Vanilla Girl

M u d - P i e

"I SAW YOU RUNNING for dear life after first period."

We are at the cafeteria. My best friend Wyona is by my side ranting as always as we step in line.

After the parking lot fiasco, I'd managed to slip inside school again, reach my locker and snag the red hoodie I'd stuffed in there for emergencies like this. I'd shrugged it on and escaped to the bathroom where I made a lame attempt at getting rid of the yukky mucous poo latched onto my hair.

Now I had wet bangs and a revolting oddor. Result of showering on deodorant. I still didn't know which one was better.

Wyona said I smelled just fine.

Friends. What would we do without them.

"I thought about taking after you, but then I remembered exercise is not my thing." She continued as her brown eyes scanned the food displayed.

"Anyway, who were you chasing? Harry Styles?" She picked up a red apple and twisted it in her hands.

I rolled my eyes.

"I wasn't chasing anyone. I was just craving a dose of fresh unadulterated air."

I try to sound casual.

"And If I was, chasing someone I mean, it wouldn't be Harry Styles."

I give her a mischievous smirk.

"Dylan." I cough under my breath.

Her face twinkles and she shakes her head at me, before dropping the apple back in place.

"Whatever." She retorts.

"I'm not on a veggie day. Where are the carbs?"

Minutes later, we walk towards our usual table to the left.

Unlike other schools, the food here is eighty per-cent edible. That means, we try to make the most of it.

Wyona's try is filled with fries and a juicy hamburger, while mine looks like a potpourri of colours and shapes.

I start picking on my salad when my best friend's gasp interrupts me.

"What the hell happened to your hair?"

I give a startled jump.

My eyes lift from my food to find her sitting in front of me, mouth gaping.

"Shh..." I hush.

My eyes scan the cafeteria as if a sudden wave of paparazzi is going to jump from behind me and I'll find my face on the cover of Seventeen next time I drop by at the stand.

She drops her palms flat on the table and leans in. Strands of her straight raven hair falling forward to frame her face. Her skin glows, reminding me why I always envied the almond tone of her skin. It's a trait every member of her family shares, thanks to their Afro-American ancestry.

"What on earth happened Adaline?"

I cringe at the use of my full name.

She knows it gets on my nerves.

I frown.

She raises a brow.

I give in.

"Just a bird who decided my head was a good place to unload his droppings."

I play it out as if it was a common thing in my life.

Hey, know what? I got pooped by a bird again. Yay! High five!

Wyona is gaping. Her mouth moves but no sound comes out. I'm surprised a fly still hasn't landed there.

Suddenly she coughs, splattering drool all over her fries.