One Door Away

Chapter 21

My friends and I have been studying for five hours straight, without stopping for a break. Maybe it's because we're scared to fail or maybe it's the awkward friction I was experiencing with Owen and Henry. Jenna had been glancing at me for the past couple of hours, asking for an explanation in this weird situation we're all in. Meanwhile, I acted as if I also knew nothing, despite knowing they have this animosity between them, but I didn't know how to properly react, so I focused on the book I was reading as I lay on the bed.

'Damn it, guys,' Jenna snapped. She slammed her book down and turned the chair to see Owen and Henry. 'Are y'all okay? Because I'm not. What's the problem?'

The two guys looked at her with curiosity, baffled by her outburst. Of course, I was also at loss about what just happened. I guess Jenna can't take of the awkward silence lingering around the room anymore. It's not like she wasn't alone in this. I admit, it was truly uncomfortable because we weren't like this, and any sudden change would come as a shock for anyone.

'Why are you looking at me like that?' She rolled her eyes. 'Can somebody here in this room explain what's happening to me?'

They first looked at each other and then to Jenna. She reciprocated their gaze, but this time, she raised her right eyebrows which then turned into a frown as they snickered at her reaction. 'Wha –' She gasped and scratched her head. '– What are you guys laughing at?'

I joined in the fray, finding the escalation oddly hilarious. Surprisingly smooth, the once enduring tension was completely gone as if it never existed as we shared laughter. I dropped the book on the bed and got out of the bed to drink water. Jenna moved to Henry's side on the couch and placed her feet on his lap.

She asked him, 'For real though, was I the only one feeling that earlier?'

'Yup,' he answered. 'Right Owen?'

Owen nodded with a smile; his action was seemingly forced. Ignoring that, I smiled at the somber mood in the room. I drank two bottles of water to re-energize my entirety. Five hours of constant studying, who wouldn't get dehydrated or tired? I reopened the fridge to see two leftover pizza boxes Jenna and I didn't finish last night. Nice.

'You guys hungry?' I took out the boxes and showed it to them.

'Bring that here!' Jenna shouted and raised her hand. Astoundingly, Jenna and Henry were closer than ever last time I saw them. They were conversing so casually, and Jenna had gotten clingy. If I were the jealous type, I would react negatively, but that's toxic and I don't want to be that kind of friend to her.

Jenna took a pizza slice, stuffed it into her mouth, and said, 'I kinda forgot Peter, but I can't stay for tonight. I'm going back home later and come back after the dinner.'

'It's already 4. Don't you think you're going to be late at all?'

'Nah, I plan on being late anyway.'

Owen snucked himself on the couch. Jenna barked at her furiously because strands of her hair was stuck on Owen's bottom. He reached out for the remote to turn on the television.

'We're supposed to study right?' Henry asked as a-matter of fact. I continued to salivate and indulge myself in frozen pizza, paying no heed to any of their conversation.

'Dude, seriously?' He asked as he took a slice from the box. 'We've been studying for five hours, and aren't you some stereotypical jock that doesn't need to study?'

'See,' Henry complained. 'We have got to tear down stereotyping. I like this sport, but I also have a realistic goal in life.'

'You guys are crazy,' Jenna giggled.