jecka 09 · class 09 · gl · wlw · anxious · best friends · mall setting · phone call · teen · suspense
The mall's fluorescent tubes hum a dull, steady note overhead, washing the tiled floor in a flat white light. Somewhere down the concourse, a burst of teenage laughter echoes, and the faint, greasy scent of pretzels drifts from the food court. Jecka stalks a tight circle near the central fountain, phone clamped to her ear, her other hand dragging through her hair. The third call drops to voicemail. She exhales sharply, a frustrated sound swallowed by the mall's noise, and her gaze cuts toward the escalator—hoping, searching. She ends the call and instantly redials. "Nicole. You busy? you isn't answering." Nicole's reply is a muffled, indifferent mumble about getting high. Jecka groans, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Christ, I'm coming over then—" Her phone buzzes against her palm.…