Just You and Me, Sister

Chapter 05: Tige

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Chapter 5: Tige

'~'

Jade walked into the classroom with her brother as they smiled from ear to ear. It was Thursday, a school day, the same old usual. In hopes to change the atmosphere around them, Conrad played with Jade's bag strap, coiling it repeatedly. Tugging his sister mischievously with negligible force, he made a witty remark. Both of them shared a mutual gaze and chuckled right before they entered through the classroom doors.

It was as if the classroom noticed the cue. The view ahead of them was as vibrant as ever. Her classmates were scattered across the room, in groups, each having a different topic of discussion. The weather matched perfectly with the joyous atmosphere as well, with birds chirping near the windows as they played tag with each other.

Feeling elated, Jade skipped her way to her seat. It wasn't exactly her assigned seat but habitually, she chose the same position every day. Second last row and the middle-right column. Not too far from the windows nor the door, so she could leave the room the moment the lunch bell rings. According to her, it was the perfect location.

Like usual, she pulled her chair back and took her seat. Her brother patted her head and continued to walk towards the window, where his favourite space was. Jade scoffed proudly, as she felt his hands on her head. When she looked up again, she made eye contact with a face that had just entered through the front doors. Maroon straight hair which was slicked back neatly with gel and a pair of dark brown eyes.

He smiled at her.

Having had many secret admirers smiling at her before, this was definitely not a rare sight. Yet, something was different with this situation, with his smile. It was not a simper of a distant schoolmate, it was more personal and warm. Thoughtlessly, she returned the gesture.

"Oh no... He's my classmate?"

Magically, her memory was summoned back. Jade slammed her head, a little too hard, on her book. She winced in pain and turned her head towards the windows as she searched for a face which always brought her comfort. There he was at his seat, lightly cleaning the windows with his sleeves. A concerned look was displayed as he rotated his arms and came face to face with a stained sleeve.

She stifled a giggle. Amazed at how her brother could subconsciously make her feel at ease. His eyes darted towards her. He pivoted his upper limb, sharing the clear view of his sleeves with Jade and pouted his lips.

Oh Rad... I have something to share with you too...

Her unfinished thoughts were rudely disrupted by a piece of paper that blocked her line of sight. With an expression of annoyance, she grabbed what was in front of her and examined the paper.

A ten dollar bill?

"Everyone can't seem to stop talking about my hair. I heard it made me ten times more irresistible," her childhood best friend took a seat next to her, obscuring Conrad from the picture.

The thought of being ten bucks richer made her gleeful. Jade sat up as her eyes glistened.

Dominic shook his head and chuckled at her reaction. He fished out a pocket mirror from his trousers and admired his reflection. A sight that was not rare at all.

He's so predictable.

Smiling, Jade kept the note in her wallet and gave her neighbour a thumbs up. She wanted to prompt Dominic about her bicycle that was not returned yet, but she decided to end the interaction on a sweet note.