One Door Away

Chapter 17

Sorry for uploading this late; I lost inspiration to write. I uploaded two chapters as a way to say sorry to my readers.

~

'Is that true?' exclaimed Jenna from the news Henry had delivered. 'There's gotta be no way that is legit.'

'I swear,' Henry said, raising his right hand as a sort of promise. 'Mrs. Gabes was found to be kissing a student from her room. There was even footage that leaked for about five hours but was remedied by the campus immediately.'

'That's why I didn't know,' Jenna screamed in excitement. 'Oh, my god!'

'I know you guys are gossiping but prelims are near,' I said as looked at them talking from the bed of my room. 'Please?'

'Fine, I have to go back to my room,' Jenna made a shriveled reaction. 'I need to wash my clothes.'

Jenna, who's on her feet, brought her stuff with her. The bag that she used to put all the items back was the one I gave her last year, a circular pink bag with a gold-chained sling.

'That's my gift, right?'

She gave me a nod and a grin as she walked outside.

'By the way, have ya seen Owen?' I yelled at Jenna who has already stepped outside.

'I forgot that he said he was gon' be busy today,' she replied. 'Toodles.'

I was left here with Henry, who's submerged in his books. His stern face made a smile as he noticed my stare. He sat up straight, his legs crossed and his arms on the bed supporting his body.

'You doing anything later?' asked Henry who was directly across me from the couch.

'I don't think so,' I rummaged through my calendar on my phone. 'Yep, crystal clear. However, prelims are next week. I don't want to lose my pace now, not on a Wednesday.'

'Come on,' he insisted; moreover, he made puppy eyes. 'Take a breather.'

'I suppose taking a break doesn't hurt,' I said, giving in to his request.

After the party the four of us attended, Henry leveled up from being a plus one to now actually becoming part of our group. It had been exactly four days since that time, and we were now all close. Owen, however, remained partially skeptical despite Henry being such a fun person, in which he admitted.

How did he get so close and mingle-y with us? On a bright and lazy Sunday, there's me, who only wanted to stay in bed, and Jenna, who wanted to go out to the mall. Jenna invited me first, where I declined, and she proceeded to ask Owen, who also declined. Now, there's the unassuming Henry, where he immediately said yes to Jenna's invitation.

The extroverted duo shared some intimate details over their "date" including my own secrets. Jenna and I had a fight about this, but I could never get mad at her after all she has done for me. Furthermore, Jenna kept inviting Henry to every lunch and dinner we had over the past few days. To be completely honest, it got weird as I felt more comfortable to Henry than ever.

'Let's go.'

*

'Can you look at how hot it is today?' I asked Henry who was beside me using his phone.

It wasn't extremely hot, just the exact temperature that wouldn't make me sweat if I walked. 'It's seventy today, so-so,' he stated.

'Thanks again.'