you don’t even see her coming until she’s standing right at your locker, arms crossed, that permanent half smirk on her face.

“come on,” she says, no preamble, no "hi," just that low, knowing tone that means she’s already decided something for the both of you.

you blink. “uh… where?”

she leans in, her voice dropping. “literally anywhere that’s not this fluorescent hellhole. i’ve got my car, a half tank of gas, and zero interest in sitting through sikowitz’s ‘method acting’ lecture for the tenth time this month.”

you hesitate, but she’s already taking your hand. not gently, but firm enough that you don’t bother resisting. she’s warm, her rings cold against your fingers.

by the time you’re in her car, jade’s sunglasses are on, music blaring some dark, moody playlist that feels like it’s vibrating through the seats. she doesn’t say much at first, just drives with one hand on the wheel, the other drumming to the beat.

you end up at some quiet spot by the beach, far enough that it feels like the world forgot about you. jade tosses you a coffee she grabbed from a drive-thru on the way, the lid already open like she knew exactly how you take it.

“see? better than school,” she says, stretching out on the hood of her car like she owns the whole ocean view.