Californian Flare

You Never Know Until You Try

     I was trying so hard to keep my cool while he was literally walking beside me just inches away. Our arms brushed up against each other's and we both flinched so hard. Ari was basically interrogating the poor guy. I don't know if I was annoyed at her or if I was grateful for getting so much info on him. Turns out he has two cats, one dog, two younger sisters, who are twins by the way I mean, how cute is that? Also his parents are still together. Must be nice.

"Wait so," I finally spoke up, "do your sisters not go here?"

He smiled at my curiosity. Does he like the fact that I'm interested in knowing more about him???

"No, actually." He said, "they're both in 7th grade still"

"Oh I see." I said, "also, sorry to be so intrusive but, why go from California to Georgia of all states?"

Damn Nate why you gotta be so freaking nosy? I mean I can't help it, I wanna know more about him!

"Well, my dad got promoted you see, and since the headquarter of the company is in Georgia, well, here we are." He said with a hesitant smile.

"Oh that's interesting, what company is it?" Ari asked. Honestly, this girl's going to he a detective some day.

"Coca-Cola"

What???

"What???" Ari said my exact thoughts out loud, "that's kind of like, a huge deal."

"Yeah I guess," he responded, "the funny part is, my mom doesn't even let us drink soda."

     By the time we got to the cafeteria, the line was huge. God I hated long lines. There were so many teenagers here, it makes me uncomfortable. Also the fact that everyone else is so attractive... goodbye self-esteem. What was even weirder was the fact that, every single girl -and some guys too- who walked by us, gave Ari and I the nastiest looks. It's not like we were bullied before or anything, that's what was weirdest about it. I guess it's just 'cuz Kyle's new here. It might be a big school but trust me, everybody knew everybody. New meats weren't that common, specially a beautiful Californian hunk like Kyle. That's when it dawned on me. Wait... could they be... jealous??? God these girls are gonna come for my neck I just KNOW.

"I'll save us a table." Said Ari. "Nate, could you be oh so kind as to like, pay for my lunch? Ya see, I kinda like, forgot my wallet at home"

"Ariana Serpentino, you know damn well they take Apple Pay, and one thing you never forget is your phone"

She backed away from us, "sorry what? I can't hear you!"

     I swear why am I friends with that idiot? As I got into one of the lines I noticed something. Kyle was still following me. It was just the two of us... well that plus a couple hundred kids, but still. Ohh so that was Ari's plan... fuck. I felt the tension grow between us, and even though there was the loud noise of people gossiping and setting down their lunch trays, the silence between us held so much tension that if you put 'de' in front of it, I'd have to stay after school (haha get it? De-tension like detention) ANYWAY. Before this could get any more awkward, he finally spoke up.

"So," he started off, "I've been rambling on and on about myself, yet I didn't learn anything about you."

Fuck... why does he want to know about me? OMG he's interested in knowing me? What am I supposed to tell him?

"Well, what would you like to know?"

Are you seeing anyone?

I wish he'd asked that. It'd make it much easier for me to just reply with a good ol' "Not really, I kinda just broke up with my douchey ex so I'm kinda available, kiss me now!"