Good Enough |✅|

Susan

   I realised what a huge mistake I had made at the party after I stepped in through the entrance of my school the next day.
I should've never abandoned my so-called presupposed nerdiness!

There were rumours everywhere. Although it wasn't completely bad because I had gained something too. Or rather, someone.

Ginny : Seriously, pay them no attention.

Carla : The haters will keep hating, trust me. Personally, I think you and Jeremiah look really good together.

Susan : For the last time, we're not in a relationship!

Somehow, my heart stung at the notion. Slightly or not, it was revolting.

Ginny and Carla : Yet—

Susan : Guys!

Ginny : Okay, never mind. Carla and I are gonna go attend that seminar we were talking about, 'kay? So—

Susan : Oh yeah. About social media or something, right?

Ginny : —Yeah, so let's meet in the library after school.

Carla : I'm in the mood for studying extra hard today.

Ginny rolled her eyes at Carla and waving at me, they walked away.

Stuffing the necessary textbooks in my bag, I started walking to my classroom when I spotted Jeremiah from the corner of my eye. Leaning erotically on a wall, he was glancing at his phone in earnestness. For a moment, I hesitated (Again!), but ended up approaching him anyway.

Susan : Hi.

Jeremiah shifted his eyes from his phone in a lackadaisical attitude. But as soon as he realised that it was me, he straightened up readily and put his phone away. Given that he had the gloomiest personality everytime, I had thought he had managed a smile at the party only because he was outside school grounds. So I was stricken when he grinned at me again.

Susan : Who were you texting?

Yes, I had randomly guessed that he was probably texting someone and also yes, my words couldn't be held back by my conscience suddenly. My heart was just that insecure. And moreover,

I had no right to ask him that!
I think.

But Jeremiah did not falter in the slightest.

Jeremiah : Oh. I was texting my mom.

Not only had I guessed completely right but I found myself already slipping into my newfound relief. It was just his mom.
Shit!

Suddenly, and I must say quite ironically, Daniel popped out of nowhere right beside me.

Daniel : Jeremiah, the tryouts are gonna start right after recess.

Before Jeremiah could answer, I piped up.

Susan : They're holding basketball tryouts at this time of the year?

Daniel : Yeah well, it's for the new team since the seniors are gonna—wait a second, how did you know Jeremiah was gonna tryout for basketball?

I paused.
. . . Oops.
I forgot they didn't know that I had watched them all play streetball not long back. I started thinking about shrugging it off or throwing an excuse but Jeremiah caught my eye. And I noticed his stare was a knowing one this time. Maybe he had figured it out then.
So I chewed out the truth and unfortunately with it, some extra facts too.

Susan : Well, I happened to be passing by the streetball court that day and I saw the match you guys were playing and, um . . . I think you played quite great, Jeremiah. I'm pretty sure you'll make the team.

Ultimately, gazing at their faces after saying all that, I realised I had made yet another mistake. One's face had flushed and the other's face had hardened. I'm leaving you to guess whose face had which expression.
I also realized that Daniel probably didn't know that Jeremiah had confided their little secret to me.

Jeremiah : You—you think so?

I forgot to glance at Daniel.

Susan : Absolutely.

Damn it!

Thankfully, the bell rang and we all parted. I, on my part, hurried away as quickly as possible.
However, after recess, I found myself tracing my steps to the bleachers during gym anyway, where few students were watching the tryouts take place.

I watched the players break sweat as the whistles kept sounding. As soon as the tryouts ended, gym class did too. I was about to walk out, or rather, jog out the door when Jeremiah spotted me.
I couldn't decide if I was to regret it 'cause Daniel was right there with him too. Thrusting his water bottle in Daniel's hand, he ran up to me.

Jeremiah : Thanks for your encouragement. It really helped. I did make the team!

Susan : Seriously? I mean, I wasn't really trying to—

But he was shaking both my hands vigorously the next second and I found myself relishing his touch even after he had walked away with the other boys. However, I was snapped out of my quite an unexpected delirium when I figured that Daniel (of all the boys) hadn't followed the other players out. I detected with little affliction that he was staring at my hands. But when his eyes bore into mine, I perceived the real emotion inside his mind.

. . . Unrealistically, it made my heart buckle.
And then he was all in my face.

Daniel : Hm, I guess I have no choice but to accept you as my rival after all.

Whaaaat?!
You're not giving up!?!
But more like, whaaaat?!

I was kinda glad I hadn't blurted it out.
So . . . did he know about me knowing about him and Jeremiah after all?

Susan : Wha—what are you talking about? I don't— it's not like I like Jeremi— What are you talking about?

Daniel did not reply. He bit his lip guiltily and slightly shook his head before leaving a speechless me behind.
And why the hell did I stammer?
But suddenly, recollecting Daniel's withdrawn face in my head saddened me. His eyes had always seemed so peaceful everytime he was around before. Was the change in him my fault?
Nah. There was no way. Jeremiah was Jeremiah. And anyway, whatever the answer turned out to be,

It wasn't like I could do anything about it.
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- Mallina