A Book of Beau, Griffin Stagg

03 - Lunch for Two

North Denver, 1978

"Oh you know. Just the usual. Angela and Christina... wanting to murder me."
"Oh"
     "Yea..." I paused before asking the big question, "Griffin?"
     "Hmm"
     "I was wondering if I could sit with you?"
     "Of course you can sit with me. :) I'd like the company."

     I felt like I was on the top of the world. As my face tinted a light red, I sat down next to him behind the tree and unpacked my lunch. It was basically the same as yesterday, but some different snacks and a big orange. I had my nutella and honey sandwich, the big orange, a container of quisp, a string cheese and a granola bar.

     I looked over a Griffin and he was doing the same. He had some type of peanut butter sandwich, a container of blueberries, a cup of chocolate pudding, trail mix and a twinkie. I love twinkies. (he sparks me as a blueberry guy. also if you don't like twinkies, feel free to change it.)

     "So... Do you sit here often?" I asked, trying to start a conversation.

     "Yea. It's the best place to hide from bullies. I found this spot on the first day of school and I've been sitting here since."
     "I'm so sorry Griffin"
     "It's okay Y/n. I'm used to it by now."

     I felt so bad for Griffin. He has been through so much for just being himself. You know what. Fuck society. If they can't except Griffin for the amazing boy he is, then society will have to go through me first.

     Glancing up, I saw Griffin start to frown and form a sad look in his eyes. I knew I had to do something. I scanned my surroundings and my eyes lands on the orange. I grab it and peel it in half.

     "Hey Griff." He turns to looks at me confused.
      "Orange you glad we met?" I grinned, putting the orange half in my mouth.

     His expression went from down to his cheeks full and smiling, trying not to laugh at my corny joke. After a couple seconds, he deflated. Griffin was laughing so hard, he was about to tear up.

     "That was so stupid. I can't believe I almost died of laughter."
     "It was pretty bad, but it made you feel better."
     "Yea. It did. It really did."

     We stared into each other's eyes, before getting embarrassed and turned away quickly.  

     "I know more orange jokes if it'll make you feel better."
     "Sure why not"
     "Why do oranges do well on tests?" "Why?"
     "They know how to concentrate."

     We start cracking up at my stupid jokes and this went on for a while.

     "Okay. Okay. Last one."
     "Hit me."
     "Why did the orange help the old lady cross the road?" "Why?" "To do a random act of rindness."

     At this point we were crying. I know these jokes aren't great or funny at all, but I would do anything to see him smile. Griffin's smile was like a sudden beam of sunshine illuminating the darkest corners of a room. That's not even doing it justice.

     We eventually calm down and start talking about music.

     "What kind of music do you like listening to and favorite song." Griffin asked, curiosity written all over his face.

     "I like Queen a lot. And David Bowie! My favorite song is probably Boys Don't Cry by The Cu—"
     "Me too!" He glanced at me, his face reddening by the second. "I like that song too."
     "It's such a good song!"
     "Yea. I like listening to The Cure and Queen. I think Fleetwood Mac is neat too."

     I tried changing the subject, "Okay. Enough about music. What book are you reading right now?"

     "I just finished Carrie and I had been really wanting to read Invisible Cities."
     "No way! I just finished it. It was fantastic!"
     "Is there anyway I could borrow it?"
     "Of course. Can I reread it with you right now?"
     "Sure."

     I reached into my backpack, trying to dig around and find the book. After I found it, I handed it to him and he leaned against the tree. I followed as he opened the book and started reading.

'Kublai Khan does not necessarily believe everything Marco Polo says when he describes the cities visited on his expeditions, but the emperor of the Tartars does continue listening to the young Venetian with greater attention and curiosity than he shows any other messenger or explorer of his.'

     I felt someone lean against me. Turning my head, I see Griffin and I are touching shoulders. This must be the exact definition of being on Cloud Nine. In that moment, all of my problems washed away. No Angela and Christina. No issues with home. Nothing. The only thing I could think of is Griffin and I.

————————————————————

The bell signaling lunch had rung and I had a gloomy expression on my face. This had probably been the best lunch— no day ever.

We started packing up and throwing away our trash away.

"Y/n. I was wondering if you would want to hang out after school some time? I can't today though because I have to help my mom with something."
"I would love too! We could go bike riding or something."
"That sounds wonderful. Oh. And Y/n." Griffin had a small smile on his face, while saying, "Thank you for eating lunch with me. This has been the best day ever."

At this point I had hearts in my eyes.

"You are so welcome! I had so much fun. This was probably the best lunch period in history!"
"Haha yea. Well I got to go all the way to science now. See yea."
"Bye Griff!"

I had to head to history with Mr. Reed. Then I had Art! In history we were learning about Agriculture or something. I don't really know how history is going to help us much in life, unless you want to become a Historian. We could be learning something like how to do taxes. Oh well.

As I sat down in my seat, I thought back to how much I enjoyed eating with Griffin. And the best part is I get to do that every single day for the rest of the school year. I used to hate going to school, who knew one angelic boy would change that.
————————————————————
1060 words
A/n!
we meet again. hello :) i start school tues and i'm going to try and get one more chapter out tomorrow. i'm so happy about the amounts of Y/n and Griffin in this chap :)))

If you don't understand the pic, it's from Welcome to Flatch and Bank's character, Levi, is mowing the lawn in the back. Free and legal child labor :)

I hope everyone had a great day! And OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR 100 READS!!!! YESTERDAY WE WERE AT LIKE 50. THATS CRAZY!!!! I AM SO THANKFUL FOR ALL OF THE SWEET AND FUNNY COMMENTS EVERYONE IS LEAVING! also i just wanted to say that You're all that and a super-size bag of chips.

Today I'm watching my eyes bc i'm going to sleep :) Good night and...

Stay safe and don't run into ongoing traffic 👍