Rapture

16

Content Warning: Drug use + overdose

Oliver's POV

"That test was bullshit." Malcom groans to the group, as we exit our Calculus classroom.

"Or you just suck at math." Jason snickers to our schools' quarterback.

"Shut-up. It was hard. She added so much shit we didn't even learn." Malcom whined.

I continue walking into the cafeteria ahead of them for lunch. I get in line and notice Lana already sitting at our table, reading. Malcom continues to ask questions about the test as we get our food and head over.

"Hey, Lana." I say placing my tray down.

"Hi, Oliver." She says without looking up.

Malcom and Oliver have moved on to talk about our hockey game tonight, so Lana puts her book away and starts on her pasta.

"You going to the hockey game Lana?" I ask and she finally looks up at me.

She looks tired.

"You look tired." Jason says out loud.

Malcom elbows him. "Dude."

Lana sighs and stabs a noodle playing with her food.

"Mr. Morris assigned me to report on the football game today actually." She looks over at Malcom, holding his stare. Lana works for the school paper and reports on all things sports related. She usually can't go to all the games, so she splits the work with another student.

Malcom breaks out into a smile.

"Fuck yea. You're my good luck charm Lana Bear. You know that right?"

"You say it every time I come, so yea." She mumbles.

"Hey, guys!" Kelsey saddles up next to Lana.

"Hey." I say not paying attention, instead looking around the cafeteria.

Malcom mumbles a hi not particularly liking Kelsey.

"Hey babe." Jason says brightly.

Lana just nods her head.

"What's wrong with you all? Looks like you all failed a test or something."

Malcom groans and buries his face in his hands.

"You guys ready for the ultimate rivalry game today boys?" Kelsey says excitedly.

"We are gonna kick their asses." Jason says.

"Where is Lucia?" I ask suddenly.

"In the corner." Lana says without looking up from her food.

I don't look but instead furrow my eyebrows at Lana.

Kelsey speaks up. "What's up with you?"

"I'm just tired." She gets up and grabs her bag and tray. "I'll see you on the bus Mal."

With that she walks away.

I watch her walk away, confused. Lana is the most like me in our friend group. We are more reserved than the others and I found comfort in the fact that she understood me without questioning me.
I finally glance to the corner she said Lucia was in, to find her already staring at me.

"Why isn't she sitting with us?" I ask the group still holding her eyes.

Kelsey follows my line of sight. "Did you ask her to?"

"No, but aren't you... like her friend now?"

"Hey, she was my friend first." We both turn to look at Jason.