Star Light

Chapter 3

5:00p.m. Fox River Mall Food Court

"Wait, wait wait," I say laughing while Steven takes a bite of his rice. "So your trying to say that you failed a test on purpose just to prove a point to your teacher that doing the homework doesn't help?" He nods his head. "That is smart!"

"I thought so, but she didn't. Two weeks detention." I laugh while eating some of my Chinese off the plate.

"I have failed tests before, not to prove a point, but just because I wanted to go on my phone or take a nap after the test." I say and he laughs.

"Oh come on, you failing a test? Not possible." He remarks and I nudge his arm.

"Oh trust me, my grades aren't as good as you think they are. They are as bad as every other slacker that attends our school once a week." I say and he laughs then looks up, but not at me, something behind me. "What?"

"That guy over there is looking direct as you." He says.

"Oh come on, Steven." I say hitting his arm then eat some of me food. "Your paranoid. He is most likely looking at someone behind you. You do realize there is about two hundred people here right?"

"Okay I guess your right. Anyway, when are you going to try something new? You have looked the same and talked the same since like fifth grade."

"Uhm ...I would rather stay in my own comfort zone. Trying new things is scary and I would rather not give myself an anxiety attack" I say and he looks behind me again. "Oh my god, where is he?"

"Like directly in front of the cookie shop but a couple tables closer." I look back and immediately see who he is talking to. A guy sitting alone is sitting there staring at us. When we make eye contact and he smiles then I turn around after smiling back.

"Okay, maybe he was looking at us." I say looking at Steven. "Do you know him?"

"Nope. Never seen him before today. Maybe he likes you." He says.

"Oh god. He looks at least twenty, there is no way he is in our grade. If he is a Sophomore then I puke out rainbows." I say.

"Go ask him." He says and I look up. I could tell he was joking but then I thought about it. He did tell me to get out of my comfort zone no more than a minute ago didn't he?

"Okay." I say standing up.

"No not literally." He says.

"You told me to get out of my comfort zone so that's what I'm doing."

"I didn't mean get kidnapped." I laugh.

"Oh hush. I will be back in couple minutes." I say the walk over to him. He looks up from his plate as I walk towards him and he smiles.

"Hello." He says as I approach him, his brown hair looking shiny in the light. His brown eyes piercing mine with curiosity.

"Hey. I saw you looking in my direction so I thought I would come talk." I say. "Can I sit?"

"Ya go right ahead." He says and I sit across from him. He looks at me for a minute then puts hand out. "I'm Brody by the way."

"Laura." I say. "That over there is my bud Steven."

"Well, I was looking at you before because I thought you were cute. He says leaning over the table smiling. His dimples show as he smiles at me. His check and jaw bones showing. There is no way he is my age.

"How old are you?" I ask.

"I'm actually a Junior." He says. "And you?"

"Wait. There is no way, you're at least twenty." I say and he laughs.