Chase & Adrienne

2

ADRIENNE

MONDAY AFTERNOON

I balance my lunch tray over my head precariously as Chase and I weave our way past tables, chairs, and teenagers to our usual cafeteria spot. Positioned just far enough from the trash cans to avoid the horrendous smell of leftovers but close enough to the doors to grant accessible exiting abilities in case of fire or food fight, the table is perfect for our group of friends. Danny Houston and Andre Stone sit there already, laughing at something on Andre's phone. I don't ask. 

"Renee and Carmen still in line?" I ask, only to be ignored. I force a smile, even though the boys don't look up long enough to see it. "I'll take that as a yes." I slide into my chair. Chase sits next to me. Across the table, Danny finally looks up, seeing us for the first time. 

"What's up, y'all?" He offers me a fist-bump and gives Chase a slight nod. Andre's eyes are still glued to the phone screen. Chase reaches over and locks the phone. The screen turns black immediately, just like Andre's stony expression. I stifle a grin. 

Renee and Carmen, our other two friends, saunter up to the table as Chase and I begin trading food. I scoop my salad onto his tray as he exchanges his red apple for my green one. Finally, I pluck the chocolate chip cookie from his tray and take a bite. The rest of the table stares at us like they always do. I've learned to ignore it. 

"Will you two just get married already?" Renee blurts. Chase and I respond promptly with gagging noises. Andre and Danny laugh as we pretend to puke all over each other. 

"You know she's right, though," Andre chimes in. 

"Whatever you say, guys," Chase says, taking a bite of his sandwich. I poke at mine. The bread is exceptionally soggy today. 

"So how was everybody's weekend?" Carmen asks. "I know it wasn't better than mine. Renee and I watched The Notebook! It gets me every time."

Renee pretends to wipe a tear from her eye. I purse my lips while the guys chuckle. 

"C'mon, Adrienne!" Renee prompts. "What is it? You think you're too good for Ryan Gosling?"

"I never said that!" I argue. "Ryan Gosling is a total babe. Hella heart eyes for that man, thank you very much."

Chase, Andre, and Danny let out a collective groan as I swoon with Carmen and Renee. Sure, they're a little more girly than me, as well as more sentimental--shown by the aforementioned chick flick obsession that I seem to lack--but attraction to hot actors is a bit more universal. 

Before the guys get a chance to start drooling over the popular girls a couple tables over, Mr. Saiz, the principal, shushes the room with a high-pitched whistle that pierces through the room. He stands on top of a vacant table. 

"Reminder," he says, his deep, booming voice carrying through the entire room, "our annual winter dance is only two weeks away. Posters will be going up soon. Show some school spirit and attend some of the athletic games and meets. That is all I have at the time." 

The second Mr. Saiz stops talking, conversations explode across the room instantly. Have you bought a dress yet? Bro, who are you gonna ask? Do you think the theme'll be lame like last year? I don't fall into the excitement. Unfortunately, the rest of my table does. 

Renee turns to the guys excitedly. "Who are you guys gonna ask?! I gotta know."

"Samantha, maybe," Andre admits bashfully, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. Carmen practically squeals. I raise my eyebrows.

"Student body president Samantha?" Chase asks suspiciously.

"A bit ambitious, don't you think?" I add.

He pretends to be offended, clutching at his chest as if I've just shot him.

"Of course she does," he explains. "We're in a bunch of classes together, and she was totally flirting with me at that party last year."

"Emphasis on the last year part," Danny says, laughing.

"I believe in you, Andre!" Renee announces. "Don't let these lame people make you think twice about it!"

"I agree," Carmen chimes in. "Samantha's awesome."

"All I have to say is good luck, dude," Danny pipes in. "You do you, man."

"Who are you asking, Daniel?" Renee asks Danny. He makes a face and shrugs.

"You're no fun," Carmen retorts. "Adrienne?"

"Hm?" I look up at her, my mouth full. 

"Who do you want to get asked by?"

I nearly spit out my halfway chewed food. What I sight that would've been. "It appears as though you've forgotten that the guys around here think I'm a potato. No one's gonna ask me."

"I gotta call BS on that one. You're, like, the prettiest girl in this cafeteria. Don't even trip, dude," Chase adds nonchalantly, taking a bite of his apple. 

"CHADRIENNE," Renee and Carmen sing in unison. 

"Shut up," Chase tells them, stabbing his fork in their direction. "I was just saying that you have nothing to worry about, Adrienne."

I shrug, slightly surprised that he'd call me pretty so directly, especially in front of all our friends. Everyone continues to stare at us, which makes Chase obligatorily add, "You're still a nerd though."

"Right back atcha," I say, giving him a no-look fist bump. 

"Quit denying it, you guys," Carmen says. "Chadrienne is a thing."