Darkstar

Chapter Three: Lunchroom

Alex stepped into the lunchroom, scanning the sea of tables when he caught sight of Ashley waving him over to her table. She was surrounded by her group of popular friends, with Zack sitting beside her. His heart pounded in his chest as he slowly made his way towards them, his mind racing with nerves. He knew this would be awkward. Talking with them felt like stepping into unfamiliar territory, and small talk was never his strong suit.

As Alex approached, Zack gave him a smirk and said, "Hey Alex, surprised you didn't get lost on the way over." He followed the comment with a laugh, making it clear he was teasing.

Ashley rolled her eyes at Zack and quickly spoke up. "Zack, leave Alex alone."

Alex chuckled softly, more out of habit than humor, and waved off the comment. "It's fine," he said, smiling awkwardly. "I know he's just messing with me."

He took a seat, his body tense with uncertainty, trying not to look too out of place. The conversation around the table quickly resumed, the group buzzing about some party at Ashley's parents' house coming up on Friday night.

Ashley turned to Alex, her smile disarming him. "You should come," she said, her voice light and inviting.

Alex's throat went dry. He had not expected to be invited. "Uh, maybe," he stammered, "I'd have to see if my grandparents don't need me on the farm that night." The idea of going to the party made his nerves flare up even more.

Ashley smiled again and nodded understandingly before turning back to her friends as they continued to chat about the party details. The words faded into background noise for Alex as his eyes drifted toward Ashley, her laughter filling the air. Lost in her beauty, his thoughts began to wander, and before he realized it, he was daydreaming about what it would be like to spend more time with her.

Ashley turned back toward Alex, catching his eye. "Hey," she said softly, leaning in a little closer, her expression sincere. "Let me know if you can make it to the party Friday night, okay? I'd really like it if you came."

Her words hit him like a jolt, and for a moment, Alex was too stunned to respond. She *wanted* him to be there? That was the last thing he expected. He managed a small nod, trying to keep his cool. "Yeah, I'll let you know," he replied, his voice a bit shaky.

Ashley smiled warmly before turning back to her conversation, leaving Alex sitting there with his heart racing and his thoughts spinning.

Alex's mind drifted back to when things were simpler before high school changed everything. He and Ashley used to spend entire summer days together, running through the tall grass in his family's fields. They would chase each other until they were breathless, laughing and tumbling into the soft earth. His favorite memories, though, were the nights—when the sun set and the lightning bugs appeared, glowing like tiny stars scattered across the field.

They would run around in the fading light, trying to catch the bugs in their hands, their laughter echoing into the warm night air. Sometimes, when the fireflies danced around them, they would just lie on the grass, staring up at the sky, talking about everything and nothing.

Those moments with her felt like magic. Even now, years later, they were his most cherished memories. Back then, being around Ashley felt effortless, natural. He wondered if she remembered those times as fondly as he did.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Alex looked across the table at her. She seemed so different now—confident, surrounded by her friends—but there was still something familiar about her, something that reminded him of those summer nights. He could not help but smile to himself, lost in the nostalgia.