Confidant

2) Awkward Encounters

I set an actual alarm for today, not wanting a of repeat yesterday-morning's scenario with my sister.

I pull up to my school on time... a few minutes early even.

"Two days in a row, and early? Wow, you're setting a real record here Miss Kennedy." Simon's teasing voice starts as I approach my friends grouped at the school building's entrance.

I roll my eyes, trying to fight off a smile but I fail miserably.

"Come on, I wasn't that bad." I say, referring to my attendance all the years prior.

And it's true. The school was never forced to call my parents and query my absenteeism which means it couldn't have really been that bad.

I give them each a hug, exchanging 'hellos'.

"So-" I begin, but get cut off by loud, masculine laughter.

I turn around to see Jasper and his full crew ascending towards the entrance. Chris shoves Jasper playfully, causing him to almost lose his footing which earns the attention of my friends too.

Always on the alert for a possible fight.

Jasper is all teeth, holding his hands up in defense as his friend tries to go at him again.

"Alright! I take it back you don't exactly suck at playing." He says with a laugh, his golden-brown eyes shining in amusement and I immediately get a flashback of how they looked last night, noting the definite contrast.

I'm not sure how to feel about the way my stomach contracts at the memory.

"But you're not exactly good either."

His punchline earns laughs from his friends and two middle fingers from Chris. Jasper's eyes are bright, teasing, chest puffed out in pride and his smug smile seems genuine... that is, until he notices me looking at him.

I see it instantly, the light leave his eyes, his expression caving, his smile faltering... but not even a moment later, he recovers. He diverts his attention back to his friends, instantly back to that 'so-happy' facial expression. The moment was over so fast, it almost felt as if I had imagined it.

And it's in this moment that I realise that this Jasper McKay is all an act, and that smile that everyone sees every day is just a mask.

My stomach contracts again and I suddenly have the urge to hug him and comfort him.

But I end up shoving the feeling down, reminding myself again that this is none of my business, and that his life is not my concern. I hate knowing he's hurting, and that he seems to endure this pain in secret, but it isn't my place to intrude, especially considering that we aren't even friends.

I feel conflicted as they pass us.

My friends continue their conversation, seeming to be unaware of what just happened between Jasper and I.

"-party this Friday." I tune into Brianna's last words.

"Party?" I ask, making them turn to me, all of their faces basically saying 'really?'.

"Have you literally not heard a word I said this whole time?" Brianna's mouth is set in a thin line. "Matteo Radfeild?" She asks me in a way that's suppose to be obvious.

I shrug my shoulders and she pinches the bridge of her nose in frustration, huffing. "Charlotte."

My name tumbles from her mouth in disappointment.

"The one we have every year Char," Philip tries, placing his hands on his girlfriend's shoulders to calm her. "First Friday of every school year, the Ice Breaker-"