Leila

"You're telling me that you have a crush on someone from our class?" I skeptically stared at Jenna, waiting for her to deny it. But she didn't. This was totally unlike her. Jenna Coleman, one of my closest friends in high-school, only fell in love with celebrities and fictional guys from all the books she buys on a monthly basis.
It began with Chris Evans, Cody Christian and so many more. Finally she stopped when an unrequited obsession with BTS turned her into a hopeless romantic. I got to hear all about them as she rambled on and on whenever we hung out. Other than that, she was a sadistic little bitch who loved books with tragic endings.

"Don't call it a crush, Leila. You're making it sound immature."
"What about infatuation? Obsession? Fascination? Craze? Madness? You want more synonyms?" I crossed my arms and glared at her. Her poker face was in place and sometimes I wondered how we even became friends. At times, we were polar opposites but then again, our friendship started when we bonded over crude thoughts.

"I don't need a list of synonyms. And I'm pretty sure I'll get over it by tomorrow. I can't believe we'll be done with high-school within the next six months." Jenna's tone made it clear that she was ready to start over as a new person. She was excited about starting university whereas the thought gave me nightmares. New people, new teachers, new environment sounded like a bad combo to me.

"Yeah yeah. Stop changing the topic. Who is it? Do I know him or her? Or better yet, just tell me the name!"
I tapped my foot in annoyance.

"It is fun to keep you in suspense. Now I know why you like doing it. Bye, Leila. Mom's here to pick me up." Jenna never skips but she did have a bounce in her step and a stupid smirk on her face.

Karma was a bitch. I was the suspense expert, not her! It was my job to keep her guessing about the most trivial matters! Maybe, I could strangle her and get an answer. Metaphorically, of course. It did offer me some temporary relief. Even though I was currently talking to my best friend, drowning in unlimited gossip, all I could think about was Jenna's mystery infatuation. Was he popular? Was he good looking? Did he have standards or was he a hobo? And was her crush a guy or a girl? I mean, I would totally be okay no matter what gender she preferred but I didn't like secrets. Especially when I wasn't in on it.

And did her crush even know she existed? What if Jenna didn't want to pursue her love interest? That girl is always scared of something and usually it has something to do with cats.

No offense, but I didn't even know Jenna until two years ago. She just sat on a bench all alone. I felt a little bad so I approached her. And I only talked to her because I couldn't stand my other friends. All they talked about was money, clothes and selfies.
"Leila! Can you stop daydreaming for a second and listen to me?" Anna snapped her fingers at me and glared.

I plastered a sweet, angelic smile.
"Of course I heard everything you said. You bunked your classes to go on a movie date with your boyfriend. And you ordered a chicken mushroom sandwich while he had a steak. Both of you made googly eyes at each other and the waiter's cough broke the spell. Then he bought you frozen yogurt and you were so happy that you jumped around and it fell. He bought you another one and he dropped you home. Plus he wants to give me a gift since I'm your best friend. Is that correct?"

"Well, I'm surprised that you remembered all of it. But I would love it if you actually looked at me while I was talking to you. When you stare at the sky, I feel like you've lost your sanity." Anna wasn't wrong. I did tend to space put when my mind was preoccupied. In fact, Anna was an expert in getting answers out of reluctant people and I could just tell her the whole deal with Jenna.
I know it's supposed to be Jenna's secret but Anna is my best friend. But then I would feel guilty. And Anna was extremely ruthless when it came to finding secrets. She was like a dog in search of a bone. I'm a good friend, at least that's what I like to think. Maybe I should give Jenna 24 hours. If she still doesn't tell me then I'll unleash Anna on her. Jenna won't last long.

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"You've been on your phone for 30 minutes already. I thought we were supposed to talk?" Anna's persistent nagging was getting on my nerves.
"I'm in the middle of something. How about we talk tomorrow?" Without waiting for her reply, I started walking away.
Jenna's recent text bothered me a lot. I wish I could read minds. It would make this so much easier.

His first name ends with an E.

