Lunch

Lunch was very different from my old school. Instead of eating inside in a cafeteria we got to sit outside at nice tables. The glass roof meant we could get plenty of light without having to run when it rained. The wind was something that was still a problem though.

The second I sat down a gust of wind sent my napkin sailing. Like a goob I chased after it. "Is this yours?" A girl giggled as my napkin flapped against her cleavage.

"I guess it is." I chuckled nervously as I took it off of her chest since she couldn't holding her tray of food.

"Winds can kick up pretty heavy around here. Might wanna hold on to it."

"Thanks for the tip." I smiled. "Got any more survival tips?"

She sat her tray next to mine, "Well I know you should stay away from the cheerleaders."

"Oh, bitches?"

"No, sluts." She laughed loudly and I nearly spat out my water. Her laugh reminded me of an old movie star's. Her smile was bright and mesmerizing and her dark skin was so smooth I just wanted to-

A tray slammed next to me, "Well what do we have here." It was Karen and she was pissed as she sat down.

"I'm eating lunch, can you go bother someone else for a change? Why are you so obsessed with me?"

"You know what, fine!"

"No, wait!" I followed after Karen. "Can't we all be friends? I mean I'm sure whatever she did it's not worth the anger right?"

"She cheated on me!" Karen snapped.

"Shit." I was shocked.

"Yeah." I looked back to my tray and this strange dark beauty who's name I didn't even know. "She's a manipulative bitch. When we broke up she stole all my friends from me." Her face flashed with anger and desperation. "Eat with her if you want." Her voice was no longer angry and strong, she sounded broken. "I won't stop you. I just thought....nevermind." She turned to leave but I grabbed her shoulders.

"Let me get my tray okay?" She smiled brightly through her pain. "Wait here."

"So you're not even going to hear my side?" She asked when I picked up my tray.

"I don't even know your name."

"I'm Erica." Her brown eyes flashed with intense fury.

"I'm not judging but...she's hurt and alone."

"Oh..." her eyes and her voice softened, "Get her a chocolate milk. She says it calms her down."

I nodded, "We'll talk later."

Karen and I found a secluded spot on the side of the school, no glass roof for light or protection from the elements or even tables but we did have a dewy patch of ground under a shade tree.

"Thanks." She closed the lid on her bottle of chocolate milk and picked at the burger on her tray. "I'm sorry I blew up. Just...every time I see her I think of all the good times we had."

"Shouldn't that make you happy?"

"Oh no, it's worse. Cause they're gone forever now."

"Maybe not forever. And if not with her you'll find someone else who'll make you feel the same or maybe even better."

"You think so?"

"I know so." I gave her my best reassuring and hopeful smile.

She took my hand and I could see the hope returning already. "Do you want to come to my house after school?"

"I suppose I can."