Left Behind (Completed) *editing*

Chapter Seventeen

I walked through my crowded school lunchroom with my tray of food, making my way to the lonely table I sat at. I used to sit here with Colin, Mark, Riley, Kelly and her friend Sam. As my Junior year progressed, the table became more and more vacant. First Kelly and Sam sat with some of their other friends. Of course, Mark was the next to go but Colin stayed out of loyalty to me until now. After I broke up with Riley, he had moved on to sit with the football team where he probably belonged. Since Colin and I weren't speaking, I was entirely alone yesterday and today would be no exception.

I knew plenty of people at school. The problem was that the girls didn't like me and the guys tried to sleep with me. I was persistent on remaining true to Dylan so in order to stay out of trouble, it was best that I sat alone. I bit into my buffalo chicken wrap as my eyes located Colin. He strutted by without even so much of a glance in my direction. His arm was around Lauren which I couldn't help but laugh at. Weeks ago he had wanted nothing to do with her and now they roamed around the lunchroom like they were dating. Maybe they were dating, I realized that there was a chance. I followed them, feeling bitter as Colin kissed her forehead and they took a seat at a table with her friends.

I reverted my attention to my food. I didn't want any of the catty girls she hung out with to think I was watching them or even worst, jealous. They were nothing and didn't deserve my attention. I grabbed my bottle of water from the red plastic tray, chugging the water down. I was so thirsty all day. We weren't allowed to have anything to drink in class but I needed water or I felt dizzy. I assumed it was from being pregnant. I unconsciously found my eyes moving to Lauren and Colin, catching the group just as Mark joined their table and flirted with one of Lauren's friends shamelessly.

I heard the sound of a tray hitting the table across from me and I spun to see Kelly sitting down. I saw Sam lingering not far behind her, talking to

a boy that was in my art class.

"Hi," Kelly said, looking around the lunch room. "Mind if I sit here?" My brows furrowed as I shook my head. I appreciated the companionship. Nothing could be more awkward than sitting alone during lunch period. "I saw you sitting by yourself yesterday. What happened to Colin?"

"I don't know," I lied, forcing a smile as I shrugged to feign cluelessness. Sam reached our table and sat next to Kelly. Her face distorted in disgust as she looked at me. I knew she didn't like me but I couldn't bother to determine why. Riley passed by my table, waving to us. Kelly eagerly waved back to him and I simply gave him a nod.

"You don't have to sit with me," I sighed. I watched Sam's head snap towards Kelly. Sam flipped her black hair over her shoulder, seeming to wait for Kelly to agree to leave with her.

"You heard her. Come on," she said, shooting me a nasty stare that sent shivers down my back.

"I'm staying," Kelly insisted sharply. Sam rolled her eyes and left, taking her tray with her.

"You can go with your friend," I muttered. I took a bite of my wrap.

"What happened to you, Valerie?" Kelly asked.

"I don't know what you mean?" I asked, digging for clarification as I sipped my water.

"You're not yourself," Kelly noted, biting into a slice of pizza. Kelly and I had made things right between us. She even seemed to accept that I briefly dated Riley, I guess. It made me surprised that she was sitting here with me. My trust for her wasn't entirely restored and I felt the need to be careful with what I said to her.

"I'm just going through a lot. It's a lot to explain," I said, pushing my red hair from my face.

"That's a pretty ring. Where did it come from?" Kelly asked me.