Hola all,

Just wanted to clarify something because I know it can be called different things in different parts of the world. In the last chapter, when I referred to a 'bandage', I was speaking of what some may call a "Band-Aid". As in, the stick thing with gauze attached. Just to be clear, for future reference.

Hope you enjoy this chapter.

As soon as Jane had left the classroom for that afternoon, Maura's mind was plagued with an unending amount of thoughts as to what that bandage may have been for. Despite having many options to choose for, she either couldn't find one that was plausible or one that she liked.

Soon though, it began to show. As it turned out, she was a fan of guessing aloud or in her mind as she began to feel an itch building at the top of her chest. As soon as she noticed, she immediately forced herself to not only stop scratching but also to stop trying to figure out something with very little tangible evidence. It was hive-inducing and pointless, she decided.

•••

Although it had previously concerned Jane a little that Miss Isles was not going to be there for two weeks, the first five days had passed and it seemed to be fine.
Other than having to occasionally remind herself that she had to actually use the library instead of the classroom as she would with Miss Isles, school travelled pretty normally and there were enough things going on in her other subjects and socially so that she didn't really have a need to focus on her teacher's absence.

[Group chat: Jane, Vince and Barrold]

Frost: It was actually the funniest thing!

Korsak: Yeah, no kidding. Best entertainment all week.
Knew there was a reason we took economics.

Jane: So you'd understand money?

Frost: So we get to watch Pippa get upset when she MASSIVELY FAILED her model finance scheme.
Ahaha

Korsak: You shoulda seen the look on her face Jane!

Jane: I'm sure it was priceless.

Korsak: Not according to her. Haah!

Frost: I know! When she did the whole my dad pays your salary thing! xD

Jane: She didn't?! :O

Korsak: She did. And I think the best part was that even Mr Jenkins couldn't give a shit about her
ranting.

Frost: It was like all she wanted was the attention and he wouldn't give it to her. It made it taste so
much sweeter!

Jane: I bet. Oh, before I forget, you guys still coming to boy's baseball on Sunday?

Frost: Yeah. We're still on for pizza after, right?

Jane: Yes, Frost. We'll still get pizza. What about you, Vince?

Korsak: Game's at 9, right?
Yeah, I'll come.

•••

"You boys were killer today!" Jane said proudly to the two very embarrassed younger brothers standing in front of her.

"We're not babies," Frankie said in the most grown up way he could, knowing full well that he loved it when she complimented them and made him proud too.

"Yeah, yeah," she nudged.

Tommy looked from side to side, still pretty excited, "We totally were though."

"Yes," she restated, "you totally were." She winked in their direction. "Hey, you guys wanna join us for pizza to celebrate?"

"Nah, we're gonna go out with some of the guys."
They were grateful she asked but, you know, boys gotta be boys, right?

"Alright, well I'll see you guys later then," she smiled. "Bye bros."

Back in the carpark, Vince and Frost were leaning on Jane's car laughing about something they've obviously found wildly funny. As they notice Jane heading back, Vince says, "Welcome back. No boys?"

"Nah," she said pleasantly. "They thought it cooler if they hung out with their team mates," she said feigning hurt.

"Aw," Frost joined. "Oh well. More pizza for us!"

"Yes," Korsak said very happily.

•••

Jane was washing her hands in the bathroom as she looked up to the mirror above the basin.
In that moment, she suddenly found herself thinking about Miss Isles and the fact that she'd been away. For some reason, it made her feel like this week had somehow been worth less or been less productive simply because she wasn't there. Completely caught off guard, and out of nowhere, Jane convinced herself that it was simply because her routine was interrupted and that there was nothing more to it. You're just used to studying with her, that's all. Ew. Now that you say it like that, it sounds kind of weird. Forget it. It's nothing. Everything will be back to normal in a week or so.
Right now, her friends were outside in the main area eating her portion of pizza though…

•••

Jane lay on her bed with earphones in her ears. Her music was turned way up, and she was enjoying the escape it provided.

Where are you?
And I'm so sorry.
I cannot sleep, I cannot dream tonight.

Blink 182 was one of her all-time favourite bands. They were one of the few who had made it onto her list of songs she could listen to in any mood.

Today she'd retreated to her bedroom simply because she felt like relaxing.
It was Tuesday again, and she'd just gotten home from school. After exchanging pleasantries with her mother before she took the boys to baseball practise, she grabbed a drink and went to chill out in her room.
She'd managed to get all her homework done at school today. Her last period of the day was a free one, and she'd gotten through it then. Thankfully her teachers today were feeling pretty lenient with what they had set for homework, so she was happy to be doing very little this afternoon.

There was a break between songs and her phone buzzed on the bedside table. She looked over and couldn't help but think that had the message come in while a song was playing, she probably wouldn't have heard it. She unplugged it from the charger and rolled onto her back, phone in hand.

Why do girls do that?

The message was from Korsak and that was all it said.

Hello to you too. :P Do what?

Jane shook her head and placed the phone on her stomach. It buzzed again to signify his reply.

Why do they go all crazy when all I did was try to be nice?

What'd you do? -_-

What'd I do? Why'd I have to do anything?

Fine, what did SHE do?

I gave her some chocolates, coz our one month is coming up and she went nuts about getting fat and how I don't really care.

Ouch. What's her name again?

Jessica.

Jane didn't have to be with him to know that the tone in which he sent that last text was not impressed by any part of this situation.

Right – Jessica. Look man, I wish I knew why she went off her nut at you. Maybe she'd had a bad day?

Truthfully, Jane wasn't much better at understanding irrationality any better than Vince. She was a friend though, and had to try something.

Maybe :/ But still. Why'd she take it out on me? I was nothing but nice to her?

Have you asked her what was wrong?

Before he had a chance to reply, she sent:

And I don't just mean going what the hell was that for after she chewed you up.

No, but why should I have to?

His ego was obviously a little bruised after not getting the reaction he'd hoped for when he gave her a gift.

Well, you shouldn't. But she's not going to come to you. Sometimes people need a bit of a push. Or pull, as it may be…

Vince still was overly thrilled, but finally relented:

Fine… I'll talk to her.
But if she goes nuts again, I'm out.

Fair enough. Good luck, man.

Yeah, thanks. I'll need it. Talk to you tomorrow.

So there we have it. Another chapter. Hope you enjoyed it and would love to hear any thoughts you might have (good or bad).

I'm also looking for day to day activities you'd like to see happen both to individual characters and groups.

Please do leave a comment though, because I'd love to know whether you enjoyed it.

I'll see you next chapter.
Hope you're happy and well.