Ylisse High (Fire Emblem: Awakening fanfic)

Meeting the friends

When we get back, Tharja gives a quick 'thank you' and darts off. I'm not that intimidating, am I...? Anyway, there's plenty of time for me to pick up something to eat and still meet with Chrom and his friends. I hurry over to the food court to see what they have.

Pho... Pizza... Noodles... Weird stuff that probably isn't safe to eat... They seem to have a varied selection of (mostly) good food around here. As I spot what I want--gyros 'ursa' meat, rice and salad-- I reach into my pocket to find if I have enough money.

I'm broke.

"Gyaaaaagh...." I groan to no one in particular. Buying Tharja that drink completely emptied my wallet.

"Did you run out of money?" a kind voice asks from behind me. I whip around, light brown hair flying. A tall boy is standing behind me. His olive hair is a mess, but it actually really works for him. He has eyes are a beautiful, indescribable shade somewhere between green and brown. He's wearing a deep green blazer, a black shirt, and gray slacks. He breaks the bun that he has in half and extends it towards me. "Here. Take this!" He's so sure about it that I just take it. Suddenly, both our stomachs rumble. I blush, both of embarrassment and shame.

"I'm sorry... Are you hungry?" I offer the bun back, but he shakes his head.

"Nah, it's okay! I'm just about always hungry, so I can spare this one!" His smile is so reassuring that it has to be genuine. I feel an odd tug in my chest, but I ignore it, the void in my stomach taking first priorty.

"Thank you so much!" I manage to say before devouring the half-bun. He chuckles, then does as well.

"So, you must be the new student!" At my odd look, he adds, "Miriel told me there was someone new." He sticks out his hand, smiling. I notice that he's actually really cute... "Hello. I'm Stahl!" The gesture is so sweet and traditional-seeming that I have to smile back, treading the line between smiling and laughing.

"Nice to meet you, Stahl! I'm Becca!" We shake, then burst out laughing. When we finish, we start walking. Suddenly, we both realize that neither of us actually said anything about where.

"So, Becca, do you want to eat lunch with me and my friends?" Oh crap oh crap oh crap. Moral dilemmas officially suck. Eat with the kind, cute, hungry guy or your first friend in the town? I gulp, and get it out.

"I'd love to, but... I said I'd eat with this Chrom guy..." I reluctantly drag my eyes from the floor to his face to see his reaction.

"Well, that works out fine! Chrom's one of my friends!" I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, and my heart rate gradually slowed down.

He guides me over to one of the biggest tables in the room. I recognize some people, mostly the people from my classes. Chrom, who is being closely guarded (from nothing) by Frederick, notices me and waves. I wave back, a wave of timidity washing over me suddenly. Stahl laughs a bit and brings me to the front, holding my wrist so lightly I hardly feel it.

"Hey! You made it!" Chrom says as I sit gingerly beside him as if the chair would break.

"Yeah... Barely." At the sight of his smile--damn, Chrom, you could light up the room with that thing--all nervousness melts away inexplicably. "So, introduce me to your friends!" My eyes flick around the table.

Aaaand there's were my nerves went!

Even though I had noticed the number of people around the multiple tables was ridiculously huge, it suddenly seems like a mob. A few familiar faces stood out, but for the most part, I have no idea who anyone was. I can feel all the muscles in my body tense up as if something was about to attack me, though if something did I would be sooooo unprepared at that moment. My knees bent in slightly as my toes start fidgeting as if they were having a heated argument. Then something unexpected happens.