A Loser's Guide to be Noticeable

26: Opportunities Will Come to You Eventually

At lunch, as I walked toward our table where Jake and Robert already sat, holding my tray with my pizza and burger and soda, someone called me. When I looked at where that came from, TJ, one of the members of Prhyme -- who talked and smiled a lot -- waved at me.

Not knowing the reason, I walked to their table. All the Prhyme band members were there together with the other girl who also won the spot named... Well, I forgot about her name. She doesn't talk. I wonder what grade she was in, I've never seen or noticed her until she was announced before me.

TJ beamed so brightly that I squinted my eyes. "Hey, Jaeden. Sit here." He tapped the space beside him.

"Why?" My face may have looked weird because TJ and the other two guys chuckled.

"Because we need to get to know each other well," the other guy who I also forgot the name of, who looked like Indian or something, said.

I glanced at our table. Jake and Robert were staring at me. Expectant. Then I tried to find someone or something. I wasn't sure who or what it was. At first, it went to Stacey, but she was talking and laughing to one of her friends. And I knew it was not her I was trying to find. That was when my gaze settled on Felix. He looked at me. There was still annoyance in his eyes, but he nodded at TJ's table. It was enough reassurance I needed before I sat at TJ's table.

At first, it was awkward -- or maybe I was the only one who felt awkward -- but TJ kept asking questions and the other two tried to include us. I learned their names, Rasheed and Levi, and the girl was Rio, who was a sophomore like me. And when she talked, the words she uttered could only count on one hand. But she was pretty in a weird way, like if goth and colors had a child, it was her.

I glanced at Jake and Robert a couple of times. They gave me a questioning look, but I ignored it.

The bell, indicating the end of the day, rang. As I walked through the hallways toward my locker filled with people wanting to go home or to their club rooms, Jake and Robert were leaning on the wall as they stared at every girl passed, a smirk was on their faces, which returned by a disgusted look by the girls. Then a skinny boy, who looked like he just hatch from middle school, passed near them. Robert put his foot, tripping the kid. The kid stumbled and almost went face-first on the floor. Jake and Robert laughed, as well as some students seeing the action. The kid recovered, bowed his head, and walked fast. By then, I was beside them.

"Hey, man." I nodded at them.

They replied with a nod as well.

"Why didn't you eat with us and instead sit with the weirdos?" Jake asked. We always called guys in the band weirdos.

"I was in the band now, with them." I tried to sound nonchalant. I hoped I did it right.

"But we're still friends, right?" When Jake realized what he said, he quickly added, "I mean. We won't care if we weren't, just to confirm if we're not anymore, you know."

"Of course, we're still friends," I said, but my heart was only half-convinced. Jake and Robert were always good at me, they may be little bastards, but they were not always bad. In middle school, when Felix and I broke our friendship, they adopted me and became a trio. Although now, I wasn't sure.

They grin. Robert clapped my shoulder. "It's fine to be weirdo sometimes, man."

Jake did his annoying snort-laugh. "Weirdo -- ow! Shit, man!" he glared at me when I punched his arm again. "But those weirdos on the band were famous. Don't forget us if you'll get famous too, huh."

I smiled. "Fuck you."

"There's a party, Friday night. Are you coming with us?" Robert said to me.

"I'll try."