SWNOVELS Chapter 188
At noon, a call came from the real estate agent. The apartment Jocelyn had her eye on was still for rent, and it was brand spanking new. The furniture and appliances had never been used; she wouldn't need to buy a thing, just bring her personal items.
Jocelyn managed to squeeze in a visit between her commitments. After a bit of haggling over the price, she managed to knock off $50 a month and decided to put down a triple deposit with one month's rent upfront.
Conveniently, the apartment was not too far from the school where Jocelyn worked, albeit in the opposite direction from her current flat.
She hired a cleaning service to spruce up the place. That afternoon, she switched her cell number, and by evening, after work, she moved in with just a few changes of clothes.
Sleeping in a new environment, she found herself wide awake in the middle of the night.
Thankfully, her busy schedule often left her so exhausted that sleep was inevitable, and gradually, she adjusted to her new home.
Calvin and Daisy had been worried sick about her, fearing the worst. But Jocelyn kept them in the loop, easing their minds.
Time flew, and before she knew it, May had come and gone, and Jocelyn's life started to regain its rhythm.
A smile returned to her face, though she had lost a good ten pounds. Already slim at 98 pounds, she now tipped the scales at a mere 80-something, looking even more waif-like.
Unaware of her personal troubles, some of her colleagues assumed Jocelyn's weight loss was due to the stress of managing a graduation class.
But Ursula knew better.
Jocelyn had only mentioned it once, asking Ursula never to bring up Melvin in her presence again.
At that moment, Ursula didn't pry, but she could tell that any possibility between the two was likely gone forever.
During the high-stakes standardized tests, Jocelyn served as a proctor at a neighboring school.
Riding with her colleagues, they all lamented the uncertainty of their year's work. The students weren't the only ones feeling the pressure; as teachers, they felt responsible for their students' success, and their professional pride hung in the balance.
Teachers also engaged in friendly competition among themselves, but the outcome was beyond their manipulation; it all depended on the students' performance.
After three days, Jocelyn returned to her class and couldn't help but ask how the students felt they had done.
They were all confident, claiming they had performed up to their abilities.
"Preston's been acing every test," blurted out Preston's desk mate, a hint of pride in his voice. "He says he's set to top the entrance exams this year."
Jocelyn hadn't heard Preston's name in a while. Not too long ago, before changing her phone number and Facebook account, he used to send her messages. However, she had intentionally pushed all thoughts of that man and anything related to him out of her mind, including Preston.
She deftly changed the subject without a word.
After the tests were over, regardless of the outcomes, it would be the last time they sat in her class. She reminded them to work hard in high school, emphasizing that these years would significantly shape their lives.
Although entering a prestigious college wasn't the sole route to success, it held significant importance in today's society as a crucial stepping stone.
But Jocelyn had faith in her students; she knew they weren't the type to just coast through life. They were destined for great colleges.
The students' parents were waiting outside the school. Jocelyn said her goodbyes without much fuss.
The students left first, and Jocelyn lingered, glancing around the empty classroom, reflecting on another group of graduates she'd seen off.
After a staff meeting and lunch, the teachers began to depart.
Ursula asked Jocelyn about her plans for the summer break.
Jocelyn didn't have any. She had considered volunteering, but that was Melvin's project, and she wasn't ready to face anything associated with him.
"Maybe I'll travel abroad," Jocelyn mused. She needed a change of scenery.
Now that the immediate pressures were off her shoulders, she feared staying put might lead to trouble. A trip would be a breath of fresh air, providing an opportunity to reflect on her emotions and prepare for the next term.
As they walked together, Ursula waited until they were alone before asking, "Are you really okay?"
Jocelyn paused, then smiled. "I'm fine."
"Everyone has noticed your recent condition. While some might assume it's due to work-related stress, which is quite common, I can sense that there's more to it. Have you and Melvin had a fight?" Ursula scrutinized her facial expression.
Jocelyn's heart clenched at the mention of his name, her heart squeezing, but she maintained her composure. "It's over between us," she admitted, preferring to clear the air than have Ursula keep bringing him up.
Ursula was stunned. She'd suspected troubles, but an end to the relationship hadn't crossed her mind.
"Why?" she asked, genuinely puzzled. They had seemed so happy together.
Jocelyn offered a bitter smile, shaking her head. "A forced relationship never bears sweet fruit."
Noticing Jocelyn's reluctance to talk about Melvin, Ursula dropped the subject, offering a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Old flames die out so new ones can ignite. Go have some fun. Come back refreshed and ready to tackle the new term!"
"I don't want to teach a graduation class anymore," Jocelyn sighed. "It's exhausting."
"Yes, it is, but seeing your students get into top schools makes it all worthwhile, right?" Ursula leaned in, her voice a whisper laced with humor, "Not to mention, the bonus is pretty sweet." Jocelyn chuckled.
They continued their lighthearted banter until they reached the school gates, where Jocelyn suddenly stopped.
Ursula followed her gaze to a woman standing nearby and asked, "Is she here for you?"
Jocelyn took a deep breath. "Looks like it."
It had been ages since she'd last seen Yasmine.
Yasmine had always struck her as someone with an almost sisterly presence, impossible to ignore.
"Should I take off then?"
"Yeah."
Ursula left with a backward glance, not entirely convinced Jocelyn could handle the confrontation alone.
...
In a cozy café, two strikingly beautiful women sat across from each other, a picturesque scene.
"It's been a while. You seem to have lost a lot of weight," Yasmine commented first.
Jocelyn stirred her coffee, a heaviness in her chest, but she maintained a serene facade. Looking up, she replied softly, "You too."
Yasmine had visibly lost weight, and there was an undeniable weariness etched on her features, a stark contrast to the vibrant woman she used to be.
Sipping her coffee with a self-deprecating chuckle, she said, "Preston's dad has been parading around with a string of mistresses, each one more eager than the last to strut in front of me with all their glory. Despite being divorced from him, I'm still entangled in all this mess because of his antics. It's exhausting."
Jocelyn was at a loss for words.
Silence seemed to be the most fitting comfort between them.
"I've been meaning to catch up with you for a while. I remembered you were swamped with the senior class, so I held off until now. What do you think? Now that the exams are over, would you be interested in a night out to unwind? Preston kept mentioning he wanted to see you, and if his dad hadn't whisked him away, he'd probably be sitting here too." Yasmine skirted around mentioning Melvin, as if she had banished him from their conversation entirely.
They could have been old friends, catching up after years apart.
However, Jocelyn couldn't bring herself to do it. She didn't want to grow close to anyone connected to Melvin. Especially not his sister.
The hurt Melvin had caused her wasn't something Yasmine's friendliness could just erase.
Even if she wouldn't show Yasmine any hostility, she would still harbor resentment.
She found it hard to believe that Yasmine was unaware of Melvin's actions.
If Yasmine was aware, then she had no right to engage in such casual, trivial conversation with her.
"Ah, I've already got plans with some friends to chill out," Jocelyn said, her tone making it clear she already had commitments that didn't include Yasmine. Yasmine was smart; she picked up on the rejection.
"Jocelyn, about Melvin..."
"I've got to go," Jocelyn cut her off, standing up with a calm demeanor, "Goodbye."
Yasmine watched her go, stunned. She couldn't shake the feeling that Jocelyn's "goodbye" was more of a "farewell forever."