One and Only

Rachel's Birthday

"Look Rachel, your boyfriend!" says Mindy between giggles. I twist my neck towards where she is pointing, expecting to find Chip but guess who was there instead? Yes HIM.

"HA-HA very funny" I say as I return to my plate and send her an evil stare. However, I cannot help but observe him from the corner of my eyes. I haven't seen him in two weeks, since my unfortunate dream haunted me...God, I still get so embarrassed whenever I think of it. The only thought of me having sex with Monica's brother makes my stomach turn.

"How was it?"

"How was what?"

"kissing a geek, how was it?" I hold air in my throat for a second to seize my temper and not make a scene in the middle of the crowded cantina.

"amazing" I say sarcastically.

"have you told Chip that you kissed the geek guy of the school?" she asks with a grin on her face that makes me sick.

"will you quit already? It was part of a game, have your tiny neurones forgotten that?"

"but Ray-Ray? What's with all the edginess lately? We are kidding hun, you take everything too seriously" I roll my eyes annoyed, her pitied tone of voice couldn't sound faker. Why Am I friends with these people?

"Well, it stops being funny when you've repeated the same joke dozens of times"

"don't get angry girl, we'll stop alright?" Mindy says as if I was the one to blame for all this.

"thank you" geez It's the first time I say those two words without actually meaning them.

"girls, Shall we go to the field?" I heard Ashley say.

"yes! It's hotties time" the other two say at unison.

"wait, wait, wait! I'm not finished yet"

"but Ray-Ray, if we wait for you we are going to miss seeing the guys stretching..." says Ashley and then Mindy.

"I don't want to sound harsh but Ray-Ray, you take forever to eat even the smallest meal...I hope you understand we are leaving you for a bigger deal you know. Join us when you're done, alright hun?"

"you should sit with your boyfriend and eat together" Ashley adds before they move away from our table, laughing like a drain. I have strong desires to throw my fork and every pointy thing at them, but I don't. I stay calm as the behaved girl I am and return my gaze to my plate. What if I eat slowly anyway? There is nothing wrong with that, is there? I hope those bitches choke on their food one day!

My head unconsciously turns to look at him and I observe him as discretely as possible; He is sitting alone at a table close to the window. His head is resting on his left hand while his other hand holds a spoon that he hasn't brought to his mouth in the time I've been watching him. I wonder what he is thinking so concentrated, what could be in his mind right in this moment. Dinosaurs? Maybe he is imagining a fight between a T-rex and another...something-saurus. Or maybe he is thinking about me... Should I go talk to him?

I turn back to my plate and then take a quick scan of the room, trying to spot someone I may know but there seems to be no one. What if my stupid friends return and see me there with him?...oh what the hell! I miss "my addiction".

I pick up my tray and make my way towards his table. He doesn't notice me until I'm sitting right across him.

"Rachel!" he says in a small jump of surprise.

"Hi!" I say with a broad smile "you don't mind if I sit here, right?" my question leaves him utterly surprised. I like that.

"no, no. y-you can take th-the seat" definitely this is not the Ross of my dream. Phew.