Can't Shake 'Em, Break 'Em, or Make 'Em Quit It (Chapter 15)
"Well if it isn't the Collective Boyfriend thief," a girl taunted as she saw Jasmine approach the rack she was at. The girl flipped her hair over her shoulder and crossed her arms over her chest.
The girl rolled her eyes and shot Jasmine a hateful look. As she looked at Jasmine, she replied, "Well why isn't she defending herself?"
Jasmine stepped closer to the snobby girl and replied, "I'm sorry that you think that but Nathan's my friend. I felt ill and he was trying to be a good friend. We're not dating - I promise."
Before the snobby girl could say anything else, Ella waved her away and told her to leave. The girl huffed and stormed off, leaving through the store's automatic doors.
Ella turned back toward Jasmine and squeezed her shoulders. "Jazz, ignore her. She's another stupid girl who buys into the whole jealous fan act. Your real friends know the truth. Remember that."
Jasmine smiled at Ella and turned back to the rack of clothes they were at. Once the weekend hit, Ella insisted on taking her shopping to catch up with her. She had seen the picture of Nathan carrying Jasmine out of the restaurant and saw it as romantic. She had swooned when Jasmine told her about the Disney movie night and was surprised to hear that a drunk Nathan had suggested getting cozy.
"So what made you say no?" Ella asked Jasmine when they walked out of the store without buying anything. "Were you afraid that he wanted...?"
"Yes and no," Jasmine replied. "I felt like that was unfair to him, especially since he wasn't sober. And...it didn't feel like there was a spark in that kind of a way."
Ella stopped short and stared at Jasmine in surprise. "You mean there will never be Jathan or Nasmine?"
Jasmine bit her lip as she laughed at the mix of her name with Nathan's. "Um no, he's like the supportive older brother that I really needed," she said. "Sure, I liked him when I first met him but the more we hung out, the more I started to see him as an older brother...minus the hair-pulling and stealing my diary."
Ella unlocked her car and opened her door. Jasmine settled into the passenger seat as Ella turned the key in the ignition and began backing out of her spot. As she checked her mirrors and looked over her shoulder, Ella continued, "So what's the story with the Loser?"
Jasmine stared out the window and chewed on her lip. Ella nudged her and said, "Hey cut that out! You'll never have kissable lips if you keep chewing them raw!"
"Sorry," Jasmine apologized. "He sent me a private message and I deleted it before I read it."
"Curiosity didn't make you wonder what he wanted?" Ella asked as she drove back to their dorm building.
Jasmine shook her head no and watched as they zipped past trees, bushes, and lush greenery decorating the streets. She had read the message because it was short and it was impossible to completely ignore it when it was so short: hey! been awhile but wut's new?