Beverly Lights

18

Juliet sat across the table from Olivia at the Cafe as she sipped on her iced coffee. She noticed that Olivia kept checking her phone and then would look around, almost as if she was waiting for someone. "I don't know if you know what a girls day is, but it typically doesn't include cellphones and an uninvited guest." Juliet laughed. "I'm sorry?" Olivia asked as she looked at her.

"Who are you waiting for?"

"No one?"

"Liv? You're literally killing your battery just to check your phone."

"Okay fine, I haven't seen Asher around lately and word on the street he hangs out here a lot."

"So we came here so you can see Asher?"

"I just want to make sure he's okay, is all. I know he did me wrong, but he's in a really hard place right now. A place that I know is difficult to get out of, and he needs that support. And if we don't give it to him, who-"

"Okay, okay." Juliet said cutting her off. "I get it, we're here for Asher. I'm honestly surprised you forgave him so easily after what he did."

"Asher made a mistake, but everyone deserves a second chance and the opportunity to explain themselves. He needs us more than ever."

Juliet looked at Olivia then back down to her coffee. She knew she was speaking on more than what Asher had done. Juliet hadn't talked to Jordan in almost four days, she still hadn't taken the time to figure out the entire story.

Juliet looked towards the door and saw Layla as she walked inside. She turned to Olivia unsure if she saw her and she already had. She looked at Juliet and said, "We're cool. I told you, everyone deserves a second chance."

Just as Layla started to make her way over to them, Gabby, the Student Council Vice President walked up to her. "Layla," She said. "So, you and Spencer?" "Surprised?" Layla responded.

"Yes, it is surprising. And I'm not gonna lie, we're a little offended."

"Who's 'we'?"

"The rest of the school."

"Oh, so you took a poll?" Layla laughed.

"This is serious, Layla."

"Why does it matter?"

"The timeline matters. Since you broke up with Asher, like 5 minutes ago, all of this drama isn't very becoming of a Stu Co President. I'm just saying, elections are coming up. It's not going to end well." Gabby looked Layla up and down and then headed for the door.

Layla walked up to Juliet and Olivia and said, "Really?" As she gestured towards Gabby. "I mean, who cares?" "Depends on how attached to popularity you are." Juliet replied. "Gabby's the reason I don't have more friends." Olivia added.

Layla let out a deep sigh and sat in the chair next to Juliet. She looked down at her hands then up to her friends and said, "So I met Spencer's ex today."

"Kia?" Olivia asked.

"You know about Kia?"

"Yeah, Spencer mentioned her."

"She's, like, really cool."

"Layla, I don't think you're in a competition with Spencer's ex." Juliet laughed.

"I know.. Hey, are you guys free the rest of today? We could really use your help."

"Yeah. Who's 'we'?" Olivia asked.

"Spencer, Kia, and I. Plus anyone else who's going to volunteer. Wear cleaning up the parks in Crenshaw in hopes to make it a safer place for the kids. We want to give them somewhere where they can hang out that's not full of gangs. I think Mrs. Baker is coming by."