Jenna Brooks’s Pov
There it was. What Jeanette had wanted to say to me the moment she got downstairs. She probably wanted to complain about my pajamas, my Disney princess pajamas which I was just realizing was too childish, even for me. I should never have worn it in the first place.“I know, I should have thought about how ridiculous I would look” I replied, my head down.I could hear some whispering, probably Auntie Laurel telling Jeanette to apologize because that was what she did after the whispering stopped.“Sorry, Jenna. I just can’t handle a fashion disaster” she replied halfheartedly and I nodded.The rest of the dinner was quiet, mostly because Auntie Laurel had told Jeanette not to say anything so she wouldn’t end up saying something offensive.After the quiet dinner, Conrad still wasn’t back. I wanted to ask after him but decided not to because I didn’t want to sound too persistent. Later, Jeanette pulled me up to her room and I couldn’t help but be awestruck by the sight. The room as like a festival of colours where colors bursted with life.Lavender walls met golden touches, making it feel fancy. Big windows and pink curtains added a soft touch. A fancy bed sat in the center, covered in comfy white sheets and lots of fluffy pillows. A shiny vanity held makeup and perfumes, making it perfect for getting ready.The closet was like a fashion wonderland. Designer dresses filled the walls, and there were shoes for days, from high heels to comfy sneakers.There was also a cozy reading spot by the window with a comfy chair. It was either she was a neat freak or she wasn’t a book person because the reading desk was excessively well organized unlike the ones I had seen.The room was full of fashion drawings and quotes, showing how much Jeanette loved style. I couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous by how cool Jeanette was. I had always envied several things in Jeanette’s life since we were kids—her pinball machine, her collection of Barbies (especially the ones with the short hair that Mom never let me get because she thought it might make me want to cut mine).I watched Jeanette walk into her closet and didn’t come out for a while. For a moment, I thought something bad had happened because people weren’t supposed to spend that much time in a closet. Until I walked to the closet, only to find out it was a door in disguise. I slowly tried to open it as I placed my hand on the door knob of the closor—a combination of the words ‘closet’ and ‘door’ I had made up three seconds ago when I realized there was more to it.To think that Jeanette had a secret room in her room, how cooler could she get? Before I could tilt the door open, the door swung open and Jeanette stepped out before locking the door behind her. I couldn’t get a glimpse of the room because it was dimly lit but I managed to catch sight of a colorful poster on its walls.“I’m sorry I took so long,” she apologized and I stepped back, deciding not to ask further questions. If she wanted me to know what was inside her secret room, i wouldn’t have to ask.“Sure, Jean,”Then, Jeanette walked to the wardrobe and brought out a set of clothes—school uniforms to be precise. They were about six but they were all the same except the difference in size. She laid them on the bed and turned to me.“Mum wasn’t sure what your size was so she bought six. You should check the one that fits.“I wanted to ask her why the uniforms were in her room if they were actually mine but I held myself back. After trying on the first one, it fitted perfectly but Jeanette insisted it was jusy too woundy. I could’ve sworn she had made up the word just to get me to try on another one.She smiled at me—there was a little warmth to her smile, but it was more so the smile of someone who meant business.“Can I just... um... can I not?” I asked. “Can I leave it at the one I just tried?”“Well, Mom wants options,” Jeanette said, pulling an overexaggerated “you know her” kind of expression that didn’t resonate.After trying on the fifth uniform—a well-fitted suit jacket and a matching flared skirt, both in a deep navy blue, she finally let me off the hook.She chuckled, and then her chuckle ended abruptly and she didn’t say anything. She just keept looking at me. *** I retired back to my room later that evening after Jeanette had given me an hour’s lecture on the do’s and donts of Fox Lane High. She had told me about the mean girls, the bullies and the playboys— Conrad happened to fall in that category.I had found it hard to believe though because the Conrad I knew was so loving and nice and loving and nice. When we were kids, mom would make me eat sugar-free Popsicles, applesauce, and unsweetened iced tea, because they were the foods that didn’t seem to add weight to me. Popsicles and applesauce added nothing, and iced tea was peed right out.Then, Conrad would sneak in ‘mac and cheese’ in the middle of the night and we’d both enjoy it on the terrace while everyone else was asleep. I found it hard to believe that the Conrad Jeanette had talked about was the same one I spent my childhood with.And to add to my doubts, it was almost 11pm and he wasn’t back yet. It didn’t seem like anyone else was worried. Were they used to him returning home late in the middle of the night? Mom would