Popularity Project

6 | Nothing Better Than a Movie and a Pizza | 6

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Nothing Better Than a Movie and a Pizza

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I stood in the doorway to the cantine, still cautious to go in. I had been stood there for the past five minutes, observing everyone. I picked out the different groups and in my usual spot sat Chloe. She looked so drained. She hadn't bothered getting any lunch and she looked so plain without her usual bubbly energy. I then moved my focus on the popular table: the table I had been avoiding.

"Come on." Someone said. I jumped and spun round to see Cameron sniggering at my reaction. "Wow. You really don't like surprises, do you?" I shook my head no and stared at my feet. "Anyways, you're coming with me." He said, pushing me through the doors and through the cafeteria.

"Cameron!" I complained. "I don't want to! You can't make me."

"I'm making you now, aren't I? Oh look, they've spotted you. Can't turn back now, can you?"

"I - I could make up an excuse."

"They won't let you off that easy cupcake." He said, finally letting go of me.

"Cupcake?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Wow."

"I'll keep calling you it if you don't get your pretty little ass over there and parked on one of those chairs." I blushed at his comment and turned round, slowly walking towards the popular table.

"Hey! Mackenzie!" Someone called. I felt embarrassed that I couldn't put a face to the name, but in all fairness I was atrocious when it came to remembering things like that.

"Hi." I said with a small wave. I held my hand up for too long and they all looked at me like I was all of a sudden sprouting gooey tentacles. I slowly put my hand back down and chuckled nervously.

"Hey gorgeous." Alex said, walking up behind me. "Looking amazing as ever." He added with a wink. He grabbed my hand and pulled me to the table then told me to take a seat next to him. I slowly complied and sat with my hands in my lap. I looked up and around the table, trying to remember the names.

"So, in case you don't know everyone," Cameron started, taking a seat opposite me. "There's Haley, Savannah and Alyssa." I took a moment to say a small hello to each of them then he continued. "Then there's Landon, Ant and Miah. And you know Lloyd and Alex." Again, I said a small hello to each of them, excluding Alex and Lloyd. "And you guys know Mackenzie."

I started conversing with Miah since she was closest to me and she was pretty cool. Not at all how Cameron had described them. In fact, all of the populars seemed less intimidating than the rumours had made them out to be. I glanced over at my old table and saw Chloe was staring at us all, her glare centred mostly on me. I sighed and shut her out, deciding I wouldn't let my life be ruled by her anymore.

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"Hey, you want a lift home?" Cameron asked, stopping off at my locker. I looked up from the contents and smiled gratefully.

"Do you mind?"

"Nah. Like I said this morning, it's on my way." I shut my locker then followed him out to the car park. As soon as we got to the car, my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID and answered it.

"Hey momma. Everything okay?" I asked, putting on my seatbelt.

"Just checking to see if you've asked about tonight."

"Oh, sorry I forgot." I looked over at Cameron to see him sparing me a few glances whilst focusing on the road. "Hey, Cameron? You wouldn't happen to be busy tonight would you?" He grinned at the question and shook his head.