Mr. Cupid

Chapter 17

After that lunch room incident on Wednesday, rumors have been going around as to why Daniel suddenly rushed out, and why I threw my drink over Peter and went after him.

They were mostly shaming Peter, like he could have said something to Daniel to offend him and then it pissed me off, which was basically spot on.

Nobody would really blame Daniel or myself because we're well known and we have good reputation, while Peter is indifferent. Alex was just confused about the matter. She doesn't know what's going on. I don't think I really want her to be mixed up in this anyways. She's too fragile when it comes to drama including everything she has known forever. I don't want to hurt her with the truth, so I guess I'll have to please her with a lie. I don't like doing this, but I can't bare the sight of seeing her suffer.

Today's Friday now, and I've been avoiding Peter as much as I could. It's pretty easy since we have zero classes together but he lurks in the hallways a lot. Especially lately since rumors have been buzzing around. I'm heading to my second hour, Math.

As I approach the door, I see Alex leaning on the side, waiting, and then she looks at me. "Caleb! What's going on with Daniel and Peter? And you?" Alex bombards me with questions, which I sigh in response.

"It's nothing you should worry about, Alex. Just a little adjustment drama." I said, then walked passed her into the classroom. She followed me in, continuing her questions.

"Are you sure? It looked like more than that to me! You threw your drink at Peter, and I know how much you love Pepsi." Alex whined and I looked at her with a small smile. I love her so much, I want to tell her about this, but I really fucking can't. I can't see her broken again.

"Everything is okay, Alex. Nothing you should worry about." I reassured her, but she didn't look satisfied. She was just going to say more when Mr. Reed walked in, and we all had to take our seats for class to start. But, I couldn't help but think about this whole situation. And Daniel.

After Wednesday, he's been stone cold towards a lot of people. More defensive, too. I'm honestly really worried.

~~~

I sat in class mindlessly tapping my fingers on my desk. My thoughts going back to Daniels sad and teary face. A couple of small taps on my shoulder made me resurface back into reality. "Huh?" I voiced, a little dazed. I looked over to see it was Jennifer, smiling innocently.

"We have to get started, Caleb, Or Mrs. Olden won't be very happy that we can't even make a blueberry pie." She stated softly, and then I realized I was in home economics already.

"Oh yeah, sorry." I said, grabbing the package of blueberries and putting them into a bowl to start the filling.

"Are you okay lately? You've been spacing out more often then usual." Jennifer stated, starting a conversation.

"Oh yeah, I've just been a bit stressed lately." I said, waving it off. I added some sugar and cream to my mixture, and started folding, so it could be light and fluffy for the pie filling.

"Hey, I actually wanted to ask a favor from you." Jennifer whispered, and leaned closer to me. I got a little uncomfortable, but I didn't want to be rude.

"Oh? What is it?" I asked, curious.

"Well, since you and Daniel hit it off pretty quick, I was wondering if you could put in a few nice words about me to him. I would really appreciate it." Jennifer said, her green sharp eyes piercing through what felt like my soul. Now, I was really uncomfortable.

"Oh, um." I stuttered, trying to think about what I should say without offending her. "I don't know if he's really looking for someone at the moment, and uh, I don't know if your brother would be really fond of you two talking." I said weakly. I felt like an ant under her piercing gaze. She looked exactly like her brother, Jerry. Both with fiery red hair and piercing green eyes. They were a lot alike too, except Jen was more... cunning.

"Oh. I see." Jennifer said, looking at the pie crust the was molding into the pan. She then looked back at me and smiled.

"Well, can you at least try? Or could you give me your advice journal and I could read over it and try to do it myself. I'm not very good with these things, so that's why I asked you for help." She offered, and I nodded. Everything she just said was bullshit. But, I didn't want to he rude and point it out.

"I can give it to you at the end of class." I said, pouring the pie filling into the crust. Jennifer smiled and thanked me as she carried the pie to the oven.

Minutes pass, timers go off, and pies are being pulled out of ovens. I go get ours, have it graded, and then one of us keeps it or puts it in the fridge for lunch tomorrow.

"Mrs. Olden? Is it okay if I keep this one, I want to give it to a friend." I asked our lovely teacher, who smiled.

"Sure honey. That sounds lovely." I smiled and put some foil over it, to keep it from getting cold.

"Hey." Jennifer suddenly approached me from behind and I jumped.

"Oh hi." I chuckled nervously. And then I remembered. "Oh shit, right." I dug into my bag and handed her my journal, which her eyes lit up when she saw it.

"Thank you so much, Caleb! I'll have it back to you as soon as possible." Jennifer said gratefully, then she turned and walked out of the classroom. Oh dear, now I have a pie and no journal. I wanted to add to it later ;-;.

~~~

The bell rang for 6th hour to start, and I made my way to the library like any other day. I saw Ms. Ambrosia at her desk, reading a book when I walked in. She looked up and smiled when she saw me.

"Hey there Caleb, how are you?" She asked, putting her marker in her book and closing it. I smiled, and walked over, pulling up a chair.

"I'm good. A little stressed lately but otherwise fine." I replied.

"I see you have a pie in your hands?" Ms. Ambrosia pointed out. I nodded and held it out towards her.

"I made it in home ec so I wanted to give it to you." I said, with a smile. Ms. Ambrosia also held a smile, but not for the same reason. She looked behind me and then back at me.

"I think you should give it to him instead." She said, and I looked behind me to see Daniel standing at the library doors, a little stiff. He looked at me and made a small smile. I looked back at Ms. Ambrosia to see a encouraging expression on her face.

"Go on." She said, and I sighed, getting up with pie in hand and making my way towards Daniel.

"I thought I'd find you here." He said when I got close enough. I chuckled nervously, feeling my cheeks get warm.

"I uh, I made this in home ec, and, well, I thought of you- I mean I thought you would like to have it." I held out the pie towards Daniel, my face getting red at my nervous slip of words.

His face held a tint of red as well along with a small smile. He took the pie out of my hands gently. "Thank you. What kind is it?" He asked, urging the conversation.

"It's uh, blueberry. Sorry it's a bit cold, I uh, it's been a while since I made it. I thought you could use a pick me up of sorts." I said, fidgeting nervously. Why am I nervous?

"Awh, blueberry is my favorite. Thank you Caleb. But hey, I gotta get back to class." Daniel said, kind of disappointedly at the last sentence. I looked down and then back up at him.

"See you after school?" I asked, and he nodded.

"Take it easy. Don't walk into any walls." He added. Then I realized Alex told him about that story.

"Uuuuggggghhhhh." I groaned as he laughed while walking out of the library. I trudged back over to Ms. Ambrosia to see she had a proud smile.

"You're so cute, Caleb." She teased. I just groaned again as she laughed.