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Chapter 2: Him

Alexa's POV:

       As I walked through the lunch line in our school cafeteria, the one thought that ran through my head was how much I hated not having my best friend, Chloe, in this lunch period more than the amount of hate I harbored for the food they served.  

       Every year before this one, I had lunch with her. This year, I only have no classes with her whatsoever. I only see her in the morning after my dad drops me off. I miss having those deep and meaningful conversations with her that took up 90% of the lunch period.

      "Ma'am. I asked what you wanted. Taco or a cheeseburger?" The lunch lady said, bringing me out of my thoughts. "Umm... Taco, I guess. Thank you." I said hesitantly as she handed me the tray. I grabbed a few other things and put them onto my tray.

       Great. Another day, another silent lunch period. I sit by myself every day because Chloe isn't here. "Hey, Alexa!" I hear my name being called from across the lunchroom. I scan the room to see who it was. Oh. It's James. 

      He motioned for me to come to his table of jocks. I pointed at myself and silently asked if they meant me, and he reassured me with a nod. I walked over to them, and then James slightly opened his mouth to speak. "Would you care to join us, darling?" He asked, offering a small smile.

    "I'd love to," I said, without even thinking.  As I sat my tray onto their table, I heard some of the jocks whispering indistinctly. Hmm. Wonder what that's all about. Oh well.

     I sat down beside James and sighed softly. "What's the matter?" James asked, with a concerned look on his face. "It's nothing. It's just not the same without Chloe, my best friend." I said, trying to brush it off.

    "You know, I can get one of my buddies to sneak her out of class, right?" He suggested, offering a small smile. I raised my eyebrows. "Really?" I asked with a hopeful tone.

    "If you want me to, I will. Tell me, what class does she has right at this moment?" He inquired. "She's got, Mr. Harrington. I don't know how you'll get her out. That teacher is a proper asshole." I said, sort of in disbelief that he could do it.

     "Hey. Every teacher in this school has a soft spot for jocks doing favors for other teachers. Besides, I'll just say Mrs. Locklear needs her in the AV room. It's all the way on the other side of the building on the second floor. He won't miss her for at least an hour. " He reassured, giving a wicked smirk.

     Oh my god, I can't believe I'm letting a jock lie to a teacher for me. It's just so unheard of. "Alright. I believe you have this under control. Let's do this." I said, shooting him a goofy grin.

     I felt my cheeks were glowing red, so I tried to think of something else. Maybe my baby, Luna. My beautiful white and a grey husky puppy that I just got for my birthday earlier this year.

      Man, Chloe and I used to have so much fun with her over the summer. Then when school started, Chloe's granddad stopped letting Chloe come over. Damnit, I feel like I'm going to cry.

     Just then, I had realized how long I'd been lost in thought because now Chloe was in front of me.  "Hey, kid. Did you miss me that much?" She asked in a joking manner.

      I jumped out of my seat and walked over to her. I gave her a big hug that lasted almost a minute. God, I missed her hugs.

     We ended the hug, and I pulled up a chair for her to sit with us. It felt good to have at least one lunch period with me. I leaned over to Chloe and hugged her once more. "Thank you." I mouthed over to James. 

    He tipped his invisible cowboy hat to me and gave me a cheeky wink. I let out a light chuckle and rolled my eyes playfully. 

   "So. As you know, the annual Halloween bash will be held at my house, as usual. We need to make preparations now since it's only 2 weeks away." Luke said as if he was some great leader. "Liam, you got the booze?" Luke asked while he pointed at Liam. Liam nodded.
 
     "Tyrone, you're inviting the bitch- I mean ladies," Liam said as if he remembered not all girls like to be called bitches. He looked at me and winked. Woah. He better not be winking at me like that. I mean, he's cute and all, but I think I'm starting to like James a bit.

    Woah, Alexa. That's a dangerous territory you're treading one. You know how that goes. First, you start liking a guy that you know isn't good for you. Then, you start noticing he likes you too. Before you know it, you two are on a date, and he's trying to go south of the border.