kill me if I were out past 9pm. One time, I had gone to the movies with Marla—a girl mum had warned me not to associate with because her brother had been to jail twice, and the movie had taken much time than we expected. Mum had almost murdered me when I returned home that night, 15 minutes past curfew.As I wrapped myself in my blanket and I had almost convinced myself that sleep was within reach when i heard it—a faint, unsettling noise outside my window.My heart quickened as my eyes darted towards the window, now shrouded in darkness. The moon's feeble light offered little or no help in relieving my anxiety. My breath caught in my throat, and my mind raced with thoughts of intruders or worse.I knew i had to act, and act quickly. With quite steps, i swung out of bed and scanned the room for something, anything, to defend myself with. My eyes landed on an umbrella, leaning innocently against a corner. I snatched it up, the cold metal handle cool against my trembling fingers.I stood there in the dimly lit room, the umbrella raised like a makeshift shield, my heart pounding in my chest. My gaze remained locked on the window, where the noise had originated.And then, just as fear threatened to paralyze me, the room was bathed in a sudden, blinding light. I squinted against the intrusion, my makeshift weapon still held aloft. And there, standing in front of me, was a silhouette—a tall, masculine figure.My breath caught, my eyes adjusting to the sudden illumination. As soon as they did, my mind spiraled into a frenzy, again. It was Conrad, staring at me with an enigmatic expression. I wasn’t mistaken, it was definitely him. Yes, those eyes, those dreamy eyes.His sharp features were framed by dark, tousled hair that seemed to defy gravity. His chiseled jawline hinted at a rugged edge, and his piercing eyes held a magnetic intensity that I couldn't ignore. I couldn't help but admit to myself that Conrad was undeniably handsome and undeniably hot.The umbrella in my hand slowly lowered, its metallic frame clicking softly as it touched the ground. My heart, which had been racing just moments ago, now seemed to flutter erratically. I was momentarily at a loss for words.I watched as Conrad stepped further into the room, the light casting a play of shadows on his features.“Conrad? What are you doing here?"The room seemed to hold its breath as i waited for his response, my fingers still gripping the handle of the umbrella in nervousness.His brow furrowed, and he took another step closer, his voice carrying a touch of confusion, "Who are you? And why are you in Jenna's room?"Jenna Brooks's POVI felt my heart sink in disbelief at Conrad’s words. He was asking me who I was? How could he not recognize me when I recognized him even without looking at him twice? I felt a wave of betrayal wash over me at the fact that he failed to recognize the girl he had once shared countless childhood adventures with.How could he do this to me? How? Had he forgotten about me so quickly? At least he remembered this used to be my room. "I... I am Jenna. Jenna Brooks."I watched as surprise flickered across his face, followed by a cold indifference that sent a shiver down my spine. He spoke with an apologetic tone that somehow felt hollow, "I'm sorry for not recognizing you, Jenna."With those words, Conrad turned and walked out of the room, leaving me standing there. There was a lot, literally a lot wrong with what had happened just now. First, Conrad had never for once called me ‘Jenna’ when we were kids. He’d only called me shortstuffs and shortie because I was a lot more
I couldn't tear my eyes away, feeling like an intruder in this private moment. My mind raced with questions, doubts, and a profound sense of betrayal. What had happened to the childhood friend I had known? And who was the girl in his arms?As I stood there, hidden in the shadows, I couldn't help but wonder if the chasm between Conrad and me had grown too wide to bridge, and if I was truly an outsider in this new world I had entered.My heart pounding like a drum in my chest, I attempted to make a hasty retreat, silently cursing my curiosity for leading me into this uncomfortable situation. I took a step back, trying to blend into the shadows, but my attempt to sneak away was sabotaged by a clumsy mishap.In my haste to escape, I inadvertently bumped into a precarious pile of plastic chairs. The deafening clatter filled the hall, reverberating off the walls, and my heart seemed to skip a beat.Panicked, I watched as one of them approached the light switch, the sudden illumination e
Conrad Declan’s POV “I’m never going to date you, Conrad.” Oliva said to my face and walked away leaving me standing in the hallways.I smirked as I watched her catwalk back to the class room, the kind of catwalk that screamed I-really-want-you-but-I-gotta-play-hard-to-get-first. Yes, that’s Oliva. A girl I hated, to say the least. I’ve always thought of Olivia as a slutty and manipulative person. She had a reputation that preceded her—kind, gentle, pretty, caring blah blah blah but in reality she wasn’t any of those things. She messed with most of the seniors when we were juniors and sometimes I had always wondered how someone from such a rich family could be so petty. But then again, besides the designer clothes and bags she carried, there was nothing else to prove that she was indeed from a rich family. No one has ever been to her house or seen her parents who she claimed were abroad. We can’t be sure she’s not getting all that money from selling her body.Olivia’s had a
