Chapter 12

Jemima found her girls exactly where she knew they’d be- sprawled across their usual bench under the big oak tree near the student union. Vanessa had her nose buried in some poetry book, while Zoe was scrolling through her phone with her signature resting-rage face.

As soon as they saw her approaching, both girls sat up straighter, they’re faces curious and impatient.

“Alright,” Zoe said, standing up and folding her arms, “I already have the bodybag on standby, but you’ll need gloves to help me with the body.”

Vanessa raised an eyebrow after putting down her book, “so is he dead, or just severely wounded?”

Jemima sighed, dropping her bag on the ground before taking a seat on the empty space between them on the bench. “Neither. He’s alive. And forgiven.”

Silence.

Then-

“What do you mean forgiven?” Zoe’s eyes narrowed on her.

Vanessa’s jaw fell open, “baby girl, no. You don’t forgive betrayal by a milkshake with a smile on your face.”

“I didn’t have a smile on my face…” okay maybe she did. “He explained himself, understood he messed up and apologised!” She defended her decision.

“Of course he did,” Zoe scoffed, “right after we threatened him with felony-level violence.”

“Oh please tell me you were just pretending so he’d let his guard down and then you were gonna emotionally assassinate him later?”

Jemima gave Zoe an apologetic look, “nope, I forgave him.”

Vanessa dramatically slid from the bench and down to the grass like she’d just lost a battle, “I shouldn’t have given you that advice. Oh curse the psychologist in me always wanting to solve peoples problems the right way!”

Zoe eyed Jemima suspiciously, “did he bribe you with fries? A puppy? Or did he finally learn how to cry and beg in a hot cinematic way?”

Jemima smiled despite herself. “None of the above. He was…just honest. He messed up, admitted it, and he’s trying to fix it. What more do you want?”

“I want a bare minimum bar that’s not buried six feet under,” Vanessa muttered.

Jemima loved her friends.

Their reaction, although insanely dramatic, only showed how much they cared for her and wanted nothing but the best for her. If there was anyone in this world she trusted with her life to always have her back, it was Vanessa and Zoe.

Zoe squinted at Jemima, “so, you’re happy?”

Jemima paused, then nodded, “Yeah, I’m still mad, I still think he was dumb, but I know he knows the limit to not cross now. And I think…I think we’ll be okay.”

There was a long silence.

Then Zoe sighed, and leaned back with her head resting on the backrest of the bench. “Fine, but I’m watching him like a hawk.”

Vanessa pointed a finger at Jemima as she sat back on the bench, “you get one heartbreak pass. If he screws up again, we’re all wearing black to his funeral, emotionally, possibly literally.”

Jemima laughed and leaned her head on Zoe’s shoulder, “duly noted.”

Vanessa groaned, “I can’t believe I have to be nice to him again.”

“Let’s not go that far,” Zoe grinned, “passive-aggressiveness works too.”

As they sat there in the sun, joking and bickering, Jemima felt the weight on her chest lift just a little more. Maybe things weren’t perfect, but they were hers, and for now, that was enough.

•••

It was just after lunch when the trio stepped out onto the quad, turning heads as always. Jemima walked in the middle, her long blonde braids swaying behind her with each step, designer sunglasses low on her, lips glossed to perfection and an ego higher than the ceiling. Vanessa flanked her left cool and unbothered, while Zoe walked to her right, chewing gum like it was personal.

They didn’t have to say a word. People just moved, rushing to get out of the popular trio’s way, creating a path for the holy trinity of the campus.

Jemima smirked at a group of guys who almost tripped over themselves trying not to stare.

And then- like a scratched record- they saw her.

The new girl.

Sitting on one of the picnic tables right outside the art building, giggling at something her nerd friends were saying, a strawberry milkshake in her hand.

Jemima’s eye twitched.

Vanessa eyes narrowed, “is that from Mandy’s Ice Cream Shop?”

“Either she went there again, or Kaden got it for her like the sweet boy he is, did he mention that in your little talk?” Zoe stopped mid-step.

Jemima halted too, her expression unreadable beneath her designer shades.

Then Alexa spotted them, noticing the heated glares they were all sending her way.

Her laugh died mid-giggle, the milkshake froze halfway to her lips.

She looked like a deer caught in triple headlights.

She excused herself from her friends, then with her head down, quickly scurried into the art building, the trio hot on her tail.

