To Be Determined

A Cafeteria Fight

I jumped, slightly startled, at the vibration on my leg. It took me a moment to gather my bearings and remember where I was. I carefully put my book down, and fetched my cell phone from my pocket. I gave a cursory glance, and read: The Jerk. William. "Help caf." I smiled and shook my head, incapable of hiding my amusement.

Rising from my comfortable armchair, I gathered my belongings and made my way out of the library. William has always been really bad with people, not for lack of trying, he just says what he thinks and it all goes down hill from there. When he's really out of his depths, William texts me like this. I don't mind, if anything I find it hilarious.

Listening to the sound of my feet as I walked down the hallway to the cafeteria, it wasn't far, I was there within a minute. I glanced around the crowed room, finding the noise and movement overpowering my senses. Mentally brushing off the overheard conversations of other students, I glanced around to find my entertaining friend. There. I thought to myself as I located him.

William was talking to his friend Alex, and I met Williams eyes and nodded to him. I gradually made my way to a table within earshot, but out of Alex's sight and listened to their conversation. "I just don't know man, we were good at first, but after a month all she said is that she wanted "space." What the hell does that even mean?" Alex shook his head exasperated, raising his hands in frustration. "And as if that wasn't bad enough, she's been flirting with half the school. I mean, that's just not cool. You don't do that to a guy."

William made eye contact with me, and I nodded back to him. Pulling out my phone I texted him "If he asks for advice, tell him it was bad luck and he'll find his "perfect girl" soon." I could hear Williams phone chime with my text, and watched as he glanced over it quickly. "Sorry, my dad keeps trying to text me today, I'll message him later, go on."

Alex shrugged it off, and continued. "Well, if Katie wasn't bad enough, there was Anna, and Jenna. I mean this can't be a coincidence if it keeps happening."

As Alex paused, William began speaking. I really did like to hear his voice, it was clear and calm, a lovely change from the immaturity of my peers. I shook my head and focused on his words. "You just have really bad luck, and flighty girls really like dependable guys so that's probably why every girl goes after you. You'll find your perfect girl eventually, don't worry." William smiled at Alex.

Alex paused for a second before speaking, his voice hesitant yet skeptical. "Hey Will, you're not trying to get with me, are you?" William is bisexual, it's never really been something that he hides, but I was still surprised that he told Alex. He's generally averse to sharing personal information.

William barked a laugh, "No way man, you're not my type, besides I have someone I like anyway." Oh yeah, William's "mystery girl." Maybe if I'm lucky I'll learn something about her today.

"Well whatever, back on topic,-" My attention was jerked away from the conversation, as a bunch of arrogant ninth graders bumped into me. Receiving no apology, I shook my head at them, baffled by their ignorance. Now that I was distracted from the conversation, I found it difficult to refocus myself. The people were just too loud, and there was an overpowering smell of stale pizza.

All of a sudden I heard William sigh, "Well the reason they always break up with you is because you're really clingy." No. "You always insist on being with them at every possible moment, and when you can't, you want to know exactly where they are and what their doing. You suffocate them." No, no, no! "Not to mention they're not actually flirting. You're possessive and jealous, so when they talk to another male you get angry. Of course they leave you, it's common sense." Please just shut up! "If anything I recommend reevaluating yourself and your mental health before looking for another relationship. You need to gain confidence and more self esteem so that you are capable of being alone, and yet still together with your significant other." I face palmed and shook my head, there was nothing I could do to fix this. William probably just ruined another friendship, and is going to turn Alex and all of his friends against him.

William stopped speaking, finally, and noticed Alex's offended look, and shaking fists. "Oh, no, tell me how you really think!" Alex's voice was loud and furious, drawing the attention of all of the other students. The echoes of his voice faded into silence as Alex stood up.

I stood up to intervene, about to speak when William beat me to it. "Wait, I didn't mean to offend, you asked for my advice, and I was trying to be helpful. You said to be honest so I-" William rapid words were interrupted by a sudden blow to his jaw. Alex punched him! Alex actually punched him from across the table!

I shook my head and collected my self. "Okay that's enough!" I didn't yell as Alex did, yet somehow my voice had more of an effect than Alex. In my peripheral vision I saw a few students hurriedly leave the cafeteria, likely to fetch a teacher. Then I heard the disappointed whispers of students who had hoped to see a brawl break out.

I moved around my table and made my way to stand between Alex and William, who was now on the floor, with surprised eyes, cradling his jaw. "Alex, you need to cool your head!" Alex looked at me for a moment, and I knew that what William had said will probably haunt him for some time. He made a move to ignore me and get to William. "I heard what he said and yeah it was cruel, but in a few minutes there will be teachers here and if you try to settle this with your fists, you will be caught, and with your record of violence, you will be expelled." The emphasis in those words made him pause, and taking advantage of his hesitation I continued. "That full ride to OttawaU you're applying for? Gone! Like paper in the wind. Hell I be baffled if you even got accepted anywhere! Your entire future rests on this one decision." I looked him in the eye and with my voice cold and dead serious I made my final case. "Will throw away your dream of becoming a professional athlete for this moron who can't choose his words, or will you be a damned adult and walk away?"

Hearing my last words echo across the walls of the crowded cafeteria, I saw reason reach Alex. He turned away and muttered "Whatever, I can't deal with this right now." As he walked away I saw the teachers finally enter the cafeteria, and he followed them without a word. As the music teacher came to collect us, I heard William stand up behind me. I turned towards him and shook my head with a sigh and a smile. William mouthed a thank you and together we made our way with the teacher to the office to deal with the fall out.