Everything Starts

CH: 4, The LOCK-IN

Tray in hand, I made my way through the dining hall line. I made it through and grabbed my choice of drink which was strawberry milk that day. I glanced around the cafeteria looking for a seat when I noticed my old friends waving me down. I thought for a moment and cautiously started walking toward them.

"Hey Alora, why don't you sit with us?" asked Zena.

They all looked the same as I remembered just older. Especially Zena. She hadn't changed a bit. She had new glasses and must've cut her hair but she was the same. She was finally an inch or two taller than I was. We used to 'argue' about who would end up taller. She won that one. Her complexion seemed darker but that could've just been the lighting. She still had an olive undertone just like when we were kids. You could still see the one-inch scar she had on her cheek from when she was four and a dog bit at her. I was close with all of them but Z was my best friend.

The rest of the group nodded along with Zena.

"Yeah, okay," I replied, setting my tray down on the table.

"So how have you been?" Willa asked, smiling.

"I've been good."

"Well, that's cool. What's been going on?" asked Fay.

"Yeah, has anything interesting been happening?" George added.

"Well my mom got married, but other than that not that many major events have happened."

"Well that's good," the group replied.

"So where have you been living?" asked Wesley.

"New York City."

"That's cool. The big apple."

"Yeah, I guess."

A few awkward moments passed as I tried to think of things I could ask them, but all I could think about was how much I didn't want to get dragged back down with them.

Finally, Ethan spoke up, "So do you have a boyfriend or anything like that?"

This question earned an elbow to the side from Wesley to Ethan.

"What? Was I not supposed to be curious? We haven't seen her in almost four years."

I awkwardly laughed to myself. "Actually yes I have." Wesley looked up and I met his eyes. "But we broke up right before I left New York."

"Well, that's... I'm sorry," Zena reapplied. "How long were you guys together?"

"A little over a year and a half."

There was a wow that came from Wesley after I answered that question. There were a few painfully silent minutes before the bell rang signaling lunch was over.

"Well, I should get going. Wouldn't want to be late for history," I said standing up.

As I started to walk away, tray in hand, Wesley grabbed my wrist. "Hey. It's been nice seeing you again," he said and gave me a small smile, one I tried so hard not to return.

I finally said, "Yeah," and walked away.

I made my way to history thinking about everything that just happened. Why of all things would I just reply with yeah, I thought. I finally found my way to history just in time for the professor to start his announcements for the day. As he started the first-day attendance I heard the names I hoped I would not have to hear.

"Zena Grey... not here, okay Willa Morebrooke... not here either, Fay Vespertine..., George Walker..., Wesley Whitlock..., Ethan Barlow... okay then. Moving on-" said the wrinkled short elderly man.