One Serving of Drama, with a Side of Curly Fries

Nick sat alone at the mostly empty cafeteria table, absentmindedly pushing around a pile of curly fries on his tray. The school lunch rush was in full swing, voices overlapping into a steady, indistinct hum, but he was only half listening. His mind was elsewhere, specifically on the one thing that had been eating at him since yesterday.

Madison Ashford.

Joey Granger.

Making out.

Outside.

Where everyone could see them.

The words themselves didn’t make sense in a sentence together, but he had seen it. Witnessed it with his own two eyes.

His best friend, Joey Granger, serial underachiever, king of mediocre test scores, and overall slacker, was sucking face with Madison Ashford.

Madison, as in, the queen of the school. The untouchable. The girl who didn’t just date guys, she selected them like a queen appointing a knight. And she had picked Joey. Joey!

Nick shook his head. It was still too much. He needed details.

Then, as if summoned by sheer willpower, he spotted Joey heading through the cafeteria doors.

“Dude. Spill.”

Joey froze mid-step, eyes darting to Nick. He hesitated for a second, then sighed, clearly knowing exactly what this was about. He made his way over, dropping into the seat across from him, unpacking his lunch from a paper bag.

“What?” Joey asked, though his face was already turning pink.

Nick threw up his hands. “What? Don’t play dumb. Yesterday. Madison Ashford and you, making out! What the hell!”

Joey rubbed the back of his neck, looking down at his sandwich, “Uh, yeah.”

Nick gawked at him. Yeah? That was it? That was all he was going to say?

“Dude, what the hell?! When did this happen? How did this happen? I leave you alone for five minutes and suddenly you’re Casanova?”

Joey laughed, shaking his head, “I dunno, man. It just kinda… happened.”

Nick stared at him like he had just spoken fluent Elvish. That wasn’t an answer. That was bullshit. But before he could demand more, a new voice interrupted.

“Hey, you.”

Both boys turned just in time to see Madison herself approaching. She slid into the seat next to Joey like she belonged there, leaning in and kissing him lightly on the cheek.

Nick’s brain short-circuited.

This was real.

This was real life.

Madison Ashford, the Madison Ashford, was not only dating Joey, she was acting all cute with him! Like they had been a thing for months.

Joey, of course, was trying to act casual, but Nick could see the tiny, smug smile threatening to form.

“Madison, this is my friend, Nick,” Joey said, nodding across the table.

Madison turned her gaze on Nick. Her icy blue gaze.

Nick gulped.

He had been in classes with her since forever, but that meant nothing. A girl like Madison never noticed a guy like him. He was the type to sit in the back row, roll natural 20s in D&D, and pray for his acne to finally clear up.

Now she was looking at him. Acknowledging him. Like he actually existed.

“Oh,” she said, tilting her head slightly, “Hey.”

Nick managed a weak wave, “Hey.”

Madison smirked before turning her attention back to Joey, as if Nick had already been dismissed.

Nick was still trying to process that when Aynsley Cho slid into the seat on Joey’s other side.

“Hey, handsome,” Aynsley purred, beaming at Joey as she casually draped a hand on his arm.

Nick’s jaw dropped.

What was happening right now?

Madison Ashford was one thing. That was already defying all laws of the known universe. But now Aynsley Cho was competing for Joey’s attention? Aynsley, the cheerleader, the social butterfly, the girl who could make any guy’s brain melt with a wink? Also, Aynsley, the venomous mean-girl who had been known to treat guys like Joey and Nick like they were road kill? What was even happening?

Nick stared, fully expecting the cafeteria walls to collapse because reality was clearly breaking down.

Joey, to his credit, didn’t even look that flustered. He just gave Aynsley a smirk, “Hey.”

Aynsley brushed her hair over her shoulder and leaned in just a little too close, “I didn't see you between classes today. You disappeared on me.”

Madison’s smile vanished.

Nick felt the temperature drop.

“Oh, I’m sure Joey was busy,” Madison said, her voice smooth but cold.

Aynsley ignored her, fingers lightly trailing down Joey’s arm. “You should have texted me. We could’ve—”

Madison stood abruptly. “Aynsley.”

Aynsley finally looked at her, feigning innocence. “Yeah?”

Madison tilted her head toward the cafeteria doors. “Join me in the ladies’ room.”

Aynsley blinked. “What for?”

Madison gave her a look. “Now.”

Aynsley stared at her for a beat before smiling sweetly. “Of course.”

She patted Joey’s arm before standing, flipping her long dark hair over her shoulder. “Don’t miss me too much.”

Madison didn’t wait for a response. She turned on her heel and walked off, Aynsley following a second later.

Nick sat there, stunned.

Joey exhaled, rubbing his temple like this was just another Tuesday.

Nick finally found his voice.

“Bro.”

Joey looked up. “Yeah?”

“What the actual hell is your life right now?”

Joey just smirked and grabbed a fry off Nick’s tray.

Nick had no words.