A Dozen Reasons

Chapter 13-Memories

The bell rang and it was time for lunch.

I packed my things and walked to the cafeteria.

I scanned the room for Greg, Zach, Jeremiah, or Annie, while I waited in the lunch line.

Finally, I saw Annie waving at me.

I grabbed my tray and sat down next to her.

“Where are the guys?”

“They’ll be coming in a minute. So how’s your day so far?” She took a bite out of her garden pizza.

“Great. Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure. Shoot.”

I played with my salad. “What’s the deal with Chelsea?”

She sipped some of her water. “She’s a drama queen, like literally. She’s been in every play since she started here. Not only does she act, but also she can sing. Why?”

“Oh…I just heard some things about her.” I bit into a juicy, cherry tomato.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, I was just wondering if ---“

“My ladies! What’s up,” Jeremiah practically yells.

“Nothing Sir Dorks-a-lot, sit down and stop making a scene,” Annie teases.

“Sweetie, if you want a scene, I can give you a scene,” he smiles and stands up on the cafeteria table. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention.” Annie tells him to shut up and get off the table, but Jeremiah continues. Every eye in the cafeteria is looking at him. “I have an announcement to make.” Annie hides her face in her jacket. “Unicorns aren’t real. Thank you, you may continue with your meals.” He hops off the table. Some laugh and some make fun.

“Oh my God Jeremiah, you are so embarrassing!” Annie looks around.

I chuckle.

“You said you wanted a scene. I gave you one, babe. “He plopped down in front of her.

I took a bite out of my turkey sandwich.

“Hey guys did you hear,” said Greg sitting down next to me.

“What?”

“Apparently, unicorns aren’t real.” He chuckled.

Jeremiah fakes surprise, “Nuh-uh. Don’t tell me that. I’ve been lied to my whole life!”

“Yeah bro, I think many dreams have been crushed today.”

“So sad,” Annie says sarcastically.

“Jay, what happened in Chemistry today? I was going to walk you to Calc, but you ran off.”

“Um…sorry ‘bout that. I uh…I had to finish a few problems before class started.”

Greg seemed a bit relieved. “Oh okay.”

I took another bite out of my sandwich when I felt someone staring. I looked around, but I did not see anyone.

“You okay,” Annie whispered.

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

The bell rang.

All the guys left, leaving Annie and I alone once more.

“What were you going to say?”

“About what?”

“You said you had a few things about Chelsea. Then Jeremiah cut you off.”

“Oh that. I just wanted to know if it were true.”