This Could Be Us

Chapter Two - Birthday Surprises

The first day of school is always the easiest and most laid back, except when you're a senior honor student. While everyone else has syllabus days, we get the syllabus to read later and begin the first lesson of the year.

I know what you're thinking, if I am an honor student then how does Carter have the same schedule as me? Well turns out he was an honor student at his previous school. He had to introduce himself to our Calculus class at the beginning of the period, and he told all about what he was involved in at his old school. He even shared with us his goal of attending college to become a lawyer. 

Carter made me feel some sort of way, but I wasn't sure what exactly it was. All I knew is that I was rather intrigued by him.

"How's the food here? I am starving!" Carter leaned over and whispered to me. 

"Oh we have the best food! Lobster, escargot, steak, you name it!" I answered sarcastically.

He looked at me with the most shocked expression, clearly not catching my sarcasm.

"I'm joking. The food is mediocre at best." I laughed.

"Ding ding" the bell rang, signalling lunch.

"Hey! Don't joke about food! It's an incredibly serious matter!" He scolded. I couldn't help but laugh and roll my eyes at him.

We dropped our books off at our lockers and made our way towards the lunchroom. As we drew nearer to the cafeteria, the roar of conversations grew louder and louder.

"Quite the noisy lunchroom, huh?" Carter commented. I just nodded and pulled him towards the food line.

We almost made it when I heard someone call my name. I turned around to see Zach walking towards us. I wanted so badly to pretend that he didn't actually mean to call my name, but before I knew it he was at my side.

"Hey!" He smiled.

"Uh.... hi?" I said awkwardly.

Zach didn't say anything in response though. He just stood there, staring.

"Do you have something else you have to say or...?" I inquired, giving him a confused look.

"Oh.. uh.. no. I just wanted to say hey." He replied hesitantly and then quickly walked away.

I watched as he continued walking to the other corner of the cafeteria and joined the football team and a few of the cheerleaders.

"Well that was.. odd." Carter laughed. "Who was that?"

"Nobody important." I said curtly.

"Seems like you two have had your differences." He said sounding rather concerned.

You have no idea, I thought to myself.

"Weren't you guys like the best of friends until he started dating that cheerleader, Kate?" a voice, behind Carter, chimed in. 

I turned around to see a young girl, whom I guessed to be a freshman, of the Asian descent. I looked at her in disbelief. How could she possibly know this when she was just now starting high school?

"I'm sorry, you are?" I asked shortly.

"Anna Finger. I'm a freshmen this year." She replied with a smile. "You should probably move forward. The lunch lady is waiting for you."

We moved forward through the lunch line and sat down at an empty table nearby. Of course, Anna brought it upon herself to follow us and then join us at our table.

"Oh please, sit down, and join us." Carter spoke sarcastically to Anna.

"Oh don't worry, I will." Anna smirked.