Shelby Blanke

The Interaction

Finally it was the dreaded, yet blessed time of the day. Lunch. Dreaded because of cliques and seating. Blessed because, no work, no learning, just talking and eating food. It was a dream come true. I walked into the crowded cafeteria and looked around for Noah and Abigail. I hadn't spotted them. I assumed that I was first to arrive. I sat at a quiet table in the corner and pulled out a bag of chips. Yes, a random bag of chips I found in my bag was what I was going to eat for lunch. Noah and Abby came through the doorway and I waved to them. "Hey Shelbs!" Abigail said as she set her lunch down. "Hey." I said, grabbing a chip out of the half empty bag. Noah joined us at the table. "So....how was everyone's first day so far?!!" Abigail asked excitedly. "Good." Noah said as he took a bite out of a slice of pizza. "Ok." I replied. "That's good so—" I stopped listening to Abby, I heard nothing. All I did, was stare at the boy across the cafeteria. A tall, tan, and scruffy haired boy I had recognized from earlier. Reed. "Earth to Shelby? Are you with us?" Noah said waving his hand in front of my face. "Huh?" I asked. "Do you want to meet up later?" Abigail asked. "Uh....actually I have some homework." I replied. "Aw, ok. Maybe some other time then." Abby said looking disappointed. I felt bad, but I wasn't in the mood. Not today. Maybe tomorrow. As lunch neared an end we cleaned up the table and said our farewells, and on the way out I tried to find Reed. For some reason I felt an urge to talk with him. I finally managed to catch up with him. "Reed!" I shouted. He turned back from his friend group. "Oh hey Shelby!" He replied. He slowed down and walked beside me. "Hey!" I said with a smile. He smiled in return. He had perfectly straight, white teeth. He ran a hand through his scruffy hair. "So...?" He asked. "Oh sorry. Um, I don't actually know...I guess I just felt a weird urge to talk to you. I feel like we kind of left it off on a weird note..." I responded blushing awkwardly. "That's alright. I understand completely. So how's your first day day been Freshy?" He asked with a smile. "Good I guess," I laughed nervously. "A bit of a train wreck at the start but it got better." I said. "Aw yea, no worries. Everything always gets better, even if it gets worse before it gets better." He replied. "I had never thought of it that way, but I guess now that I really think about it, it seems accurate." I said with a laugh. "Yeah, well I have plenty of inspirational quotes to share whenever you need one." He claimed with a small laugh. I giggled. "Good to know. I should head to class now, see ya around." I said waving goodbye with a smile. "Bye Shelby!" He waved. Gosh he was so quirky and cute—no, I didn't have a crush on Reed. I couldn't. Or did I? Surely not, and even if I did, I would never have a chance. He is a Sophomore after all, and I was merely a Freshman. I never stood a chance against all those poster girls, but it didn't matter anyways, I didn't have a crush on Reed. I looked back at him one last time and continued walking to my next class.