Falling for Him

Chapter 1-The Cupcake Café

I could feel the room starting to spin. I grabbed my hand out to hold onto the table. I could hear people calling me but they all felt so far away. I could feel my grasp lightning on the table. I couldn't help it. I could hear my classmates' worried voices. I didn't blame them for being worried-I was. I could feel my body hit the ground with a thud.

---

"Jess! Are you listening? This will come up in your exams!" My head shoots up when I hear my name. I nod my head and start to take my notes again. Miss rambles on about Algebra and Fractions.

"Hey, Jess are you OK?" my friend Maya asks. I nod again. "You've been zoning out quite a bit recently." When did she get so observant? "I'm not stupid. I know what happened this day last year." I instantly tense. I don't really like to talk about that time period. I was in a bad place.

"Maya, I'm fine! Just tired. And please don't remind me of last year. I had forgotten. You should too." I lie. I haven't forgotten. How could I? I almost died. I hate sympathy which is why I lie. I doubt she believes me though. She knows me too well.

"Jessica Byrne and Maya Sheehan! Stop talking! This will come up in your exams!" Miss Field is practically screaming. We apologise in unison and I continue to take our notes. Maya isn't a big studier. She usually just studies off my notes when the exams are close. This is usually the time when Maya will make sure her nails are 'perfect'. Her words, not mine.

"What are you doing tonight?" Maya whispers. I roll my eyes.

"M, it's a weekday! I'll be at home studying. As always." I reply. I've known Maya for years and she still doesn't know what a terrible social life I have.

"Exactly! You need to get out! When was the last time you came out with me and the girls?" I open my mouth to answer but Maya puts her hand up. "Wait! Don't answer that! Too long Boo! Way too long! Almost a year and counting. You say you had forgotten about last year but you clearly haven't! We miss you! The weekly girls night out just isn't the same without you! Please come with us!"

As much as I love my girlfriends, I hate going out with them. Maybe it's the fact that they go to the café that everyone in our school practically lives in. Or maybe it's the fact that they always wear small amounts of clothing and I look stupid if I wear jeans. Or maybe it's a bit of both. Maya is right. It has been a year since I've gone out with them. And maybe that's linked to what happened. But Maya and I are best friends and there is an uneven number in the group without me.

"Fine, I'll go!" I say before I can even get to terms with what I'm agreeing to.

She squeals, "yay!". The room goes silent.

"Jessica Byrne and Maya Sheehan! Detention! After school today!" We nod and I once again start taking our notes.

"J, we're going to have so much fun, I promise!" I roll my eyes. "I'll pick you up at seven. We're going to the Cupcake Café."

"Sure, is everyone going?" By everyone I mean Carmen, Amie, Peyton and Harper.

"Yes! Oh, this is so exciting! We haven't all been out in ages!"

"Jessica Byrne and Maya Sheehan! Detention every day after school! Don't you kids understand? This will come up in your exams!" Miss Field is red in the face. I can see Maya out of the corner of my eye trying to stifle a laugh.

That girl has no shame!

---

"You're wearing that?"

Maya is currently sitting on my bed being her usual self-judgmental. We look like complete opposites, and definitely not best friends. Maya's wearing a short skirt and a crop top. She looks like she's going to a nightclub, not a café. I'm wearing my favourite jeans and a hoodie.

"It's cold outside!" I say. She sighs.

"Jess, sometimes I just don't get you. You have all of these gorgeous clothes but you never wear them! Why?" She gets up to look at the clothes in my wardrobe.

"They're in the wrong size," I reply. She holds up a top that I remember loving last year. I look at the tag. It disgusts me. "Does it really matter what I wear?" I ask picking up my backpack.

She sighs, "I suppose not. But Jess, we're going shopping soon because your figure is gorgeous and you have to show it off. If the clothes you have don't fit, then we'll buy you new ones. You control the way you look, not the other way around. Now let's go."

That may be the only time that M sounded like she actually cared about me and my health. Weird.

You control the way you look, not the other way around. Well said M.

We bid goodbye to my parents and start to make our way to Cupcake Café. We always have a good laugh about the name, Cupcake Café. It sounds like a four-year-old naming the café that her Barbie's go to every morning at nine-o'clock sharp!

"J! M said you'd be here but I didn't actually think you would!" says Peyton. Harper, Amie and Carmen nod in unison. They all look identical, in their small tops and short skirts. I feel out of place. I shouldn't feel out of place. I'm at a café with my best friends, I should feel welcome.

"She surprised us all! I was expecting a last-minute text saying she was sick or some other bad excuse!" says Maya laughing.

"Nah, she's too stubborn for that" giggles Carmen.

"I'm still here!" I say. "Anyway we need to order, it's been way too long since I had a good cup of tea! I just can't replicate it!" I take the girls' orders and go up to the counter.

"Could I have three cappuccinos, one tea and two black coffees for here please?" I ask. She nods and I sit at the table that my girlies are at.

After a minute the waitress brings over our drinks and the girls start to talk. I laugh at all the right places but don't actually contribute to the conversation. I'm willing my phone to ring so I can go home. It doesn't. This is one of the times when I wish my parents were more protective.

The night draws on and eventually, I have to leave. "I'm just going to the bathroom," I say. When in the bathroom, I send my mum a text.

Please call me in five minutes, I'll explain later!

I leave the bathroom and return to my seat. Sure enough, after a few minutes, my phone started ringing.

"Hey Mum"

"Hello Jessica, are you OK?"

"What I have to come home already? But it's so early!" I try to put on a voice that makes it seem like I want to stay.

"What?"

"Fine mum! I'll be there in ten minutes!"

"OK, see you soon," replies Mum. Poor thing is probably really confused! I try to hold in my giggle.

"I have to go home! I'm so sorry," I say putting my phone into my pocket. They make sad faces and bid me goodbye.

I run home. Mum is sitting at her desk in her office. "Are you OK Jessica? Mum says without looking up from her computer.

"Yeah, thanks for that. I just wanted to come home, I'm exhausted!" It's half true. I did just want to come home but not because I'm tired.

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What happened last year?