H A U N T E D

s i x

s i x

The cafeteria isn't as busy as I thought it would be, but I guess it is because I keep comparing it to the one back home. One lunch period could mean over one-hundred kids having lunch in the same room. Now, I think it's about thirty kids from my year having lunch together for the next hour.

I feel the stares of my peers turning to me. I am, no doubt, the topic of gossip. This doesn't bother me, not really. But the fact that prejudices are built against me, without anyone really knowing me besides the fact of who my mother is, that irks me.

I grab a tray and order food from the lunch lady, who doesn't seem to want to meet my eye. Nonetheless, I thank her for the lasagna slice and pay my debt. I turn around with a sinking feeling in my chest, searching for a space to sit. There are about ten tables, and most of them are occupied. The one nearest to the window isn't, so I decide I'll go sit there. I won't be the weird kid who spontaneously joins a table without being invited. It's probably not that odd, but I feel uncomfortable just at the thought of it.

I remember my orange juice and chocolate bar I bought yesterday, and take it out of my bag. I brought a Skye Alexander-book along with me, as I'm nearly done reading it and I thought I'd be able to go through it and make some notes along the index.

My mother hated it when I wrote in my books, but she knew that I was learning that way, by interpreting what's written in the book as my own. Especially these types of books. But after she taught me everything she herself knew, she left me to my own devices and bought these books for me.

I've just started with Chapter 11 - Spells for All Reasons and Seasons when a shadow falls over my table. I look up to the owner of it, and notice it's the same boy from earlier. I glance behind him, seeing his table of friends staring at us, some amused while others stare at eyes with waiting expectations that are waiting to be fulfilled.

"Hey again", the boy waves with a bright smile. I look over his dark eyes and matching hair, which is now tied into a loose bun - probably by the request of a teacher. He's wearing his jacket now, and his bag is over his shoulder, hanging down his arm.

"Hello", I greet back, watching him warily. He moves with the intend to sit down in front of me, but stops himself before he could touch the chair. Instead, he awkwardly pushes his hands into the front pockets of his jeans.

"I never got to introduce myself earlier. I'm Kofi Harris", he reaches out his hand for me to shake his. I slowly give out my hand, allowing the greeting. His skin is much warmer than mine, I notice.

"I like your name", I say earnestly. His face brightens up considerably and he grins back at me.

"Really? Thanks! I never really liked it", he admits and scratches the back of his neck. I nod in understanding, closing my book slowly. His eyes travel down to it.

"Were you born on a Friday, perhaps?", I ask with a curious edge to my voice. Kofi widens his eyes, counting back on his fingers, before giving a hesitant nod.

"How did you know?", he asks while eyeing my book. I shrug carelessly and put the book away. Nevermind telling him his name means he was born on a Friday. My mother wanted to name one of our cats Kofi, but the kitten was born on a Saturday, and she found names to be extremely symbolic. Her own name meant 'fair phantom' and in many ways, I guess she was. Always fleeting, never staying in one place.

Kofi seems to accept my wordless answer and his smile returns to his mouth. I can't help but mirror it - he has a very contagious aura of happiness around him.

"That's all good, my dude. Anyway, do you wanna sit with us? No one should be alone on their first day", he gestures to his table. I glance back at them, and they've seemingly lost interest in our conversation.