33 Days To Live (Under Revision)

15

"I'm sure she's okay Ben, she probably just played Hooke or something. I wouldn't get concern just yet," Andrew said for the hundredth time as I pushed around the lettuce from my sandwich and hung my head low.

I had just gotten back from sticking my head in the girls bathroom and she wasn't there. For the entire five minutes since then Andrew had been trying to reassure me even more so then he did earlier in English class that everything was okay.

Until I saw Lucy in person though I was going to have trouble relaxing.

Odds were she was probably okay but my newfound anxiety from this situation made it hard to trust in that.

"Whats wrong with Ben? Did he tell a joke and offend someone?" Rodney asked upon taking his seat at the table, shortly followed by Gene who was trying to balance her lunch tray while cleaning her glasses and by Leopold.

All three of Andrew's friends had distinct personalities and sometimes clashed with each other but for the most part they were nice people.

"Now a days most jokes people find funny demonstrate modern day racism and are told by sexist middle aged men who never went to college." She informed, earning an eye roll from Leopold.

"Ben's jokes aren't offensive. Unless its one about Victoria then they're a little offensive but well deserved." Shaking my head I looked up at the three of them.

"No, its about something else a little bit more personal," I said before trying to force a smile.

"I apologize if this comes out as an invasive inquiry but is everything alright with Luke's condition?" Gene asked as she slid her glasses back up her nose.

"Luke's condition hasn't changed, he's sleeping just as heavily." I sighed as Leopold nudged Gene.

"I know you like sounding smarter then us boys but can you ask a question without dropping a dictionary on our heads?" He asked playfully and she muttered something under her breath as she began to tear apart the wrapper on her apple sauce.

"If you paid attention when we did vocabulary in English, then maybe we'd be able to have a discussion without me dumbing myself down."

At that Rodney hooted as he high fived her. Leopold and Gene always bickered no matter what but I think they only did that because they were secretly into each other.

They'd be cute together.

Gene was short and cute with glasses and Leopold was tall with glasses. He was more humble she was outspoken and a little arrogant. That was what made them fun to watch. They both also were super into school.

Rodney on the other hand was the goofball and extreme video gamer of the group who always stole our food. He was the one who gave me the list of weird upbeat music that I had played this morning.

One thing that pleased me the most about these kids was that they excepted me into their group effective immediately and even though it had only been a couple of days I was completely comfortable around them.

Not comfortable enough to tell them about Lucy of course but at ease nonetheless.

"Whatever Gene." Leopold then refocused his attention to me.

"I'm sorry you're upset, I hope whatever it is it'll go away soon," He said and I looked back down at my lettuce.

"That's the problem." I muttered.

Andrew then clapped a hand down on my shoulder.

"Enough talk about Ben's reoccurring issues, how about we talk about something else instead?" He suggested. That was when I remembered my encounter with Jake this morning.

"I have something I wanted to ask you all actually," I said upon looking up and the spot light officially shifted to me.

"One of my friends from the cool and exclusive table back there was nagging me about going to a party tonight but I rather not be there alone. Would you guys like to come?" I asked and Andrew sat up straight excitedly.

"I do! I love going to popular parties, do you know how funny drunk teenagers are?" He announced and I laughed as I looked over at the other three.

They didn't seem as enthusiastic about the idea.

"I don't know..parties aren't really my thing." Gene mumbled.

"How can you say that if you've never been to a party? That's like me saying I'm not into chocolate without trying it! You don't know what your missing!" Andrew argued, making Leopold shift uncomfortably.

"The only party I went to wasn't a pleasant experience and as cool as I think you are Ben, I'm not ready to investigate their world anytime soon," He said as he gestured towards the table. I felt kind of bad for the two of them, parties could be fun. I couldn't remember a time anymore where I didn't go to one, or had one. They were fun--a little dangerous at times but fun.

"Fine. Be that way, how about you Rodney?" He asked and Rodney jumped a little as he looked over at us with stuffed cheeks.

While we had been talking he had taken the liberty of devouring his entire lunch in one bite.

"What are we talking about?" He asked around a mouthful of meatloaf and Gene made a face as some of it spewed on the table.

"We're talking about going to a party with Ben that his popular friend is throwing tonight." Andrew informed and Rodney swallowed a couple of times before furrowing his brows.

"A party. Like a real party?" He asked and I nodded.

"Yes Rodney. A real party," I said, as I sat back a little to avoid his meatloaf breath.

"Sure! I'm down for a little partying. As long as there's food and if there isn't I'll order a pizza for myself." He decided and I genuinely smiled.

I couldn't see any reason my friends wouldn't Rodney or anyone at this table, they were all a lot like me and Luke just a little bit hungrier and a tad bit smarter.

"Alright. That's one out of three to comply." Andrew then looked over at Gene and Leopold.

"How about you two?" He asked.

For a long moment they were both quiet, then Gene spoke up.

"I really wouldn't want my biography to be lame. I want it to be relatable to all types of people not just ones who didn't do anything but homework." She admitted and without any further argument Leopold nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, Gene's right. Lets do it." He decided and just like that I found myself with four party companions.

I just hope these new inexperienced friends of mine weren't what Jake classified as weird because I wasn't ready for that kind of heat.

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Whoooo! 1,000+ reads on this at last and I managed to give you all a decent sized chapter today lol. I do apologize for inconsistent updates, I had a system but then my job decided to make me work longer hours and I have a lot of personal stuff going on :p I'm glad though I found time to write, pretty sure I'd go insane without it! Anywhoo, off to try to write a tad bit more before bed!

Night .x

-Mari.