The Next Day

The alarm clock on Jasper's table now turns 8:15 AM.

::BEEP BEEP::

Jasper reached out from under his covers and hit the snooze button on his alarm, albeit sluggishly. He slowly pulled off his blanket and stood up. He lets out a loud yawn and walks into the bathroom. He turns on the faucet, grabs his toothbrush, squirts toothpaste onto it and starts brushing. When he finishes, he rinses his mouth and stares into the mirror. He can finally see it clearly now after all these years. How could he be that slow? The one he loves has been with him all this time! He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw. Who was that guy? I don't have a good feeling about him. She should be with someone like me. But…I might have realized it too late, he thought. No… Jasper opened his eyes and took a deep breath. He reassured himself that it was nothing and got ready to go to school. Jasper ran out of the house and drove to pick up Alice as he always did. When he arrived, Jasper honked, signaling he was here.

Minutes later, the door popped open and out came Alice. She was wearing a white and grey stripped dress with a grey cardigan and white flats. Jasper couldn't stop staring at her as she made her way to the car. "You look…beautiful today. I mean…you look nice all the time not just today," he said smiling. Alice giggled at his dorky behavior as she came closer to the car. "Thanks. Are you okay? You seem weird." Jasper gave her a fake smile, "I'm fine," he said as she entered the backseat. Jasper turned around and gave her a confused look. What Alice said next hit a nail in his head. "That's Maria's seat, remember. Like she said, everyone who's anyone knows it is her seat," Alice said as she pointed at the passenger seat, rolling her eyes. Jasper nodded and turned to face the front. Maria. He totally forgot about her, his own girlfriend. Jasper snapped out of his thoughts and started to drive when Alice stated they were going to be late for their 10:00 AM class if they didn't leave now to pick up Maria. Throughout the rest of car ride, they didn't speak one word to each other.

Jasper's first class was without Alice. As much as he liked history and listening to lectures about the Confederate Army, Jasper just couldn't pay attention. Jasper sighed and got lost in his thoughts. What should I do? Alice has always been my best friend. She must see me as a friend only. I can't just go up and ask her out. What am I going to do about Maria? I can't just break up with her…right? All these questions were driving him crazy. "Mr. Whitlock." The voice of someone calling his name brought him out of his thoughts. "!" Jasper turned his head to his history professor, "Please pay attention even though you'll be graduating in a couple of days now." Jasper nodded, "I'm sorry sir." Moments later, the bell rang. Jasper quickly packed his things and headed to the cafeteria. He had his breaks with Alice.

Alice was sitting in the cafeteria looking through photos of her and Jasper through the years on her laptop. She smiled as she looked at how young they looked back then. He always looked so handsome, she thought to herself. She suddenly had an inkling that Jasper was coming so she quickly closed the folder. Seconds later, Jasper arrived and sat down next to her. Jasper let out a loud sigh. "How was your history class? You seem out of it", Alice asked. Jasper chuckled, "I don't know really. I didn't pay much attention. I had too many things…on my mind." Alice nodded at Jasper's response, "Here, maybe this will clear up your head," she stated as she handed him some coffee. "Thanks," Jasper said as he took a sip of the coffee, "I wanted to ask you…what did you do after you left yesterday with that guy?" Alice turned to Jasper as she answered, "Oh, James you mean. He seems like a nice guy and everything. We just talked a bit on the ride home. But…he did ask me on a date and I said yes." As Alice finished her sentence, she scanned Jasper's face trying to find a hint of jealousy to give her some hope in that Jasper felt the same way about her. Nothing. "Cool," Jasper responded, burying his true feelings about it, "When is it?" Alice looked down at her laptop disappointed, "Today actually, after our last class. We're going to go bowling and watch a movie. That's why I look extra nice today." The only thing Jasper could do was nod as jealousy erupted in his body. Silence ensued causing them to feel awkward. With the appearance of Maria, silence and awkwardness disappeared. Maria sat down next to Jasper and wrapped her arms around him and started to kiss him. Seeing this, Alice turned away in disgust, thinking of a way to get out of there. She quickly packed her things and got up. "I just remembered I had stuff to do at the computer lab. I'll just see you in English class later," Alice said quickly to Jasper and left. Jasper wanted to stop her but Maria had a good grip on his lips. His eyes could only trail Alice's figure as she exited the cafeteria.

English class came and gone. "So he's picking you up for your date?", Jasper asked as he packed his things. "Yea, he goes to college nearby here and his classes ended by now so he should be here soon," Alice responded as she packed her things. "Do you really think it's a good idea?", Jasper asked while trying to downplay his jealousy. Alice shot him a quizzical look, "What do you mean?" Jasper only reaction was to look away to search for a good answer. "Well," he began as they headed outside the classroom, "You don't know him all that well and he doesn't seem like a good guy." Alice tensed up as Jasper finished his statement. "What do you know?", she said coldly. Jasper was taken aback from Alice's suddenly angered tone, he never seen her like this before and was quite scared.

"What do you know about those who are bad or not?", she continued, "Before you start judging people you don't know you should remind yourself of one thing. You're girlfriend is Maria. We both know how much of a bad person she is. As my best friend you should have been there for me when she teased me like we were in elementary school all over again. She spread rumors that I was some crazy girl that needed to be admitted into a mental facility. And it wasn't just me she sought to ruin. Whoever was of good use to her, she used and when they weren't needed anymore, she destroyed them emotionally. I was only spared because of my friendship with you. I wouldn't be surprised if she finds another boyfriend who might be of more use to her. Despite all of this, I accepted the fact that you liked her for whatever reasons you had because you were my best friend and I just wanted you to be happy. I thought you would do the same for me but I was clearly wrong."

With that, Alice turned her back to Jasper and walked out of the building as fast as she could to hide the tears that were threatening to pour out. As she walked to where James was going to pick her up, she started to regret what she said. I single-handedly ruined our friendship in 2 minutes. I was just jealous and mad. What am I going to do now?," she asked herself. Meanwhile, after letting the words sink as he walked to his car, Jasper knew she was right. He was wrong for what he did and now is the time to make it up to her. He just hopes it isn't too late now. But first things first… Jasper picked up his phone and dialed a number that he would never dial again after this moment. "Hey Maria, where are you? We need to talk…"