Jasmine’s POV
Damsel: Hey, are you done with your lesson? We’ve been let out earlier than expected.
Me: Yeah, was heading to the cafeteria. Want to meet there?
I slow my steps as I text back.
“Are you attending tomorrow’s lecture?” one of my colleagues asks. I raise my head from my phone, uncertain if the question was directed at me.
“Oh, yes, I’ll be. Why? Are you guys planning on not attending?”
“Eh.” She shrugs. “From what he mentioned, I’m sure it’s going to be a summary of the past lectures.”
“She just wants an excuse to not come tomorrow,” her friend jokes.
A light laugh slips out. “I did see you dozing off a few times.”
“You see? Much more of a reason for me not to attend tomorrow. I need to catch up on sleep. Ugh, that’s embarrassing.”
An incoming call from Arya distracts me from the conversation. “Will you excuse me? I need to get going.”
“Okie dokie.”
Waving at one another, I take the call.
“Where are you? Left you texts, but you didn’t reply.”
“Sorry, A, got caught up in a conversation with some people on my way. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Okay, cool, Justin mentioned he and Nick will be joining us later.”
“Justin’s coming? Thought he didn’t attend any of his lectures today,” I huff out. The dude told me he would be present, that”we will suffer through this lecture together.” So much for “we”.
“Yeah, why? He ditched today? Why am I not surprised?”
Climbing the stairs just outside the cafeteria, I notice a group of students huddled over a girl typing on a laptop. She mentions being stressed about not having completed her practice quiz, yet that counts for marks. The others whisper something and laugh softly. She laughs at whatever is said before shaking her head.
The smell of coffee and toasted bread fills the crowded cafeteria—voices overlapping, trays clattering as students squeeze between tables. Bringing my hand to my forehead, I try to shield my eyes from the sunlight spilling through the tall windows, reflecting off the metal trays.
“I’m at the cafeteria, where are you?” I weave between the tables, careful not to bump into anyone, my backpack knocking lightly against a chair as I move. A girl glances up, gives a half-smile, and returns to her phone.
“You’re here?” She ponders, most likely looking for me. “Can’t seem to see you.”
“Wait, a group of guys is hiding me now. Let me move.” I say, trying to slip past them, though they are deep in their conversation.
“Excuse me.”
One of them glances back. “Oh—my bad.” He shifts aside, signalling the others to make space.
I mouth a quick thank you before continuing.
“Oh, I see you. I’m here.”
“Duh, but I can’t see you.”
“Wait, I’m coming to you.”
“Okay…” I utter, still searching the packed cafeteria. Giving up, I take a seat on the closest available chair.
“Heyy!” Arya cheers, her arms ready for a hug.
“Hi!” A grin rests on my lips as I walk into her embrace. My shoulders relax at her familiar warmth and scent—something floral yet faint. It reminds me of how much I’ve missed her.
“I’ve missed you,” Arya mumbles, as we break up from our long hug.
“I missed you too, although we saw each other just two days ago.”
“Eh, it’s still a long wait,” she grunts, dropping her shoulders before placing her bag on the table. “Do you want to sit here or should we move somewhere else?”
“I think it’s best here, what do you think? It’s really packed today, I think here Justin will be able to spot us easier.” I conclude, having glanced around.
Her eyes sweep the cafeteria. “Ummm, yeah.”
“How have your lectures been so far? You’re done for the day, right?” I ask her as we take our seats.
“It’s been fine. Same old, same old. And yep, that was my last class. You still have a few more?”
A sigh escapes me as I lean back into the chair, crossing my legs. “I have four more hours in this place.”
“Ouff, sorry, hey.” She extends her hand toward mine.
A brief moment of silence envelopes us before soft chuckles are heard. “Gosh, we are so dramatic.”
Arya nods in agreement.
“Sorry, sorry,” A familiar gruff voice cuts through the conversation.
“Justin, apology declined.” I huff, folding my arms and turning my head away from him.
“Oh, come on, sunshine, don’t do me like that. I said I’m sorry.”
“Well, Justin, you should start learning to keep your promises,” Arya retorts sharply. I raise a brow at her. What was that about?
Justin’s face crumples for a second before he looks away.
“Hey, it’s not that big of a deal.” I nudge Arya’s shoulder, but she only forces a smile in response.
“Hi Nick,” Arya greets, bringing my attention to him, who had silently been observing the scene.
“Hey, how are you guys doing?”
“I’m good, and you?” Arya says, while I offer a small smile and hi.
“Good, thanks.”
“Are y’all just going to stand there, or were you planning to get something?” she asks, tilting her head at the available seats.
“Have you guys ordered yet?” Nick asks, looking at me.
“No, I haven’t. Was planning on getting something though.” I say, getting up while checking my jacket pocket for my wallet.
“I’m all good. Ate not too long ago.” Justin rubs his stomach.
“Arya?” I question.
“Nope, packed some food.” She offers a thumbs-up.
“Okay, we’ll be back,” Nick utters, stepping aside so I can walk ahead.
“Not too sure what to get…” I mumble to myself, skimming through the menu. The hum of the vending machine not far from us adds to the constant background noise.
“Is there anything specific that you are craving?” Nick suggests studying the menu—breaking me out of my thoughts. For a moment there, I had forgotten he was next to me.
Pouting, I say, “I’m not sure…I think I’ll go for a cappuccino and a chicken salad croissant sandwich.”
