I'm fed up with Jade's behaviour.
She has been avoiding me, since Wednesday. Come to think of it, I haven't talked to Jade for two days. We had fights before, but never this silent type.

Why was it so difficult? We still texted each other, but there was always something coming up to meet or call.

For instance yesterday she did come to school, but she disappeared during lunch and then again after school. And when I called her in the evening, she didn't pick up.

I knew something was off, but I didn't have the luxury to pester her all day and night. The race was more important at the moment. For the first time I was really serious about this competition.

Who knew that a few simple words of Alec had such a great impact on me. Yesterday we met on my way back home.

He surprised me with "Hi Tess."

"Oh. Hi Alec," I greeted back amused.

"I wanted to fulfil your promise of meeting again today. You forgot didn't you?"

I squeezed my eyes then knocked on my head. "Sorry, I did." I was worried about Jade, our situation didn't improve and a make up felt so far away.

"Figured. Don't want to come over as a stalker or something," he probed. Funny coming from the one who was being stalked for seven years. By me. Was he testing me?

"I've been wanting to say this for a while now." I gave him a curious look.
"I will root for you in next week's race!" Oh my god.

"That's so nice of you! Thank you, I will do the same for you." I displayed my sweetest smile and he returned the favour.

Since then I wanted to win and I actually believed I could. Last night, I had my mind filled with the race, I was more nervous than ever because I had decided to confess to Alec after it.
It would be so perfect if I could earn a golden medal.

And dreaming about all this caused me to lose sight of Jade. I didn't know she was going through some serious mess.
I still blame myself for not being there for her, although she was the one who shut me out. But the very fact that she pushed me away was her call for help. I should have noticed it earlier.

When school was over, I rushed towards the exit to wait for Jade. I was one step too late, Jade was embraced by some high schoolers and Penny. They escorted her to their car. At that time I thought I lost to Penny, because I wasn't cool enough for her anymore. But later I learned the whole story, which made me mad at underestimating myself all the time.

I mustered up all the courage and despite my phobia to talk to strangers, despite the fact that they looked scary, I greeted them.

"Hi guys, you going somewhere?" They looked at each other, there was this impatient atmosphere. Jade seemed very nervous, which I related to 'former best friend meeting the new friends' -scene. I knew they were going to brush me off, so I was thinking of something to keep the conversation going. "Jade, so you hang around with these friends now?" She kept silent while her eyes stared at the ground. It's a habit that she had when she was uncomfortable. So now I make her uneasy? Wrong, it wasn't about me. I was ignorant, no worse I was too blinded by the betrayal of Jade, which transformed my dislike for Penny into hatred.

Finally Penny answered. "We're going for a weekend. And it's going to be awesome!"

Weekend? And Jade doesn't even bother to tell me? "So this is what keeps you busy lately... Have fun then," my sorrowful mood hearable in the words I say.

"Tess, good luck with preparing for the race," Jade gave me a (fake) smile. Then they all stepped into the car and I finally noticed anger flickering in Jade's eyes.

I braked and thought, What was going on? An argument between Jade and Penny? The car drove away and I missed yet another chance.

__________________

Thanks for your patience!
The next brake is going to be shocking and will reveal Jade's side of the story!! )^o^(
In the meantime keep trying to guess what happened to Jade yourselves ;)

Christine xxx