Broken Glasses

002

Keira walked slowly to the table and stopped right behind her bench spot. The excessively sweet smell of the new girl's perfume stung Keira's nose. Lina looked up and found Keira standing. Keira waved, and it was weird because Lina didn't wave back. She tilted her head; Lina didn't even spare her a glance. The new girl jumped when Keira cleared her throat. She knew this girl. Laura Dawn, the daughter of the biggest shareholders of this school. Well, second biggest. The level of fake that was set by Laura's smile to Keira was incomprehensible. However, Keira being the more spontaneous one among the two gave a more convincingly amicable smile. Lina had looked at Keira too, and despite being a little hurt by her previous blatant nonchalance, Keira waved again.

"You're Keira? Right?" Keira raised a brow, did she know her already? Sure they were in the same French course but since Keira hardly volunteered in class; her presence was equal to none. Still, Keira gave a small smile and replied as she took a seat next to Lina.

"Uh, yeah. How do you-"

"Lina has told me ALL about you!" Laura chimed. Keira glanced and Lina who gave her a half smile. "I'm Laura Dawn, by the way," said the red head as she extended her hand; Keira took it without a hint of reluctance.

"You probably know me; my father's the biggest shareholder of this school so you've probably seen our names in the school newspaper."

'Second biggest', Keira mentally corrected.

"Yes, I do know about you," replied Keira. Lina was awfully quiet, and Keira wondered why. The only time she saw her so quiet was when Keira had just starts seating with her. But weren't Lina and Laura already friends? Laura smiled and glanced at the two of them before looking at her watch.

"Aww would you look at that, it's almost time for me to go! My friends are probably waiting." She got up, and Keira was surprised to see Lina stand as well.

"Alright well, gotta go! It was so much fun talking to you Lina! We should do this again sometime!" Keira was still staring at Lina when the girl nodded before shifting her gaze to Laura.

"Keira will join us too next time! Right?"

Keira gaped, not knowing what to say so instead she nodded and watched the girl skip out of their sight. Keira pulled Lina's shirt.

"You can sit down now," Keira said and Lina slowly took her seat.

"What was that about anyway? You didn't have to stand you know," spoke Keira as she took her food and went to sit in her usual seat.

"It's a part of our custom," Lina said dryly.

"To stand when the other leaves? Then why don't you see me off like that?"

"Exceptions."

Keira didn't know if it was a good exception or a bad one but she didn't ask further and started munching on her sandwich. Lina was distracted, she could tell, but the girl refused to talk about what was bothering her.

"I'm telling you, it's nothing."

"There's definitely something," Keira persisted," I know you well enough to tell if something is bothering you. What's up?"

Lina shook her head, "Nothing."

Keira put her book down. The past 30 minutes had been spent with them sitting in an awkward silence or short answers; this won't do.

"Is it something I said?" Keira tried. Lina took a little longer to reply, and Keira knew she messed up somewhere.

"I said something didn't I?" Keira asked and Lina looked up.