Perishable

chapter 1

Jazz-

"Sorry, you weren't supposed to know." My best friend frantically pulled her red hair into a messy bun.

"You really thought I would be okay with you sleeping with my boyfriend!" I felt the tears burning behind my eyes but held them back.

"You couldn't give him what he wanted so he found it somewhere else. Maybe if you didn't follow him around like a lost dog he wouldn't have gotten sick of you!"

'You're a bitch! I thought of all people you would never do something like this to me. Terry how long?' The question had to be answered.

"Not long...a few months at the most." She took a step forward and I backed away in disgust. " It just happened. We were at a party and he was mad because you guys had another fight or something and-"

"GET OUT!" I didn't want to hear her excuses not now. They had committed the ultimate betrayal. For goodness sakes he slept with my bestfriend!

The scene shifted and I was at school. I was staring into the chocolate eyes of the biggest jerk I have ever met. He stood in front of me with a small grin and I had to force myself not to wrap myself in his arms. A prominent dimple on his left cheek as he laughed at a friend. How could a guy, how could this guy, do something so horrible and still smile?

"Do you have anything to say to me?" I couldn't stand it anymore. It had been two days since Terry told me about the affair. He glanced down at me and his grin dropped, replaced instead by aggravation.

"Look Jasmine you don't have to be here. Okay I just want to talk to the guys, and you can't expect me to talk to you all the time." His tone was flat. There was no tenderness or sweet words.

'OK STUDENTS ITS 5 TIL LETS GET TO CLASS!' Mr. Hamelin yelled into his bullhorn as he made his way down the hall.

"'Ok guys see ya later. Nah I can't meet at the Pearl tonight got too much studying. Its Monday night"', he whispered the last words and winked. His track buddies left us but I could still hear them horsing around around the corner. "Babe what's wrong your frowning again. You know that'll give you wrinkles." He says jokingly and walks away.
° ° °
'Jasmine!' I groan and turn in my bed pulling my sheets over my head.

'Jasmine Rosemary Sinclair I know your awake! Get up right now!' My mom continues to yell from the kitchen. She knows I'm not a morning person and yet she wakes me at this ungodly hour!

The movement in the kitchen stops and I know that can only mean one thing. Seconds after I have the thought my covers are ripped off and I'm left to freeze on my bed.

'Get up your breakfast will get cold. You can't be late again this week. I have a bakery to run in case you have forgotten and I have to drive you to school in less than 15 minutes.' She has her hands on her hips I just know it.

Slowly getting out of bed I take my time stretching and getting my robe. Glancing at my mom I giggle because she does have her hands exactly where I knew they would be. I take a quick hot shower and by the time I'm done I have five minutes to get ready. I run to my closet for clothes because I can't wear PJs to school for some reason.

The ride to school is silent, my mom knows when to give me space its why I love her. I sigh and let the dream from last night replay in my mind. Its a mistake because the pain from years past come flooding back.

"Honey are you okay? I heard you crying last night." She whispers softly breaking me from my memories. I look at her and smile just nodding in reply.
My mom really is amazing. She takes care of me and my brother.

We pull onto the school parking lot and it's then that I realize we forgot my little brother. "Wow mom, Simon is really quite this morning." I decide to have a little fun.

'Hmm what's that Jazz? Oh God I forgot my baby!" Laughing I slip out of the passenger seat and the second my door closes she speeds off the lot burning rubber to get home.

I really need a coffee its too cold for this. Why can't school be held in the warm months?

'Hay Jay! I'd ask how your weekend was but I know it was probably spent in your room with a book. Hmmm my friend is such a loser.' My best friend teases me as I walk up to my locker.

'For your information I had a hot date Sunday!' I reply in mock offense.

'You had a date! Oh this is rich, you and an actual guy? Like a date date or like a dateeee!?' The petit purple haired girl standing before can not be my best friend. She would never squeal about a date or a guy for that matter. She had never dated before and didn't want to either.

'I had a date with these three guys... Leonardo DiCaprio and Ben & Jerry. They were so perfect and the pleasure they gave me ooo baby!' The look on Gabbi's face made it obvious she didn't appreciate my theatrics. 'O-oh my god! Your face...you looked like a proud soccer mom and then a mourning puppy.' I laughed so hard it hurt.

'Hay owe that hurts! Help!' I slam my locker shut still laughing and run from my homicidal friend. She takes off after me and I don't make it too far before she grabs my hair and pulls me somewhere. By the time we get to our destination, the cafeteria, I'm only giggling slightly.

'We need to get me food and you're paying as punishment for that cruel joke you just pulled on me.' Gabbi says in a manner that leaves no room for argument. I'm about to apologize when I hear a familiar voice.

Turning towards the sound my eyes land on a boy. Average height, messy brown hair and as always a deep dimple in his left cheek. Our eyes meet and it takes all my power to look away.

'Hay girly you okay you look white?'

'I have to go...I feel sick.' And I run, not looking back. I can't look back.