Atlas

2 - The Field

"This is the field. At lunch the students usually either hang out in the cafeteria or on the field, but not many like going to the field," I explain as we walk.

"Is that why you like it out here? Because there's less people?" They don't shift their gaze as they ask me, a curious gleam in their eyes.

"I suppose so. It's a lot quieter, and I've noticed people get picked on more often in the cafeteria than anywhere else, so I just thought to save myself the trouble." I keep walking as I talk to her. As I've noticed in this past hour, talking seems to come easier to me with them. I guess it must be because she's a lot nicer than the rest of the class, and she's actually interested in me and what I have to say. She listens while I talk or after she asks me a question. I can't lie, it's nice having someone to talk to. Even if it's just for the tour, I like being able to finally have a civil conversation with someone, unlike with Elin and her friends. Nothing about our interactions could ever be considered civil.

"Right, so I'm going to assume you're brain dead or brain dying because you've completely stopped responding," I suddenly hear Alex say as she walks in front of me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Oh, shit. Sorry. Forgot you were here for a second." I stop walking and rub the back of my neck awkwardly with a small laugh. "Got stuck in my own headspace for a moment."

"Thank god you're finally awake. So, where is this spot you like going to? All I see up ahead is a tree." Alex points towards the large tree. It's the biggest tree in the school, and my safe haven.

"That is the spot I like going to," I explain. "Have you not seen any teen movies? There's almost always a tree." I shrug, and wait a second before adding, "emphasis on almost."

She laughs at my remark and I smile, glad the joke hit.

"Other than the obvious reason that it were to be absolutely iconic if we were in a movie, the tree gives pretty good shade and it's easier to read or be on your phone. It's especially good in the hot Summers when you don't have air conditioning like in the cafeteria," I say, adding more information to my previous reply, as we start walking towards the tree again.

"Well, I think that's a brilliant idea. It's super hot today and I've been dying of heat so this is actually helpful!" She smiles cheerily at me. Once we reach the tree, I sit down and lean my back on it as I pat the grass next to me, inviting Alex to sit down.

"So, what've you got for lunch today?" I ask curiously, taking my own lunch out of my bag.

"I hate sandwiches so I've got an apple, some sour cream and chives chips and," she drags out the 'a' in and, then stops talking for some dramatic flair as she pulls her lunch out. "Tada! Homemade pastry!" In her hand, Alex is holding a beautiful homemade slice of pastry. It's around the size and shape of a croissant, it looks super flaky, like it was the goldielocks of the batch, and seems to be filled with raspberry or similar filling. Just the sight of it is almost enough to make a hungry man froth at the mouth.

"Holy shit, Alex, that looks amazing! Did you make it yourself?" I question in awe.

"Yup! I've been baking since I was little. I've always loved it, and baking pastry is a new phase I'm going through," They laugh as they explain, and what'd you know, I have three nickels.

A/N: EEE this one is so much shorter, but I wasn't really sure how to dialogue heh. Anyways, wrote this at like, 2 this morning YIPPEEE.