See how she's doing

Jack walked up to where Beth was sitting and sat next to her. Their legs brushed against each other, she was wearing a short grey skirt and a white top.

"So how's your first day?" He asked.

"Great...Just great," she said staring at her phone, clearly in a bad mood.

"What's wrong Beth?" he asked concerned. Jack and Beth were always very close, there was a familiar fondness between them that they both recognized. Jack always knew when she was upset. Although at this moment it wasn't too difficult to see.

She hit the lock screen button on her phone and slammed it screen side down on the table and her head fell into her hands. "Vince broke up with me last night," she said with tears in her eyes. Trying not to make a scene in the cafeteria.

Jack new that this problem couldn't and shouldn't try to be solved. If there was one thing he learned from movies it was that girls more than anything just like being listened too. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, trying to be as unimposing as possible.

"I mean why did he want to try this long distance thing if he was just going to break up with me.... I really just don't understand boys, I really don't. "

Jack looked at her and didn't say anything.

"I mean to tell you the truth, I was actually kind of relieved. Before the move, we weren't doing so great. I guess the fact that we wouldn't be able to be around each other anymore made us appreciate what we did have. We were the closest we've ever been that weekend before we left. I was relieved because after a few days of not having him there I realized why we drifted apart in the first place. I was relieved that I had a reason not to be with him anymore. I didn't want to do long distance, but him wanting to do it made me believe in us again, that maybe we could last the year before we graduate. And then when he ended it..." she started getting teary eyes again, "I just feel used you know, pathetic and used."

"Tennyson said it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all," said Jack, half serious half joking.

"Fuck love," she said with a growing confidence, her tears disappearing , "I might try out for the dancing team," she said looking at Jack in his eyes, "what do you think?"

"I don't think you'll be able to pull off the bouncy thing, but you'll never know unti--" Jack was interrupted by a playful punch in the shoulder and hug from Beth.

She pressed her head up against his chest,"Thanks for listening Jack," she said, "It helps."

Soon lunch was over and Jack had to go to 6th period and then finally 7th with Ms. Ambers.