TWO WEEKS is a long time for Kalani Wang. In those two weeks she'd found herself getting closer to Jacob Buchanan and the two would call themselves close friends, but Kalani wasn't going to introduce him to her friends group just yet. You had to prepare yourself for Devi, Fabiola, and Eleanor... and at times, Kalani herself.

During those two agonizing weeks, Devi and Paxton had become an official couple, Ben had found out through Eleanor that Kalani was practically still in love with him, and-

Okay, fine, we'll roll it back.

After Ben found Kalani and Jacob hugging outside the dance he'd thought it be best to go back inside.

Her was mumbling something under his breath and it was obvious he was loud enough for Eleanor to hear him.

She said something along the lines of, "She's in love with you. Constantly being sad about you and Anessa and that's because she never really got the opportunity to explore the relationship even further. She loves you Ben, but maybe the both of you moved on." But it was something along those lines, can't confirm or deny whether or not that's what she truly said... Regardless, Ben had now been in Kalani position of sorrow.

Seeing her hang out with Jacob and thinking they were in some sort of relationship... which they weren't.

But he didn't really know that now did he? In fact, their first interaction had been that day in the bathroom and that was a pretty nasty place to have a sentimental moment with your ex and say that she's "perfect".

Regardless, it was Devi and Paxton's turn to have their whirlwind relationship on full display.

"The hallway was littered with backpack people dropped in shock." Eleanor smiled.

"Yeah, and you made it onto Lady Whistleboy for the first time ever." Fabiola said.

"Are you two banging yet?" Anessa asked, "I can't wait to read Lady Whistleboy's take on that."

Lady Whistleboy was the school's TikTok's gossip page and Devi had made her romantic relationship debut.

"Uh, we're circling it." Devi answered, "We both want to. It's imminent for sure."

Soon, Eleanor had gotten a text from Trent and he failed to catch his water bottle but managed to make it cool in his own way.

"What's going on with you and Trent?" Kalani asked, "He's totally undressing you with his eyes."

Eleanor scoffed, "Ugh! I mean, we hung out a couple of times over Christmas break. My parents definitely hate him, which is exciting."

"Star-crossed lovers is your dream." Fabiola smiled.

"I know, but it's so confusing. We haven't kissed yet, but he did leave a little bad of weed under my Christmas tree. What do you guys think that means?"

"Uh, that seems romantic to me." Devi said.

"What up, losers? What's good in the kingdom of rejects?" Ben asked and was met with silence, "Sorry. Still getting used to having female friends. Hi. Hello. Good morning. What's going on?"

Ben sat down on the couch and Anessa allowed him to wrap his arm around him and pull her in closer.

"Hey, babe. We're just congratulating Devi on her mic drop of an entrance with Paxton."

Soon, Jacob entered the scene and waved towards Kalani. He knew that her friends were... her friends and stirred clear of the trio until she was properly ready to introduced them.

"Hey, I'll catch you guys later." She smiled and followed Jacob out the quad.

Jacob turned and waved goodbye to Kalani's friends and led the girl out.

The group waved the boy goodbye and Anessa was quick to brew up the conversation.

"What's going on with them?" She asked, "They've been close since the dance."

"Do you think so?" Ben questioned, "I don't see it."

Eleanor laughed, "Really? They're closer than shoelaces. I think the only reason she hasn't introduced us to him yet is because she's waiting for the right time to drop the ball."

"Ball? What ball?" Ben asked.

"That they're dating." Devi said, "She's probably just trying to figure out if the relationship is working in the way she wants."

That's when it hit Ben... more than it already had. Kalani Wang was gone. Off in the winds with another suitor and he was with Anessa.

THE NEXT day Kalani found herself choking on her coffee as Devi entered the classroom declaring that her and Paxton were going to have sex the weekend.

Before the conversation could continue the trio looked over at Fabiola who had passed out on her desk.

"Sorry. I was up late talking to Eve in Seoul. I don't know how much more I can take of this."

The conversation was cut short when Trent approached Eleanor and declared that he could burp her name and proceed to show her.

Nothing was said until he walked away.

"It was sweet." Kalani smiled, "You know, in a Trent way."

The bell rang and the lights were cut in their classroom as music began playing throughout the room.

"Good morning, you scholars." Mr. Shapiro said, "Get your draft cards ready because today we start our unit on the Vietnam War. This is a story about an incredibly rash decision that ended in devastating consequences."

Ben looked over and saw Kalani already looking in his direction.

Of course Ben and Kalani's breakup was rash decision. It was heat of a moment type of thing. God, did Mr. Shapiro know how to bring in a topic.

"Your homework assignment. Listen to the Forrest Gump soundtrack. At least to the mid-'70s before Jenny gets into heroin."

Regardless of that whole spiel, Devi and Paxton didn't have sex that night and Paxton was okay with waiting (and not breaking up) until Devi was.

And Trent made it very clear to everyone and Eleanor that he liked her by kissing her in front of half of the student body.

"Hey."

Kalani turned and found Ben standing before her.

"Hey."

"Well, how's everything going?" He asked, "The, you know..."

Kalani furrowed her brows and turned, she looked towards Ben's direction and saw that he was looking over at Jacob who stood next to Paxton and Trent.

"Um," She chuckled, "fine, I guess."

"Good. Since you're a late bloomer, I just wanted to offer my advice, you know, as someone with more romantic and sexual experience."

Kalani laughed, "So was I wrong to assume about you and Shria or are you and Aneesa finally doing it?"

"You were wrong in both cases." He smiled.

"I'll let you know when I need it."

She smiled, writing something down and a scrap piece of paper and ripping it in half.

"You call me when you need something and I'll call you. Let's call it a free pass." Kalani smiled.

Ben took the paper, "Great, well, all right. I'll, uh, see you later, Lani."

"Bye, Ben."

That pass would be put to great use.

- lucy has something to say !!

i actually don't 😔

bye :))))