Jenna Brooks’s POV As we ate dinner, Auntie Laurel asked me how my first day went and I kinda lied about how great it was. I had earlier told Jamie not to mention it to her that I was having a hard time. As i slowly ate my lagzania, I tried not to look at Conrad who was seated right across me, poking at his food with a fork.Jeanette had told me he hardly ate at home so why was he here tonight? Did someone invite him? Yeah, I was annoyed at him at that moment and I remember I swore not to let him get to me but gosh! He had a way of annoying his way into my thoughts.Finally, as dinner was about to be over, Auntie Laurel turned to Conrad.“You have your study session with your friends tonight, right?” She asked him and he barely acknowledged her with a nod. “Great, you can take Jenna along.”Jenna? My Jenna? Why? How? I glanced at Conrad to be sure his eyes weren’t already throwing daggers at me. Too late. His eyes were already shooting lasers.Conrad shrugged, “I don’t think J
Jenna Brooks’s POV Liam's grin widened, and he motioned towards a table adorned with cups filled with a suspiciously colored liquid. "In that case, let me get you a drink. It'll help take the edge off, trust me."Reluctantly, I nodded, my curiosity overriding my reservations. Slowly, Liam guided me towards the table, effortlessly dodging the energetic crowd as we made our way through the throng of partygoers.As I held the cup in my hand, tiny droplets of condensation trickling down its sides, I hesitated before finally taking a hesitant sip. The drink was bittersweet on my tongue, but as the warmth spread through my body, i couldn't help but feel a fleeting sense of relaxation. As the night wore on and the drinks flowed, my inhibitions began to melt away. The once disapproving gaze I held over the party faded, replaced by a sense of reckless abandon. The music engulfed me, its rhythm guiding my movements as I danced among the swaying bodies.Amidst the pulsating sea of
Jenna Brooks’s POV KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! I jolted awake, startled by the noise. Ow. My head was throbbing. I rubbed my temples trying to remember what had happened last night but I failed to. How did I get home? How did I get to my room? This must be what it feels like to be hungover. How much did I drink? Why was my head pounding so much? Was it the tequila? The whiskey? The rum? The wine? Mixing all four? Who knows. KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK. Shit. What time was it? I checked my phone: 8:05 a.m. Fuck! “I’m coming!” I shouted, trying but failing to put on my best I-definitely-did-not-just-wake-up voice. I yanked open the door. It was Jeanette. She was all dressed for school except, she hadn’t yet put on makeup. “You’re not ready yet?” she asked me, her eyes scanning my appearance with suspicion. “Yeah…I’ll be down in a sec.” She mumbled a ‘hurry up’ before I closed the door and rushed into the bathroom. Jeanette still hadn’t done her make up yet so I still had time. In less tha
Jenna Brooks’s POV Fear pricked at my heart, my eyes widening in a mixture of shock and embarrassment. I covered my stained skirt with my hands, my face flushing crimson at the realization of my predicament. Conrad's urgency urged me forward, and with a silent nod, i allowed him to guide me towards the ladies' room.As we walked, my footsteps felt heavy, my legs losing their strength as fear gripped me tightly. Questions raced through my mind, wondering how he even knew about the stain, and why he was showing such concern for me.Arriving at the ladies' room, Conrad firmly instructed me to wait inside while he headed out. I obeyed, leaning against the cold tile wall, my mind still reeling from the unexpected turn of events. I could hear muffled conversations from inside, the sound of running water, and the soft rustling of paper.I felt embarrassed. How was I supposed to face Conrad after this? I fidgeted with my glasses as I looked down at my shoes, trying to sniff back the t
Jenna Brooks’s POV My heart froze with fear as I tried to open the door by continuously tilting the door knob but to no avail. I felt my heart race, I had always been scared of being trapped in enclosed spaces, dark enclosed spaces. Crunching hit my ears from behind, accelerating the already rampant pondering of my heart. I sunk to the ground, was this the newbie prank? Who would do something so mean? The crunching got louder and i clutched my knee, trying to block out the noise. I felt a chill of unease run down my spine. My eyes were focused on the door…waiting. Please. Please. Just open. Then, like a miracle, the closet door swung open, flooding the small space with light. I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the sudden brightness. And there, standing before me, was Liam. As I quivered on the hard, cold floor, my breath hitched in my throat as Liam stepped forward. Without a word, he reached out and enveloped me in a warm, protective hug. The kind of hugs in high school movies.