All Roses Have Thorns

Erin VI

"So what's up with you and that chick?" Zach asked, taking his arm off her shoulder.

Erin shook her head, popping a carrot into her mouth, "Can't tell you."

"Yes you can," Jake said, blue eyes following Sierra as she walked back to her table.

"Okay, fine." She turned to look each one in the eye, "But if you tell anybody else, whether it's a pet, a person, a tombstone, or some other living thing, I don't care, I will tell your secrets to the world." Erin stared at Zach, "I will tell them about that time we went swimming," she turned to Jake, "I'll tell them about Mellie," she looked at Ryan, "I will show them those photos from last summer," Erin glared at Matt, "and I will let them know about Grace."

The boys visibly paled and nodded. "Okay, we won't," Jake said, his face turning red.

"Good," Erin sighed. "Yesterday, I found out... she's my soulmate. I literally just met her, and it turns out I'm her soulmate!" She whisper-yelled.

"...That's it?" Zach asked.

Erin stared at him, "What do you mean 'that's it'?"

He shrugged, "I know who my soulmate is."

"Really? Who?" She asked. How was he so calm about this?

He smirked, "Maggie."

"What." Erin's jaw dropped in shock. "Bro... You need better pick up lines."

Jake nodded, "Yeah, it's not that big a deal. I know my soulmate. She's over there." He pointed to a table where a quiet girl with glasses sat by herself. Despite the amount of students in the cafeteria, her table was entirely empty. Erin felt something pull on her heartstrings.

"I'm going to get her," Erin stood up and walked over to the girl, despite Jake's quiet protests. She sat down at the girl's table, "Hey, are you new here? I don't recognize you."

"Hm?" The girl closed her book and looked up, "Oh, I've been here all year."

"Ah, so you're new this year. Well, I mean, I guess we're all in different classes, but most of us were here last year. I just came back yesterday." Erin smiled, "My name's Erin. What's yours?"

The girl smiled, "I'm Reese."

"Reese... That's a cool name. Would you like to join me and my friends?" Erin said, gesturing to the four boys. Jake's face was a bright red, and he turned the other way when he saw Reese looking at him.

Reese closed her lunch box, still smiling, "Yeah. I'd really like that."

Erin walked with Reese back to the table. "Guys, this is Reese," Erin introduced the girl. "She'll be joining us."

Reese smiled and gave a small wave, "Hi." Erin sat down, and Reese sat down on her left side. Not once during lunch did she turn to look at her other friends, seated on the other side of the cafeteria.