Reach A Little Farther

Curse my lonely soul

After hours of classes, each spent bored out of her mind, Lynn arrived at lunch. The line for food was uneventful, moving like a blurry blob of gray. The tray placed harshly into her hands snapped her out of it. The loud chatter of the cafeteria silenced the rain outside, aside from occasional thunder, much to Lynn's disappointment. Her window seat on an empty 'loser table' at least let her watch it fall.

Throughout the duration of the period Lynn switched between poking her food with a fork, staring out the window, and desperately trying to get her music to play over the noise. At least in class she didn't have to hear mindless droning about Jessica's third boyfriend of the week. Finally giving up, Lynn shoved the plate out of the way to lay her head down. Her thoughts wondered without uselessly searching for a distraction. What had math boy wanted? Why did her headphones have to suck? Why couldn't her and Lottie move out of the cities? Why was it so damn hot in the middle of September? What had that note been about?

The note! With a groan Lynn hauled her backpack into the seat next to her, digging around in each of it's black hole-esc pockets for a small folded piece of white paper. Yeah, Good luck with that.

"You alright there?"

Lynn damn near felt her soul leave her body as she shot up to stare at whoever had materialized in front of her. Low and behold, her neighbor from math stared right back, cocky grin and all. Her heart thumped painfully hard against her chest, Lynn pressed a hand to the spot as she regained her composure. The boy gave her an odd look that she returned with a scowl.

"You should eat if you're stressed. Here."

She watched wearily as he opened his backpack and slid a sandwich across the table like approaching a wild animal. Lynn's eyes flicked between the food and the boy before she reached to grab it and remove the bag. The bread was lightly toasted, cheese stuck to the bottom bun and ham just above that. Lettuce was shoved in between each ingredient with avacoda topping it as a spread. Noticing her delay, he chuckled and pulled out his own food.

"It's not poisoned."

"T-thanks.."

Almost cautiously, Lynn took a bite. She hummed in delight as the flavor spread like wildfire through her mouth. She had gotten used to how bland ramen and poorly cooked macaroni tasted, this was a breath of fresh air. She went in for another bite and noticed him staring, his own food untouched since he'd taken it out. She cleared her throat and he finally looked away. The sudden attention was odd, borderline uncomfortable. She barely knew the guy, their last interaction has been a simple good morning.

"How is it?"

He said, she took another bite.

"It's great."

He smiled again endearingly, Lynn felt her heart jump. She wasn't sure what to think of him anymore, he seemed to constantly switch back and forth between moods, always energetic and loud but somehow soft at just the right times. Maybe he had needed a friend too...?

No. Lynn shook her head to clear her thoughts, gaining a funny look from across the table but nothing more.

She grinned back at him, reassuring that nothing was wrong, it's perfect, really. He only looked more confused, but his eyes softened and he chuckled anyway, like it didn't matter her smile felt to forced. Lynn felt an unseen pressure lift off her chest.

One last bite and she finished in half the time she normally would. Well now what? Awkwardly she dusted the crumbs off her hands and resumed her search through the backpack.

Finally after digging around for an unnecessary amount of time, Lynn yanked the (now crumpled and slightly torn) note out and began reading it.

"Oune mounlaegatkte aes oll ae gete, teatkaes katkonkatk ae muste teoke. Knoudov ae dounte meon teou atkoirm ouir kounihuse ieouu."

What? She read it again. The words jumbled together, almost making sense but so far from English. Frustrated she balled the paper up and shoved it back into the pocket from wench if came. The eerie feeling of being watched made her remember that she was indeed being watched. Slightly embarrassed she mimicked a laugh and shrugged at his blank expression, honestly she couldn't have explained it if she tried. None of this seemed to bother him though, as he absolutely did not move or even flash a signature smirk.

"A-Are... Are you alright?"

Snapped out of whatever trance he was in, the boy waved her concern off with a smile like before.

"Just zoned out. What do you say we get out of here?"

Lynn almost protested that he hadn't finished but the words died on her tounge when she realized nothing was left on the table. Surely he hadn't eaten so fast? Was she just that oblivious? He had already set off towards the trash cans before she had a chance to reply.

He was back almost instantly with elbows propped up on the table, head in hand like he'd never moved.

"So? What do you think?"

Lynn hesitated. It was still impossible to get a read on him. Was this a good idea? Even if they go right outside, it's not hard to take advantage of someone like her, she could get seriously injured.

"Well... Um... I-"

He grinned, face slowly moving closer to hers with a menacing twinkle in his eyes. Lynn swallowed hard as her face lit up rosey red. Curse her easily flustered self.

She sighed in defeat and stood from the bench. The boy's barely contained excitement brightened her mood... just slightly.

As they approached the hallway, Lynn couldn't help notice the constant staring. She returned his intent stare with one of her own, only to be met with a trademark smile. She quickly glanced back to the very interesting floors. A second more and she was sure he would have winked at her. Lynn ignored her tightening chest.

"Why are you being n..nice to me now?"

Lynn couldn't bring herself to look at him, instead focusing on walking. Right, she still was going outside with him. Anxiety roared up and out of her heart, wrapping and constricting her throat like barded wire. His disappointed face would tell her everything she needed to know, she had overstepped and the small blossoms of a new friendship would be crushed mercilessly by her own hand.

"Why would I not be nice to you? You're still a human like all the other fi- kids! I mean kids... You don't deserve any less."

Lynn took her eyes off the floor and finally back to him. He looked nonchalant as always, unbothered and genuine. Lynn's throat loosened enough to talk again, but only managed a whisper before it constricted in a fiery pain again.

Silently he handed her a napkin, Lynn hadn't realized she was crying, but sobbed into her hands once she did.

"Hm.. looks like it's still raining."

He spoke, diverting the attention from her tears. Lynn didn't know whether to feel thankful or ashamed, but the upward tug on the edges of her mouth didn't go ignored. As if on cue, lightning struck, brightening up the entire sky. Thunder boomed shortly after, dimming the lights through the hallway but not quite putting them out. He grimaced, Lynn lightly laughed.

"You know... I never caught your name?"

The bell rang and teens began spilling out of the cafeteria doors in a wave of hurry.

"I'm Lynn, and y-you?"

A few people brushed past him on their way out the door, he scowled and scooted closer to Lynn and out of the entryway. Noticing their closeness he smirked and leaned in further.

"My name's Zim. I'll see you around, Lynn."

And just like that, Zim disappeared into the crowd quickly as he came.

Her uncomfortably full hand reminded Lynn of the soaked napkin still in her clenched fists. She took a deep, shaky breath as her head spun in a flurry of emotion. Another flash of lightning outside dimmed the lights once more. Better get to class before they stayed off and she couldn't see at all. Lynn took off at the sound of the tardy bell, heart still beating hard and fast.

◇♡◇

Word count:1406