New Friends

                                    

                                          
Allan

                          
The following day at school, every time I look at Jasmine, her violet eyes are staring into empty space. 

                          
She does well during the classes we share, acing tests and reciting in every subject, but the moments in between, her gaze is distant and morose.
                          
Vera and Fauna no longer talk to Jasmine, but Sabrina still hangs out with Jolene, so it's imminent that Sabrina and Jasmine also spend time together.
                          
After the last bell rings, I call Jasmine's name, making her look at me. "What?" her voice is small, and I know it will take time for her to recover from the incident last night. No one ever fully heals from emotional pain, they can only cope somehow.
                          
Glancing at her, I ask, "Do you want to come with me?"
                          
"Where?" even as she speaks, she's already climbing into the passenger's seat of my car. It just happened, I can't explain it why or how or when, but she left her car in the parking lot of the apartment building, and I didn't complain as I gave her a ride to university.
                          
I lean toward her, buckling her seat-belt on for her. I lean back and say, "The bakery."
                          
She clicks open my glove compartment and starts rummaging through its contents. 

                          
"Fine, but I'm not going to eat anything," she replies blandly, flipping over one of my CDs, then she pushes the silver disk into my CD player. She jabs at a few buttons, her violet eyes gleaming with excitement.
                          
We'll see, I think, smiling inwardly as I peel onto the road, drumming my fingers on the steering wheel to the beat of a song by The Script.
                          
Jasmine

                          
"Sentimental Sweets," I read the massive pink and white sign above the entrance.
                          
I look over my shoulder at Nameless Guy, whose hands are tucked into his denim pockets. "What do you think?" he asks with a smile.
                          
"I think Barbie and Hello Kitty barfed all over the place," I answer truthfully, frowning at the pink and white exterior.
                          
He laughs at my remark. "Come on," he says, pushing open the vast glass doors.
                          
I walk into the confectionery, a gust of cold wind curdling in my wake. I sweep my gaze around the interior. The ceiling is high, wallpapers are pale pink, the round tables are white, and there are large paintings of picturesque landscapes hung on every wall. 

                          
Despite my earlier qualms about the outer design, I feel so cozy and utterly comfortable. The bakery exudes positive vibes, it oozes joy and prosperity. From across the room, I can see the attractive breads perched inside a transparent display case.
                          
Add the fact that the employees are young and good-looking, it's no mystery why business is booming, just like today. Many heads turn to ogle me, but I'm immune to the gawks and camera flashes, so it's nothing new.
                          
Behind the counter, Jolene is busy tapping at her phone and writing in her notebook, too engrossed to notice that I'm in the same room.
                          
A girl of about fourteen with a long brown ponytail and brown eyes behind rimless eyeglasses emerges from a door that says AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY. Dressed in a pink apron over a green shirt and skinny jeans, she approaches Nameless Guy with a broad smile.
                          
"Right on time, as usual!" She hugs him briefly, then turns to face me. "Hello! My name is Sophia!" She extends her arm for a handshake, which I reluctantly give.
                          
"I'm Jasmine," I say, hugging my arms.
                          
My gaze falls on a cake in the display case. Oh dear God, is that... is that cheesecake?