Dolls

Chapter 7: Say Hello

     I was still in a daze from my conversation with Sam in English class when the bell rang in third period. I had lunch next it seemed. I was supposed to eat with Sam, right? Where would I meet him then?

     Worriedly, I stood from my seat and grabbed my things, stepping out into the crowded hallway as students skirted around me, eager to get to lunch. I wasn't even quite sure where the cafeteria was. The school was so big! I sighed softly and quickly shoved a loose strand of hair behind my ear and pulled out the map of the building, trying to figure out my location. Maybe it'd be better to just follow the herd. They had to know where they were going right? Of course they did.

     Slipping the map back into my bag I followed the mass of people through the hallways of the school, trying to avoid getting knocked over. Just when I saw the door to the cafeteria a strong shoulder slammed into my back, causing me to lurch forward, my bag sliding from my arm and dipping to the floor.

     Just when I thought I was going to fall right there in the middle of the hallway I flopped into strong arms that grabbed me by the shoulders and pushed me back up, making sure I was balanced before letting go.

     "Are you okay there?" My savior asked.

     I glanced up to see Sam standing there, his brow creased with concern for my well being, "Yeah," I paused, a bit surprised to see him, "I'm perfectly fine."

     "Alright. I was just checking. It seemed like that guy bumped you pretty hard. For a second I though you were going to topple over on me," Sam explained.

     I shook my head quickly, "No, really, I'm fine," I assured him.

     Sam nodded and grabbed my hand suddenly, jerking me forward into the cafeteria, "Then let's go. We've got to get to the table before someone else takes it," he told me as I stumbled along behind him.

     Inside, the cafeteria was much larger than it appeared. Giant windows lined most of the walls, allowing students to gaze at the outside world without a problem. Hard, plastic booths lined the edges of the cafeteria while tables with the school's logo printed on the top were scattered around the center of the room, metal chairs circling them. Trash cans were littered around the doors, reminding people to throw everything away before they left.

     I barely got a look at the room before Sam dragged me through another hoard of people, slipping in and out of backpacks and groups of friends. He eventually led me to a circular table near the outskirts of the room and dropped his bag in a seat.

     "This is where me and my friends sit practically every day. I guess you could say at the beginning of the year everyone claims their tables and it stays that way," he explained to me, "But go ahead and put your bag down in the seat next to mine and I'll go with you to get food."

     I complied without a word, figuring it was better not to question the traditions of high school and to just go with it. I dropped my bag gently into the seat adjacent to Sam's before he grabbed my hand again and pulled me towards the opposite end of the room.

     Eventually, after a lot more pulling on Sam's part, and stumbling along behind him on mine, we strode back up to the table with trays of fries, milk, and maybe an apple or two. Sam said it was the only food that could be trusted in the cafeteria and I didn't doubt him. Just looking at that meatloaf made me want to call a health inspector to turn the place over.

     I was surprised to find the table completely packed with other teens, our bags still sitting untouched in their chairs. I hesitated in my steps as Sam sat down smiling at the group, instantly joining the conversation.