Edge of Surrender

Chapter 11

Serena Rosette

In the morning, I woke up feeling refreshed, with just a hint of body ache. I opted for my chic Gray top paired with a sophisticated black knee-length skirt. Without delay, I headed to the bathroom for a quick freshening up.

In the kitchen, I prepared a sandwich and a glass of honey water for Jenna. She had come home late the night before, texting me that her date hadn’t gone well. I was well aware of her attempts to make Ben jealous by going on dates and hooking up with random guys. It pained me to see her breaking herself instead of communicating with Ben and rebuilding their relationship.

After finishing my sandwich, I made my way to Jenna’s room. “Jenna, wake up. We have to go,” I said as I removed the blanket from her face. She was in such a deep sleep that she didn’t budge an inch. Placing the glass of honey water on her bedside table, I tried once more, “Come on, rise and shine.”

Jenna stirred slightly, groggily opening her eyes. “What time is it?” she mumbled, rubbing her temples.

“It’s time to get up. We’ve got things to do,” I replied, urging her to sit up.

She blinked a few times, adjusting to the light. “Ugh, my head,” she complained.

I handed her the glass of honey water. “Here, this might help. Hydrate yourself.”

She took a sip, giving me a grateful nod. “Thanks, you’re a lifesaver.”

Ignoring the compliment, I pressed on, “So, about last night. Your attempt to make Ben jealous isn’t helping anyone. You’re only hurting yourself in the process. Maybe it’s time to have an honest conversation with him.”

Jenna sighed, looking down at the glass in her hands. “I don’t know, it just feels easier this way. Avoiding the real issues.”

I sat down beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “But it’s not really helping, is it? You’re just prolonging the pain. Maybe facing the issues head-on is the only way to truly move forward.”

She looked at me, a mix of frustration and vulnerability in her eyes. “It’s not that simple, you know? Things are complicated.”

I nodded, acknowledging the complexity of their situation. “I get it, but avoiding the issue won’t solve anything. Anyway, we need to get going. We’ve got things to do today.”

Jenna sighed again, running a hand through her hair. “Fine, let me get ready.”

As she started getting up, I added, “And maybe consider having an honest conversation with Ben. It might surprise you how things could turn around.”

She shot me a half-smile, acknowledging my advice. As Jenna began to prepare for the day, I couldn’t help but hope that she would find a better way to navigate the challenges in her relationship with Ben.

I cleaned her messed-up room until she came to get ready.

As Jenna got ready, I couldn’t shake the feeling that her stubbornness might be a significant obstacle in resolving the issues with Ben. It seemed like she was waiting for him to make the first move, unwilling to take the initiative herself.

“How are you feeling today?” Jenna asked, taking a sip of the honey water.

“Much better than yesterday,” I replied, grateful for the improvement in my well-being. I walked towards my room, and Jenna followed.

“I kept breakfast for you, have it,” I said, gesturing towards the table.

“Thanks, Jenna. I appreciate it,” she said, grabbing a quick bite to eat.

“So tell me about that day?” Jenna asked taking other bite. I looked at her, thinking of an excuse to tell her.

“Jenna nothing happened that day, the cab was broken on the way, then when I started walking on the way, it started raining, later my ankle twisted and I fall,” I replied maintain causality.

“But why did you went alone, you should have told Austin,” she suggested.

“It didn’t came to my mind,” I said, and then taking my plate, I continued, “Leave it now, everything is better now, finish fast that.”

After breakfast, I gathered all the journals that needed to be submitted to the library and put them in my bag.

“We should head to the college to return all this material,” I suggested.

Jenna nodded in agreement, and we decided to take a cab to save time. As we stepped outside, the fresh air did wonders for my lingering fatigue. The cab arrived promptly, and we settled in for the ride to the college.

Thankfully, the dean wasn’t at the college, sparing me from any inquiries about the conversation with Mason. I couldn’t fathom what I would have told him if he had asked, considering the emotional roller coaster it had been. The memory of the scolding and the forced chair sit-down replayed in my mind, making me take a deep breath to steady myself.

