Imagine That [Jessie J]

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As I sat in a booth, I began wondering if meeting her was a good idea. She could be planning to tell me lies just to sit there and talk to me, then run back to her little friends and squeal about seeing me. After all, I don't know the girl well enough to trust her. She could probably be ditching me to make me look like an idiot. A glance at my watch told me that it wasn't even one yet. So why am I freaking out about her?

Everything the bell chimed, I'd casually glance over at the door. So many times this happened that my neck started to hurt, so I just stopped and began playing on my phone. No need to have her look as if I was waiting on her, when I actually was.

A hooded figure came and sat down in front of me. I gave them a questioning look before they reached up and slid the hood off their head.

"Why are you wearing that thing?" I asked, turning my phone off and putting it away.

"Honestly, because I need to," Jessie responded, smiling. "So, how are you?"

"Fine. You?"

"Great! I would've been here sooner, but the sidewalk was a bit crowded."

"You walk?" I asked, and received a nod from her. "What happened to your car?"

"Never had one. I was too scared of driving."

"Why?"

"It's a part of my illness."

I hesitated. "Illness?"

"Yeah, it's a big part of why I was that weirdo kid at school that never talked. The reason I wore black hoodies every day was because I didn't want to see bright colors or flashes or anything. They trigger it."

"Trigger it?" I now sounded like a dumb parrot.

"Yeah. I kept to myself most of the time. Didn't want to get a seizure in the middle of the day in front of all those people."

"Seizure?" I warily repeated.

She had seizures. And they talked about her, made rumors about her. And I judged her. That she was doing this on purpose. Making people think I was crazy. Jessie was just sick.

"I am so sorry," I apologized, maintaining eye contact with her.

But Jessie just smiled and waved her hand. "It's nothing, really. You didn't cause it, don't feel sorry--"

"No, I need to say this. I thought you were playing tricks on me, making me look crazy. Because nobody knew your name and haven't really seen you. And I go to therapy about it."

Jessie brung her hands up and covered her mouth. "I'm so sorry, Autumn! I didn't realize the distress I was causing you!"

I tried not to smile at the way she said my name. It sounded so sweet and innocent. It sounded good coming from her mouth. "Don't apologize. I deserved it."

Jessie reached out and grasped my hands. My heart revved in my chest at the contact. "You don't deserve anything bad, Autumn. You never spoke anything bad about me. And all I ask is for you to not treat me like a charity case. I'm much better than before. I promise."

I nodded. This was such big news, it'll be hard to keep her promise. I don't want her to have a seizure from something I accidentally do. "I wanted to talk to you in high school," I blurted out.

Jessie's eyebrows raised. "Really?"

No use in stopping now. "Yeah. But I didn't because I was too scared. And I always chicken out before I could walk over to you."

"That's so cute," she grinned.

"How?" I asked.

Jessie shrugged. "It just is. You're cute. You do cute things. I've noticed since high school, Autumn."