Notwithstanding the darkness of the night, the sun shone as brilliantly as it could, in the forenoon, to ward off the slightest trace of obscurity and made things better understandable to execute. With the arrival of sunlight, the daily affairs of the residents began. Children headed towards their schools. Easthill High, as a fashion, could be seen with students dawdling in the hallways. But today, there was a hot topic for gossip around the circles - Ross' Encounter. Yeah, you read it right, it's an Encounter. Nevertheless, our trio was oblivious to some prevalent factors, which were to be unveiled as soon as they entered their school.
Rossie was looking at her friends' picture in her locker when out of nowhere, Katy emerged before her.
"Hey, sweetheart. It was a mishap that happened to you. I came here personally to consolidate you. I am very sorry for you. I hope you are doing fine now. If you need any help, you can bother me anytime. After all, you are a Dickinson, the elite family member. I would love you to spend time with us rather than any loner refugees." said Katy in her queen mannered, self-sufficient tone. She was smiling with her dearly smiles, one of those which we can see on a proud, rich divalike girl.
"Thanks, I am completely alright. I would love to join you, but I was planning to visit the library," said Rossie pointing her hand behind herself, where the staircase was located.
"Maybe we could catch up during lunchtime," excused Rossie, giving a ceremonial smile.
Kate nodded in recognition and turned around, shaking her hair backward with all her grandeur. Clearly, like most teen, mean, spoiled girls.
Ross went up towards the library, as she mentioned. It was the end of the semester, their junior year was about to end. But you know, the conclusion always marks with tests. This was prominently the most eminent cause of worries for primarily all students nowadays. Rossie, planning to prepare for an exam, was heading towards her way when she encountered the notice board, after which definitely her day was made worse.
"An Extra Class!!! UGHHH!!" Ross was disgusted. This was not exactly what she was settling herself for. How much ever she disliked it, she was bound to visit the lecture. It was an early session when most students were free, which was the most unpropitious part. She pulled a long face and didn't change her expression until she was let out of class at the time of lunch break.
Rossie went straight to the cafeteria after the lecture, so she could grab something to eat, or else she might even die. Also, she was hoping to meet her friends as it was the most vital element for survival. As soon as Rossie entered the cafeteria, she saw Emma and Jess at their favorite spot. She missed them, even if it was just a couple of hours. That's just how best buds are.
Rossie literally ran towards them in anticipation, intending to release all the hardship she faced. But suddenly, something flared in front of her eyes, the scene of that night, and her pace lagged down. She stopped right in front of them like an idle.
"Hey, Ross. We heard about the catastrophic early lecture. I hope you are not too decayed." said Emma making fun of Rossie's situation. Emma and Jess giggled, Ross didn't give an expression.
"By the way, I am sorry, dear. I wasn't able to be there for you yesterday night. It was way too long to come all along in the middle of the night. I hope you are not extremely angry." Jess apologized innocently. She was embarrassed that she was not useful for her best pal during the grimmest of her times. She expected Ross would complain, so she explained herself and presented an apology to her. But Ross' reply was pretty unexpected for everyone.
"An apology won't undo what's done. I don't need your fake sympathies. If you were really my friend, you would have been there for me when I needed you. You should have come. And I am telling you, I hate you for what you did, and I don't think I'm gonna forget it soon." asserted Rossie giving a sniff at the end of her conversation. She was angry, which was understood. But for what exactly?
Rossie turned her attention towards Emma and continued, completely snubbing the ubiquity of Jess.
"Oh my god, Em! Today was the worst day. I have so much to tell you. Let us have a seat somewhere to have lunch. I am starving." Rossie held her belly and made a puppy face as she habitually did when she was craving food.
However, Emma was still in the middle of processing Rossie's former statement. She couldn't imagine Ross talking to Jess in such a harsh temper ever. She took a glimpse at Jessie's face, which was equally astonished.
"Why did you accuse Jess of nothing?" said Emma in a shocking voice.
"I didn't accuse anyone. Jess is my friend. I am sorry, she was my friend. It was her duty to be there for me. I only did what was best for me. I don't need such fake friends. Huh!" Ross' voice was firm and cold.
"It's not her fault. She couldn't come all the way from the outskirts to your house at midnight, and you know it well. Why are you behaving like so? What has gotten into you?" Emma was still surprised.
When Ross was just about to give another reply, she was interrupted by Katy, who was coming from around the cafeteria towards them.
"Hey, nerds! Sorry to interrupt your goofy talks but, I wanted to speak to Ross. Don't you remember your promise Rossie darling? You told me you would be having lunch with us. I have a piece of marvelous information about extracurriculars. You coming?" Katy waved a keen smile towards them.
"Yeah, sure, I do remember, dear Katy. I think Emma should join us too," Ross smiled back in the same way.
Emma didn't wait for Katy to say anything and said.
"Sorry, I have some work with Jess here. You two can go. Have fun."
"Take your time to talk. And when you are done, do come. I will be waiting for you. The news is equally beneficial for you." Katy swirled around in arrogance, taking Rossie's hand who went like a flowing wind with her.