The double wooden doors shut behind them as they entered the building, slowly prancing towards Alexa- who was struggling to put the key in the keyhole of a door to some room- their strides slow and purposeful with their eyes narrowed on her, like predators slowly approaching a defenceless prey.

The dim empty hallway added a dangerous and eerie feel to the atmosphere as they neared her, Alexa’s hands trembled as she struggled with her keys.

Zoe tilted her head, smiling just enough to show teeth after they finally got to where she was, “what’s got you so spooked muffin?”

Alexa had her back against the door she failed to open, Vanessa to her right, Zoe to her left, and Jemima in front of her- boxing her in.

Vanessa crossed her arms, looking her up and down, her face scrunched up in disgust, “her own reflection probably.”

Jemima’s lips stretched into a painfully fake smile, “girls, let’s be nice to the new girl, okay? I mean, she’s got so much on her plate already, what- with the very generous fundraiser she’s organising, and recovering from being stood-up, the least we could do is be nice to her.”

“I’m nice to little kids and aged dogs, not cunning, boyfriend claw digging, little two-faced b-”

“Okay Vanessa,” Jemima cut her friend of from verbally assaulting the new girl, then slowly pulled down her sunglasse, dark eyes falling onto Alexa, “listen and listen to me very carefully new girl…”

Alexa visibly swallowed.

“I’m going to be very nice to you and not do anything, because you’re new, and clearly very confused. But let me just see you batting your eyelashes at my boyfriend one more time…one more mistake? One more accidental run-in, flirty laugh, or cutesy little milkshake date? Girl, your college life will be over before midterms, and not even your step-daddy will be able to help you.”

Alexa’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. Her nervous blue eyes fearfully locked in place by Jemima’s cold and hard brown ones.

Zoe leaned in just enough to make Alexa flinch back, “aw what? Cat got your tongue?”

“Oh she doesn’t need to talk much, as long as she’s smart enough to listen,” Vanessa said and Zoe gave a little ‘tch’ of disappointment.

Jemima smiled, a slow regal smile, “this is me officially giving you the memo: Stay away from Kaden Solomon. I really hope you don’t make me repeat myself,” she then looked down at the sad half-drank milkshake in the girl’s trembling hand. “Enjoy your milkshake. Let’s hope it’s not your last.”

Alexa’s already pale face paled even more as she shook from head to toe like a leaf.

And with that, Jemima turned on her heels and strutted away, Vanessa and Zoe falling into step behind her after giving Alexa threatening glares.

The silence left behind was deafening.

After leaving the art building with scared shitless girl still inside, the girls said their goodbyes to each other before going in their respective classes in different buildings.

Jemima smiled at people who greeted her as she walked past them, waving and saying ‘thank you’ to their compliments, something she was used to and learned not to mind.

Just as she got closer to the Computer Science lecture hall, someone had the audacity to grab her by the wrist and pull her into a different room, this one smaller- like a high school classroom.

She turned to her kidnapper, the cursing of her life burning to be spewed out from her lips, but did a double take when she saw who her ‘assailant’ was.

“Nathan?”

The ginger smirked, leaning his back against the closed door with his hands in his pockets, “beautiful?”

She rolled her eyes with a scoff, “what do you want? And what are you doing pulling me into an empty room? People will get the wrong idea!”

“Oh yes because two friend talking to each other is sooo scandalous!” He said, his tone full of sarcasm.

Jemima folded her arms, “no, but dragging your best-friend’s girlfriend into an empty room will raise eyebrows.”

Nathan wordlessly stared at her for a long minute, his green eyes studying her intensely as if he could see through all of her layers.

Jemima nervously shifted her weight under his gaze- which was rare because she rarely ever got nervous.

Nathan finally cleared his throat, breaking the silence and the weird tension with it. “We’re just here to talk Jem, don’t get any ideas.”

“I’ve told you to stop calling me that!” She huffed, nearly stomping her foot, “it sounds too close to James and I don’t like it.”

“Too bad James, I like it,” he grinned as if proud of his words.

“What do you want to talk about Peters? And make it fast, I got a class to get to.”

Nathan’s grin turned mischievous, he pushed himself off the door and slowly walked towards Jemima, circling her like a predator does prey.

Oh how the turn-tables.

“I know what you were trying to do back there,” he stopped behind her, tone teasing with lips close to her ear and breath hot on her neck, “I never thought I’d see the day where the Jemima Jackson would feel so threatened.”

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