How was I supposed to know who she liked? There were 150 people in my batch and I only knew a handful. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack. Jenna might think that I'll give up but I won't. I can do this! And I like stalking people.

It didn't take me long to create an entire folder of potential crushes. Both genders were on the list but I was very sure that Jenna was as straight as a stick.

"Pick up the call, Jenna. Pick it up. Or else I'll slap you. I might pinch you. Or scratch you. Pick it up!" My mumbles fell into deaf ears as I paced around my room. I had a whole list of people whose names ended with E. And that included me stalking my whole class. I'm not sure if I've found them all. Finding names like that were tricky. And Jenna was insanely picky. She is picky when making friends, with food, herself and everything else. To top it all off, Anna sent a long text which was her typical way of ranting about how much of a bitch I am. I am a proud, dedicated bitch. The folder of pros and cons for all the potential boyfriends or girlfriends stared at me as I mentally willed Jenna to pick up the phone.
After all, if Jenna likes a hobo, it was my responsibility to say no. I can't let her do that. What if she falls in love, gets married and they both live in a smelly dumpster?

It was painstaking but she needed a good boyfriend. Although her bucket list said 'land a rich and good dude' but she definitely wanted a good man. Being rich was a secondary. She's not totally high maintenance but I think she wants the good stuff in life. And I can live vicariously through her when she has her picture perfect lover because I still don't have a boyfriend. I just don't know why.

**********
After 7 calls, Jenna picked up. Her lazy drawl told me everything I needed to know. She was sleeping happily. It was like she just doesn't care about my feelings and the turmoil I've been going when she dropped the bomb on me.

"Jenna! Thank God you picked up. I have a list of names and you'll just have to answer in yes or no. I'll tick them off and I promise that I won't judge, no matter who you love."

That was a straight up lie. I wouldn't exactly judge but more like, provide unwanted, constructive criticism.
She mumbled an incoherent 'go on' and that was my cue to cross off names.

Jane.
Jamie.
Lawrence.
Dwayne.
Simone.
Reece.
Luke.
Celeste.
Marie.
Ace.
Zane.
Wayne.
Lucille.
Luke.
Bruce.
Sage.
Drake.
Enrique.
George.
Blake.
Elle.
Chase.
Jose.
Theodore.
Jake.
Andrea.
Charlie.
Jesse.
Kyle.

"Who are these people? I'm pretty sure that I know only like 10 of them and that might be stretching it! And why is J & A on the list?" Jenna's exasperation amused me. It was like a breath of fresh air and her reactions were so cute even though she's angry.
"Well, I know most of them. Oops! I forgot a few more names. Andre. Belle. Dante. Kate. Sue. Shane. Jane & Andrea were typos but I obviously don't know who you like so I added her name as well. So who do you like?" My excitement was off the charts and I bounced on my feet waiting for her answer.

"Who the fuck is Andre?" Jenna asked. I was kind of irritated at her question but she did deserve an answer. It's not like the guy is even in our class so the blame is on me, I guess.
"He's my neighbour. He's okayish and his glasses are cute. He's got a younge--"
Jenna cut me off abruptly.

"Leila, I've never met the guy. Why would you even put him and every other unknown person on the list? Are you crazy?" Even though she didn't scream at me, I could sense the anger in her voice and she did make a valid point. Maybe I should tell her the truth.

"I'm sorry, Jenna. I was just trying to find your person of interest. I'm desperate. This is the first time you've liked an actual person and not a celebrity. I want to do this right and make sure that whoever you choose is the perfect fit for you. And before you get angry with me, I just wanna say that Sue is Andre's cat and Jesse is his little Pomeranian. Sorry again. See you soon." I've never hung up on anyone that fast. Jenna might look like a cute little Harold's teddy bear but she could be mean as fuck. I'm not scared of her but I don't wanna get cussed at either.

Just to be on the safe side, I sent an amicable text.
"I will not poke my nose into your business but you can tell me who you like when you want to. It's okay if you're straight, gay or bisexual.
Xoxo."

I'm mostly nice but I can be equally shrewd. This would be the text that would make Jenna spill the beans.

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Word Count - 1770 words