THE RED LUNA

CHAPTER-4

The week went by rather quickly and  before I knew it it's Friday morning. To be honest I am relieved. It wasn't a bad week or anything, I mean I made a friend. Even though she's the only one since no one bothers to talk to the new girl. Not even for group assignments which is uncomfortable. Am I that boring?

Well Jess doesn't seem to think so. We have lunch together everyday now but we always eat at the library to avoid Elane. It's a routine. We go to the library and find ourselves a spot, then she gives me her lunch money and places her order, then I go to the cafeteria and buy us both our lunch, then I take it back to her and we eat together. She might seem reserved and boring but once you get to know her she's a very warm, funny, bright and nice person to be around. I guess having one friend isn't too bad but I still don't trust her. It has nothing to do with her but I've drawn a line that should never been crossed. She noticed and doesn't ask me any questions about why I was homeschooled and what happened when I went to high school for a year and why I left.

I enter my math class and take my seat. I look at my watch, 10minutes left till class. Having nothing better to do I take out my iPod and put my earbuds in my ear. I adjust the volume of my music so I can still hear what's happening around me, then I take my notebook from my bag and doodle in the back page. I'm not artistic so I doodle stick people. I continue to doodle when pink flashes by me. I turn around and almost gag when I recognize the blondie in a pink mini skirt. Elane. She cat-walks over to Xavier(I confirmed Mr. Hot's name) and says in an annoying high-pitched voice

"Hey Xavier, you excited for the welcome party?" Party? I have been hearing whispers of a very important welcome party for a very important person the whole week, even Jess slipped about it once. Do I ever get invited to parties though? No and good riddance. So I would love to avoid any gossip about any party as much as I can. I turn back to my notebook and continue drawing my stick people.

"Yeah I guess, but also really nervous" Laughter erupts from the people constantly surrounding him and at the sound of his voice I switch into my 'eaves dropping' mode. I was surrounded by people who hated me all my life, so I have perfected the art of listening while pretending I'm not. It's a really a good life skill.

Now I wonder if his family are the ones throwing this welcome party no one will shut up about and if he's just the advertisement. He does seem to be Mr. Popular but I don't think he plays sports. He certainly has the body for it but he doesn't stay after school for any sort of practice. Instead he is constantly in the parking lot surrounded by a crowd of people, particularly girls. I'm not a stalker or jealous, it's just hard to pretend not to notice.

"So, do you think you'll find her? Your mate? You're already of age after all, and maybe your uncle can help" Elane says.

Mate? What the hell are they talking about?

My eyebrows pull together as I try to make sense of that one word. Mate...they're typically the other half of an animal. Why are they using 'her to refer to a mate? Is it human? But then they won't use the word mate right? I can't make sense of it and I stop trying before giving myself a headache. I continue my doodling and eavesdropping. I don't care if it's rude, anyone who can't hear her is deaf and needs hearing aides. 

"Shh!" A masculine voice. Since my hair is up in a braid, it's easy for me to glance at their gathering. The one who did the shushing is one of Xavier's bodyguards, he has honey blonde hair and brown eyes. He's handsome but definitely far inferior to Xavier. I don't know his name and I don't think I won't unless it's necessary "You can't say that here!"

Elane gasps and I can practically picture her face twisting in rage "Don't you dare tell me what to do. And why can't I? We're all..."

Her voice trails off and my back burns with the stares of everyone. Why are they all looking at me? I feel the urge to turn around and tell them off but something in the back of my mind, probably common sense, stops me. There is something wrong and weird about everyone in this school and the feeling that talking back will do me no good keeps me in my seat. The fact that 'slapping' Elane is behind me didn't help either.