CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY SEVEN – A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the apartment, Rebecca insisted on ordering takeout from their favorite Chinese place. "For old times' sake," she said with a wink. They spread the containers out on the coffee table, just like they used to do during all-night study sessions in college. The familiar ritual soothed Jasmine's frayed nerves. "Remember that time we tried to sneak into that club using fake IDs?" Rebecca asked around a mouthful of lo mein. Jasmine groaned. "God, don't remind me. I thought we were going to jail for sure." Rebecca laughed. "Your face when that bouncer called us out... priceless!" "Hey, at least I didn't try to flirt our way in like someone I know," Jasmine retorted, grinning. "It almost worked!" They dissolved into giggles, the weight of Jasmine's situation momentarily forgotten. As their laughter subsided, Rebecca's expression grew serious. "I've missed this, Jas. Missed you." Jasmine felt a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry I've been so