Kenneth, growing impatient with Jane's indecision, quickly texted Tracy, urging her to return and take Jane with them. Tracy promptly returned alone, her expression questioning as she glanced between Kenneth and Carl, who nodded towards Jane. "Hey, why are you still here, Jane?" Tracy's sudden voice startled her. Jane stumbled over her words, her gaze shifting nervously between Tracy and her bag. "Uh, nothing, just... um... I was just... um..." Tracy glanced back at Kenneth, who gave her a subtle nod, urging her to hurry up. "Anyway, Jane, aren't you heading to PE class?" Tracy asked, trying to sound casual. Jane nodded hesitantly, her eyes darting back to her bag. "Yeah.... I was just..." "Well, if you don't hurry up, you'll be late, and you know how Mr. Smith is," Tracy added, her voice tinged with urgency. Jane sighed in agreement, nodding slowly. "Yeah, Mr. Smith can be a terror if you get on his wrong side." "I'm heading there too, so let's go together." "Together?

Carl caught the clipboard with a sharp grab, his fingers tightening around it as he suppressed a curse directed at his teacher. With a resentful scowl, he turned away from Mr. Smith and began calling out names, his voice carrying across the field. Meanwhile, Mr. Smith trudged over to the shade of a nearby tree, the scorching sun beating down relentlessly on the sports field. His face was flushed with frustration, and a sheen of sweat glistened on his brow as he sought relief from the oppressive heat. With each step, he could feel the weight of the chaos unfolding in his class. As he reached the shade, he leaned against the sturdy trunk of the tree, letting out a deep sigh of exasperation. He settled himself with a sigh, adjusting his cap to shield his eyes, and began to observe the students as the names were called. As Carl began calling out the names, some students, already weary from the heat, settled down on the grass. The sun blazed mercilessly overhead, and the temperature

The gymnasium buzzed with the sounds of students gearing up for the 1000-meter run, a palpable tension hanging in the air. Carl, standing at the center of the commotion, struggled to maintain his authority as a sports board member. Caleb, resigned to his task, prepared to leave with Tommy to retrieve the basketballs when Jane’s voice pierced through the noise. "Wait!" Jane called out, her voice firm as she hurried toward Caleb, determination clear in her eyes. She glanced at Carl, tying her hair back into a ponytail. "I'll do my run when I get back, Carl," she stated, her tone leaving no room for argument. Carl sighed heavily, muttering a curse under his breath as he struggled to keep his temper in check. He closed his eyes for a moment, then snapped them open, glaring at Jane with mounting frustration. Why was everyone suddenly so determined to help Caleb? He couldn't let Jane and Tommy disrupt his plan. They both needed to stay put. "Jane, you're not going anywhere," Carl

Tommy quickly answered the phone, but as he began to speak, his expression shifted, his brow furrowing in concern. "Hey Jackie, I'm in the middle of..." he started, but then his voice trailed off as he detected something in Jackie's tone. "What's wrong, Jackie? Is everything alright?" Tommy's voice softened with genuine concern, his attention fully focused on the conversation. "Hey Tommy," Jackie began, her voice laced with anticipation. "I was just thinking... I don't have any classes this afternoon. Are you free too?" Tommy paused for a moment, considering his schedule. "Actually, I'm in the middle of PE class right now," he explained apologetically. "And I have one more class after that. But then I'm free, and we can meet up after." Jackie's disappointment was palpable as she questioned, "Can't you just skip the other class for little old me?" Tommy sighed inwardly, knowing he had to tread carefully. "I wish I could, Jackie," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret, "bu

Jackie's heart soared with hope as Cassie greeted her with a warm smile. Perhaps their strained relationship was on the path to recovery after all. Yet, Jackie's optimism received a boost when Cassie's brow furrowed slightly, indicating her curiosity. "You look nice, Jackie," Cassie remarked, her eyes lingering on Jackie's attire with a hint of admiration. "The outfit really suits you. Are you headed somewhere special?" Jackie hesitated for a moment, her gaze shifting away before she mustered the courage to speak. "Cassie, I've been feeling really bad about something lately, and I just need to know... Have you forgiven me?" Cassie's brows furrowed in confusion. "Forgiven you? For what?" she asked, genuinely puzzled. "Did you do something wrong?" Jackie stared at her cousin, wondering whether she was joking. They hadn't talked properly since the night at the bar—all because of Caleb—and now Cassie was acting as if nothing had happened between them. "Are you serious?" Jac