Jay was sitting cross-legged beside Venelope, watching her trim the curling edges of a rare vine with small, silvery leaves that shimmered like dew in the light.
But Jay wasn't paying attention to the plant.
She was watching her.
Venelope 's brow was furrowed in concentration, her gloved hands careful and precise. Yet something about her movements felt… distant. Her answers had been short, her voice quieter than usual. Even the way she'd smiled earlier, it didn't reach her eyes.
Jay tilted her head. "venelope?"
"Mmm?"
"You've been quiet since yesterday," Jay said, her voice soft but clear.
"me? No…"
"Are you sure? "
"Yeah…"
"At the boutique, when I changed clothes… you were looking at me, as if you had something to say…"
"No jay, I was just a little emotional"
"And then in the car… again. It felt like that"
"Hahaha… jay you are thinking too much"
"Even now. You are feeling distant as if you are controlling yourself to say something to me…"
Venelope hesitated, still trimming. Jay leaned in a little, a bit of irritation was visible on her face.
"Are you avoiding me?"
The shears in Venelope's hand paused mid-air.
Then slowly, Venelope set them down on the bench beside her, pulled off her gloves, and turned to face Jay. Her expression was unreadable for a moment then it cracked, just a little.
"I was," she admitted. "I mean… maybe not on purpose. I've just been…" She looked down at her hands. "Emotional."
Jay's eyes softened. "Why?"
Venelope gave a sad, lopsided smile. "Because you're getting married. Because it feels like everything's about to change. And I don't know how to stop feeling… scared for you."
Jay looked at her friend for a long second, then placed a hand on her arm. "… I'm scared too."
For a moment, the two of them sat in a pocket of silence, filled only with the faint rustling of plants around them.
Then Venelope exhaled sharply and stood. "Okay! How about this if we're not planning to go to classes today, I'll be free in about an hour. Let's do something dumb."
Jay blinked. "Dumb?"
Venelope grinned. "Yeah. Like… no thinking. No worrying. Just fun. Come on, my sweet bride, let's celebrate."
Jay laughed, shaking her head shyly. "You're ridiculous."
"And you're glowing," Venelope said, pointing to her face with mock drama. "Like someone who's pretending not to be in love."
Jay rolled her eyes. "What?!"
Venelope winked. "Nothing. One hour. Be ready."
...
An hour later, they stepped out of the campus gates together. Jay in same dress with white sneakers, her hair tied in a high ponytail. Venelope had somehow already acquired a floppy hat and sunglasses and declared herself in disguise.
But just as they crossed the pedestrian path near the main road, Jay stopped in her tracks.
Venelope turned. "What happened? Jay?"
Jay didn't reply at first. She was staring across the street. Venelope leaned close, whispering, "Jay… is it someone you know?"
Jay blinked, shook her head slowly. "No. I mean… maybe."
Venelope followed her gaze.
Across the street, a boy with large spectacles in a grey hoodie was leaning against the pharmacy storefront. He had a paper bag in one hand, earphones in his ears, eyes on the street. He didn't notice them.
"He looks familiar," Jay said.
Venelope's face slowly lit up. She leaned closer to Jay's face with a mischevious expression that said, "go on".
"Remember the peppermint accident on the bus?"
"He gave me the peppermint," she said quickly, trying not to sound like it meant anything. "He works at the pharmacy. Then I saw him again at the library. I was just… glad to see someone I recognized."
Venelope raised both eyebrows dramatically. "Just glad, huh? Not… butterflies?"
"heyy!" Jay yelped and swatted her arm.
Venelope laughed and bolted ahead. "Aha! Gotcha! You're blushing!"
"Come back here!"
Jay chased her down the street, their laughter trailing behind them like music.
....
The open market was a riot of colors and sound. Strings of lights danced above stalls filled with jeweley, scarves, sunglasses, knock-off perfumes, and dazzling shoes. The smell of sweet corn, fried potatoes, and sizzling noodles swirled in the air.
Jay and Venelope threw themselves into the madness.
They tried on neon wigs and posed like pop stars. They tasted everything: strawberry ice cream with sprinkles, golden potato rings, fiery street noodles, creamy shakes, fizzy drinks that tickled their noses.
They tried on heels too high to walk in. Danced barefoot in a quiet corner of a clothing stall. Jay even bought a cheap pink tiara and wore it like royalty.
And for once she didn't think about the wedding.
She didn't think about her mother's cold silences, or her father's worried eyes, or the strange unknown waiting for her at the end of the week.
She just lived.
And it felt like the first time in forever.
...
By early evening, the sky had turned gold, melting into soft purples on the horizon.
Venelope looked at the time and hesitated. "Should we… go home now?"
Jay glanced at her phone.
Her face fell.
Her screen showed a missed call. Her mother's name. Twice.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she locked the screen again.
Venelope saw the change immediately.
"Hey," she said, gently. "How about we… go watch a movie?"
Jay blinked. "Can we?"
"Of course we can. You're with me."
Her voice was light, but her eyes were kind.
Jay's shoulders eased just a little. "Then… yeah. Let's go."
…..
The theatre was cool and dark. The scent of buttery popcorn hung thick in the air. Jay held a bucket of caramel popcorn in one hand, a chilled drink in the other. Venelope led the way to their seats, still wearing her floppy hat.
The movie began, a quiet, tender film about two childhood friends who reunite by chance as adults, only to realize they had always loved each other but never said the words.
Ten minutes in, Jay was silent.
Fifteen minutes in, she wiped her eyes. And by the twentieth minute, tears were trailing down her cheeks.
She hugged the popcorn to her chest, eyes shimmering as the characters on screen whispered words too familiar words about fear, about time, about never saying how you felt when it mattered most.
Venelope, without a word, reached over and gently took her hand.
🗝️ Want to know what happens next before anyone else?
I post new chapters 1 week early on Patreon, and right now, you can try it FREE for 7 days, and Your support helps me keep writing. 💖