Clean

lunch table tension

ﾟ:* ✶ Gibsie ✶ ﾟ:*

May 13, 2005

"You might want to avoid Grace too," Johnny sighed. "She said something about scratching out your eyes if you cross her path."

"Jesus," I shuddered. "I won't be going anywhere near her."

"That's going to be pretty difficult considering we share a lunch table," Johnny pointed out, buttoning up his school shirt.

"Remind me to sit far away," I grimaced. "I know she's your girlfriend and all, but the girl scares me."

"You'll be lucky if she doesn't castrate you," he laughed, leading us out of the changing room.

I knew why Grace was mad and I could respect that she was always on Adeline's side, but her best friend was the one that broke up with me. I also knew it put Johnny in an awkward position. I was grateful he hadn't picked a side, because he was my rock.

Making our way into the lunch hall my eyes fell to our table. Declan was sitting in the seat at the very edge of the table with Shannon beside him. Addy was next to her with Grace beside her. Across from them was Feely and Hughie with Katie right next to him. Next to Katie was also Claire and then Lizzie.

Johnny immediately sat down in the seat next to Grace, his arm snaking around the back of her chair in the process.

That left the seat next to Lizzie or the one next to Johnny. Deciding I didn't want to subject myself to the torture of Lizzie Young, I dropped down in the seat beside my best friend.

"Johnny, we were just talking about you!" Claire beamed, her eyes lighting up when I sat down.

"What about me?" He asked.

"It's your eighteenth soon," Grace giggled. "We were thinking we'd plan a camping trip or something."

"For all of us?" Johnny clarified, looking at the group.

I was sure he was thinking the same thing as me: this is a recipe for disaster.

"Unfortunately," Lizzie drawled, her eyes trained on me.

"You don't have to come, Viper," I shrugged. "You wouldn't be missed."

"Gerard!" Claire gasped, "don't fight guys."

"Oh for fucks sake," Addy huffed, her arms crossed over her chest.

"We aren't fighting, Claire-bear," I winked at her. "I was just telling her like it is."

Tension engulfed the table, uncomfortable glances were being shared. It was unfortunate that this is what happened to our friendship group, it had pretty much fallen to bits.

"Can you all just shut up and let me act like this was my idea?" Grace rolled her eyes, clutching Johnnys hand that was around her shoulders. "The arguing is only going to add to my worry lines, I don't need botox at the age of sixteen."

"You wouldn't need botox if Gibsie weren't here," Lizzie scoffed.

"Did you not hear what I just said?" Grace sighed.