[2]

I'd spend 10, 000 hours and 10, 000 more. Oh, if that's what it takes to learn that sweet heart of yours.

Day One,

Judith's diary entry reflected the initial shock and frustration of his suspension. "Jean can be so infuriating at times. A week off feels like an eternity. Maybe I overdid it with the teasing, but he didn't have to be so smug about it."

Day Two,

As the second day unfolded, Judith's tone shifted. "Being stuck at home is driving me nuts. The house feels empty without Jean's constant presence. I found myself missing his teasing more than I'd like to admit. Maybe I should have thought twice before pushing his buttons so hard."

Day Three,

Judith's diary revealed a deeper sense of longing. "Spent the day rewatching our favorite movies alone. Jean's laughter, the way he'd make fun of the plot twists – it's just not the same without him. Who knew a week could feel so lonely?"

Day Four,

The pages of Judith's diary chronicled a growing realization. "Cooked Jean's favorite meal today, hoping he'd magically appear. The silence is deafening. I never thought I'd say this, but I miss the sound of his lectures and even the arguments. A week is too long."

Day Five,

As Judith approached the midpoint of his suspension, the diary entries reflected introspection. "Maybe this suspension was a wake-up call. It's made me appreciate the little things about us. I never thought I'd say this, but I miss the way Jean can be both infuriating and endearing at the same time."

Day Six,

Judith's diary became a canvas of vulnerability. "Went for a walk today and saw a couple sharing a laugh. Made me realize how much I miss Jean's presence, his laughter, and his quirks. It's been a week, but it feels like an eternity without him."

Day Seven,

The final entry conveyed a sense of resolution. "Jean's coming over tomorrow, and I can't wait. This week has been a rollercoaster of emotions, but it made me realize how much I cherish what we have. Lessons learned – maybe a bit of mischief is okay, but love is irreplaceable."

———————

Judith returned to school the next day with a hopeful anticipation of seeing Jean again. Spotting him in the hallway, he approached with a smile. "Hey, missed me yesterday?"

Jean, seemingly indifferent, glanced up from his book. "Not really. How was your 'reflection period'?"

Judith, trying to keep the frustration at bay, replied, "Oh, you know, the usual. Boring without your chaos. Thought you'd at least miss my annoying presence."

Jean raised an eyebrow. "You're not that special, Judith. Life went on just fine without you."

Judith's smile faltered, a hint of irritation in his eyes. "Well, glad to know you survived my absence so well."

"Mhm, I have business to attend now. I'll see you later, Jude." Soon after, Jean left Judith who's standing there, like an idiot he feels.

As the day unfolded, the lingering hurt within Judith festered, and a newfound determination began to simmer beneath the surface. The realization that Jean seemed unaffected by his absence gnawed at him, stirring a desire for a subtle form of revenge.

In the evening, as they crossed paths in the hallway, Judith, wearing a forced grin, remarked, "You know, Jean, the school didn't crumble without me. Seems like you were managing just fine."

Jean, seemingly unbothered, raised an eyebrow. "Well, the chaos level did drop a bit, but things remained intact. You were missed, I suppose."

Judith, suppressing the hurt behind a sarcastic tone, replied, "Missed? Hardly feels like it. You act like nothing's changed."

Jean, with an air of indifference, retorted, "Life goes on, Judith. It's not healthy to dwell on the past."

In the following days, Judith adopted an air of nonchalance. He engaged in casual conversations with others, laughter and smiles deliberately shared, while intentionally keeping his distance from Jean. The hallways, once echoing with their playful exchanges, now saw a more elusive Judith, the hurt in his eyes masked by a newfound determination.

One day, Judith, feigning nonchalance, walked past Jean without a glance. Jean, seemingly unperturbed, called after him, "Everything okay, Judith? You've been acting a bit distant."

Judith, turning with a wry smile, replied, "Just taking a leaf out of your book, Jean. Life goes on, right?"

It took a toll on Jean, he knows Judith's words are sarcastically attacking him. "Jude, I—"

"Forget it, Jean."