Coyotes and Wolves, Milo Manheim Original Story

Nothing Else Matters

The next day went on as usual. The intensity lightened up a bit. It was actually sunny outside for a change, which was helping everyone's moods. Estella came to the lunch room, and waited for Milo, as per usual.

She was checking her phone when someone caught her eye.

"Peli!" Eric quipped.

"Oh. Hey, Eric." Greeted Estella reluctantly, as she looked around for Milo.

"Conforming to stereotypes?" He asked, presumptuously.

"Excuse me?" She demanded, confused and mildly offended.

"I'm kidding. Sorry, Estella. It's just you look, very status quo today." Eric chuckled. "Very trophy girlfriend."

"I didn't ask your opinion, Eric." She drawled, in a bored tone.

"I know, but you're getting it anyway." He countered. "You look nice." He added in a friendly tone.

"Um...thanks..." She replied, in a low timid voice.

"Can I introduce you to some people?" Eric asked abruptly.

Estella froze, and searched his face. She hadn't been expecting this question.

"Um, I'm actually waiting for someone." She deflected. "Anyway, I'm not really someone that gets introduced to other people. I'm the one they get warned about."

Eric chuckled at her emo description,
"You're really not as scary as you think you are."

"I can promise you--your opinion on that, will change." She quipped, darkly.

"Oh, c'mon. It'll only take a second." Eric assured her. "Don't worry, Milo's a big boy. He can wait."

She sighed and sent him a disapproving glare, but decided it was probably safe to go into the Cafeteria, Milo would find her when he got there.

"Alright." She agreed, begrudgingly.

They walked into the Cafeteria. Estella had been receiving some stares since Milo's crude declaration yesterday. But, they weren't nasty. They mostly looked sad, like they pittied her. It also didn't help that Chrissy's cancelling of Milo had spread. Estella lowered her brow at the other students and avoided them. Eric led her to a table with three other students. Two girls and guy. They looked like artsy types. The girls each had Bohemian headbands and braids throughout their hair, wearing flowery dresses and sweaters. The other guy's clothes were sort of eclectic, his shirt had an interesting pattern and was paired with black skinny jeans.

"Hey. This is Estella." Eric introduced, in a chipper tone, "And these are Andrea, Kat, and Quentin."

Estella waved, awkwardly.

"So, Estella here...has a really good singing voice." Eric revealed.

"No! I...I don't...he's obviously suffered a head injury." Estella denied.

She learned over and whispered,
"Dude!" Scolding him.

"Don't listen to her, she's really, really good. And I thought she could meet you guys and see if she wants to be our fifth." Proposed Eric.

Quentin looked at her, questioningly. Andrea seemed interested and smiled, and Kat was listening intently but with a more stoic expression.

"Fifth?" Asked Estella. "Fifth what?"

"We're in a band. I've been doing most of the singing, but we need a front man or woman. And you're amazing. Any interest?" Eric offered.

Estella missed singing and music, but she wasn't comfortable in front of people like that anymore. Maybe she could try. But, she was worried about her panic attacks.