Chapter Three: Late Confession

In the meantime, Jenna and Ralph were both having a great time at the gymnasium. They worked out in their various centers. After swimming, the exercise was completed and they walked together to a nearby canteen to grab some snacks.

The lady at the counter passed the soda to Jenna and stopped her as she reached out to scan the QR code.

"no need ma'am, your boyfriend already paid for yours"

Jenna turned and looked at Ralph then turned back to the counter lady shaking her head, "you're mistaken. He's not my boyfriend. He's my senior."

"really? i thought you guys were a couple."

"nah.... we actually are just ordinary friends. We aren't even compatible foe each other"

Ralph who suddenly walked back to them coincidentally heard it and fell silent.

"Here", just then he saw Jenna pass him a soda to drink with a bright smile and the atmosphere was cleared instantly.

Towards evening, Jenna packed up her phone and accessories and was about leaving when Ralph walked up to her. "Hey, I'll walk you home, okay?"

"mm...okay"

A few step later......................

"Really? I can't believe that a girl could possibly be a foodie".

" I know right? I was shocked when I found out".

They laughed as they walked back home while recounting funny escapades from their School. As they got close to the road where they met initially, Ralph looked at Jenna and popped out a statement.

"You know......even if I didn't see you today, I planned to come see you soon."

" Really?" Jenna asked looking a bit surprised. Ralph nodded.

"Well... I could say that you are lucky we met today".

" Lucky? What do you mean? ", he chuckled.

" that..... that's because I'm leaving Alaska this weekend. "

Jenna broke the news as slowly as she could to him. The wide smile on Ralph's face dimmed, and then he laughed," you can't be serious Jenna joke's over".

Jenna rapped her forehead," I'm not joking. Ralph sighed "so, how long will you be there, a week or two? "

" I'm not sure, My dad's promotion is more imminent there. We might never come back to Alaska. "

" Dang it! " He looked sad,

" I like you Jenna. I wanted to ask you out".

" What!!!!!" , Jenna screamed internally. On the surface, she looked Stoic, but struck.

"That.... I.......you... Like me?!"

While she was still talking, Ralph took her hands in his and proclaimed seriously.

"Jenna, I really like you. I've liked you since 5th grade. If I knew this would happen, I would've let you know my heart sooner. It's always been you. Even if you only see me as a friend, I will wait for you to fall for me" .

Jenna adjusted her glasses.

" Well it doesn't even matter anymore. We're most likely destined to be just friends. We should probably leave it at that.".

" That's right," she replied quickly. " No one knows for sure if I'll ever come back".

They got to Jenna's house and Ralph's step got heavy while Jenna was lost in her own thoughts. Not long after, they were at the door.

"um.... We're here. Thanks for sending me back".

" ah… … Are you coming in? "

" no need, I should be on my way home."

" okay, bye."

After a few steps backwards, Ralph turned with a sad smile.

" Jenna..."

"huh?" Jenna turned back looking clueless.

"I'm really going to miss you."

Jenna felt a pink blush feeling on her face and stammered back a reply *Ahem, yeah* before stumbling into the house clumsily. She locked up the door to her room and went into the bathroom to wash up.

Afterwards, she lay on her bed and picked up her phone from the side table and logged into WeChat.

Jenn : um....Paige, Ralph asked me out. OMG!

Paige: Oh so you're gonna be his 80th girlfriend?! girl, take a chill pill alright.

Jenn: you...he's not like that.

Paige: what's he like huh? you aren't getting too lonely there are you?

Jenn: Paige!

Paige: fine, I'll stop. whatever.

Suddenly, Paige was offline and a call came in. Jenna rolled her eyes and picked the call bringing her phone close to her ear.

"Paige, how have you been?"

"fine, fine Are you really coming over to Haven-Nile College?", there was an unnoticeable trace of worry in her voice. Jenna nevertheless answered unaware.

"of course! I'm so happy".

"yeah, that's great," Paige said with a grunt.

" what?"

"it's great that you're coming. I'll be expecting you."

"hey, is there anything i could get for you?"

"nah, I'm fine"

"okay. stay pretty"

"i will. you should too."

"mm.....bye. I'll hang up first".

After Paige cut the call, Jenna placed the phone on bedstand and sighed softly to herself, "i really can't wait to see you Paige"

****************. Private Room in a club ****************

Greg, Gemma and Tyler sat on well furnished cushions with drinks watching some stripper perform their pole dance. Gemma lay her head on Tyler's lap lazily with a drink looking like a cat. She had on a silver slay jacket, light green net hose and sloppy styled silver boots, while Grey Allen sat on the opposite side with a gun, twirling it repeatedly. His messy brown hair made him look laid-back enough to make a person let down his guard. His eyes looked fixated at the stripper that anyone would think he's interested in her. Of course, his mind was far off wandering about.

A timid looking attendant walked in and stood at the side looking worried and drained of energy. Tyler paid no mind to hie countenance. He gulped down a mouthful of wine inelegantly and asked,

"where are they?"

"..."

Tyler looked up at him and his heart skipped a beat, this look meant that there was definitely trouble.

"where's Kendrick? Have you called him?"

"yes.... but..."

"but what?!", He interrupted." what is his excuse this time?"

"Boss he...he sent his girlfriend to XX hospital"

"that motherfucker really has good timing. And Justin?"

"At a commercial, boss".

Suddenly thinking of one last member, Tyler dropped his glass of wine on the table and tapped mildly with his fingers. Then he asked, "And Paige?"

"Ahh.....Boss..."

"where is she?"