Always Near

New Friend

"So, what're you gonna get for lunch?" Shai sits next to me in line for lunch.

"Oh, I dunno. Probably chicken fingers," I reply, looking at the board of food options.

"Ew, they look gross. You should get the chicken sandwich, it looks a lot more nutritious too," Shai looks at the board also.

"Why not? I'll go for it," I stand and walk into the lunch station and grab a milk, then I go get a chicken sandwich, surprisingly, it costs less then the chicken fingers.

Shai and I go to a empty table and sit. I silently sit there and watch as many people start to chomp down on their food. I start to peel my orange and drink my milk, wondering what is going to happen with my life. I start going into deep thought, and I zone out. I wonder if Shai and I will stay friends, she's the only one that has talked to me, and I feel a little special.

"Hello? Earth to, wait, your name is Shay, right?" Shai asks, wavy her hands in front of my face.

"Oh, yeah, my names Shay," I snap back to reality, quietly replying.

"Oh, well, I was wondering if you wanted this?" Shai points to her bread, "I think this is disgusting."

"Oh, uh, sure," I reply, taking the bread.

I continue eating, and try the chicken sandwich. Hmm, this isn't half bad, I think to myself. The intercom goes on, the two minute warning. I finish up my food, and look around. Shai is still eating too, and almost everyone is outside.

"You ready?" Shai looks up at me.

"Yeah," I reply, we both raise our hands.

We are checked for messes at our table and are allowed to go. I stand and walk to the tray-turn-in, and spin around, Shai by my side. We walk outside and show the woman by the door our ID's. We walk toward the grass, and sit by the gym shed.

"So, want to play twenty questions?" Shai asks.

"Why not?" I reply, curled up in a ball against the warm shed.

"Okay, well, I'll start. Uh, whats your favorite color?" Shai asks.

"Its turquoise. What's your birthday?" I ask, looking into her eyes.

"Mine is June 13th."

"Oh, cool, wait... mines June 13th too," I turn away, laughing in my head that we have the same birthday.

"That's funny, having the same birthday, hey look!" Shai points toward the gym doors.

The doors open and we see a bunch of purple T-Shirts. The Gym class was coming out to do laps. Shai stands up, and I stand with her.

"There's my little bro!" Shai motions toward a small kid, Nic.

"Hey, my cousin is in that class too," I point to my cousin, Sydney.

"The tall girl?" Shai asks, looking to me.

"Yeah, blonde and red streaks in her hair," I start to become quiet again.

"Why do you always speak so quietly?" Shai looks at me, a little confused.

"I'm just quiet I guess."

We walk to the mile run and watch as the kids run, watching them dart. One waves at Shai, and I know it's her little brother. Nic has long brown hair, about to his chin in length, and is short. My cousin waves at me, right on his trail, and I wave back, flashing a smile.

Sydney and Nic are finished running, and head down to Shai and I. I stand in the sidelines as no one seems to have interest in me. I sit down, back against the now blazing hot metal of the shed. I look up and realize that I'm being left out, as normal. I curl into a ball, burning my back, and look down, waiting for recess to be over.

"And this is Shay," I hear Shai say and I dart back into reality.

"Hi Shay, I'm Nic," Nic walks next to me and pats my head.

Sydney giggles and runs away, to the whistle of the Gym Teachers. Nic runs off, following Sydney's trail. The Lunch Monitors bell rings and it's time to go inside. I feel great, knowing that it's time for the classes to blow by, once again.