Wish We Could Turn Back Time m.c

Chapter 42

"...And that way is the harbor and that big building sticking up is the opera house this city is apparently famed for, even though the only ones that really go there are old people that are into operas and classical music." I was showing Jasmine around Sydney on Saturday morning, before Michael and I had our little talk. We were being tourists and I was showing her all the attractions and restaurants and shops and such, even though she wasn't enjoying it much.

"Oh! And over here is my favorite little cafe, their vanilla cappuccinos are amazing. Wanna go in there?" Jasmine continued to look bored and tap away on her phone. "Jasmine?"

"Yeah whatever you want, I guess. You're gonna drag me around to do whatever you want anyway," she rolled her eyes and spoke to me without even looking up. That was it. I had had it with her bad attitude this week whe all I'd tried todo was be a good friend. It was then that I put my foot down.

"Okay, I have had it with you," I said it through gritted teeth like a scolding mum. Then, I took Jasmine by the arm, marching her across the sidewalk to a bench outside a shop where I sat her down forcibly before joining her.

"Wow, when I said that I didn't think you'd take 'drag me' so literally," she tried to go back to scrolling through her Instagram or whatever the hell she was doing, but I snatched her phone right out of her hand. "Hey!" She made grabby hands trying to get it back, but I was too tall for her to reach. I tried not to let this make me smile while I was trying to be mad.

"This has gone on way too long Jaz, you've been acting weird since the concert on Tuesday and I'm trying to let you have a fun time on vacation and visiting with me. What's wrong?" I looked her in the face, straining to make my eyes bulge out, letting her know I meant business. I hope she felt intimidated.

"Nothing's wrong!" She backed away from me a little bit. Normally, I didn't act this crazy, but whatever I'd been trying to do all week to get her to talk to me wasn't working and desperate times call for desperate measures.

"Bullshit. I know you Jasmine, and you have not been acting like yourself this week. Something's plaguing you," I continued to stare into her eyes until she couldn't keep a straight face anymore and snorted.

"Plaguing me? Do really need to continue to use such advanced vocabulary in situations like these, Lacey?" She smirked and quicker her eyebrow, one of her signature looks. I smiled as well.

"Yes. Now tell me what's up dammit!" I slammed my fist down on the railing of the bench in mock frustration, which was a bad decision. "Ouch..." This made both of us just flat out laugh.

"Okay okay," Jasmine began when the laughter subsided, "you broke me. I'll talk." We giggled some more.

"Tell me where the money is or I'll fill ya full of lead!" I put on a New York accent and pretended to hold a flashlight in her face and we just laughed some more. Partly because we weren't getting anywhere with this silly conversation, but mostly because I'm awful at any type of American accent. Well, at least I knew we weren't giving each other the cold shoulder anymore.

"Really though," she sighed when we calmed down again. "I've had a hard time admitting this to myself, so I knew it would be super awkward admitting it to you." She paused and I waited patiently for her to go on. "I think I'm jealous of Michael liking you so much because... I like Michael. We met and talked a lot before the concert and I between his sets and I just... Something clicked and it was like I loved him, but not just as a fan anymore." I reflected upon the seriousness of what Jasmine, my silly, quirky Jasmine just said. And then I realized how stupid her concerns were and I smiled.

"I think we need to head back to my place to talk about this," Jasmine agreed and we got up and left the bench behind, this time walking together instead of Jasmine trailing me like an unwilling child. It felt good to have my best friend back.
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Jasmine's POV
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Licking my chocolate ice cream and Lacey her vanilla that we'd gotten on the walk back to her house (Lacey really does know all the best places in Sydney), the two of us sat on Lacey's bed, ready to resume our little therapy session. Usually, I hate being cheesy like I was when I admitted to Lacey that I was jealous, but this was something that needed to be talked about.

"Jasmine," Lacey grabbed my arm and looked me dead in the eye. I wished she would quit doing that. It was so creepy. I have to admit though, it did get my attention.

"Lacey," I did it back, careful to keep my ice cream upright in my other hand. It was a weak effort to try and make this whole thing a little less serious.

"There is no need to be jealous of Michael liking me," Lacey continued. What?

"It's because I don't even like him back!" She finished when I didn't say anything. My jaw dropped.

"YOU DON'T?!" I didn't care if the whole city heard me exclaim.

"NO!" We stood up, but refrained from jumping up and down like we really wanted to. The ice cream was too important.

"Yes! I actually have a chance now!" I yelled happily.

"Now? Why would you ever not have a chance, Jaz?" My friend questioned before licking her dessert. She got a little bit of vanilla on the tip of her nose. I smiled and let her leave it there.

"Well, because! If you two liked each other, Michael would totally choose you over me no matter what I did. You're smarter, thinner, taller, you have the legs of a super model-"

"Jaz, first of all, you're plenty smart. You know so many useful things that I would've never learned without you. I might get better grades, but that's no measure of how intelligent you are. And just so you know, it's a good thing not to have the body shape of a stick," she gestured to herself. "As far as tallness goes, have you never heard that boys actually like short girls? Be proud of your 4'11!" I blushed from all of her compliments.

"Thanks Lace," I said. I wanted to compliment her back on all those same things and more, but I think she got the message with my smile. It was good not to feel resentful towards her anymore. It was like finding my best friend all over again. Only this time, it wasn't through Twitter. And that made everything better.

"Wait," I said before things got a little too happy. "Just because you don't like Michael back, doesn't change the fact that e doesn't like me. Well, at least not in that way," I reminded her.

"That part, you leave to me," she answered with a devilish smile.
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Lacey's POV
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That afternoon when Michael called me and told me he wanted to hang out in the haunted woods, I kind of already guessed what was coming. So, when he finished explaining everything to me, I was prepared with a 'let him down easy' speech. Thankfully, it worked and we remained friends. While I don't have feelings for him, I still don't know what I would do without him.

"Well uh... What do we do now?" Michael said awkwardly and kind of shrugged. I giggled at his lack of preparation. He is so funny when he feels awkward, just smiling at everything.

"Well, maybe this is a bit too soon..." I started.

"Yeah?" He quirked an eyebrow.

"Do you have any feelings for Jasmine?"

"The one I met at the concert? That Jasmine?" I rolled my eyes.

"Who else?" He seemed to be thinking as a faraway look over took his face. I knew my answer when he started blushing.

"Well, I was kind of distracted because I was so set on having a crush on you but..."

And everything went smoothly from there. :)
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End of part 42.

This chapter was so much fun to write! Ok, I think I'm improving at writing since I've been practicing regularly now because sometimes I wouldn't feel inspired and writing a chapter would feel like a chore, but lately writing the chapters just seems so much more fun and I'm glad! :)

TWO MORE CHAPTERS AND THE STORY'S OVER AHHHH! :0 Y'all excited??

I'm on vacation right now so things are going smoothly for me. B-) how're y'all?

Song of the day: I am the Walrus by The Beetles

Question of the day: favorite junk food/snack? Mine is either Doritos or pretzels, I cannot choose.

Love ya. Stay courageous. <3

-SJ