A little bit of courage

Canteen drama

Christeen...

"I am telling you, Jane, those guys are bad news," I told Jane while we were making our way towards our usual table for lunch. It was already half of the school day behind us and I was actually hungry like a wolf after the long day in classes. Not that we really did anything productive. Most of the classes are now really leisure-mannered. But my mind was preoccupied with yesterday's events. 

Raquel is not at school today. I was not expecting her to be after what happened yesterday but it is apparent that she is not doing really good. I based this suspicion on the way Eustace, Andy, and Monica were today. They look troubled.  That can't mean anything good. Of course, they would be worried for their friend one way or another. That was given, but their expressions showed something different. Something scarily similar to fear.

"Christeen, I know that what they said yesterday was a bit out of line, but I am sure that does not indicate that they are bad people," Jane said, sitting down on the bench by our table and putting down the tray with her lunch. I sat down in front of her with a huff. My tray of food slammed against the wooden surface, the apple on top of it jumping in the air.  I didn't intend it to be that hard but Jane was simply refusing to see my point of view of things and that was just pushing me off the edge with my temper.

"You make it sound as if I was accusing them just because of my shattered pride." 

"Well, they did shatter your pride, didn't they?" Jane picked up her fork, digging into her green salat. With an eye roll, I took off the lid of the plastic container that contained my fruit salad in it. 

"I didn't care..." I snapped. Receiving a skeptical look from my best friend I decided to word my answer a bit differently. "It was a bit hurtful I admit...but I am not saying it because of that." Truthfully saying my nature does not contain vengeance...as the first option at least. But we have to consider the fact that I'm part cat. I have great instincts.

"And here we go again," Jane muttered, stuffing her fork with food inside her mouth. She is taking the story of yesterday's event very light-heartedly. Thinking that I am exaggerating. I never exaggerate! Okay, maybe I tend to be a bit theatrical and make a big deal out of small things, but not this time. Right now I'm as serious as I only can be.

"Jane I was there, they did something to Raquel and she is now sick!" I said harshly but kept my voice low. We don't need to cause panic in the whole school. Many people here believe that Raquel just wasn't feeling all that well. Which is true, but only half of it. 

"Chris, you only saw them there speaking to Raquel before she fainted..." 

"And then they run off!" 

"...Yes, okay. They went to their rooms. Seriously I wouldn't blame them. On their first day here to be dealing with students fainting around them randomly. They might be worried we have some disease spreading here." Why is everyone taking it on the light note? No one is at least slightly suspicious about those guys? Stuffing a strawberry in my mouth I thought about another argument to use against Jane's logic. These arguments of ours are often long only because you have to think hard for your argument to sound valid. But Jane was now spitting out her reasoning better than a fire gun.

"How do you explain Raquel just randomly fainting then? They must have done something." I said with a mouth full of strawberries. Getting an unimpressed look from Jane. 

"Speak once you chew down your food next time, please. I hate when someone does that." Yes, sorry for triggering your pet peeve but I don't find that important now. But really sorry. 

"You are not seeing my point." I accused sourly. Getting fed up with the fact that she wasn't listening to me. 

"I am seeing the contents of your mouth that's disturbing enough," Jane muttered, giving me a pointed look. This conversation was getting nowhere. I groaned, focusing on eating my food since it looked like no one here would be sharing my concerns about the strange visiting group.