What Now.

Chapter Three

Three classes later, I sat across from Craig and Rayan at our table in the cafeteria. I munched on some cheddar-flavored Pringles as I half-listened to Ray rambling about random things that were going on.

        Jacob Perez had been on my mind since this morning, and I badly needed him to get out of it. My friends and I have A Lunch together, and I prayed for the boy not to have the same lunch.

        All of a sudden, I heard two familiar feminine giggles coming toward our table. I continued silently munching on my Pringles when a girl, Angeline Parrish, sat next to Rayan, and the other girl, Serenity Cunnigan, sat next to me.

        "Hey, boys~" Angeline singed with a knowing smile.

        We all smiled at her. "Hey, Ang," greeted Ray.

        Angeline's dark skin always seemed to glow a little when she smiled. She and Serenity only hung out with us sometimes because she had a huge crush on Rayan, and Serenity was crushing on Craig, but also on me. They were both Sophomores, and admittedly naive, but pretty cool.

        I crunched on another Pringle and gave Serenity my best smile. She giggled after I said hey to her. "You look so cute munching away on them Pringles," she chuckled. I smiled after I made her laugh. I loved seeing her dimples.

        Then, Angeline and Serenity started talking away about what they were planning on doing this weekend, while the boys and I pretended to listen. Craig was chewing an apple while looking off into space, and Ray was eating a Hershey bar, suddenly scrunching up his face in mild curiosity.

        "Aye," he said, pointing his pinky finger in the direction behind me and Serenity. "Who's the kid with the afro?"

        They all looked to see who he was talking about.

        I merely froze as my heart fluttered. Oh no. Dammit.

        "I don't know..." Angeline answered. "He's kinda cute, though..." she added with a smile.

        "Hey, let's invite him over to our table," Craig suggested, getting the girls and Ray's approval. Dammit, Craig!

        "Great idea," Serenity agreed with excitement, beginning to stand up. "I'll go over there and get him!"

        "NO!" I cried in alarm. Everyone at the table froze and looked at me with wide eyes like I was crazy. I quickly faked a smile to hide my embarrassment. "Um, I mean... N-nevermind," I gave up.

        Serenity gave me a perplexed look before shrugging my awkwardness off. I kept my head hung down, feeling queasy inside whilst she skipped over to get the newbie that had been on my mind for the passed four hours. I sunk in my seat when she happily returned with him seconds later.

        "Everyone, this is Jacob," Serenity introduced. "He said he just moved here from Downey, Los Angeles." Everybody said their hey's and what up's. I stayed silent. "I'm Serenity," said the sun-kissed skinned girl. "This is Craig and Rayan..."

        "Whazzap!" joked Ray, making everyone laugh except me.

        "...This is my best friend, Angeline..."

        Angeline smiled from ear to ear and waved.

        "...and this is Chresanto..."

        I remained silent.

        Serenity nudged me a little. "Chres?"

        I took a deep breath and said a simple, "Hey." I refused to look at Jacob. Don't look at his eyes, don't look at his eyes...