Chapter 19

(FYI for the girls internal dialogue: Bold is Alexa speaking and Italics is Jayelina)

I took my usual seat at the front. The classroom was fairly empty because it was still early.

“Ow” I felt a pencil poke my neck. Giggles from girls and boys erupted. I turned around to find who was throwing pencils at me, finding Chelsea sitting directly behind wearing a smirk. She joined in laughing at me.

“What’s your problem?”

“Your hair is so thick that even pencils get tangled in it,” Chelsea said in a mocking laughter. I pulled out the pencils she threw at me, stuck in my hair.

“Thank you for the compliment. I do have pretty thick hair and it's awesome unlike your thin ass no volume hair” I smiled at them before turning around, so they couldn’t see my annoyed face rolling my eyes at their pathetic attempt to bully me. Rebecca walked in with Nic, Geralt and Rye by her side. The four of them looked fabulous straight out of a magazine cover.

“Jaye, tonight my family are celebrating my brother’s return from college and you’re invited!”

“is it alright for me to join? Wouldn’t be awkward to disturb the family reunion”

“Nonsense, once I told my brother that we’re friends again, he got so excited and asked for you to come. Remember when we were younger, you guys used to be very close” Rebecca explained.

“Okay, I’ll ask my mom but, can’t promise you anything” Still confused why would her brother ask for Jaye to come.

“Oh my mom already contacted her and she will be coming! I’ll text you the address later” Rebecca sounded overly excited.

Actually whenever we hangout or talk her usual cold demeanor changes into a sweet girl. This is the reason why Chelsea began picking on me because I was getting attention from Rebecca the most popular girl. In my opinion, I agree with her, Rebecca is giving me too much attention that puts me constantly in the spotlight. People would frequently try to talk to me so they could get on her good side or ask me for Rebecca’s number. My new found popularity has also affected my friendship with Camila. Instead of our quiet lunch, Rebecca would join us regularly, sitting between Camila and I. After the third day, Dee stopped eating with us because of the constant crowd that followed Rebecca. At first, Camila was stoic but soon the excitement died out. I know that my new friendship is affecting my relationship with Camila and Dee, but what can I do! Rebecca literally follows me everywhere and behaves super nice so I can’t even say anything. I sometimes wish she’d hate me so I can go back to being invisible.

After school, I took a shower and got ready for the dinner. I was dreading going but since the Harrisons insisted, I couldn’t say no. I just hope that I won’t have to deal with any judgment like last time. Mom didn’t have a late shift at the hospital and will be joining us tonight. She helped me pick out an outfit and do my hair as usual. She chose a nice pink dress for me but I oppose wearing pink. Nothing wrong with the color, just hated pink in general. At last, we both agreed on a dark ankle pants pair with a flowy blouse and flats. My hair was slicked back into a low ponytail that hurt like hell. On the other hand, mom looks drop dead gorgeous wearing a night sky blue dress and low heels. Her short hair was loose framing her small face. I noticed she put on subtle make up and wore jewelry. From the short time I’ve been living with her, I noticed that she barely goes out and it made me so happy seeing her dress up.

“Look at you mommy, maybe you’ll find a boyfriend tonight” I teased her giving her a twirl.

“Stop it Jaye, let’s go we’re late” We pulled up into a fancy looking asian restaurant and quickly spotted them. The mother and kids stood out with their radiant beauty.

“Ah you’re here come sit next to me Jaye” Rebecca usher me while the adults greeted each other.

“Jayelina, hi, how you been?” The guy who was sitting next to Rebecca said. I assume is her brother based on similarity. Both siblings looked very alike having the same eyes and nose shape. They looked like twins minus the height difference and feminine features on Rebecca.

“Hi- umm” and I suddenly lost my voice. Her brother is hot with a charming smile. Bless their mother’s genes. Without warning, he embraced me in a tight bear hug. I just stood still frozen while he hugged me then, patted my head like a child.

“Woah you’re a hugger” I half jokily choke out.

“Sorry… I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable” He face was flustered and panicked.

“No no it's fine”

“Tristan, leave my friend alone” Rebecca then dragged my chair closer to hers.

“So, how have you been Jaye?”

“I’ve been fine. Busy with school” I replied.

“Ah of course this is your final year of high school. Hey, don’t worry too much. Just enjoy high school life” he smiled at me. I swear my heart skipped a beat. I am so pathetic, a pretty boy smiles at me and my heart goes into combustion. Wait a minute, my heart is beating frantically, almost as if I liked him. Oh Jayelina you sneaky good girl have a crush on Rebecca’s older brother.

//Alexa, stop it’s not like that//

Oh really so why is your body reacting to him

//Fine, maybe I had a tiny crush on him. We spent so much time together when we were kids and he was always so nice to me//

Did you ever confessed?

//No. How could I? Look at him- so handsome and compare him to me I’m just the chubby little girl. //

Girl, first of all, you’re not chubby- it's called being curvy. Second, he’s totally into you.

//You think so? //

Oh yes. Look at how he’s looking at us

Tristan and I made eye contact which was intentional because Rebecca was sitting between us. I waved at him and grinned and he waved back.

//it doesn't matter now. It's not like I could be with him when I’m stuck sharing my body with you! //

Right, I told you I was going help you. We need to find the old lady and-

“Jaye, darling what would you like to drink?” Mrs. Harrison asked, interrupting my conversation with Jayelina.

“Ah just water”

“Oh my god Jaye what are you doing here” Camila jumped out nowhere. “Hi auntie Giselle,” Camila greeted my mom, giving her a long hug.

“What you doin’ here Cam?”

“Oh you know, family dinner” and then Dee emerges shyly waving hello at everyone.

“This is great that we’re all here. My mom, auntie Giselle and Mrs. Harrison all went to the same high school, isn’t that right?” Camila asked the table sitting down without being invited.

“Yes that’s correct, how’s your mother?” Mrs. Harrison didn’t look very pleased to have more guests.

“Gurrrl” Camila’s mother appears behind Dee wearing a big smile. She and mom then did a weird handshake and giggled about old time sake.

“Well, hello Rose” Camila’s and Rebecca’s mom exchanged a fake kiss on the cheek. Cleary these two had some old school drama. A while later, the Robert's family decided to sit at our table and started drinking wine and talking about the past.

“Let’s take a walk outside” Camila suggested and the younger generation agreed.

“Tristan you’re coming with us?” Rebecca asked from behind.

“I wish but I have to finish school work. Jaye,” he stood in front of me and pulled me aside. “I got you something from when I went abroad” He took my hand and placed a small wrapped gift on my palm.

“Thank you so much Tristan”

“You’re welcome. Um let’s catch up soon” he waved us goodbye and left. I stood paralized staring at his back. It sucked that Jayelina couldn’t live her life without me being inside her body. I felt sad and depressed about the situation.

“Aren’t you going to open it?” Camila whispered behind my ear, scaring me to death.

“Ah woman you scared me. I’ll open it later… alone.” I gave everyone a side glance. “C’mon let’s go”