She turned. Maya stood by the lockers, backpack slung over one shoulder, chewing on a straw from a juice pouch.
Her eyes narrowed the second she got a good look at Jenny's face.
"What happened?"
Jenny forced a small smile. "Nothing. Just…ran into Ashley."
Maya raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. And Ashley ran over your soul? Because you look like someone just stole your dog and told you it was your fault."
Jenny looked away, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's nothing, really. She just asked me to… deliver something. To Jeremy."
Maya's jaw dropped. "Ashley made you give Jeremy something?"
Jenny nodded, clutching the strap of her bag tighter.
Maya exhaled like she'd just been handed the most frustrating puzzle in the world. "Please tell me it wasn't a love letter."
Jenny gave her a sheepish look.
"Oh my god, Jen." Maya walked closer, lowering her voice. "You know she's using you, right? Like, this is textbook social climbing. You're smart, you're helpful, and you don't say no. It's like a dream come true for girls like Ashley."
Jenny let out a half-hearted laugh. "Yeah, well. I guess I'm consistent."
"No," Maya said firmly. "You're nice. There's a difference. But being nice doesn't mean letting people walk all over you."
Jenny didn't reply, just looked down at the floor tiles.
Maya softened. "What did Jeremy do?"
Jenny hesitated, then said quietly, "He… kind of humiliated me. Took the stuff, flicked a candy wrapper at me, then walked off like I didn't exist."
Maya blinked. "What a jerk."
Jenny gave a weak shrug. "He didn't even read the letter."
Maya's eyes flicked over her friend's face, catching something she didn't say. "But you wanted him to."
Jenny froze.
"…Did you write something too?"
"No!" Jenny said quickly, too quickly. "It was all Ashley's."
Maya didn't press, but the look on her face said she knew better.
The hallway began to empty as the late bell rang. Maya reached out and gently tugged Jenny by the arm.
"Come on. Let's go before we get a tardy. But just so you know—I'm not letting Ashley get away with this forever. You shouldn't either."
Jenny gave her a faint smile. "Thanks."
As they walked off, side by side, Jenny felt a little less alone, but the ache in her chest hadn't gone anywhere.
The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch and the start of fourth period.
Walking back to the classroom Maya and Jenny slipped into their seats just as the final bell rang.
The classroom buzzed with the usual low hum of voices, chairs scraping against the floor, and the rustle of notebooks being opened, everyone settling in for yet another hour of trying to stay awake.
Jenny sank into her seat by the window, grateful for the way the sunlight poured in, warming the desk and giving her something else to focus on besides her spinning thoughts.
Maya leaned over and whispered "Try not to look like your soul left your body. He's coming".
"Who?" Jenny whispered back,just as the classroom door swung open with dramatic flair.
"Good afternoon" my brilliant bundlesof caffeine and last minute homework!" boomed Mr. Jack, striding in like he was walking onto a stage
The class let out a collective laugh .Even the grumpy ones cracked a smile .
Mr. Jack clapped his handa once, loud and full of energy. "I come bearing wisdom "
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