Where to go? Who to trust?

Chapter 4: Normal Abnormalities

There were students walking in, and out of classrooms, the cafeteria kitchen was running in full swing to fill the void of hunger left by from A Levels, and every table in the courtyard had students trying to fit themselves on it. It was relatively crowded compared to the past few days. However, it was the sort of chaos that Ethan described as being "peaceful". Ethan, Melissa, Rosaline, Kashaf, Hayley, and Jace were all seated in the corner of the football field, when Merrick walked in with a friend of his.

"Hey guys, make some room. By the way, this is my friend Jennifer." Jennifer was looking around herself, as a criminal looks for an escape. She had red hair, tied into a ponytail.

Everyone said hello to her. She replied back in a brooding tone, and still stood next to Merrick. However, her eyes had now shifted towards Ethan. She was observing him closely, watching his actions. She watched as he took a swig from his coffee bottle with his left hand, while he held a copy of "The Perks Of Being A Wallflower" in the other. She came, and sat down right next to him. Merrick glared at her oddly, but ultimately dismissed it, and sat next to Jace, talking about the trivialities of the day.

"So, you're a friend of Merrick's, hm?" Jennifer enquired while resting her head on her hand.

Ethan looked over at her, closing his book, and straightening his back. Her lips parted a little, and she watched his eyes closely as he spoke. "Well, I guess yeah, I'd call him a friend. I met all these guys not a month ago. But, I wouldn't replace them with anyone."

"Why do you have to be so sentimental like that? I'm like ninety percent sure that none of them actually care about you as a person. I mean, just think, you met them not too long ago, right? They've all been friends for long, and they will probably not be on your side if you have a fight with one of them." Ethan slightly recoiled at how sharp her sentences were, one after the other. Maybe this was why she had the sword earring.

"Well, no. I guess maybe I'm not that cynical, or distrusting of people. I mean, yeah, perhaps I just met these people a month ago, but I wouldn't trade them in for other people." Jennifer smirked, and narrowed her eyes, as she touched Ethan's shoulder, bringing a hand forward. Her blue eyes, rare for a Pakistani, pierced right through Ethan's.

"What's your name, honey?"

Ethan's body was jittery. He started sweating, and made weak efforts to calm his involuntary fidgeting.

"Uhm, ahem. I'm E-Ethan." His voice was shaky, and his face was reddening, evidently not from the sun, as he shook her hand.

"You can call me Jen if you want, I'd prefer that though." She giggled audibly, and walked away, meeting up with what looked like her friends.

Ethan kept looking, even though she had left his side. He kept staring, and his eyes were fixated upon her. She had met the group, sat next to him holding a five minute conversation, and left. Even in such a short interaction, he was enamored by her. Merrick looked over at him with concern, and came, and sat next to him.

"Soo, you met Jennifer?"

"Uh, y-yeah." Ethan looked at Merrick, then to his book.

"And are you considering what I think you're considering?" Merrick raised an eyebrow as he asked him

"I-I'm not-I don't-"

"Yeah, you definitely aren't. You want to know something about her?"

"Meaning, what?" Ethan enquired curiously.

"She used to sleep with a friend of mine."

"Wait what!?" Ethan was taken aback by what Merrick had just revealed to him, literally. The concept of having a partner, of any kind was so vague to him that he was appalled by what he found out.