I'm Sure You've Heard It All Before

let's eat

God, I'm fucking starving. I'm in my creative writing class after I got done doing my presentation, waiting for the lunch bell to ring. I check my watch and it says 11:34. Lunch is at 11:37. My leg is bouncing up and down and I'm trying to listen to Ms. Burke about character development in a story and ordinarily, I listen because she is a good teacher, but I want to know if Aleeah said anything to Franco. And knowing her, she probably did.

The bell finally rings and I quickly gather my binder and notebook and bag and I rush out the door. Nearly colliding with two girls from my class.

The lunchroom is far and it's quite the walk. I stop in the side taking out my earphones and playing I Want It All. The song makes me feel less tense but I'm still twisting the wires from my earbuds around my fingers. I'm walking in the hallway and for once, I look up at everyone. I try to see if maybe, I'll see Franco. But it's fucking hard when everyone is wearing the same damn thing. Plus it's all Juniors in the hallway and the sophomore hall requires them to go through a different route to get to the lunchroom.

I finally make it but I see Aleeah is not at our usual table. She's usually able to make it first since her class that she dismisses from is on the first floor.

This is weird. I try not to think the worst and I go to the Pasta Bar and get my lunch. Private school lunch is good. Food is good. It's distracting so I won't think about Franco and Aleeah.

I sit down and start eating. But this is when Aleeah comes running to me, her curls bouncing, and squealing "Robin! Robin! Robin!"

She sits down hard and her hands are all over the place.

"Okay, so! I saw Franco! I'm sure it was him, brown and wavy hair, glasses? Freckles? Also, was he wearing a really old brown watch?"

He was. I nod.

"Oh my god! Okay. So not only did I see him. Don't freak out, Rob, but we talked!"
I freeze. I love Aleeah to death, but sometimes it takes a while to, I guess, get used to her energy.

"What did you say?" I ask

"I told him that I love his glasses, which I did, not too nerdy, ya know? And he said thanks. Then I asked him where his next class is or is he going to lunch. He had creative writing! Then he left but he wasn't mean about it. He's super chill, man!"

There are only two lunches by the way, which makes sense because I was wondering if he'd be here but that was stupid since I definitely would not have missed him if he was here. Also here's the thing about the creative writing class. It's sophomores and juniors only, you have to have an A in your last English class as well as a teacher recommendation from your teacher, and you must submit an essay about a certain prompt that you get assigned. It has to be perfect because the class is hard to get into. That is not a joke. And the people who take that class are really passionate about writing. Like me. And Franco.

Aleeah grabs my fork and eats a piece of my pasta.

"So, here's what you guys should do. Text him asking about the creative writing class and shit and like, I don't know, invite him for a study date." Aleeah loves to matchmake. Especially gay guys. She's always trying to set me up with guys that she knows but I'm never super into the idea of dating. Franco is different. And he's really, really cute and I don't think I'm worth his time.

"I'll text him, but only 'cause he asked me to. But I'm not asking for a study date, Aleeah. You don't even need to 'study' for that class. And I'm definitely not wasting my time pining for a guy who is probably straight. I'm going to be his friend and nothing more."

Aleeah looks clearly disappointed.

But I get a vibe from Franco and god, I do not want to be heartbroken when I find out he does not like guys.

But he is cool to be around and talk to which is why I'm pulling out my phone to text him.
Aleeah has taken my tray and is eating my pasta like she was the one that got it. Mid chew, she says, "Are you texting him, Rob? If you are good because I really did like him when I talked to him. I want to be his friend too! He's a keeper." She chuckles to herself. Still eating. I whip out my phone and hesitate before I start to text him.

Hey, I type out.

Jaws was never my scene and I don't like Star Wars.

This is a lyric from Bicycle Race by Queen.
I really hope he'll know it because he did say a Queen lyric. Maybe I should've taken apart from Bohemian Rhapsody since the lyrics are basic and everyone knows them. Because maybe he's not that big of a Queen fan and maybe I'm overthinking this and I'm too distracted to realize that Aleeah came behind me and clicked the send button on my phone.

"You're welcome."