Angel Boy

Heartless.

   “Ah, lunch. My favorite part of the day!” Alistar yelled, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply through his nose. The smell of cooked food filled the air, along with the permanent smell of musk. Students talking and laughing with their friends could be seen and heard. 

   Some people turned around at Alistar’s loud, obnoxious voice. Some turned back around, ignoring him, others looked back down at their food, not wanting to look at any of us in the eyes. The feeling of power surged me knowing we scared some students. 

   The Boys.

   That’s what people called us. I don’t know why. They could clearly see that I was a girl, but they considered me as “one of the guys.” The name stuck to us since freshman year, and no one had attempted to change it. 

   All four of us walked to the lunch line. People already stood there, waiting their turn for their tray of food. Alistar unconsciously let out a hacking cough, causing some people to turn around and spot us. They moved out of our way, staying silent as we walked to the front of the line. 

   Grabbing the tray from the butch looking lunch lady, the cafeteria grew quiet. 

   “And the Birds have just flown in,” Quinn whispered. 

   Our school wasn’t big, for the town we lived in was pretty rural. We had around two-hundred kids, and we all ate lunch at the same time. But the Birds had even less, the boarded on a hundred students. 

   The sound of heels clicking on the floor cut through the stilled air. The girl Birds had their noses turned up, their hair still slightly frizzy from the water that was poured onto them. The males didn’t show any emotion on their strong faces as they walked to the back of the line.

   “I can’t eat this food, imagine the calories,” one girl Bird said to her friend. Her voice was seductive, but slightly high-pitched, something males probably found attractive. 

   My eyes trailed down the tight blouse she wore, the gold medal button on the pocket caught my eye, the SW gleamed in the light. Her skirt clung to her tanned legs, reaching down mid-thigh. Everything she wore was SummerWinter clothing. For a moment, I wondered what she would do if I told her who I was.

   She’d probably ask me for custom made clothes and completely forget this morning ever happened. 

   Turning back around, I grabbed my lunch tray. It was filled with a handful of soggy fries and a cheeseburger wrapped in foil. Slowly, the cafeteria started chattering away. Paying for my food, me and the boys made our way back to the table. We sat down at our usual spot, which was in the middle of the cafeteria.

   Plopping myself down in the red plastic chair, my eyes unconsciously flickered up. My heart jumped in my chest when Levi stood in the back of the lunch line, his stare directly aimed at me. 

   His body was facing another Bird, but his head was turned to look at me. His friend chatted about something, oblivious to the fact Levi wasn’t paying him any mind. His lips twitched into a smirk, his head turning back to his friend. 

   Confusion ran through me, wondering if my over-active brain made it up. Then, my view of Levi was blocked by another figure. 

   Vanessa Cotton smiled, showing her slightly yellowed teeth. The jeans that clung to her skin made her legs look stiff and unnatural. Her swollen feet were packed into a pair of heels and her tight shirt had a low plunging neckline. The shirt was actually decent looking, if it weren’t for the baby-bump covering her stomach. 

   Excitement rolled through me when Alistar glanced up. He had taken a double-take when he saw Vanessa, his eyes widening as he sucked in a sharp breath of air, causing him to choke on the piece hamburger he was chewing in his mouth. 

   Quinn jumped in fright, his hand flying up to cover his heart and Reinhart pretended he didn’t see her, but he had a smile on his lips. 

   Vanessa and Alistar had a “thing” over summer. They slept together, but never got together as a couple. She wanted more, he just wanted sex. When she got too clingy, he ended it. So to get Alistar back and get him jealous, she started sleeping around even more. Eventually, she got infected with disease called pregnancy. I remember Alistar almost pissed himself out of relief when he found out the baby wasn’t his. 

   “Hey, Ally,” Vanessa said to Alistar.

   Alistar cleared his throat, his blue eyes looking at us for help, but we just smiled at him, enjoying his discomfort.

   “Hey, Vanessa,” he said uncomfortably, he flicked a piece of his brown hair out of his eyes, something he did when he felt awkward.

   Vanessa sat at out table--without permission-- and set down two trays of food. I was drinking my milk but almost spat the liquid out when I saw the two trays pilled high with food.

   “Did you get enough food?” My nose turned up in disgust.

   She either didn’t see the look I was giving her, or she ignored it. She smiled, placing a hand over her twenty-six weeks baby-bump. “Have to eat for two.”

   “Actually,” I started, the three boys slightly smiled, knowing I was about to drop another fact, “that’s a myth. You only need three-hundred extra calories, so one cheeseburger or some fries would do the trick. So that”--my finger pointed to the second tray of food--“is unnecessary. You’re just eating for the fuck of it.” 

   The boys looked down at their trays, trying to hide the smiles on their faces. Reinhart had to bite his lips to keep from laughing and Quinn tried coughing to cover up his snicker. Vanessa glared at me, her dull green eyes narrowing. 

   Picking up a fry, I popped it into my mouth. “Just like it’s also a myth that you shouldn’t have sex while you’re pregnant, but I’m pretty sure you figured that one out.” My right eyelid dropped into a wink.

   Vanessa blew air out her nose, her manicured fist slamming down on the table. The sound echoed through the air, gaining attention around the cafeteria. “You’re such a bitch, Tyde!”

   My shoulders shrugged, my hands crossed over my chest as I leaned back in my chair. “So I’m a bitch because I tell the truth? Okay.”

   Vanessa quickly stood up, causing the chair she was sitting in to fall to the floor. Now, we had everyone’s attention. She started walking around the table, her fist balled. When she reached me, I stood up the same time she brought her fist back to punch me in the face.

   Raising my hand up, I caught her fist. A glare worked its way onto my face, my hand squeezed hers, the bones shifting under my force. Pain was evident on Vanessa’s face, but she tried to hide it.

   Leaning in close, my eyes bored into hers. 

   “Before you do anything you’ll regret, Vanessa, I’ll beat the shit out of you.” My voice was deep, threatening her to the deepest extent. “I’m not like other people, I’ll hit a pregnant bitch.”

   Dropping her fist, I took a step back, not wanting to be near her. Vanessa huffed, her face turning red with embarrassment and anger. She turned, stomping off with her jaw locked. 

   The cafeteria was eerily quiet, even the Birds had stopped talking. Running a hand through my hair, I sat back down. My hands were shaking from the anger that flowed through me. Levi’s stare could be felt. 

   Reinhart tossed an arm over my shoulder. “You, my friend, are truly heartless.”

   For some reason, it sounded like a compliment.