HAPPY MEAL By Tygraicthefirst

3.Single!

Jessica

It had been nine months since my horrible break up with Carter. He was now in varsity and I was in my last year in high school. From that day I talked to Liam I accepted what had happened. I realised that I never really loved him. It hurt me because I'm all for loyalty and he failed to commit to that. I had trusted him with all I had. We stopped acting weird and talked like normal people.... But only if we had to talk to each other.

From then I dated some hot guy called Carl at home. But that died when he also cheated too. I mean honestly?! What's it with boys and cheating? I just don't understand them at all. If you don't love me why not break up with me and date the person that you really love? I know it might suck to be dumped but it's better than being lied to and cheated on. That's why I've decided to take a back seat in this dating thing until varsity. It's still February and I have to get through the whole year till December. And honestly I don't want any drama. I'd rather I focus on my studies so I can get a bursary.

But those plans seemed to be just that... Plans. When Junior burst onto the scene. It was late February and we were already writing exams. It started quite innocently. I was headed to the hostel alone after an afternoon exam when he approached me. We walked in silence for a few seconds before me being too forward broke the silence.
'So J,what's up?' At this moment I'm cursing Olga for ditching me for her boyfriend. But who am I to be jealous? As long as she's happy, right? Isn't that what good friends do? My train of thoughts is wrecked by Junior's voice. I'm quickly brought back to reality.
'Nothin much hey. Just tryna get through the school year is all.' He answers me nonchalantly. But most things about him seem nonchalant. It's like he doesn't try at all to impress but he does. He had that unique aura that made him noticeable even though he wasn't screaming for attention. He was dark like me, but not too dark. He was about 5" 9 in height,thin and a fashion sense that screamed hip_hop meets the runway. I looked at him briefly trying to find a good reply to his statement. I looked at his smooth face only speckled with a few pimples. To his soft pillowy mouth and soft but small round eyes. They were a dark brown just like mine and most of black people.' Oh well, we all wanna get out of this hell hole don't we?' He chuckles at my response.

Before I realise it we are already at the tank behind the boy's hostel. I speak first as always.
'Bye and thanks for keeping me company,' I say and wave goodbye to him. He waves back hesitantly.'Goodbye jess. I'll see you around.' I walk_run to my room as I don't want to shower with cold water. After my daily routine of ensuring my cleanliness at all times I put on black ripped jeans and a black crop top. I decide I want to be dramatic so I add some black lipstick too. I love that it makes me look a bit lighter and more attractive than the other shades I've tried. Everyone in the room looked at me. No, more like stared.'What?' I muttered before I could stop myself. Olga was the first to respond.'You look like a goth.' At this response I glare at her hard.
'What? You don't take compliments anymore? I don't mean it in a bad way. You look beautiful, sexy and a bit intimidating. You ooze sex appeal. And for the goth thing,.. It's totally your look.' I looked around at the rest of my friends to find their faces light up in agreement. I smiled in response.'Thanks guys.' We hear the bell overhead. Trisha grabs her bag and heads for the door.' That our cue ladies. Studying time!' We all laugh and head out the door. I look at my black Jack Parcels to make sure that they are well tied up. Yep, all good. Time to go.

Today I seem to be more visible to people around me. I'm getting curious stares, some appreciative and some just blank. But none are unpleasant. I ignore them and get down to business. After a wonderful and interesting studies I head out when the bell rings. I receive some compliments and fake girlfriend proposals from my friends who already have girlfriends. Typical!

But none of it bothers me it is not the first time. I just laugh and play along with them. But all their laughter dies down when they realise that it's studying time.. Again. But this time it's only for the matriculants. I went and sat on my usual table by the window next to the kitchen doors. I decided to study Economics since I was behind with it. I didn't notice the tall figure hovering over me or when he sat down. My concertration was broken by a weird feeling that someone was staring at me . I lifted my face to be met by a startled Junior with a look that resembled that of a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. I laughed at his dramatic expression.

'Busted!' ,he admitted laughing.
'Didn't your momma tell you that staring is rude?' , I retorted trying my best not to laugh.'Not when I'm looking at such a delight she didn't.' I couldn't help laughing at his cheesiness.'Typical of boys. So cheesy. ' He feigned shock by touching his left breast to look offended.' No way. I'm not typical most times, okay?Besides you just look smashing today.'
I looked at him skeptically not registering whether it was a compliment or something else since he was always joking.'Was that a compliment I just heard floating around somewhere? Coz I bet some people would disagree. My roomates said I look like a goth.' He looked at me for a few seconds before being all serious and shocking me with his next words. He looked me square in the eye and stretched out his right hand to hold my hand. He looked at me sincerely.' You are a beautiful young woman Jess. Don't doubt that. You are very beautiful, inside and out. And yes the black lipstick does sit well on you.' I felt a little hot after his compliment. He withdrew his hand and suddenly my hand felt cold. I was grateful for my dark complexion because it didn't show how hot my cheeks felt at the moment. I kept my eyes trained on my books. I was shy to look him in the eye after that akward moment that followed the first warm one. But what rang in my mind more was the word that held more promise for me. Woman. That meant that he did find me attractive. Wait!!How did my thoughts steer off road because of a simple compliment? I had to return to safe ground immediately. I turned my attention on my books. Junior seemed to sense the change in mood, so he didn't say anything for the remainder of the studies. But I was grateful for the quiet company that he provided me with.

At the end of the night I had bid Junior a good night. I lay late into the night thinking about what he had said. Sleep fled me that night as I contemplated all that had transpired in less than just ten hours to change the way that I felt about myself. But I ended up drifting off to sleep with the conclusion that Junior was right about all he had said. How I had never seen it was beyond as I had told Olga and she agreed wholeheartedly. Maybe I needed to gain more confidence and have a sense of self_worth. But at the moment my sleep overpowered any will I had to make any life changing decisions. So instead I drifted off to a sleep full of wonderful dreams where I was beautiful and really attractive. Where I didn't feel or look fat. But that is all it was..... A dream.