After the journal submission, Jenna and I stepped out of the college, only to find Ben and Austin waiting with their bikes.

As we approached, Austin asked, “Are you feeling better today?”

I nodded, appreciating the concern.

“Since you’re feeling better, let’s go watch a movie, then to a cafe, followed by a game parlor. Remember, Sere, our final match is still left, in which I am going to make you lose, and lastly, clubbing,” Ben rattled off in one breath, excitement evident in his voice. Everyone seemed to need a break after the hectic exams and monotonous routine, and we all eagerly agreed.

“Whoa, hold on. We’re going on bikes?” Jenna asked a hint of surprise in her voice.

“Yeah, we’re heading to a surprise location. But in the evening, we’ve got plans,” Austin announced, sealing it with a kiss on my knuckles, making me smile.

“Alright, let’s go then,” Jenna said, ready for the much-needed break. As we accelerated up our bikes and hit the road, the anticipation of a day filled with movies, cafes, games, and clubbing lifted our spirits, promising a refreshing diversion from our usual routines.

We started our day by watching a movie, immersing ourselves in the captivating story line. Laughter and shared snacks filled the cinema as we enjoyed the break from reality.

Once the movie ended, we headed to a nearby cafe, our next destination on the list. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the warm ambiance welcomed us as we settled into a cozy corner. The chatter of friends enjoying each other’s company combined with the rich aroma, created a perfect setting for us to unwind.

As we sipped our drinks and savored delicious treats, conversations flowed effortlessly. It was a much-needed respite from the usual stress of exams and daily life. The cafe provided a comfortable space for us to relax, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company.

As we wrapped up our time at the cafe, the anticipation for the game parlor began to build. However, as I glanced at my watch, I realized it was already 5. The realization hit me — I had scheduled to meet Mason, a decision that had occupied my thoughts throughout the previous night.

“Sorry, guys, but I can’t come any further,” I explained a tinge of sadness in my voice.

Jenna looked puzzled. “Why? What happened all of a sudden?”

I hesitated for a moment, contemplating how much to reveal. “There’s something I need to take care of. A meeting, you could say.”

Austin, sensing my hesitation, asked, “Is everything okay?”

I nodded, offering a reassuring smile. “Yeah, it’s just something I can’t put off any longer. But you guys go ahead and enjoy. I’ll catch up with you later.”

Jenna and the others exchanged concerned glances but respected my decision. “Alright, we’ll save a spot for you at the game parlor,” Ben said, giving me an understanding look.

With that, I bid them a temporary farewell and headed off to fulfill my commitment, hoping that addressing the lingering issues from the previous night would bring some closure and clarity to my thoughts.

As I weighed the options, considering the importance of punctuality for Mason, I decided to prioritize the meeting and ensure I reached on time. The anticipation of the impending conversation heightened my sense of responsibility.

Booking a cab, I patiently waited for it to arrive. The minutes ticked away slowly, and with some time to spare, I reached into my bag, pulling out my earbuds. Watching a series seemed like a good way to pass the time and distract my mind momentarily from the upcoming meeting.

With the earbuds in place, I immersed myself in the story line, appreciating the ability of a good series to provide a temporary escape from reality. The cab eventually arrived, and as I embarked on the journey, I left behind the lighthearted atmosphere of the afternoon with my friends, transitioning into the focused mindset required for the forthcoming discussion with Mason.

The cab finally arrived after 20 minutes, and I settled into the backseat, continuing with my series to pass the time. The anticipation of the upcoming meeting with Mason loomed in the back of my mind, but the distraction of the series provided a welcome escape.

The route to Mason’s mansion was estimated to take around 30 minutes, giving me a window to finish an episode or two of my series. The city passed by outside the cab window as I immersed myself in the unfolding drama on the screen, momentarily detaching from the real-life scenarios awaiting me.

As the cab navigated through the streets, I couldn’t help but feel a mixture of nerves and curiosity about how the meeting with Mason would unfold. The comforting familiarity of my series provided a temporary reprieve, allowing me to gather my thoughts before diving into the potentially challenging conversation ahead.