The Guy Friend

Cafeteria drama

I walk with Lilly to lunch and I see Aaron wave his hand. I tell Lilly to "Come with me because I need someone for emotional support." She nods and follows behind me. 

One of the guys at the table exclaims "Ooh, She's one of those weird band nerds isn't she?"

 "Are you taking a band?" Aaron asks with almost a worried tone, I retort with "Yes, is there something wrong with that?"

 I all of the sudden feel a whole lot of eyes on me, the cafeteria bursts out with a wave of "Oohs". One of 'the guys' burst out with "how dare you! You're a newbie who's also a band dweeb!" I stare at Aaron and Lulu dumbfounded 

"So this is how it goes huh?! I'm new and you jump to conclusions thinking I'm a 'stupid band dweeb'!?" "I-'' Aaron tries to interrupt me 

"You what? You're sorry? Sorry that I'm a band dweeb? I'm actually good and I want to get even better so if you don't support me that's your problem! You 'JOCKS'!" I snap at Aaron and the guys sitting around him as I feel tears pricking my eyes because I did like them before this incident but it might be for the best. I turn around and take Lilly's hand "let's go because apparently we are just some band dweebs" (dramatic I know)

 I leave and go towards the bathroom and as soon as I sit down against the wall I break down. "Wow I thought this school was different."

 "What do you mean?" Lily asks "It's nothing but hey, I'm still gonna be a band dweeb whether they like it or not." I look at Lulu as I feel a rush of empowerment, however, she sinks and mumbles something "Can you say that louder?"

 I want to reassure and comfort her because I see tears forming in her eyes and one tear fell on her cheek as I wiped it away with my thumb. She looks down at her hands "I wish I had your confidence..."

 I look at her and I'm confused "You think I'm confident?" 

Just as it looks like she's about to respond, Aaron bursts into the GIRLS bathroom and I shoot up "What do YOU want?" he looked at me with the most unbelievable expression, he looked sorry. "Listen I'm sorry that I didn't say anything during lunch, it's just that-"

 "What? Your ego and popularity are too fragile?" 

"NO! LISTEN TO ME!" I flinch as a reflex I learned from high school. As soon as he notices that I flinched, his hand shoots out to try and comfort me. 

"Stop, I'm fine. Now what did you need so much that you came into the GIRLS bathroom?" I lowered his hand. "It's what they do to every new person."

 "what?" I'm oblivious, they make fun of everyone new?

 It's like he read my mind because he says, "It's to see who they are and how they act. They went harder on you because I told them a little bit about you and that I want you to be a part of the group. I didn't expect them to go at you like that. I'm sorry. But hey, they were impressed with the way you snapped back at them." 

He laughs under his breath and I step to the side to hide Lulu seeing that she had tears slowly streaming down her face. "Listen, I don't care if it's what they do to everyone, I'm not everyone. So I suggest you leave." I say sternly because I'm not joking around. 

I thought they meant it.

 Aaron stutters "I-I, I want to be your friend though..." 

Little does he know I do too.

 I've learned to hide my emotions over the years and right now he can't see the hope I have for this friendship. 

"Well, If you want to be my friend you have to prove it. Now please leave the bathroom."

 He hesitates and slowly turns around and leaves.

 I turned back towards Lulu who had calmed down now and stood up in front of me and hugged me and whispered "Thank you" "Why? For what?" "For nothing and everything."