The last traces of sunlight slowly fading into the horizon.
At this time of day, people often head to the park to enjoy the fresh air...Jovan and Jason were no exception.
They had made plans to meet right after school, just like they did every other week. But this time, they were all set for a bike ride.
The familiar sound of their bikes clicking into gear as they took off.
"Ready for a little competition?" Jovan asked with a smile.
"You think you would win this time..hun?..you are going down today... Jason declared confidently, giving his chest a playful thump.
Jovan was usually the faster one, but Jason was never one to back down easily.
"Let's see who gets there first!" Jason shouted, pushing harder on the pedals to close the gap between them.
Jovan chuckled, glancing back over his shoulder. "You really never get tired of losing, do you?"
Jason smiled. "This time, it's going to be different".. Jason he said.
Jovan smirked. "Alright then, let's see what you have got".
With that, they both pushed forward as they raced toward the park.
======
Thirty minutes later, they finally got to the park. Jovan collapsed one of the bench and gasping for air. The park was buzzing with people, families enjoying the evening, kids playing, and couples strolling along the paths. It was the kind of scene that made the exhaustion from the ride feel totally worth it.
"I am dead"..Jason said as he slumped against the bench.
Jovan, though still catching his breath, wasn't far behind in exhaustion. "You almost beat me today"... he said with a grin, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Good job!"
Jason shook his head with a playful frown on his face. "What's the point? I still lost."
Hahaha..
Jovan laughed.
"Don't celebrate too soon. I am not letting you win next time."
After a brief moment of silence, Jason got up and stretched his arms. "I will go grab some snacks from the store"...he said and took a step forward but Jovan stopped him... "Nah, I have got it this time. You bought last time, remember?"
Jason raised an eyebrow but couldn't help but smile. "Alright, it's your treat then"...he replied, and sat back ont the bench.
Jovan made his way to the nearby store across the park. It was just a quick walk to the local convenience store, where they always picked up their favorite snacks and sodas after their ride. Jovan stepped inside the store.
After grabbing their usual sodas from the fridge, he was about to head to the checkout when he bumped into someone.
Thud!!!...
The sound of bags crashing to the floor echoed in the small space. Jovan looked up to see who he had collided with.
His gaze met another pair of stunning eyes. A young girl with fair skin and long, dark glistering hair stood in front of him. Honestly, she was beautiful.
They locked eyes for what felt like an eternity. Jovan swallowed the last liquid left in his mouth, trying to regain his composure. Normally, Jovan wasn't a fan of girls to begin with, he wasn't the type that is interested in appreciating beauties nor praise girls.... but today he couldn't deny the fact that the girl in front of him was gorgeous.
Jovan quickly snapped out of it....
"Ahh...I..i... I'm sorry he said and quickly bent down to help her pick up the content that have spilled onto the floor.
To his surprise, as he gathered the things she has bought, he realized that their contents were identical, two sodas of the same brand and two red packets of snacks, just like the ones in his hands. It was as if they had both come to the store with the same idea in mind, to buy the same things. Jovan handed the bag back to her and apologized.
"It's okay" she replied with a smile.
Jovan nodded and quickly turned away and walked off towards the checkout.
But just as she was about move, something on the floor caught her eye. She bent down and picked it up, and it turned out to be a necklace with a letter "J" dangling from it. She gave the necklace a closer look.
Her eyes widened for a moment, and she whispered to herself, "It must be his…"
She quickly glanced in Jovan's direction, but he was already out of sight, making his way toward the exit. She chased after him, but by the time she stepped outside, he had vanished.
She took another look at the necklace before putting it inside her pocket. "Maybe next time I see him, I will return it" she thought to her self and made her way back to the store.
Meanwhile, at the park, Jovan arrived, still feeling the strange sensation from that encounter in the store. Jason was completely unaware of his friend's inner conflict, eagerly grabbed the snacks and soda. The two friends settled down together, enjoying the evening as they always did, but Jovan couldn't shake the image of the girl from his mind.
====
It soon turned dark.
As the night goes on, Jovan couldn't sleep. His mind was consumed with thoughts of the girl he mate earlier at the store. her eyes, her smile. He couldn't just get her image out of his mind.
damn...it!!
"Am I really going crazy just like that"..he shouted at himself lightly...as he sits up on the bed....
the night grew darker, and finally the cold hands of sleep overpowered him.
It's already morning and the sun has begun to rise.... Jovan was getting ready for school...but he seems to be looking for something....
"Where did it go? I thought I was wearing it yesterday".....Jovan said as he continues to search through his stuff in the drawer.
"God!...I must have lost it yesterday at the park".
He sat back on the bed with his hands on his head..he was pissed. He angrily ruffled his hair and picked up his bag and left the room..
Springfield Highschool, class 2A.
The class was a bit rowdy and noisy...it was still early in the morning. Some students were seen sitting on top of their lockers while some were busy chatting and laughing, while others were reading their books and getting ready for the classes.
Jason noticed that Jovan seemed unhappy...
"Why is your face like that?.., did something happen"..... Jason asked..
"Hmmm... Jovan exhaled, I lost my necklace"...
"Y,...you lost what!. Where, how".
"I don't know the exact location, I just couldn't find it this morning".
"You better go find it, am not letting you off this time"..... Jason said while acting as if he was angry.
Jovan smiled at him.
"Yoooh...what is happening here Sweety?, why beating him up over a spilled milk".....an unexpected guy appeared from no where.
Jerry, the dumbest and craziest guy in the class, fatties best friend. He is a hair lover who loved his hair a bit too much that he will be more than willing to kill anyone who touch his hair. He always goes around with a comb and a mirror to insure that his hair is in oder. he makes crazy jokes in the class without a care in the world who's in the classroom, even Mr Benjamin who was known for being strict and hard on the students gets a headache whenever he hears the name "Jerry".
Jason glared at him...
"It's just an ordinary necklace, you can just buy another one".... Jerry said as he folded his arms.
"Who told you it's ordinary!!!."....he two shouted at him
Jerry was startled for a second....
"I thought you two were fighting just now... seriously".
This necklace was a custom made one they personally requested from a jewelry store, it's a gold color necklace with the letter J hanging on it, which represents their friendship.