Jellybean Jones

Chapter 79: Pretty in Pink

Adelaide POV (why tf not?)
"Be honest with me, Jellbell, what's the absolute worst that could happen?" I asked my girlfriend as she slowly left my arms. She opened her mouth to speak, but had nothing to say. She sat in thought for what felt like an hour, but what must've been only a solid two minutes. "Well, I don't know, exactly, but..." She trailed off. "There is no 'but', Pidge. You and I both know that. C'mon, I mean, now that you've thought about it and come up empty handed, will you at least admit that this worrying is pointless? All it's doing is making you unhappy." I prompted, knowing that I had succeeded in making her realize that it was superfluous how worked up she was.

"O-okay, Adi, you-you're right. I'm worried about nothing and it's making me unhappy and I know that, b-but I can't stop." She ranted, her face starting to flush. She began playing with her hair, nervous. I grabbed her hand to stop her. "There are so many other things to think about, Jones. You are stronger than this and I know that. In fact, I'm starting to think that you're the only who doesn't." I continued, simply trying to make her feel better. "And I know that you can't control how much you worry, but you can damn well try." I finished, waiting for a reaction.

She bit her lip and broke eye contact with me. "I don't think I deserve you." She whispered. I absolutely melted. "You're going to be okay, I promise." I whispered back. She looked at me again. "Besides, going to high school means not being on campus with friggin sixth graders." I said, lightening the mood. She giggled, a smile now visible on her face. "You're so good at this." She said, still laughing. "Good at talking? I mean, yeah I sure hope I am, I've been doing it for fourteen years." I confined. "Adi!" She cried happily, I only chuckled, glad to see she was starting to come to terms.

Jellybean POV
Adelaide had made me feel better, but the content feeling had melted away as soon as the lunch bell rang and we had to separate. I tried to focus on how unrealistic and unreasonable my worrying was, but I couldn't stop my thoughts. Besides, high school isn't until September...am I seriously going to be this worried until then?

It felt weird walking home without my brother, just like it had for the past few days. I mean, I guess I should get used to it considering that he'll be going to university next year and...wow I've really gotta stop thinking about things that worry me. I felt off, but I assume it's only because I had gotten myself so worked up, besides, I 'graduate' tomorrow, doesn't everybody have nerves about the mock ceremony that will take place? Or maybe I'm not scared for the ceremony at all, I mean, I was in a play, so why should I be worried about this?

My string of panicked and confused thoughts lasted me until I got home. I was glad to step inside, the June heat seemed warmer than the day previous and I wasn't loving it. "Hey, Jellybean." Dad greeted, appearing in the living room. "Hi." I replied, my voice much weaker than I had expected it to be. I tried to shake it off. "Where's Jug?" I asked, not spotting my brother anywhere. "He went to Archie's, I'm pretty sure I told you yesterday..." He explained.

After a moment's silence, he spoke again. "So I got the information email about tomorrow." He began. I bit my lip, sitting on the arm of the couch. "The first three blocks are allegedly 'fun activities'" He continued, I scoffed. "yeah, I know. Then last block, as you said, is the ceremony, which your brother and I are coming to." He finished. I nodded, trying my best to not focus on it. "Am I supposed to like, dress up?" I questioned. "Well, obviously, yeah...are you feeling okay? You look pretty flushed." He said.

I shrugged. "You're definitely warm, you aren't Ferris Bueller-ing me, are you?" He teased, putting a hand on my forehead. "No, I-I didn't even notice." I said quickly. "Oh." He said suddenly. "Wha-?" "Jell, you've gotten yourself worked up into a fever...again." He said gently. "I'm confused, I really don't feel sick." I insisted. "You're starting to look it though. Are you seriously still worried about high school? Is this what brought it on?" Dad asked concernedly.