“Jasmine,” Jasmine’s classmates surrounded them.
Jasmine held Boyce’s hand tightly. She whispered, “My classmates are a little over-friendly. You might not be used to it.”
Boyce held Jasmine’s hand back as a reply. He can deal with a bunch of college kids.
Boyce was the tallest guy among Jasmine’s classmates. He was an attention-grabber.
Jasmine introduced Boyce to her classmates, “This is…”
“Your husband,” one of the classmates finished Jasmine’s sentence. Then, she sized Boyce up and sighed, “No wonder Jasmine wanted to get married before graduation. She was afraid that someone might take him away if she didn’t get married earlier.”
“I wanted to get married earlier. I was afraid that Jasmine got taken away if I was late,” Boyce said.
“Aww…”
A few of Jasmine’s classmates teased them.
Jasmine pouted and looked at Boyce.
Jasmine felt warm and happy when she heard Boyce said that.
“Stop teasing us,” Jasmine smiled. She pointed at the girl who teased them just now and said to Boyce, “She’s Isabel Hopkins, my roommate.”
“Hi,” Boyce greeted.
Then, Jasmine introduced all her classmates to Boyce. At the end of the session, Boyce said, “Thanks for taking care of Jasmine. Please continue to look after her.”
Jasmine’s classmates replied, “We’re classmates and also friends. We should do that. Furthermore, we didn’t really take care of her.”
A guy named Hammer Baker said, “Let’s go over there. There’s food there. We brought a lot of stuff here when we know we’re coming camping.”
All of them followed Hammer.
Jasmine purposely stayed behind the crowd. She slowed Boyce down and whispered, “Are you feeling alright?”
Jasmine knew Boyce was an introvert. However, her classmates were extroverts. They liked to joke around, and Jasmine was worried that Boyce wouldn’t feel comfortable around them.
Jasmine was upset. She shouldn’t have come camping. They might be watching television at home, and Boyce could be resting if she didn’t come camping in the first place.
Sigh. There was no use crying over spilt milk.
Boyce whispered back, “Your classmates looked friendly. I’m fine with it.”
Jasmine smiled.
“Hey, what are you guys chatting about? Come over. Chat at home, please. We’re all single here. Don’t rub it in our face.”
Jasmine and Boyce walked over. Her classmates spared seats for them. An electrical lantern was set up beside. It was bright.
Cooked meat was placed on the plates.
Boyce was the eldest, and he was a working adult, while Jasmine’s classmates were college students. They respectfully greeted Boyce. Hammer held a can of Sprite and Coke and asked Boyce, “Boyce, which one would you like to have?”
Boyce replied, “I’m fine with anything.”
Hammer said, “Then, Coke?”
Boyce agreed.
Camping was all about eating, chatting and laughing. They talked about stuff in school and what they were going to work as in the future. Boyce couldn’t join in their conversation. He listened quietly, patiently and attentively.
Boyce used to be like them. He felt sentimental looking at Jasmine’s classmates.
Time had passed so fast.
Jasmine was worried about Boyce. Sometimes, she would touch him or stroked his hand.
“We were so into our conversation, and we’ve forgotten about Boyce. Hmm, let’s play a game?”
“What game?”
“How does ‘Truth or Dare’ sounds like?”
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