Something popped up

Jade mentally debated with herself whether she could tell anyone what she was told about Mike. It wasn't like Jason flat-out confessed to doing anything physical to Mike, but he definitely didn't have anything good in mind for 2 pm, much less what he would do if she didn't make it on time. She had her eyes often fixed on the clock, waiting for 1:30 when the last day of classes before final exams ended. Her mom wanted Jade to stay until 3 to study in the library. She would come and pick her up, then take her back home to get ready for a celebratory dinner.

Eventually, the half day was over and Jade headed to the library. Her plan was to wait inside where there was air conditioning and then go behind the library to meet Jason. While she was in the library, one of her friends came up to her and gave her a hug.

"Jade," she whispered excitedly.

"Classes are over!"

Jade attempted to look like she wasn't worried.

"I know," Jade replied. "How are you celebrating?"

"We're going to the water park."

"Who's 'we'?"

"Me and Lani. And you, of course."

"Aww, that's nice. What time?"

"Well, we were gonna go to your house and let you get a bathing suit. But the park closes at 4 and it's, like, forty minutes away. So I was hoping we could leave, like, right now."

Jade's initial instinct was to turn the offer down.

"Why not wait for the weekend?"

"It's crowded on the weekend. Come on, Jade. Please?"

Jade asked if she could make a phone call first, saying she would need to let her mom know. Her friend agreed. Jade went into the unisex bathroom to make the phone call to Jason.

"Yes, beautiful?" came the prompt reply.

"I'm sorry, but I can't make it. My friend invited me to something just now. Can we meet some other time?"

"Thank you for the courtesy. How about the park tomorrow at noon sharp? Be there or I'm gonna check Mike's photo library."

"I'll be there."

"Good."

He finished the call, leaving Jade with an empty feeling in her stomach.