As the days went on, I began to feel more comfortable being back at school. I even started to forget about the incident and enjoy my time, I realized that sometimes, we have to face our fears head-on to overcome them. It was a valuable lesson that I would carry with me for the rest of my life.

I was dropping my books into my locker while texting uzma "where are you? Meet me soon" just then I heard a feminine voice

As I turned around to see who was behind me, a young woman's voice caught my attention. "Umm, yeah," I said, trying to recall her name. I had seen her with Jake in the gym before. "I'm Isabella. I got to know what happened, so I thought of, you know..." She stuttered while talking, as if scared to say something. I could feel my irritation rising, even though she did not do anything wrong.

I had just dropped my books into my locker and was not in the mood to have a conversation with anyone, let alone someone I barely knew. I was still reeling from the events of the morning, and I just wanted to be left alone. But Isabella seemed determined to talk to me, and I could sense that she was trying to be friendly.

"I'm alright now," I replied without thinking twice. I hoped that would be the end of the conversation, but Isabella continued to talk, asking me how I was feeling and if I needed anything. I tried to be polite, but I was getting more and more frustrated.

I heard a locker close, and when I turned to see, Jake was standing there, taking out his books for the next lecture.

"Heyya Jake, been a long time. Oh yeah, you guys went for the trip. How was it?" Isabella started asking him, and I suddenly felt invisible. I couldn't help but feel jealous of Isabella. She seemed to know Jake better than I did, and I couldn't help but wonder what their relationship was like.

But I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the excitement of spending more time with Jake. "Anyway, I may go," I said, turning my back to them and walking away.

"Hey, when is your lunch break? Meet me, okay?" Jake said, with a smile. I felt a flutter in my stomach, and I couldn't help but smile back at him. "Sure," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

As I walked away, I couldn't help but feel a little bit relieved that the conversation with Isabella was over. But I also couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something going on between her and Jake. I tried to push those thoughts aside and focus on my own feelings for Jake.

The rest of the day passed by in a blur, and before I knew it, it was time for lunch. I made my way to the cafeteria, feeling nervous and excited at the same time.

I walked into the cafétéria, scanning the room for any sign of Uzma or Umar. I
always looked forward to spending lunchtime with them. But today, they were nowhere to be seen. I sighed, feeling a little disappointed, but I decided to make the best of it and find a table to sit at.

I settled my tray on the table and put a fry in my mouth, looking around the room to see if there was anyone I knew. That's when I saw Jake and Isabella walking in, laughing hysterically. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of irritation. What was so funny that they were laughing so hard? I wondered to myself.

I watched as they made their way to a table across the room, completely oblivious to my presence. I felt a pang of disappointment as I realized that Jake had forgotten about our lunch plans. I couldn't help but feel a little hurt. Was I not important enough to remember?

I tried to push those thoughts aside and focus on my food, but I couldn't help but keep an eye on Jake and Isabella. They seemed to be having a great time, laughing and joking around. I couldn't help but feel a little jealous. Was there something going on between them?

I tried to shake off those thoughts and focus on my own life. I took a sip of my drink and looked around the cafeteria, trying to find something to distract me. That's when I saw a group of girls from my class, sitting at a nearby table. They were laughing and chatting, and I couldn't help but feel a little envious. They seemed to have so much fun together.

I tried to ignore the feeling of loneliness that was creeping up on me and focus on my own life. I took another bite of my food, trying to savor the taste. But my mind kept drifting back to Jake and Isabella. What was going on between them? Why had he forgotten about our lunch plans?

I decided to take a deep breath and try to relax. I couldn't let my thoughts get the best of me. I was better than that. I took another sip of my drink and tried to focus on the present moment. Maybe Uzma and Umar would show up soon, and we could all have lunch together. Until then, I would just have to make the best of it and enjoy my own company.

"Hey why are you sitting alone" Neil approaches me "care to join us" he offers me to sit with them but I was so mad at the moment I didn't wanted to sit with them.

"Thanks for the offer, Neil, but I'm not really in the mood for company right now," I say, trying to keep the irritation out of my voice. I didn't want to take my frustration out on him, but I couldn't help feeling a little annoyed that he had invited me to join them after he had already let Isabella into their group.

"I appreciate the offer, but I think I'm just going to finish my meal and head back to class," I add, standing up from the table. I grab my tray and start walking towards the trash cans, trying to ignore the feeling of loneliness that's creeping up on me.

As I was about to dump my tray and start walking towards the door, I hear Neil call out to me. "Hey, at-least complete your meal ,you sure you don't want to sit with us? We're not that bad of company, I promise," he says, giving me a small smile. "Ok just sit, you still have some time before the lecture starts"

I pause for a moment, considering his offer. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to sit with them for a little while. After all, I didn't really have anything else to do. "Okay, fine," I say, turning back towards the table.

"Ok, I'll sit with you for a little while" Neil interrupted grinning at me and pulls out a chair for me. I take a seat and start picking at my food, still feeling a little irritated but trying to push those feelings aside. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Oh, okay. Thanks, Neil," I say, feeling a little relieved that I don't have to sit alone anymore. I smile at him and start eating my food, feeling a little more comfortable now that I have some company.

"So, how's your day been so far?" Neil asks, breaking the silence. I shrug and tell him that it's been pretty average so far, nothing too exciting. We chat for a few more minutes about our classes and our plans for the weekend, and I start to feel a little more relaxed.

As we finish our meal, Neil turns to me and says, "Hey, do you want to hang out sometime this week? Maybe we could go see a movie or something?"

I consider his offer for a moment, feeling a little hesitant. I didn't really know Neil that well, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend more time with him. But then I remind myself that it's always good to make new friends, and I tell him that I'd love to hang out sometime.

"Great! How about we plan on Friday night? I can text you the details later," Neil says, grinning at me. I nod and smile back, feeling a little more excited now that I have something to look forward to.

As we get up from the table and start walking towards our next classes, I feel grateful for Neil's company and for the chance to make a new friend. Maybe things aren't so bad after all.

As we exit the cafeteria, I hear Jake calling out my name. "Sarah, oh shoot, I totally forgot I asked you to meet me," he says, looking apologetic.

"It's alright, Neil kept me company. You can go back to her, she must be waiting," I say, turning my back and starting to walk away. I didn't want to get involved in whatever was going on between Jake and Isabella.

"Oh no, no, no, it's not what it looks like. Isa and I are just friends," Jake says, running after me. I roll my eyes and keep walking, not wanting to get into another argument.

"Isa, nice name you've given her. Anyway, I gotta go, I'll be late," I say, dismissing the conversation and walking away. I didn't want to talk about it anymore, and I needed to get to my next class.

"I'm just attracted to him, right?" I tried to reason with myself , but the feeling of jealousy wouldn't go away. I groaned in frustration, not understanding why I was feeling this way.

I thought back to when I first met him, and how I had felt an instant connection with him though it was just a clash later we even got to know each other we had a lot in common, and had spent a lot of time together over the past few weeks. I couldn't deny that I was attracted to him, but I didn't know what to do about it.
——————————————————————-
Hello my lovely readers I hope you'll are doing good, did you'll like the chapter. Do share your views on Sarah and Neil
Friend and feel  free to give your ideas for me to add in the next chapter.
Please don't forget to Vote and comment .