Caleb snorted. "More like tragic. She was moping on the bus like her favorite anime character died."
Jenny shot him a look. "Can you shut up for once in your life?"
"Technically, I can, but will I?" Caleb grinned. "Nope."
Rachel, sitting beside Jenny with a salad she'd half-picked at, looked up from her phone.
Her hair was swept up in a loose bun, and she wore the kind of blouse that screamed "young professional."
"Don't let him get to you," she said, nudging Jenny's elbow lightly. "He's fourteen. His brain's still under construction."
"Hey!" Caleb protested, mouth still full.
Rachel ignored him and turned back to Jenny. "Rough day?"
Jenny shrugged, pushing food around her plate. "Something like that."
Rachel gave her a knowing look. "You don't have to talk about it, but if you ever want to, I'm around. And whatever it is it won't matter as much a week from now. Trust me."
Jenny gave a weak smile. It was nice, having someone like Rachel around. She made everything seem like it would be okay, even when it wasn't.
Caleb dramatically gagged. "Can we not have a Hallmark moment while I'm eating?"
"You're the emotional equivalent of a brick," Rachel said dryly. "No one's asking for your commentary."
"Still here though," Caleb said, stuffing another bite into his mouth. "Still thriving."
Their mom chuckled. "Can we all just eat without turning this into a sitcom?"
Jenny managed a small laugh, even if her insides still felt like a mess.
*
*
*
Later that evening, Jenny's home had settled into its usual nighttime rhythm.
Their dad was dozing off on the couch with the TV still on, their mom humming while doing the dishes, and Caleb's obnoxious gaming sounds leaked faintly from his room.
Jenny sat on her bed, knees pulled to her chest, staring blankly at the messages on her phone.
She hadn't replied to any. Not Maya. Not even the class group chat. The weight of the day was still clinging to her.
[A soft knock on her door]
"It's me," came Rachel's voice.
Jenny sighed. "Come in."
Rachel entered quietly, holding a mug of chamomile tea and wearing her favorite oversized cardigan—the one Jenny always secretly wanted to steal.
She handed the mug over wordlessly and sat at the edge of the bed.
Jenny held the warm mug but didn't drink.
Rachel tilted her head. "Want to talk?"
Jenny shrugged lightly.
"I don't even know what I'd say," she muttered quietly.
Rachel gave her a patient smile. "That's okay. You don't have to have the perfect words. Just... say what's on your mind."
The lights in the room began to blink like they were debating whether to stay on or call it a day.
"I got it!" Rachael said, hopping up and flicking the switch off and on like a human reset button before shuffling back to Jenny's side.
Jenny paused,
"I feel… stupid," she finally muttered.
"You're really not," Rachael replied softly, settling in and bracing for a longer story.
"I know, I know… but, ugh…there's this guy…"
Rachael's eyebrows perked up, smelling drama, then casually settled back down.
She said nothing.
"Today was trash. First, the guy practically turned me into a punchline, then I got dragged up to the front of the class like some kind of circus act.
Thank God I didn't flop.. I somehow nailed the answer.
It's like… the moment anything slightly weird happens, boom! you're the class clown, and everyone's got front-row seats."
Rachael listened through all of Jenny's ramble without a peep, nodding slowly like she was letting the words sink in—no judgment, no rush.
"I just hate feeling so visible," Jenny said. "Like I already don't fit in, and now it's worse."
Rachel was quiet for a moment, then said softly, "High school feels like it's forever when you're in it. Like everything that happens there will follow you the rest of your life. But it doesn't."
Jenny looked at her.
"I know that doesn't help much now," Rachel said. "But I promise, someday you'll laugh at half the things that feel huge right now. And the rest? You'll grow past them. You'll find your people, your voice... and trust me, guys like him? They're not the end of your story."
Jenny cracked a small smile. "You're annoyingly wise, you know that?"
Rachel smirked. "Occupational hazard. Comes with being amazing."
They sat in silence for a moment.
"Thanks," Jenny said quietly.
Rachel stood and squeezed her shoulder gently. "Get some rest. And remember….next time Caleb says anything about boys, just remind him he once cried because his Minecraft dog fell off a cliff."
Jenny laughed, genuinely this time. "Noted."
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