——— " Can you believe how stupid they are!?? I mean, me? Knitting? What do I look like, a grandma???? --Don't answer that. " Jeremy snapped, only barely sparing a glance at Jasper since he was pretty sure he knew what she was going to say to that. Something awful and annoying and stupid, if anything.

Anyway, back to complaining about his parents' dumb obsession with signing him up for classes he did not want to be in. Not like he wanted to complain to her, or even at her-- she just happened to be there and the vitriol wanted out. So whatever.

Janiya sat alone on a bench in the courtyard, thinking she really shouldn't keep doing this to herself. It wasn't like she meant to put herself in such a position, but this spot seemed relatively peaceful at first...?

Until it wasn't. Until everywhere she looked, there were people. Pairs. Groups. With their friends. Smiling, laughing, joking with each other-- so easy. Like it took no effort at all. Like it was normal. It was inescapable. She wasn't jealous; she never could bring herself to feel that way, ever. But it did make her so unbearably self-conscious that something in her heart broke.

Get out of here. She just needed to get away. And then she'd be okay. Maybe go into the bathrooms and have a breakdown there so she could be even okay-er.

It was all so sudden when Janiya stood up only to find herself almost running into Jasper's path. Startled, she let out a small squeak and her hands flew to her chest momentarily.

——— " Ah--! S-Sorry... I'm so sorry, I really didn't see you there. "

Janiya's fault, clearly. She avoided Jasper's gaze. Not that it really helped the fact that she looked on the verge of tears-- if anything, this encounter might have made it worse. She was kicking herself in her head. Jasper was so cool and pretty and popular... And she was just standing there like a loser not saying anything.

Um yeah I'm noticing that too...

Send '💢' for my muses reaction at yours throwing rocks at their window. | Accepting!

...What even is that sound? Annoying, persistent. Following the noise, it could only be coming from the window. And in looking out the window, Jeremy saw none other than... Jasper.

Sigh. Of course. He gave a long, slow exhale before staring right at her and narrowing his eyes in suspicion as he opened it just enough to talk at her.