Apathetic Boy

6.

Benedict

I quickly but quietly take out my phone.

Me: Zach. Why did we do this. I'm hyperventilating over here. He's too close.

He's too close. He's smells too good. He smells warm. Spicy. Sweet? He smells like warm sugar.

Zach: Just calm down. Everything will be fine. Breathe. Just be yourself.

I tried fixing my rapid heartbeat and irregular breathing.

"Alright, here is your plate. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask." Travis smiles and bows.

"How come you aren't eating yet?" I asked Angel.

"It's rude to eat when others don't have a plate." He says as he places a napkin on his lap.

"That's very thoughtful of you. And also sorry again for rushing out. And sorry for being a burden with my abnormally loud friends-" I stop as soon as I feel his hand on my thigh.

"Listen to me. It's alright. You didn't do anything wrong. And it's fine, you aren't a burden to anyone, nor your friends, who doesn't know how to keep his food in his mouth." He grins, as he tightens his grip on my lap, then retracts his hand.

"Okay. If you say so." I barely whisper.

"Now, eat before your food gets cold." He points as he takes a bite out his sandwich.

"Yes. Yeah. You're right." I chant, I mix around my food.

"So, Benedict, how'd you meet Angel here?" the girl named Katherine, asked.

"Well, we actually met a few days ago." I say.

"Anything exciting happen?" She winks, my face immediately turns red and hot.

"Don't make him feel uncomfortable, Katherine. Eat your salad before it gets soggy." Angel scoffs.

"What? He's obviously your type." She rolls her eyes, then chomps on her salad.

Goodness, this is so embarrassing.

I put a hand over my face while I eat.

After a few moments of somewhat uncomfortable silence, or at least I feel so,

"Do you guys have anything planned for the day?" Katherine burst.

"Depends on what you have in mind." Zachary smiled, with a light tint of pink on his cheeks.

"I was just thinking we could do something, to get too know one another better." She states.

Zachary looks at me, then Caleb and Jacob. Which they most definitely said yes.

"Sure, we'll tag along." Zach says as he finishes his food.

"Great!" She squeals, "I don't have anything in mind at the moment, but I'll figure it out." She practically bounces in her chair.

"Excuse me for a moment." Angel says, dismissing himself.

"So. You and Angel?" Katherine asked me.

"What?" I nearly choke on my food, coughing a bit.

"Don't pretend like it isn't obvious. What's your thing with Angel?" She states, staring straight into my eyes.

"Uh..um" I lose my train of thought.

"Hey, chill out with the interrogation. You are freaking him out." Zach says to Katherine, waving off.

"Zip it. I'm simply asking questions." She snaps back. Which makes Zach's face turn red, before he stops talking.