No Strings Attached

Chapter 8

At last, 11:50 came. I could eat lunch. I took my five dollars out of my wallet to purchase a nice meal. I grabbed a tray and patiently waited in line, seeing my options.

In such a small state like Wyoming, demand was low, so prices were low. I had to pay no more than four bucks for a sandwich, salad, a bowl of fruit, and even a can of pop. As I glanced over the prices, I didn't have enough cash for one meal. A ham sandwich was $2.75; a bowl of salad was another $1.50; and a freaking water bottle was a dollar! I was a quarter short, and that wasn't even including tax. A little upset, I settled for half a meatball sub, a Caesar salad, and asked for a Styrofoam cup so I could get water from the fountain. The total was still $4 plus tax, but I was okay with it. At least it would get me through the rest of the afternoon.

I filled my cup at the fountain by the restroom, and took a seat at a table without any people. I didn't know why, but I just didn't feel like making friends that day. Occupied with my sandwich and water with mediocre quality while scrolling through Tumblr on my phone, I didn't notice the bitchy-looking girls and guys surrounding my table.

They had to give me a nickname to get my attention. "Hey, Blue-hair," one soprano voice said.

I glanced up in shock. They were all pretty good looking, which for some reason registered as "intimidating" in my mind, even though I could likely kick the girls' asses one-on-one.

"This is our table," a blonde boy threatened.

"S-s-sorry," I stuttered, gathering my plate and bowl onto the tray. "I didn't know. I'll just move."

One girl whispered into the ear of the boy who spoke, and she giggled. The guy smirked.

God, I'm such a dork. "Here. Y-your table is clear."

A brunette cocked her eyebrow. "You left crumbs."

I looked at her. "Excuse me?" We were causing a scene by now. Tables close by turned their heads to us, and my chest tightened.

"It's dirty. Clean it up," she demanded.

Is this chick for real? I just stared, opened mouthed. She can't be serious.

Clearly she was the leader of the pack. "Well?"

I was utterly appalled. The only thing I could manage to get out in response was: "No." And as soon as the sound escaped my lips I desperately tried to shove the sound waves back into my mouth. But everyone heard it. Oh, shit.

I heard a couple kids in the background just go, "Ooooo..." and "She's fucked."

The brown-haired bimbo was taken aback by my comeback. "Hmm...Well, this is unfortunate."

At this point, I had just given up. I snatched up my tray and started walking away.

"Hey!" the boy who had first addressed me yelled.

I ignored him. These guys weren't going to get to me. They're just bullies. And, bullies they were.

I felt the splash of liquid against my back. It was cold and unwelcoming. I spun around to face them, and the whole cafeteria was laughing. But the snorty laugh of the whispering girl was the loudest.

"Oops," she said mockingly.

I was frozen in my spot. I couldn't even move when the blonde guy came to tower over me. He stole my sub off the plate, rudely took a bite, and shoved the rest down my shirt.

Tears stung the back of my eyes. Don't cry. Don't cry. You're stronger than that.

I sighed to calm myself. I just set the tray down on an empty table, pulled the sandwich out of my shirt, and walked gracefully away to the bathroom.