Moonstruck

Chapter Three

*Liana*

"A couple more classes to go," I said in relief as I dropped into the empty seat next to Hanna. I was grateful to have someone to eat lunch with. I usually didn't mind eating by myself but I really liked Hanna and hadn't realized how nice it was to have a friend.

"Has today been bad?" Hanna asked with sympathy.

"No, not really. Just overwhelming," I said as I opened my can of diet soda.

"Unbelievable," Hanna gasped.

"What?"

"He's staring at you again!" Hanna whispered.

"Who?" I turned my head and locked eyes with none other than Zev Hunter. Once again, it felt like the breath had been punched out of me. I quickly turned back around and stared at my lunch. "Why does he do that?" I muttered. "In English he -"

"He what?" Hanna asked excitedly.

"Some guy was being a jerk, expecting me to want to go out with him and Zev sat next to me and got rid of him," I said, flushing as I remembered him coming to my defense. Why had he done that? He didn't even know me.

"Who was the guy?" Hanna asked eagerly.

"Um, Tripp something." I answered.

Hanna laughed. "Tripp Hodges? Yeah, he is a major jerk. Has been since first grade. Good for Zev!"

I shook my head. "But why would he even bother to help me?"

"Uh, maybe he likes you?" Hanna guessed with a grin.

"He doesn't know me," I shrugged, taking a bite of my salad. "And you said he doesn't usually interact with anyone not in his clique." I reminded her.

"True," Hanna said, her eyes still staring at Zev's table. "Oooh, Priscilla Palma does not look happy that Zev keeps looking over here. She's always hanging all over him but he never looks interested in her."

"Aw, Hanna and the new girl think they have a chance with the hottest guys in school," Two girls had stopped by our table and the blonde was smirking at us.

I recognized them as the co-captain's of the cheerleading squad Hanna had pointed out earlier. They had been prancing around the hallway, trying to get the guys attention.

"We do not," Hanna snapped. "Go away, Monica."

Monica rolled her eyes. "You're always staring at them...those guys would never be interested in you." Her friend laughed.

"I'm always staring at them?" Hanna asked incredulously.

"Aren't you one of the girls who was batting her eyes and posing, trying to get their attention this morning?" I asked innocently.

Monica scowled. "Who asked you? You're a nobody and you're going to stay that way, if I have anything to say about it."

I sighed. Mean girls. They were at every high school. And junior high and elementary school. Ugh. Good thing I didn't care about being popular. Having even just one good friend was all I wanted. I turned back to Hanna. "So, what were we talking about before we were rudely interrupted?" I asked loudly.

Hanna chuckled as Monica and her friend stomped off. "Well, now you've done it. If you had any desire to be on the cheerleading squad, you just ruined your chance."

I snickered. "Me...a cheerleader? I'm lucky if I can get walk without falling over at least once a day."

"Clumsy, huh?"

"A total klutz," I confirmed. My smile faded. "I didn't make things bad for you, did I?"

"Nope, I can't stand those girls," Hanna said cheerfully. "They can hate on me all they want."