was both playful and serious.
"Listen, Jessica, your dad and I have a meeting tonight, so we'll be out late. And don't you dare stay up all night watching movies behind our backs! Do your studying, and remember to lock all the doors when you get back from school and if you need anything, just ask Rosy next door," she said with a smirk.
Rosy, our neighbor, practically adored me-sometimes I think she does even more than my own mom does.
"Okay, Mom," I replied, grabbing a slice of the sandwich and taking a bite.
As I finished my breakfast, my mind wandered back to the lingering questions about Daniel. I tried to shake them off, but they stayed with me like a faint echo. Was he even thinking about me too? Nhh why would he... and why the hell, again, was I thinking about him? "Ugh," I muttered to myself, shaking my head in frustration.
With a sigh, I grabbed my bag and headed for the door, my mom's last-minute reminders following me out. I felt a strange excitement bubbling up inside me, as if today was different, or maybe something was about to happen.
As she reached the school, a hand from behind patted her shoulder. "What's up, monitor?"
Turning around, she found him standing right in front of her, only about four fingers' distance between them. Time seemed to pause for a second, and her heart skipped a beat😶‍🌫️.
"Monitor, you there?"
"Uhmmm, yeah..." She replied, her voice a little shaky as she tried to mask the sudden rush of nerves. she couldn't help but wonder if he noticed that paused..
"So, I'm saying, are you free this evening?" he asked casually. "Today's Jack's birthday-(Jack is his best friend since 6th standard) We're throwing a party at his house. Are you coming?"
She is a little surprised about the fact that from the first time in his life he is inviting me for something..
"Sorry, I can't. I have to study," I said, starting to walk away.
He began walking beside me.
But before he could say anything, Olivia interrupted from out of nowhere. That girl couldn't just let him finish a sentence . I said to myself...
"What are you doing here, baby? And why didn't you come pick me up?" she said in her clingy tone, practically hanging off his arm around him.
"Actually, my brother dropped me today because he has some work at school," he replied, trying to explain.
I glanced at them for a moment, feeling a bit frustrated, and then turned away, heading toward my class.
As I walked away, I could still hear them trailing and giggling behind me. I tried to shake off the strange unease building inside me. Why the hell did this even matter? It's not like he and I were a thing or had anything going on between us-we're just classmates, or more accurately, bench partners, I told myself firmly.
As soon as I got to my seat, Jenny came up to me with her usual bright smile. "Hey Jessica! Sorry I was absent yesterday, but omg I heard that Daniel is your bench partner now... uhmmmm, uhmmm!" she said, wiggling her eyebrows playfully.
Jenny was sweet, the only girl I talked to most of the time. We had been friends since childhood, and she always knew how to get under my skin in the most harmless way.
"Stop teasing me, Jenny," I said, rolling my eyes, but a small smile betrayed my attempt to stay indifferent.
Jenny smirked, leaning closer. "Oh, come on, Jessica. Don't tell me you haven't noticed him, and the Daniel effect hasn't gotten on your nerves. You guys are sitting together so close..."
I shook my head, trying to ignore the heat rising to my cheeks. "Jenny, stop it. There's nothing like that, okay? And why would something like that affect me? It's not like I like him or anything. We're just sitting together, and besides, we're not even friends."
"Uh-uh," she said, clearly unconvinced. "Not really friends? Hmm... but I think I saw you two talking through the window just now," she teased, her tone dripping with mischief. "And it looked pretty friendly to me!"
"Come on, Jenny. He was just asking something," I said, trying to brush it off.
"What?" she asked, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.
"Just... inviting me to Jack's house for his birthday," I replied casually, hoping she'd drop the subject.
"Hell! What? So, we're going, right?" she exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement.
"What? No! I have a lot to study, and my mom will kill me if she finds out I'm going to a party," I said firmly, shaking my head.
Jenny rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh, come on, Jessica! Live a little! You can study anytime, but Jack's birthday only comes once a year. Plus, don't you want to see Daniel again?" she added with a sly grin.
"No, and just leave this topic, Jenny. If you want to go, you can," I said, trying to end the conversation.
"Ugh, forget it," she muttered, clearly disappointed.
Just then, the classroom door opened, and the teacher walked in. "Sir's here," I whispered, quickly straightening up and pulling out my books, glad for the distraction. Jenny gave me a knowing look before turning to face the front.