Nick’s eyes drop to my lips, and a glint of humour sparks in his gaze. Realising I am pouting, I clear my throat and set my eyes back on the menu. Well… that’s embarrassing.
“Next, please,” the cashier announces.
“Hi, I’ll have a cappuccino and a chicken salad croissant sandwich—also a bottle of water. Thank you.” I give my order, remembering I forgot my water bottle at home and can feel the dehydration creeping in.
“I’ll be there,” I notify Nick, pointing at the wall pillar. He nods before giving his order.
Leaning against the pillar, I take in the buzz of the day as the line of students slowly inches forward beside me. A sudden cheer erupts at the pool table, just as a small crowd surrounding the video games bursts into laughter.
“You play?”
“Huh? Oh, no, not into gaming. How about you?”
“From time to time. My brothers and I grew up spending most of our time outdoors.”
We both look over to the gaming area, neither of us speaks for a moment, but the silence doesn’t feel awkward.
“You have siblings,” I comment, hesitating a bit.
“Yeah, four brothers.”
“So, five boys. No girls?”
He hums in agreement, “I do have sisters-in-law, so that should count.”
My lips curve at his words. He seems to be family-oriented.
“And you?”
“A sister and brother.”
“You’re the youngest?”
I bob my head, which causes the hairpin to fall out.
“Oh, that’s mine.”
“It’s okay, I’ll get it.” He offers, crouching before placing it into my hand. His fingers graze my palm before he pulls away.
Our eyes briefly meet, his eyes steady on me. I shift my weight, tugging my hair behind my ear.
“Fifty, Fifty-three, fifty-four!”
“That’s me, let me just—” My feet carry me away before I can finish my sentence.
“Ooo, you’re experimenting today?” Justin comments, rubbing his hands together as he peers at my tray. Arya pulls out my chair for me, and I blow a kiss at her in gratitude. Nick’s eyes flicker to my hands as I blow the kiss. She swiftly stretches her hand, pretending to catch it and places it over her heart.
“Technically, it’s not my first time.”
“Really?” Justin asks, genuinely surprised.
“I’m not that bad,” I mumble, before biting into the sandwich.
“Sure…”
“Jas tends to keep her options very narrow; only once in a blue moon does she take risks.”
“Now you’re just overreacting.” I nudge her side.
“Oh, okay, so a picky eater,” Nick says, Arya’s explanation clearing his confusion.
Arya and Justin burst out laughing.
“Thank you for proving my point.” Justin offers Nick a handshake, who’s caught off guard by his actions.
“But I’m not, though…yes I do have a preferred diet, but it’s not like when I’m invited somewhere, I’ll be picky about what I want to eat. Hope you get me?” I face Nick, ignoring my friends’ teasing.
He studies me for a moment, and the corner of Nick’s mouth lifts slightly.
“I get you—I have family members like that. I think a part of it has to do with preferring to stick with what you’re familiar with and safe with.”
“As I’ve told you in the past, we are for sure taking you out to various restaurants this year, for you to come out of your shell. Nick probably knows a good number of places, too.”
“You do?” Arya asks him.
“Yeah.” He folds his arms, leaning back into his chair.
“By the way, how long have you guys been friends?” Arya alternates her gaze between Nick and Justin.
“Since birth,” they respond at the same time. Justin chuckles, slapping Nick’s back.
“Our fathers are best friends—we grew up thinking we were related until our late teens, we discovered it wasn’t the case.”
“So, your parents let you both believe that the whole time.”
They shrug.
“How did you guys find out?” I lean in, placing my chin on my hand.
“Adam—my younger brother—was looking through the family photos and noticed that, despite Uncle Martin being in plenty of photos, he wasn’t present in many of the photos that only consisted of our direct family members. So, he told us—as in my brothers and I—and we came up with a few conspiracy theories. Having enough, one random day, he blurted it out, and upon finding out the truth, I told Justin.”
“Worst heartbreak, I would say.” Justin wipes away a fake tear, although a twinge of grumpiness remains.
“I’m curious, what was one of the conspiracy theories?” Arya questions.
“One of my brothers considered it could be that one of the grandparents cheated, so the family took him in but didn’t exactly accept him as family entirely, hence the lack of photos.”
“That’s…creative.”
A huffed laugh escapes my lips at Arya’s choice of words.
“Hey!” Arya exclaims as Justin steals a chocolate cookie from her.
“Oh, come on, sharing is caring.”
“Well, you should ask first,” she says through clenched teeth.
“Well, would you have given it to me if I asked?” he deadpans, his eyes set on her.
“Nope,” she smirks, flipping her curly hair.
“You see. Also, I don’t understand how you could bring my favourite and not expect me to have one.” He comments as if she has committed one of the worst crimes against him.
“Last time I checked, it’s mine, boo, not yours.”
Wait, is she flirting with him?
Justin flicks her head, ruffles her hair, and sneaks two more cookies while she fixes it.
“Ugh, you’re so annoying.” She hisses, snatching her container away from his reach. She looks up, closing her eyes as she mumbles a quick prayer. A few of the words being, “Jesus, please have mercy on me.”
Okay, no, I doubt she was. Her level of irritation towards him reads platonic.
Releasing a sigh, I cast my eyes over the cafeteria. My eyes land on Nick, whose gaze is already on me. I offer a small smile, unsure of how to react. A heartbeat later, he simply turns his attention back to the others.
Ummm, okay…
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© 2026 Emmanuelle Ngoie. All rights reserved. The Crying Girl is an original work. No part of this work may be copied, reproduced, or distributed without permission.
