Her Wish

Her Wish [Chapter 22]

God, it was awkward.

Looking around at the group of friends she didn’t belong to, Jennie found herself desperately wanting to step out of place, to sneak away just to avoid their surprised looks, even though they should have already known that if Danny was present, she would accompany them as well.

They were all of Elie’s friends, all of Danny’s friends, all of George’s friends. They were all the people who had never once paid any attention to her and who never really cared to either. It was only until recently that they had started to take notice and take the time to memorize her name and recognize her as someone more than just Elie’s best friend.

But even then, it couldn’t be more apparent that she still wasn’t accepted amongst their group. Of course she wouldn’t be. Just like to everyone else, Jennie was merely a betrayer in their eyes, a good-for-nothing girl with no addictive personality who only lived to deceive her friends and others.

“Let’s stop staring,” George suggested brightly, sensing Jennie’s discomfort with everyone’s eyes trained upon her.

It surprised her that even after hearing of the terrible things that Jennie had supposedly done, George’s recently established habit of making random conversation with her, hadn’t been put to an end. In fact, he was one of the few who continued to treat her just the same as before. Perhaps he knew better than to believe every single thing he heard, even coming from the girl he liked.

Alex nodded in agreement and everyone eventually shifted their gaze and attention elsewhere, moving onto more interesting topics, all with the exception of Elie.

Her eyes remained trained on Jennie, though the latter wasn’t too sure why. She suddenly felt naked under her former friend’s eyes, as though Elie was staring at her, attempt to peel away layer after layer until she reached the very core, until she reached the truth unmasked of all its lies.

But how could she? There were no lies that Jennie had told; there were no disguises that she needed to protect herself and the truth.

Her head rose at the touch a hand on her shoulder. She looked over to see Danny with a slight frown on his face. From the corner of her eye, Jennie saw Elie studying the two carefully; much like in the same manner she had been studying Jennie just moments before.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

He must have caught her weary expression, her thoughts and feelings as though she didn’t belong. However, not wanting to trouble him, Jennie shook her head, lending him a small, reassuring smile instead.

But Danny knew better than to believe her. After all, who would feel comfortable while being scrutinized under the critical eyes of their enemy?

He hitched his bag carelessly onto his shoulder, then took Jennie’s hand and gently tugged her from the desk chair, “We don’t have to stay here. Let’s just work on our report at my house.”

But Jennie was uncertain, “But your friends…”

“We’re bound to get more work done there anyways,” he pointed out in a careless tone.

With one another look around the classroom bustling with laughter and various conversations about anything but schoolwork, Jennie knew he was probably right. Inwardly relieved, she nodded in agreement and followed Danny to the door.

“Oh? You’re leaving?”

By habit, Elie’s feet stopped moving at the mere sound of George’s voice. Danny frowned, but reluctantly stopped as well, “We have a project to work on.” He answered for him and Jennie both, though unsure of whom exactly George had been addressing.