Chapter 5- What's wrong?
1278 Words
[Jersey]
"Jersey, you know professor, Langston could literally read the periodic table and I’d still be interested,” Mia sighed, stretching her arms over her head as we strolled out of the chemistry lab.
I barely registered her words.
The sun was soft against my skin, but it didn’t ease the heaviness pressing on my chest. My fingers curled tightly around the straps of my backpack. My sneakers dragged across the pavement like they were carrying more than just my body.
"And did you see the way he smiled at the girl in the front row today? Like damn, do you think he’s single? I’d risk it all. Chemistry daddy vibes."
I bit down on my lower lip, my mind was far gone as Mia's words drifted into the air
"Jersey?"
Her voice tugged me out of the fog.
"Hmm?" I blinked, turning toward her.
She stared at me like she didn’t recognize the person beside her. “You didn’t hear a word I just said, did you?”
I forced a smile. "Sorry. I guess I’m just tired."
She narrowed her eyes, nudging me with her shoulder as we slowed near the school gate.
"Not buying it," she said flatly. "You've been off since morning. What’s going on?"
I shrugged. "Nothing serious. Just a lot on my mind."
"A lot like what?" she asked, stopping now. We were under the shade of a tree, the breeze pushing strands of her hair across her face. "Don’t say stress. Or classes. That’s bull, and you know I know it."
I looked away, zeroing in on a couple across the street. I bit down on my lips as I watched the guy lean in and kiss the girl, laughing against her lips. My chest pulled tight—Ryder’s face flashed in my head like a slap.
The way he kissed me after f*****g me senseless.
And then the way he suddenly looked at me while telling me he was getting married like I was just some slut.
I blinked hard, averting my eyes from the couple.
"Jersey," Mia’s voice cut in again. "There it is. That stare. That... dazed look. What’s going on?"
I sucked in a breath and straightened my shoulders. "I’m good. Really."
"No, you’re not," she said firmly. "You're lying to me again."
I paused.
Then gave her the one thing I could say.
"I got fired," I muttered.
Her eyes widened. "Wait—what? You didn’t even tell me you were fired. When?"
"Yesterday," I said, biting the inside of my cheek.
"Why would they fire you? Did something happen?" Mia asked and I shook my head, biting down on my lips
"I have no idea. Maybe they needed fewer workers I guess."
That was a lie.
Mia narrowed her eyes, staring right into mine.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked quietly.
"Didn’t want to make a big deal out of it," I replied quickly. "Besides, I was thinking of getting a new one soon, I already gotten tired of working there."
"Hmm," she murmured "I know you'll get a better one soon. It's their loss for letting you go." She smiled and I couldn't help but smile back at her.
I took a deep breath as we continued walking, heading down to the bus station.
I could tell from the way she was watching me that she was not convinced that I was looking sad because of my job.
Then I remembered something that would shift the topic completely.
"By the way,” I said, clearing my throat. "My mom’s getting married."
Mia’s head jerked around to me. "Huh?"
"Yeah." I chuckled dryly. "She's Pregnant and getting married."
"Wait, hold on. Your mom?" she blinked hard, like she was trying to reprocess the words. "Are we talking about Vanessa here? Queen Vanessa? She’s getting married?"
I nodded.
"Holy s**t," she exhaled. "Damn. You serious?"
"Dead serious," I said. "She dropped it on me last night."
Mia let out a long whistle, rubbing her temple. "Wow, this is huge. So you're, I mean you're going to be a big sister soon?"
I shrugged.
"She’s happy. So I’m happy for her," I added.
Mia nodded. "I'm happy for her too," she said her eyes fixed on mine.
"She wants me to meet the guy tomorrow."
"Right," Mia mumbled.
We crossed to the other side of the street, the noise of passing cars fading into the background.
"You've not seen him or met him before now?" Mia asked.
I shook my head. "She never once talked about it, she said she wanted to be sure before introducing us but it ended up happening this way."
"I guess you'll get to meet him tomorrow then," Mia said, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "I'm sure if your Mom wants to take the bold step with him, then he's probably a good man."
I laughed quietly. "I don't care though. Once my Mom is happy, then I'm fine,"
Mia nodded, grabbing my hand in hers as we strolled down the street.
We walked for a bit, silent.
Then for another second, my mind did what it has been doing since yesterday. It went back to him
To Ryder.
I know that nothing was attached to what we shared but couldn't he have been more respectful? How dare he f**k me for hours just to throw me out the next second?
"Jersey?" Mia's loud voice echoed again and I cursed inwardly.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I turned toward Mia and she was standing still. "Are you sure you're okay? I'm your best friend Jersey. You can tell me anything. What's wrong?"
I forced a breath. "Nothing. I just.. Just... spaced out.”
"Same thing happened earlier," she said, not buying it. "You keep zoning out. What’s going on?"
“Nothing," I said quickly. Too quickly.
Mia raised a brow.
I bit down on my lip.
"Is this because of your Mom? You just said you're happy for her. Are you worried?" Mia asked and even though that was far from what was on my mind, I decided to go with it.
"Well I'm happy for her of course but I just hope whoever it is gets to treat her right. You know it's just been two of us since my father's death," I mumbled, feeling a sting as my father's name slipped from my tongue.
"I understand. Well you'll get to meet him tomorrow and I'm sure he'll be a good man," Mia said and I nodded, flashing her a smile.
We walked down the road, Mira stopped and stared at me, her eyes still scanning my face before she flashed me a tight smile. "I guess we'll see tomorrow then," she said.
"Yeah," I mumbled.
She hugged me tightly before walking off. "Call me when you get home"
I smiled. "Sure."
She nodded and headed toward the bus stop where she could get a bus going in her direction.
And just then my cab pulled up, I slid inside, shut the door, and pulled out my phone. I stared at Ryder’s name in my contacts for a long moment.
His name.
Still saved.
Still there.
My thumb hovered over it.
Then, I hit delete.
A dull ache formed in my chest, but I ignored it. My jaw clenched tight as I whispered, "You can go to hell."
And then, as the cab pulled into the street, I leaned back, letting the wind rush through the half-open window.
"I wish you not so well in that stupid marriage of yours," I growled loudly, ignoring the way the driver's eyes shifted toward me.
That f*****g Asshole
- Writer