"You must go. I know she is angry. And you should be with her for now. She needs you more than I do. I promise I will do something to make it up for her. Trust me." Jess was positive. She comforted Emma.
"But what will you do alone? And anyway, you know I don't like Katy and her friends," said Emma. She was worried. Her face was pale.
"I am fine. And after all, I don't have classes after lunch. So, maybe I will go and do some sleuthing into the western parks project. And I think it might not be appropriate to leave our friend in a bunch of Vampires. Hehe!" Jess sarcastically addressed Katy's crew as Vampires. Calling the "Crew of Katy" as Vampires was their childhood fascination. As a result, when Jessie said so, Emma smiled wholeheartedly. She remembered the trio's friendship and, to save her friend, she agreed with Jessie on one condition.
"Okay, I agree. I will let you go, but I have a condition," said Emma.
As Emma spoke, she saw Jess giving 'what now?' expressions, so she continued with the same patience.
"We still have our plan for meeting at Western Parks. Is that okay?" Emma looked at Jessie's face searching for an answer that said Yes.
Jess smiled and nodded, giving an expression of solace. Now she practically pushed Emma towards the table where Katy and Ross were sitting. This was a pretty unexpected move for Emma, so she stumbled upon her feet and looked back at Jess with a furious glance. Jess accepted this glance with a burst of mouthful laughter.
Soon, Emma could be seen sitting around the rich group table alongside Ross. Ross was eagerly sharing all the details about the gymnastics classes during the first week of summer vacations, which she just heard from Katy. Emma listened to her friend with an affectionate smile. However, she was least interested in these sorts of pursuits. Emma was more of an intellectual person rather than a sportive. But she was pleased as Ross was content. Ross always fancied all the sporty kind of things for herself.
"So what do you think, Em? You are joining the Gymnastix Programme, right?" Katy, as usual, spoke out of turn.
Emma, who was attentively listening to Rossie and Rossie, who was swiftly speaking, paused and turned their attention towards Katy. After hearing what Katy said, both of them looked at each others' faces, a bit astonished.
"Emma is not that kind of a person Kate. She is all a study person." clarified Ross on her friends' behalf. They both chuckled a little.
"Well, why not? It's one good way to get a massive scholarship. And, I don't think so you would wanna miss a scholarship this good!!!" said Katy with that cunning look again as if she was bribing Emma to do what she wants.
Well, Emma darling was not so good at saying nos. And if someone was so intimidating, there wasn't a possibility of No. Nevertheless, Katy triumphed over Emma and gave that smirky smile.
Later on, after school ended Emma and Rossie, as usual, were heading back towards home. Rossie was eagerly speaking about the program. She was very enthusiastic about it.
However, Emma wasn't really interested in what she was saying. Rather, she had something else going on in her mind. She was still confused regarding Rossie's behaviour with Jess. It was a highly unexpectable situation for Emma. So she was busy processing the whole incident when Rossie snapped finger in front of her face and said,
"Whoa, Man! Are you even listening to me?"
"Yeah! Sorry." Emma suddenly came out of her thought process and spoke her part,
"Ross, I know you are excited and all. Yet, I am unable to interpret your attitude with Jess. What was so unforgivable for you? Why are you being so malignant about this condition? You know for yourself she cares for you more than anything in this world. Don't be so stubborn. Let this go. Please. I miss our trio," Emma's voice was heavy.
She was begging Rossie for the sake of their friendship. Her eyes had both feelings, hope and fear. She almost had her eyes filled in tears. But, what Ross said was out of the scope of all Emma's fears.
"Listen Em." sighed Ross.
"I love you. And I didn't want to hurt you. But you provoked me. You want answers? Here are the answers. I seriously don't wanna talk to that girl. Why don't you understand!? She is a person whom even her parents rejected, they left her to rot here, alone, with her brother and that poor boy, Saffet. Do you think she can be with us? A girl who cannot live with her family? I didn't want to say all this. But, you made me say. So, please, let's just close this topic once and for all." Ross seeing Emma's shocked face tried to close the conversation.
However, when Ross followed the direction where Emma was looking she was stunned. Jess was standing at a distance, probably she was coming towards them and heard everything Rossie said. She was carrying some flowers in her hand and around her feet were scattered chocolates with a big chocolate box in distorted condition. Most certainly, she was bringing it for Ross. But the unexpected welcome speech ruined it all.
Tears filled Jess' eyes. She was heartbroken. She never thought someone like Rossie would say this rubbish about her. She was going back step by step utterly disbelieving of what she heard. Emma wanted to speak up, but before she could defend Rossie, Jess turned away, crying, sobbing, running towards nowhere. Emma wanted to follow her, stop her, comfort her. However, she saw Ross turn and run towards the other side of the street. Maybe Rossie was hiding it, but Emma could hear her sob quietly. And that fine afternoon, the worst thing happened. The trio broke up. Everything that ever existed tore apart.