Lunch was supposed to be safe territory. Supposed to be.
But Jane wasn't about to let the moment die peacefully.
"So," Jane said between bites of fries, "do we talk about how you just turned into a ninja because Kyle was standing on a staircase?"
Raye covered her face. "Please don't remind me."
"Oh, I'm reminding you," Jane said with a devilish grin. "You literally slid under his arm like you were escaping a laser trap."
Raye groaned. "I panicked, okay?"
Jane leaned forward. "No, you malfunctioned. Girl, you could've just said hi. Or waved. Or pretended to sneeze. But no—you went full Mission Impossible."
Raye looked at her with a deadpan expression. "If I could vanish through the floor, I would've."
Jane smirked. "You like him."
"I—what? No! Absolutely not."
"Oh please, your face is redder than my midterm grades."
"That's just because you keep embarrassing me!"
Jane giggled, resting her chin on her hand. "So what's the plan? You gonna keep ducking under his arm forever?"
"Yes."
"Forever-ever?"
"Yes!"
Jane rolled her eyes dramatically. "Girl, at this rate, you'll develop a sixth sense for detecting him within a hundred feet."
"I already do," Raye muttered. "It's called survival instinct."
They both burst out laughing, drawing stares from nearby tables.
Jane took a sip of her drink, still chuckling. "You know, if I were you, I'd own it. The kiss. The drama. The rain. The bad boy in his giant mansion. You're living a telenovela, babe."
Raye groaned, dropping her head on the table. "It's not romantic when you're the one panicking every five seconds!"
"Still better than being bored," Jane teased.
When Raye finally lifted her head, she caught sight of Kyle walking across the cafeteria. He wasn't even looking at her—but her pulse quickened anyway.
She quickly turned back to Jane. "Okay, new plan: I'll just… stay invisible until graduation."
Jane laughed so hard she almost spilled her drink. "Yeah, good luck with that, Houdini."
Raye shot her a glare but couldn't help smiling, just a little.
Because even if her stomach twisted every time she saw him—even if she had no idea how to face him—at least she had Jane, who'd roast her until she could laugh again.
And maybe, just maybe, someday she'd stop running.
But definitely not today.
Or this week ...maybe until she graduated Raye concluded nodding her head slowly.
She turned back to Jane to ask .
"Do you think everyone kinda of change ..like towards me ?".
Jane frowned shaking her head in a no .
"Change like how ??" .
"Like for instance today , Evan didn't make any snarky comment_ , said something like he didn't want a broken arm or so ...geez I forgot the word he used ".
"O ooo " Jane muttered , before chuckling softly as she said " that might be because of Kyle_ I didn't tell you but last week , a fight broke out between Kyle and Joshua ...okay let me rephrase that Kyle beat Joshua ".
"What !!! ...why didn't you tell me " Raye asked mouth open slightly .
" Yeah I wanted to but , you looked like someone who wasn't ready to hear any more news ".
"he didn't get into trouble right ?".
"Na he just punched him and gave him a couple of warning ..publicly , also Joshua was sort of in a trouble I don't think he would even have the guts to go report ".
That was true Raye thought nodding slowly .
So he punched Joshua_ for me she thought as a small smile spread across her lips .
" But what did he say ?".
"He said something like ...um people should think twice before messing with you cause you are kinda of taken ... " She cleared her throat .
" he put the words like this ....she is mine " Jane said mimicking a boys voice while Raye laughed out loud, a small blush tainting her cheeks .
Geez that boy was something she thought huffing quietly .
"Hi " .
"Hello "
Raye and Jane head turned in unison to stare at the girl who was now waving at them standing close to their table .
Sharing a look they both said .
"Hi Layla and Becky "
"Can we join you guys ??" Layla asked her blonde hair combed neatly ..which look shiny than usual .
The girl sure took time in dressing herself .
She sat down beside Raye while her friend took the last seat beside Jane .
"Um how are you ,I heard you were sick last week ".
"Yeah sure " Layla said smiling while scratching her head as she quickly said .
"Thanks for asking ".
"No problem " Raye said smiling softly .
Feeling like the atmosphere was already tensed .
What was she suppose to say now she thought staring down at her tray of food .
Thankfully Layla cleared her throat as she began .
"I also heard what ...um had happened last week ..and am really sorry about what ..you know um Joshua did ".
Layla stuttered while Raye nodded slowly.
"You don't have to be sorry Layla it wasn't your fault but his ...beside he already apologize ".
"He did ?" Layla asked her brow raised up in suprise , even Becky turned to look at Raye who didn't seem like she was saying a joke .
"Hahaha don't look suprise , he did ..but I didn't give him a clear answer though what he did was pretty low ".
"Yeah teaming up with a girl to slander another, that was not very manly ...or boyly ...if that's even a word " Jane said whistling as Raye shut her a look to stop talking .
"Jane .."
"No she is right , what he did was pretty low and am sorry, I just came here to apologize on behalf of him please do forgive him , he is really sorry ".
Raye stared at her tray of food thinking about what Layla had said .
What Joshua did really hurt her and would have jeopardize her future in this university.
What would she have told her aunty and her uncle .
What would her parents think ???
She promised to make them proud and ...just in a week ,months full hard work was being shattered ...
In a WEEK.
"I would think about it " she managed to say .
Layla didn't expect her to forgive him immediately but at least she would think about it .
No matter what Joshua did , he was still her friend ..and she knew he was feeling miserable about it .
When she had gone home to spend sometime with her parents after she got really sick , he came back and since then she couldn't even make out what he had become .
He looked so pained and miserable .
Layla stood up from the bench , so as Becky squeezing Raye hand softly she said .
"Thank you ".
"No problem Layla , and take care of yourself too ".
"Hmm get some rest " Jane said smiling softly while Layla chuckled.
"For sure I will ...by the way , tell Kyle, that he really did something on Joshua's face ...it seemed like it reset something in that head of his " Layla said chuckling.
Raye eyes went wide open also laughing , she turned to stare at Jane who also shrugged .
"Um ok "
Raye turned to Jane after Layla had left together with her friend .
" She also knows too , I thought she was out for like a week or so ".
"Yeah , news travel fast ,beside Layla and Joshua are kinda of popular kids they would get the gist without even needing to ask for it ".
"Wow so everyone knows about it ..... " Raye trailed off while Jane rolled her eyes sky high .
She could already guess what Raye would say next .
"Uggh Jane am changing school " Raye said slumping tiredly on the table while Jane rolled her eyes again chuckling .
Classic dramatic Raye .