So On

Chapter 32 - Let's Cry

       "Hey," I smiled at Nichole and Leo as Sam and I sat down. It was lunch already, and I can't explain how my insides feel right now.

     Even if I did try to explain, I doubt I'd make any sense.

     I scanned the crowded cafeteria for a certain person. I didn't even try to be discreet. I was this anxious already. "Where's Brandon?"

     The question was directed at Leo since they were together just a while ago at swimming practice. He avoided eye-contact and shrugged his shoulders.

       "He'll be here. Don't worry."

       "Worry? Me? Psh. Why would I worry? I'm just genuinely curious as to where he is, since, you know, the table's not as noisy as the usual."

      Yeah Mira, you sounded so nonchalant. Not obvious at all.

       "Sure." He replied sarcastically, but his tone sounded weak, like he wasn't even trying to piss me off like he always did.

     Something's wrong.

     I glanced at Nichole beside him and noticed how she also averted her eyes. She was quiet since I arrived and I didn't miss the part where there was now a decent space between her and Leo's seats.

     That was weird, seeing as their shoulders would usually be stuck together, but now... It's like even the briefest physical contact between them was lethal.

     I cleared my throat and looked down. Well. This wasn't so awkward. Were they fighting just a minute ago?.did we come at a bad time? I have no idea.

     Sam was busy scanning the cafeteria, probably because he was gonna alert me as soon as he sees Brandon. I gave him a nervous smile as he gave me a reassuring one in turn. Good thing I have back-up.

     I was busy trying to figure out what was going on between my two best friends, and if I should ask them or not, but Sam suddenly nudged my arm a few times.

       "He's here, he's here."

       "Where? Where?"

       "There, there."

       "Shit. Shit. Shit." I mumbled. I wasn't ready yet!

       "Aw," Sam said. "You broke the chain. You're supposed to say your reply twice, not thrice."

     I pinched his leg under the table and he snickered. "Stop joking! I'm freaking out! Help me!"

       "Just act natural, Mira." He said as if I was being so overdramatic. Well I wasn't.

       "Okay," I mumbled in reply as I nonchalantly turned my head so he won't notice I'd been anticipating his arrival. Because I wasn't.

     His usual seat was beside me, but since Sam was sitting there already, he grabbed another seat from a vacant table and sat down across from us.

     Our eyes met for a second and I was about to give him an acknowledging smile but before my lips could even twitch, he looked away. I grabbed the hem of my shirt and faced the unusually empty table. Seemed like nobody felt like eating today.

       "Where's Emma?" Brandon suddenly asked. A sharp pain went through my chest but I just ignored it. I deserved it anyway.

       "I saw her in the bathroom with her friends a little while ago," I replied. Now that I think about it, Emma told me the girls she usually hung out with were fake. I wonder if they were still being fake around each other, or if they're just tolerating each other or something. I hope she's okay.