Her Wish

Her Wish [Chapter 16]

It wasn’t like it was rumored to be in high school, where once a secret is revealed to one person, the whole school knows as well. But perhaps that was because Jennie hadn’t fled home and told all of her friends what happened between her and Danny.

In fact, everything appeared to be exactly the same as when she had left it yesterday afternoon. It seemed as though the only modification overnight that had occurred was within herself.

She wasn’t surprised to see Elie standing along with the other well-liked boys surrounding Danny’s desk, talking freely and completely oblivious to what had happened the night before.

Stepping into the classroom and making her way towards her desk, Jennie allowed herself to breathe a sigh of relief, realizing that her worrying had been pointless.

“Jennie!”

She allowed a smile at the amiable call of Alex. Jennie looked over to see him breaking free of their group of friends, making his way across the classroom and propping himself atop the desk beside her. Sending her a knowing smile, Alex leaned down and whispered quietly, “I know what happened last night.”

Her eyes widened, although she shouldn’t have been surprised. Without even thinking, Jennie clamped a hand over Alex’s mouth, causing him to draw back laughing.

Heat rose to her cheeks as she immediately dropped her hand and turned away. Jennie busied herself with her school books as she waited for Alex’s friendly but still, discomforting laughter to cease.

He patted her head and hopped off the desk, seeing their homeroom teacher walk in, “You’re cute,” he remarked, “I can see why my friend is interested in you.”

With that, he left, leaving Jennie staring after him.

As the students parted from their friends and headed towards their assigned seats or classrooms, Jennie sneaked a glance in Danny’s direction, to find he was already looking her way.

She hesitated for a moment, suddenly unsure of how to act around him. Just as the teacher began talking, Jennie quickly flashed a small grin before turning back around in her seat, somewhat afraid of what his reaction might be.

Idiot, she chided inwardly to herself, it’s just a smile.

-

In all truth, Jennie was frightened of what was to come. She somehow found herself doubting this newly established friendship with Danny. What if in the eyes of others, she became exactly like the girl who Elie was? Would she become the same clingy schoolgirl who time after time refuses to admit defeat? Was that what will happen if she associated herself with Danny?

She wasn’t too sure, for never before had she seen him care for another girl. Even Elie, who he treated moderately well compared to others, was still cast to the sidelines, kept at a maintained distance from coming any closer. Would she just become another one of those desperate girls?

She didn’t want to. In fact, she refused to become one of them.

However, would her determination not to end up in the same manner as the rest cost her an actual friendship she had finally begun to depend on?

Before Jennie allowed her pensive thoughts to carry her any further, the familiar, congenial voice called upon her.

“Jennie, come eat lunch with us.”

She rose from her seat quickly to see George, having not even realized that class had ended and lunch had begun. Quickly snatching her lunchbox from her book bag, Jennie nodded eagerly and followed him outside, excitement rising within her as she admired George’s features from behind.