The new student (Warren x oc)

9

During the class, I know Layla noticed I was more quiet than normal.  Even at lunch, Layla left our usual table to sit with Warren.  Everyone left to sit with Layla and Warren.  I sat alone, because I couldn't pretend to be happy for that long.  Layla even started laughing at something Warren said.  Will didn't seem happy about it though.  Gwen was doing everything to keep Will away from everyone else and near her and her groupies.  I didn't like that girl one bit.  I was trying to catch up with Layla to see what she thought of me going to homecoming, but I heard her call Warren 'cutie.'

That was the last straw.  Will and Gwen left.  I felt tears welling up in my eyes, walking by Laya and Warren quickly.  I heard Layla trying to say 'hi' but ignored her.  I looked up as I got closer to the gardens.  Clouds were rolling in.  It was supposed to be sunny all day.  My mom always knew when the clouds were going to shift, and she had always been right.  I felt tears falling, and went quickly under where nobody could see me.  The vines shivered with a breeze, and almost looked like they were getting longer.

I took a breath.  The wind slowed down and the lights dimmed again.  “I miss you, mom...”  I whispered, not caring right now if someone heard me or not.  Everyone I thought was my friend was leaving me.  First, it was Angel, with whom I thought I had a real connection.  Now Layla, Ethan, Zach, and Magenta were leaving me because Warren was going to homecoming with Layla, and nobody ever messed with 'Warren Peace, the child of Barron Battle.'  I kind of just stayed there for the rest of the day.

I don't know if anyone tried looking for me, but I do know that nobody found me.  At least until it was time to go home.  Then I had to deal with all of the questions on the bus.  I didn't give any real answers, I just said that I didn't feel good and wanted to be left alone.  Instead of going to the room I had been using, I grabbed my phone and the black phone.  I then went back outside and to my house.  The door was still locked, telling me nobody had broken in.  I grabbed my key and went to my mom's room.

I tried calling my dad again, but the call just cut off.  It was like someone had severed the connection or just ignored the call.  I sat in the closet, next to the empty stand where my mom always put her suit after coming home from a mission.  I grabbed an empty hanger, spinning it in my hands.  “Please be okay.”  I whined.  I stood up carefully.  Homecoming was soon.  Maybe it wouldn't be too bad to go.  Maybe I was seeing things wrong and Layla didn't like Warren.  I was looking through my closet when I started noticing the music in the background a lot more.

It had been going on for some time, but now it was getting a lot more on my nerves.  I couldn't think.  I grabbed the two phones and went outside.  The music was coming from Will's house?  But his parents didn't want him throwing parties.  He wasn't even supposed to have anyone over!  I saw Layla go in, figuring I could ask her what was up with Warren.  She might understand… That I might like him and tell me what to do.  I didn't want her to feel bad if he asked her to the dance.  But I needed advice and nobody else could help me right now.

As soon as I got inside, everyone was giving me a bunch of bad looks.  I did find Layla though.  Unfortunately, she was talking to Gwen.  Who seemed pretty mad for some reason.  “He threw a party and didn't invite you.  You're just embarrassing him.  You're just embarrassing yourself.”  Gwen finished saying.  I growled, walking over.  “Okay.  I understand.”  Layla started.  She saw me.  “And, uh, when you see Will again, can you tell him that I never want to talk to him again?”  She asked.  Gwen smirked.

“I'll give him the message.”  She replied smugly.  Gwen met my eyes, but I shook my head.  Something was just… off about her.  She was enjoying this way too much.  That was right around when Will came back.  Layla left without another word.  “Layla?”  Will asked.  He turned to me.  “Luna, what happened?”  He asked.  I growled, shaking my head again.  “Have fun with Gwen.  You two deserve each other.”  I hissed, leaving.  I had to find Layla to make sure she was okay.

Layla didn't even want to talk to me.  I remembered her talking to Will about a meeting they were supposed to have.  It was at a place called the Paper Lantern.  I texted Layla and asked what her favorite thing was from there.  She replied but said she wasn't going to eat.  I knew she was just behind the door.  “Layla, I'll be back okay?  Please open the door when I do?”  I asked, leaving.  It took a while and a lot of asking directions to find the right place.  Unfortunately, I recognized someone working there right away.

Warren.  At first, he didn't seem to see me.  But as soon as I sat down, someone yelled at him and he came over.  At first, Warren didn't say anything.  I didn't want to talk to him that much at the moment either.  “What are you doing here?”  Warren finally asked.  I sighed.  “Trying to figure out the menu.”  I replied, dropping it.  I heard a light chuckle.  “I'm sorry.  Did you just laugh at me?”  I asked, smiling slightly.  Warren got serious again.  “You can't read or do you just feel like acting stupid?”  He asked.  I growled slightly.

“I'm not stupid.  Hai? (Okay?)  I just know a different language and it's confusing.”  I replied.  “Since when did Japanese people eat Chinese food?”  He asked.  I shook my head.  “I'm not Japanese.  I just know the language.  And it's not for me.  It's for Layla.”  I explained.  I took my phone out, reading off what Layla listed off as what she usually ate.  I did try to avoid eye contact, as I was probably bright red.  Warren picked the menu up.  “You grabbed the menu that slipped by without any translations.”  He told me.  I groaned.  Could this get any more embarrassing?  I felt a buzz in my pocket

Warren translated what Layla wanted and said he'd be back.  I took my phone out, but that wasn't what was buzzing.  It was the black phone.  I looked around quickly, going outside.  I stood just a few feet from the door.  I picked the call up, bringing the phone to my ear carefully.  “Hello?”  I asked softly.  “Mom?”  The other person asked.  I sighed, looking up.  “Laura?”  I asked.  The person hesitated.  “Who is this?”  They asked.  I smiled softly.  “My name's Luna... I think I'm your younger sister?”  I started.  Laura made a soft sound that almost seemed like a whine.  “Where's mom?”  She asked.  I took a breath.

“Mom went missing a few days ago… She had gone on a mission with some old allies and they lost track of her.”  I explained.  Laura whined softly.  “Where are you right now?”  Laura asked.  That was a little weird.  “I'm outside a store.  I was getting something for a friend but I've kept this phone with me so I can call you and dad.  I thought you couldn't answer or call back?”  I questioned.  Laura paused.  “I've got to go.”  She said, hanging up.

I sighed, going back in.  Warren was waiting at the table with a bag.  “Everything good?  I thought you walked out for a moment there.”  He said, a very small smile playing on his face.  I shook my head.  “No, just a phone call.”  I replied.  “You got time to answer a question?”  I asked Warren.  He looked around.  “I've got a minute.”  He answered back.  Warren sat down.  I took a breath.  “I know you're going to the dance with Layla.  But she's a good person.  I know people at school say you're evil or something, but I can tell that's not true.  If it was, you wouldn't be sitting here right now.”  I started.  Warren checked the room.  “That's not a question.”  He said blankly.  I nodded.  “Why did you ask Layla to the dance?  I thought you didn't like any one of us because we hung out with Stronghold?”  I questioned.  Warren scoffed.