Aestivation

the midrib

Lunch time

At school
We were walking to the

Display counter

"You buying donuts again?" Jackson asks
"I thought you wanted lasagna"
Holding his tray of food

"I did, but I didn't have enough money for it, so I bought donuts"
I answered

"That is NOT healthy"
He says chuckling
"Shut up, I'm only indulging myself once"
"And besides, they're really delicious"
"Here have some"
I hand one to him
And he takes a bite

"Mmm"
He savors it
"It does taste pretty good"
"Still, you shouldn't be eating this as lunch"

"OK dad"

"So. . Where do we sit?"
I ask him
Looking around the cafeteria

We find an empty table
Off to the side

And we start to eat

Although I had been eager for lunch the whole morning
I've lost my appetite

Unlike Jackson
Who takes in large spoonfuls every few minutes

He looks at me
He sees the unopened bag of donuts

"Why aren't you eating yet?"

"I just lost my appetite"

"You still need to eat"

"I know, I'll eat this later don't worry"

"You have to-"
He wanted to say something to me
But before his interjection
He was interrupted

By a guy
More like a group of them
Wearing the most expensive clothes that I've ever seen

Cheering out
They walk towards Jackson
And they start talking
Greeting him in a familiar manner

And Jackson gives his own greeting
The guys shaking his hand
Returning their enthusiasm

"Hey you should join us for practice" one saud
"Yeah" another agreed
"We wanna show the freshmen how real pros do it"
The one front and center says, looking expectantly at Jackson

"Yeah, I'd love to do that, but we're still kinda having our lunch here"
Jackson politely declines

"Come on dude, you're already done eating anyways"

"I am but he's not"
Jackson looks at me

And I say
"I've got a few books I need to return to library, and I'm not eating my food now anyways"
"So he's all yours"
I gesture to Jackson with a wink

And they cheer
While Jackson looks at me with a look of betrayal
And sorrow
"You traitor" he mouths to me

And we both laugh

He walks to me and asks me in a lowered voice

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, it's not like I'm a baby, I can handle myself just fine"

He sighs
And says
"Alright, but I won't be gone for too long, just wait for me alright?"

As he walks away with them

Leaving me alone

I pick up my bag and lunch
And head for class

I hear their distant laughter as they make their way to the other side of the cafeteria