Whispered Desires

Chapter 8: Just a favor

JASMINE

I've always been bold.

I just know what I want, and I don't hesitate to take it.

People keep judging me for that, and I have to admit, for a very long time I cared about what people thought of me. My family raised me that way. But one day a switch flipped in my head, and I just stopped.

I stopped caring about other people's opinions. The only people who I give a damn about are my friends, and becoming my friend is not an easy mission, let me tell you.

Mila is my best friend, and although we're completely different characters who live completely different lives, I just know that I can count on her. It didn't matter what happened, we just stuck together all our lives, we stood up for the other. The only times Mila actually spoke up in class was when she wanted to defend me. If that doesn't say something about her character and the love she has for me, then I don't know what does.

Looking at my phone now, I just wish she'd still live with me. She could answer the phone to talk to my mother, she could tell her I have a severe migraine or whatever kind of excuse she can come up with. Mila is a terrible liar, but when push comes to shove, she always pulls through.

She isn't here though, and so I have to answer the damn phone if I don't want my mother to show up on my doorstep in a few hours.

"Hello?"

"Jasmine! Finally."

I roll my eyes when I hear my mother's high-pitched voice, her concern always seems fake for some reason. Maybe because it is, who knows. "Hey, Mom."

"You didn't call me back when I left a message a few days ago. Have you listened to it? Have you checked your mail?"

"No, I was in Chicago for a job over the past few days and I didn't get to check the mail when I came home last night..."

Yeah, because I had to take a cold shower after that encounter with Kilian in the car...

"I see, well, I can just tell you then. Would you believe it, your cousin Charlize gets married in two weeks!"

Oh, please, no...

"Is she now?" I try not to let my annoyance shine through, although I can't deny that I not only dislike said cousin, I also am not looking forward to a family gathering anytime soon. "Wow, Mom. That's... Wow."

"Right? They sent out invitations a few days ago, and because the wedding is in two weeks, they need a prompt response about your plus one. You do have a boyfriend, right?"

I can't suppress the heavy sigh that leaves my throat, this whole ordeal is something I do not want to deal with.

"I don't even know if I can be there, Mom. I have a ton of jobs lining up, and I get new ones on a daily basis. I need to make a name for myself. If someone asks for me, then I have to be there."

"Jasmine, you know I don't like that photography thing you're doing anyway," she mutters, "Why don't you start looking for a real job?"

"I have a real job, Mom!" I snap at her, unable to contain myself anymore. "I have a diploma in photography. I studied and worked for years to get this. This is a real job."

"Yes, well, you know what I mean..." she mumbles, obviously not even listening to me properly, "Well, we're getting distracted here. You have a boyfriend, right? And he'll be there?"