Reflections

Five

I was late to math, nothing bad other than the attention I get because of that. I walk into the classroom happy that the teacher isn't teaching and everyone is just doing busy work. That doesn't mean I don't hear the other students shifting to look at me, that I don't feel them staring into me trying to prying the secrets out of me.

I quietly get the busy work and head to my seat. I've never been good at math but I don't like asking questions in fear of others thinking I'm stupid so I smuggle it home and ask Emma over to help. 

***

When I get to lunch I sit next to Em knowing she'll have the most questions and I need to get to her before she starts rolling. I didn't have to look hard for her because she ran up to the table and barreled into me. "Tell me everything." She panted.

"Before we get started I need your help with math tonight." I say.

She replies the minute it finish, "Deal. Spill."

By now everyone is here and they're staring at me like, 'Why is she like this? What did you do?'

"Here is a little knowledge for the viewers joining us," I say like a TV show host, "Lendynn James was trying to get Mark Campbell's attention during AP Human Geo."

"What?" They all say together which isn't annoying at all.

"I met Mark yesterday during Library Aide and we talked. He asked me for a favor and I was trying to get his attention this morning so I could give him a list of books."

"Oh!" Says Adele, "He's Random Guy."

I point at Addie, "You my girl have taken the cake."

Erin looks at me, "What list?"

"He wanted a small list of dystopian books that he could choose from for a ELA project. Nothing much just a few books I thought he might like."

"Does someone have a crush?" Maddison asks.

At that I almost fall out of my chair laughing, "You're - You're hilarious." 

Everyone looks at me seriously and I turn to them straight-faced, "No I don't like him." Surprisingly enough that is all they needed to steer the group to the next conversation. We lasted a good five minutes until we were knocked off course.

"Hey your Lendynn right?" Tate just walked up to our table to start a conversation.

"That would be me," I say turning around to face her.

"So I wondering if you wanted to join me at my table?"

"Who is she?" Anneleise whispers in my ear.

"Oh! Guys this is Tate, Mark's girlfriend. Tate these are my friends, Anneleise, Maddison, Emma, Erin, and Adele." I introduce everyone.

"Hi guys!" Tate exclaims always enthusiastic.

"So what did you need?" I ask already forgetting what she asked only minutes ago.

"I wanted you to join me at my table."

I looked over at the clock and there was only about five minutes left in lunch. I know I'm going to regret this, "There isn't much time left today, how about I join you tomorrow?"

I can hear the jaws of my friends hit the table behind me. It's to late to turn back I have to go with it. This is the first time I've left the table I hope it will also be the last but that would be lying to myself.