Weekends

7- Lunch and "Listening-In"- B

Getting mercilessly beaten up twice in one day wasn't normal for me. Sure I was taunted a lot, but I typically wouldn't be physically hurt that often. Obviously, it had really taken its toll on me. It hurt to walk.

"Brendon? Oh my god, Brendon, are you okay," Dallon ran over to me as soon as I walked through the doors to the school. I knew that he wasn't usually here this early. "I'm really sore, but other than that, I'm fine," I wrote. "I was so worried about you yesterday," he said, hugging me close to him. "I'm so sorry that I didn't step in. I-I saw you, but when I went to go over to help, Ryker and everyone else in my stupid friend group was holding me back," he explained.

His grip was fairly loose around me. He knew that I was hurting, so he was being extra gentle. I laid my head against his chest. "Where are you hurting," I heard Dallon ask from above me. "My chest and stomach," I told him. He nodded but seemed confused as I mentioned my chest. "Why does your chest hurt?" I looked to the floor.

"Jason kept elbowing me in the chest at lunch yesterday too." His eyes immediately softened. "I'm so sorry, Brendon. You don't deserve that." He put his hands lower on my back as we swayed where we were standing. "I uh I know that it might not be the most comfortable thing ever, but would you maybe want to sit with me and my friends at lunch? I know that they aren't the nicest to you, but I don't want you to get hurt again. Plus, we get the better lunches because Ryker's rich mommy and daddy paid for all of us to get meals prepared by the culinary teacher," Dallon offered.

I shrugged, paying more mind to the sound of his heartbeat than to the question he'd just asked. "Do you want to meet in front of your locker?" His hand was moving in a soothing circular motion in its place at the small of my back. I nodded. He laughed and smiled down at me.

Dallon was so charming, and I couldn't wait to sit next to him. Even if that meant sitting near the other popular kids, Dallon was worth it.

🍽🍽

I waited for Dallon by my locker. I was a little early. He was a little early too. "Hey, you're here early," he bounded over to me, grinning ear-to-ear. "I wanted to see you, and you're early too," I wrote. He laughed and rolled his eyes at me. "Only because I didn't want to miss you." I blushed a bit but hid it well, falling into step with Dallon.

I was attracted to Dallon. I'm not sure if it was platonic or romantic, but I couldn't stop thinking about him or wanting to see him. He was just so nice to me, and it made a warm feeling fill my stomach whenever I was near him.

"Okay, guys. My friend Brendon wanted to sit here today, so here he is," Dallon said as we sat down. "Brendon, this is Ryker, Riley, Nick, Alison, and Spencer." I waved at them and was met with a similar look from all of them, unimpressed with me. I moved a bit closer to Dallon. "You okay," Dallon whispered. I shrugged.

"Y'know, we should probably start thinking about who's going to prom with who this year," Riley brought up. She seemed okay. "Well, obviously, you and I, Nick and Ally, Dylan and Hannah, Tanner and Emmy, and probably Spencer and that cheerleader Linda," Ryker rattled off. "What about Dallon?" Ryker rolled his eyes and sighed. "I don't know. Do you even want to go, Dallon? Bring your little boy toy or whatever he is. He won't be any trouble because he doesn't even talk." My face grew a bit flushed. "I might go, but I don't know who I'd go with. Also, Ryke, don't be rude," Dallon defended me, putting his hand on my back under the table. "It's true though isn't it?"

All eyes were on me. "Ryker, stop," Spencer piped up. He rolled his eyes and went back to eating his flatbread. "So, Brendon, have you ever been to a school dance," Alison asked, sweetly trying to include me. I shook my head. "That's okay. They're a lot of fun," she smiled at me. "What makes them fun," I asked, slightly regretting fueling the conversation after showing the popular girl my board. "You get to hang out with your friends, dance, and stuff. Plus, Nick and I always match our outfits," she explained. "That does sound fun." Alison smiled at my bashful expression. "He's cute," she mouthed to Dallon. He nodded and looked to me. I smiled up at him.

"Do you like shopping, Brendon," Riley asked, earning an annoyed look from Ryker. "Not really. Too much talking." She nodded in understanding. "So, what do you like to do then," Alison spoke again. "I like watching movies and playing piano," I told her. I saw Dallon's smile grow out of the corner of my eye.

"What kind of movies do you like," Dallon nudged me. "I like most movies, but 80's movies and thrillers are good. Horror movies aren't my thing at all." Dallon laughed and took a bite of his food. "Why not horror movies?" I shrugged, thinking about how Dallon's hand was still on my lower back.

"Why are we talking about Mutey's taste in movies when prom is only three months away," Ryker asked, seemingly frustrated. "Because no one cares about prom right now, Ryke. Brendon seems really nice, and we want to talk to him. Stop being a dick," Alison finally said. "Yeah, Ryke, he seems pretty cool. I don't know what your deal is," Nick continued.

"But he's a f-" Dallon glared at Ryker. "Don't even finish that sentence," he said through clenched teeth. My eyebrows furrowed at how protective he was being. "This is why I wish Dylan and Tan were here. You guys don't even deserve to be a part of this clique!" Ryker got up and stormed away.

"I don't think he likes me," I told Dallon, laughing. "You think?" I nodded. "That's okay, though, Brendon. The rest of us like you," Riley smiled. "Thank you." Spencer hadn't said too much but was more watching Dallon laugh contentedly. I saw him pull out his phone and text someone. Dallon's phone dinged on the table.

Spencer: You look happy

I tried not to look, but in a moment where I knew no one, Dallon's focus was my focus too.

Dallon: I am

Spencer: He seems really nice

Spencer: Have you hung out with him yet

Dallon: No, I don't want him to be uncomfortable. I was kind of testing the waters by asking him sit with us today

Spencer: He's not as shy as I thought he'd be

Dallon: Yeah, I really like talking to him

Dallon: I've never met someone who never leaves my mind

My heart hammered in my chest as I read that. I felt guilty reading his messages about me, but god, that one was amazing to see.

Spencer: Do you like him?

I felt my face go red as I looked away from the screen. That's not my business, and I was basically eavesdropping, but if he liked me, I'd be blown away. I had to know.

Dallon: Spencer...

Spencer: Dallon...

Dallon: I don't know

Spencer: You've definitely got the hots for B r e n d on

Dallon: Stop

Dallon: You're an ass. If my face is red and he sees, I'm going to kill you and tell Ryker that you were hitting on Riley

Spencer: I thought you didn't like him

Dallon: I won't hesitate to tell Ryker

Spencer: Dick

I saw Dallon look up and narrow his eyes at Spencer as I immediately tore my eyes away from his phone. I tried to keep my eyes away. I really did, but I could feel him looking at me, and I wanted to know what he was looking at me like. Was he in a daze and just kind of staring in my general direction, or was he purposely looking at my face?

He was looking at me.