Loathe at First Sight

Chapter 11 ~ Truce?

The bell for lunch rang eerily and the sounds of the usual mad dash to the cafeteria were a muted buzz to my ears. My eyes met Sonny’s and I saw the same fear I was feeling mirrored in his brown orbs. With resignation I gathered my books sluggishly, there was no way to avoid the inevitable…but there just might be a way to lessen the damage.

“C’mon man, we have to catch Eden!” I called over my shoulder as I barreled out of the room, confident Sonny would follow me. In no time we burst through the front doors, (even in their hungry state people knew to stay out of our way) frantically looking for the she-devil. I almost cried in relief when I spotted Nanny instead.

“Ragazzo! Are you joining us for lunch?” Nanny beamed at me in welcome as I approached the car

“Unfortunately, no” I replied, my mind spinning a million miles an hour – to pull off this crazy plan I had to tread carefully for the next hour at least. “Eden just wanted me to let you know that she’ll be having lunch with us. Here. At school. With me. Today.” I said awkwardly, avoiding eye contact. Nanny regarded the two of us silently before laughing in a knowing way older people seemed to do when dealing with young people.

“And so she should” she nodded approvingly, her lips tilting up in mischief. “Good luck ragazzo” she added seriously before peeling out of the parking lot.

“Alright what’s going on?” Sonny stepped in front of me and folded his arms.

“Steph” I explained and instantly his face brightened with understanding

“Steph is a psycho and will most likely try to kill us the second she sees us unless-”

“Unless we have something or in this case someone, who can take the brunt of all that rage and maybe even match it with their own” I finished off for him so we we’re both on the same page.

“On a serious note, I have my money on Steph. Remember that one time we teased her about some boy in her class? My neck still aches” Sonny shivered whilst recalling a particularly violent memory from our childhood

“Yeah but you haven’t seen Eden let loose. If Steph pushes her enough, she’ll snap and I might even pity Steph a little” I grinned at the idea. Sonny’s eyes widened in surprise

“She can’t possibly be worse than Steph”

Before I could reply I was cut off by a tap on the shoulder “Have either of you seen Nanny?” I almost leapt into Sonny’s arms with fright.

“Dammit woman! Don’t sneak up on us like that” I chastised her harshly, angry at my own obvious fear. Eden smirked in reply and waited for my answer. “Nanny thought it’d be a good idea for you to have lunch here” I informed her trying to sound as innocent as possible.

“I can’t go back in there” She whispered staring wide-eyed at the school. I felt my heart thump guiltily, I had thought it physically impossible to convey vulnerability on her face but there it was, etched deep into those damn eyes. Thankfully, I didn’t have to dwell on it too long as it was quickly replaced by a raging fire of fury “You did this!” she growled taking a menacing step towards me. I had to mentally force myself not to flinch.

“We’re publicly a couple now remember? Time to play the part you so desperately wanted” I replied trying to sound cold but I sounded apologetic instead. Curse the manners my mother drilled into me. She glared at me a moment longer before sighing

“Fine” she snapped but she fiddled her fingers nervously. I groaned loudly feeling like the lowest scum of the earth even though my head was telling me she deserved it.

“Don’t worry” I muttered, marching into the school, “Sonny and I will make sure you blend right in” I pulled open the cafeteria door and ushered her in. The nerves went into overdrive for the three of us for different reason as we surveyed the bustling commotion that was lunch. I felt pride and envy surge through me simultaneously as Eden squared her shoulders like a true trooper, pushing her fear aside. Without a word to either of us she strode towards the counter, confidence oozing from her despite people openly gaping. Eden never and I mean never had set foot in this room even when we were all doing orientation back in year 8. She slid into the front of the bulging line of ravenous students without even acknowledging them and spoke quietly to the tuck-shop lady before sliding something across the counter.