Finding Carter | ✓

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter 25
Who's Jasper Black?

Willow strolled into the apartment with five shopping bags Thursday morning, rolling in as if she was on a high.

I was searching for jobs on the couch with a bowl of melons with Jade—who was doing her own job search next to me. Not that I got fired or quit from the grocery store, but they haven't been giving me many hours, and I wanted to make more money before next semester came by.

Bringing my fork to my lips, I hurriedly finished chewing while Willow grinned in our direction. "What'd you buy?" I asked once my mouth was clear of food.

"Clothes," she sighed happily before dropping all the bags by the door. She kicked her sandals off before skipping toward me. I laughed as she plopped herself on my left. "There were so many sales.

Jade finally pulled her eyes away from the screen before grinning at Willow. "What did you get?"

When she flashed me a mischievous smirk, I got confused; until she shot up from the couch. "Where are you going?"

Instead of answering, she just jogged to her bags before lifting a singular white bag. Jade and I shared a confused look before I glanced over Jade's head. Next thing I knew, she pulled out an article of clothing before tossing it my way. I landed on Jade, and I grinned when Jade began to scowl.

"Well, I got that," she drawled out while Jade lifted the fabric off her lap. It took me a few seconds to realize that it was sweatpants. "School's done sis. Time to start dressing comfy."

"Oh, I one hundred percent agree." This time, it was Jade's time to smirk. "You look like you're about to go out."

"Jeans are not that fancy," I defended.

Jade scoffed before gesturing to her outfit. She dressed in leggings and a ripped shirt. "It is when you're sitting next to me."

I laughed when she eyed my jeans, as if it was challenging her into a battle, but I couldn't help but look back at the soft, black sweatpants. I didn't prefer wearing black since I always associated it as a sad colour, in a way. I never wanted the McMilan's or any potential parents back in foster care to think I was a bad child, so I learned to avoid the colour.

Now, however... I couldn't help but feel drawn to it. But still, the thought of wearing sweatpants reminded me that it wouldn't look appropriate, and I hated myself in that moment, wishing that the need to want to dress properly wasn't still in my wind.

So when I looked at Willow, I tightly smiled. "Maybe later."

Not seeing my internal conflict, she smiled before lifting her bags up once more. "I'm just gonna throw all these into the laundry. I'll be back," She started walking down the hall before shouting, "You didn't eat my kinder egg, right?" .

I rolled my eyes. "I don't eat that stuff, Will."

"You're missing out," she sang while my gaze dropped to the sweatpants once more.

This was the first pair I've ever owned. Although I had a few leggings for running or when I danced, I felt like sweatpants were something so foreign to me. Still, the temptation to wear it was strong.

Instead of thinking about, I ripped off the tag and folded it before sitting the pants on the corner of the couch. I would put it in the laundry later.

Jade smiled happily in my direction, and the sight softened my anxiety.

I forcefully turned to my laptop again and began my job search. However, I barely got to the next page when Willow stormed in, wearing grey sweatpants and a bright pink sports bra. Her dark, curly hair was piled on top of her head, and I choked on a chuckle when I saw her face layered in a green face mask.