We Are Monsters

Chapter 3: Let There Be Lunch!

    Mia picked up a tray from the stack. Lunch today was vegetarian, much to her chagrin. She had no problems eating herbivorous foods, but they left her hungry. The only real upside to todays lunch was Aaron, a smile on her face at the thought of him. She continued through the lunch line, picking up an Apple, a plate of 'chik'n' nuggets, and two waters, passing on all options of veggies and sweets. She paid for her food with the cash Anna gave her, despite repeatedly insisting Mia bring a lunch in case of meal offerings like today's.

     She spun around, tray in hand, and began looking around the cafeteria to spot Aaron. She had never sat apart from Josh before, Tina says they are inseparable. Her nerves begin flaring up, tingles from within her stomach spread like ants throughout her body. She starts feeling a bit queasy, she looks down at her tray to find it trembling in her hands.

"Hey" a voice says. The voice is bright, and has a familiar ring in her ears. She turns her head to find Aaron, wearing brand name jeans and a black T-shirt with a band logo, which she had never heard of. He's standing on her left side, his hand steadying her tray. "You looked a little lost" he says with a smirk "I'm sitting over by the vending machines" he points with his whole arm stretched. "Let me show you" he gestures a 'follow me' with his hand, takes the tray from her shaking hands, then begins walking towards the vending machines. Mia follows his lead, nerves cooled, excitement and thrill taking their place.

She sits down on his right side, where her tray had been placed. Sitting next to each other meant they did not have to speak loudly. The cafeteria was quite loud, but it never bothered her. She unscrewed the lid of her water and began drinking, feeling the cool relief of refreshment fill her body. Before long she had emptied the miniature bottle of liquid, 'I should've gotten three' she thinks to herself.

"I have to be honest" he starts after a few moments of awkward silence, she looks up from her red tray to his rich brown face. "I kinda dreamed about this for like 3 years" he lets out a small laugh, avoiding eye contact. "you've gotta tell me, is this all one big fantasy in my head?" he smiles with his ivory teeth on display.

"Real as rain" she's not looking at his eyes, but his gorgeous smile. "You really wanted to talk to me for that long?" She can't help but smile back. She feels her cheeks heat up from blushing.

"Really have" he replies cheerfully, then takes a bite of his macaroni and cheese. He covers his mouth with his hand before adding "and I think the saying is 'right' as rain, not 'real' as rain" he swallows and lowers his hand, giving her another look at his shining smile.

"Whatever" she says playfully swatting her hand, "so why didn't you ever say anything to me?" She asks, puzzled expression spreading to her features.

"I thought I'd never have a shot in space of actually hanging with you"

"Seriously? I never thought I had a shot with you. We are from like, two different worlds" she replies loudly, unable to hide the genuine shock from her voice.

"Kinda" he looks into her deep brown eyes, admiration adorned within his gaze. He chuckles awkwardly, "Lets just get right to it, what kinda shows or movies do you like?"

"Crime shows, romance or Sci-Fi movies. 'Criminal Minds' and 'Psych' are my favorite shows, and I have too many favorite movies. It'd take all of lunch to list them" she takes a bite of her apple. "You?"

"Anything with space, though 'Criminal Minds' is a great show. In terms of movies I like anything with superheroes, and of course Sci-Fi." He lets out a small laugh.

"Okay my turn to ask" she says with giddy. "Favorite food?"

"Chocolate, and weirdly tuna has always been a food of choice for me. Not the canned kind though, oven cooked or on sushi all the way." He chuckles.

"It's not weird, I love fish. I also like steak, and ribs, and bacon, and chicken. I'm a carnivore at heart, what can I say." She says jokingly despite the truth in the comment.

"Wow, you sure are. Favorite bands or artists?"

"I don't listen to a lot of music, mostly I know classical, classic hits and stuff Josh played during his music phase. I like Mozart, The Police, Frank Sinatra, a mix of kinda boring and stuff you just can't hate." He begins to say something, but she intercepts his response "let me guess, one of your favorite bands is The Plain White T's."

He looks down at his shirt, "how'd you guess" his smile widens.

"I'm just a really good guesser." She snorts a laugh, which he finds charming. "What else besides the obvious?" She gestures to his shirt.

"Train, Beastie Boys, TLC, Jay-Z, Maroon 5, Nelly. I like a little bit of everything 90's and 00's." His face is glowing with joy.

"Yeah I definitely recognize some of those names" her smile sweet and large, eyes brimming with glee. "Do you have any hobbies?"

"Astronomy mostly. I like music, listening not playing, and I play soccer for a county team for teens and young adults."

"In terms of sports I like swimming. I enjoy watching movies, eating. Wait, eating's a hobby right? Either way it's one of my favorite things to do."

He laughs "who doesn't?" He adds. "Have any siblings?"

The expression on her face grows somber "yeah" she starts, "older than me, but he lives in Tampa, I haven't seen him in years. He moved there after our parents died..... oh my gosh, that was a real downer on the conversation, sorry about that." An apologetic smile exemplifying her perfect teeth.

"No worries, life happens. I'm sorry to hear about your parents, I had no idea." He says sincerely.

"Thanks, it was a long time ago." There's a pause. "Do you have any siblings?" She asks.

"I have a little sister, cute as can be. Curious beyond her best interest." She could tell by his eyes how much he cared for his sister.

"I'm sure you're a great older brother" she touches his shoulder, he smiles.

"How do you feel about bowling?" He asks with wide eyes and wider smile.