The Division

39

I sat at Tristan's table on Thursday with my burger, juice and watermelon slice grimacing at the meal in front of me. The lunch ladies hadn't been very creative with their dishes since Ms. Marge's death but, I suppose that's a good thing. I rather eat cold and spongy burger meat instead of the human remains she used to feed us. I felt some bile rise up in my throat at the gruesome memory. I'm so happy I never ate it.

"You look a little pale." Tristan observed taking a small bite out of his watermelon. A seed plopped into his blue plastic plate and, I stared at it blankly.

"Oh, erm. I'm fine." I assured him. "Just thinking." I stabbed a hole into my juice box. I wonder why they give growing teens these tiny things.

Tristan leaned back in his chair, pushing the rest of his meal away, "Ready for our date soon?" He asked with a smirk and dark eyes, crossing his arms in front of his chest. It was then, I noticed a small silver ring on his index finger and, a tiny skull tattoo on his wrist. 'Metal death' was written under it in a strange font.

He noticed me staring and, suddenly, a blush coated his cheeks as he placed his arms down, "Don't mind that." He gave a nervous chuckle, "I had a phase in the eighth grade."

"Same." I shook my head having a little foggy nostalgic moment. After the accident, most of my memories became fogged up, like looking through a blurry glass . "Where are we going for the date anyway?" I changed the subject.

"It's a surprise." Tristan smiled, "Don't expect too much though. I am quite broke."

I smiled again but, not at Tristan's joke. I felt happy for the first time in months because something new was happening to me! Something exciting! I had never ever gone on a date before, not even a playdate. All the boys at my old school avoided me like the plague and, treated me like trash. I was happy someone had finally offered the opportunity, even if I didn't really like them. Recently, I haven't been feeling any emotions similar to love. Even my feelings for Michael have started fading away.

Arielle noticed my good mood in the afternoon after school at the lockers and, asked me about it.

"Oh, I'm going on a date." I told her proudly like it was the most fantastic thing in the world. I slammed my locker shut, ignoring the books that probably fell from the impact. That would be my problem on Monday, after my date with Tristan.

Arielle smiled raising one of her eyebrows, "Really? With who?" She queried.

"Tristan Jackson." I blurted.

Arielle stayed silent for a while staring at the floor, I followed her gaze, wondering if she was looking at something important other than the school's tiled floor.

"Hm." She went back to normal, smiling at me like she usually does and, tilting her head. "You like him?"

I shrugged, putting on my backpack, "I-I don't know...yet."

"Well," Arielle paused, "Good luck. Is it the first date you are going on?"

I nodded slowly, a little embarrassed since most kids my age have gone on several dates. Arielle has boys lining up just for her but, for some reason she ignores all their advances. Personally, I think a pretty girl like her should take advantage of her blessings. You never know when they'll run out.

"Tristan Jackson.." Muttered Arielle lightly under her breath, tapping her chin at the same time. She snapped back to me abruptly, frightening me a little. "Well, Gwen, I need to go. See you around and, enjoy your date." Arielle waved goodbye and turned on her heels walking off with a certain elegance I envy. Very different from my awkward stagger.

I left the school, taking a small shortcut home, whistling all the way there with my head down. The crunch of fallen and dried up leaves put me in an even better mood and, the trees swayed from side to side, Narviven's cold breeze guiding them. I made sure I stepped on every dead leaf I could see delighted when they made their unique and, satisfying sound. I was zoned out until I bumped into the last person I wanted to see on my way home.