The Fight Against Loved Ones #TFALO

Chapter 7; Old Memories, New Friendships

Driving alone in my moms car all I did was one thing, THINK, THINK, THINK... and THINK.

I have been thinking over and over about what happened yesterday and what was going to happen today,(absolutely nothing about what was happening right now); that is; I had no idea of where I was driving to or which turn I had to take next. It was completely autonomous.

Today, On my way to school with Audrey,  I realised she wasn't angry with me, if anything she was disappointed that I wasn't there when she needed me (ever so dramatic).

Yet I had to spend about 15 minutes explaining her why I was not able to pick her phone and what actually happened (which mostly included me describing her how I argued with my brother and then fell asleep after all the tiring up).

Actually, it was yesterday that she was informed that her cousins from her mother's side(whose name she didn't know till yet) were transferred here and that they would be going to the same school as us.

Earlier:

"Guess what!" she shouted as soon as I jumped to the shotgun seat. With a little more astonishment in my eyes than what she would have expected, I nodded in her direction with an encouraging smile indicating her to continue. I didn't want to dampen the excitement she had in her voice, especially when she had waited a whole day to speak to me. Besides I was guilty of not having picked up her calls and for not answering any of her messages.

"My cousin! He is in the same standard as us. Can you believe it? Mum informed he has a twin sister too but she is a year junior to us because of some health issues. I think it would be great for us to hang out together sometime soon", she said with a contended smile. "I really can't wait to see them. Can't believe I finally have a brother." she finished with a sigh.

Audrey never had any siblings or even cousins so I knew how glad she might be feeling to have some finally. I have a firsthand experience. Although I hate to have Matt around me, sometimes I am really grateful that I have an elder brother who stands by me whenever I need him.

With that said, throughout the journey to school, she spent her energy in blabbering about how much fun we four can have together. I just can't believe that she haven't even met them yet and still is positive they would be as jolly and friendly as she is. I really wanted to ask her why was she so sure and the only answer I got was, "It runs in the blood, gal", with a wink and continued with planning the non-existent fun experiences.

It was only as the bell for lunch break rang, and a student came to hand me down my mother's car keys telling me she dropped by, that I realized I had not yet informed Audrey about the unplanned visit from my once best friend.

Once I texted my mom that I got the keys, I hurried out of the classroom. The corridors were completely empty by now as I scurried towards my locker. After I kept my belongings in there, I was about to turn and rush towards the canteen when I suddenly heard a pair of fast moving footsteps; behind me.

After the art class yesterday, I didn't get even a glimpse of Jason. I turned, only to see the blue magnificent eyes staring at me, closer than I might have anticipated. He seemed too lost in his thoughts to notice how dangerously close he was.

All of a sudden, he looked at me. His eyes looked more happy and content than when I last saw it. He was oozing of excitement and joy today.

He murmured a small 'sorry' to me. Eyes twinkling he gave me a sly smile; I wasn't ready for the kind of reaction from him. And then he rushed to the canteen in a hurry as if to meet someone. I hardly had any time to react to what just happened so I continued my walk rather awkwardly, lost in my thoughts, to the canteen.

I was broken out of my trance as soon as I entered the ever so noisy canteen.
I searched for Audrey and as soon I saw her sitting at one of our usual tables I almost darted towards her. As I neared the table, I saw her talking to a guy who had his back against me. Audrey looked extremely happy talking to him and I strangely recognized him. I had known Audrey for three months now and there was not a friend of hers whom I don't know and yet here was a new face(, or back?). As I neared further, Audrey suddenly shifted all her attention to me. With a large grin she invited me to join in.

I took the empty seat next to her and as soon as I looked in front, well, all I can say is I was shocked.

"Hey! Jason meet Jennifer; she's my best friend" she said giving me a side hug. Confusion engulfed me. How did Audrey know Jason? He just joined in the day before...

I had questions, I had to ask, but somehow words jammed in my throat unwilling to get out.

"And Jenny this is Jason, the cousin I told you about", she smiled happily at me. Just one sentence and all my questions melted away with the shock wave that I felt earlier. Yet I was astonished as to how was such a coincidence possible.

"Well! Hi Jennifer!" he said moving a hand through his hair. "So, sorry I left without any explanation yesterday. Actually, I left for home early. Had to pick up Han from the airport." He said pausing a bit and giving me a small smile.

Why would he think that he owed me an explanation or apology for all it matters?

Before I got a chance to even say a Hi, Audrey cut in.

"Whoa! How do you know each other?" she looked from him to me to him again completely confused.

"We were...", that's when Jason cut me in. Why do people like cutting my sentences so much?

"...in the same school till middle school", he said looking at me before he turned back to Audrey. "And we share art class" he said smiling at me as if we used to be best of friends. Anyway, I didn't return his smile. It might have been rude but I seriously didn't have any clue to whatever he was playing at.

"You met him? Yesterday? You didn't tell me? All this time we have been together and this is what you give me....betrayal?" She said turning to me in an over dramatic tone holding her palms to her chest.

"Oh get over it Ry! How was I supposed to know that he is your cousin? Besides we just happened to go to the same school in the past, not that we were friends or anything" I answered indifferently, picking up a juice box from Audrey's lunch tray. And then I looked up.

Another thing I shouldn't have done. I turned away from Audrey just in time to notice a look of hurt in the ever so dazzling blue eyes of Jason's. But thankfully the expression of hurt was short lived and was quickly replaced by one of utmost pleasure and excitement as Audrey started her unstoppable chattering about the best places in the city we can hang out at.

How can anyone get so friendly and comfortable with a person whom you just met? Why isn't it as easy as that for me too?

We chatted for a while as we had our food but the playful aura was broken soon as Rebecca made an entry.

(A/N the story is still about the earlier events that happened that day while Jenny is driving her car to reach the bus station to pick up Diana and her mom)

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