The Sweet Nothings || ✓

'I AM SORRY IF MY ESCAPE BOTHERS YOU'

Lana smiled to herself as she walked into the cafetaria of the school.

She was happy to be back.

School was a great distraction for her.
Right now, her mind was far away from Damien, who himself was burning with jealousy but right then, had a girl on his lap.

It was far away from Maia, who being Lana's sister, didn't remember her.

Right now, it was focusing on the sole purpose of finding a table to sit on.

She didn't want to sit with her usual friend circle, though she could see Sarah's eyes drifting towards her every once in a while.

Levi was missing from the table but Lana wasn't worried. She had seen the scene in the parking lot that morning. Levi and Hannah had been locking lips pretty eagerly and nearly everyone's phone had been out to record it.

Lana hadn't felt the urge to punch him.

Everyone had different ways to cope with stress and loss, this had become Levi's. Hannah was his new 'rebound' girl. Lana knew that IF Maia got her memory back, she wouldn't like this.

She wouldn't. Not one bit.

Leaving this thought behind, she moved towards the counter filling up her tray with food and then looked around again. Her eyes took in the sight.

Right in the middle in the center sat her usual friends. Sarah, Melissa, Macy, Jake, Emma and now Levi joined them.

Her normal group of seven including her.

She remembered feeling safe there. She still did. But right now, all that reminded her of happiness, she didn't want to feel it. Not when Maia was somewhere out there, oblivious to the world.

There was Damien's table.

Damien with some random jocks and girls. Around him and on his lap.

Then there was Henry's table with the gang members. All of them were smiling and laughing. Lana smiled distantly.

Her eyes scanned the cafeteria again and she noticed girl sitting alone at the table in the corner.

Discarding the whole thought of sitting with her friends finally, she moved towards that table. She moved further and noticed that the girl was working on her laptop, her eyes squinting and her fingers moving furiously.

Before sliding into the seat next to her, Lana asked, "Anyone sitting here?" The girl looked up, eyes wide having noticed Lana for the first time. She smiled this wide smile, her dark eyes shining.

"My friend is coming but you can surely join us." And then she shifted to the side.

Lana sat down swiftly.

"I am Lana. Lana Wilson." She cringed internally. She still wasn't used to introducing herself as Andrea.

"I am Rachel. Rachel Ford Stanley." She smiled.

Lana noticed that Rachel's eyes were still glued to the laptop screen. It seemed an important project. That's when Lana's stomach growled and she finally concentrated on her food.
They sat in silence.

But it was comfortable. Rachel was still working when Lana flipped out her phone and switched it on. She noticed Rachel's eyes flicker towards her lock screen wallpaper. It showed the galaxy.

"What's your favourite planet?" Rachel asked. Lana simply looked at her and answered Jupiter.

"What about you?" She asked her. Rachel smiled.

"Oh. It's Neptune through and through."

Again there was silence. Lana went through her messages.

'We are going for a road trip. Tomorrow. Just the seven of us. No drama. Nothing. Only us. Like normal people.'

The message was from Macy. And she knew she had to agree. She needed time. Some time with her friends.

Sending in a quick yes, she went back to finishing her food.

Just as she was about to finish, Rachel spoke up- "Have you tried the Rainbow Sprinkle Doughnut?" She asked to which Lana frowned.

She noticed as Rachel's eyes widened.

"Okay. Dunkin' Doughnuts. 5pm. Today." She said and went back to working. Lana chuckled and muttered a yes.

Out of curiosity, she asked Rachel,
"What are you doing?"

"Oh! It's finished now. I was writing a report about the debate last semester. It has to go in the yearbook. I was supposed be doing this with Maia Oberain,my friend. But she kinda disappeared from this planet."

'Maia, my friend." Kept repeating in Lana's head.

"She was your friend?" Lana asked.

"Yeah she 'is'. Why do you ask?" Rachel said simply.

Huffing, Lana stretched out her hand towards Rachel.

"Here is my introduction again. I am Andrea. Andrea Francisco Oberain."
Lana saw as Rachel's mouth gaped open.

"You are THE Andrea."

Lana frowned.

"Excuse me, I don't follow. What are -" Just then another presence was felt on the table.

The soft wift of her perfume encircled Lana and she couldnt help but stare.
The new addition to the table had a mischievous glint in her hazel eyes that glittered in the light of the cafeteria. She had a slight hint of a smirk on her face and her short dark brown hair bounced slightly as she sat down. Rachel looked up at the girl and smiled warmly and Lana knew that they were best friends that very moment.

"Hey Daria." And said Daria , smiled back at Rachel and then shifted her eyes to Lana. She raised her eyebrows at her, as if asking a question.

Lana found it frustrating. She could see that Daria didn't like the presence of Lana that much. She could see the coldness in her look. Not giving Daria the satisfaction of that look, Lana remained quiet.

"Who is this?" She asked Rachel.

"Oh. Daria this is Lana. More like Andrea. You know, Maia's sister."

This seemed to infuriate Daria more for some reason.

"And what is she doing here? Isn't that her friend circle? Why isn't she sitting there?" Daria said pointing towards the table in the center.

Lana rolled her eyes. She hates people who addressed her indirectly.

She looked at Daria, keeping her face devoid of emotions.

"Things change Daria. And sometimes it's so overwhelming that you want to escape it for sometime. I am sorry if my escape bothers you." Picking up her tray, she got up and looked at Rachel.

Smiling she said, "It was really nice meeting you Rachel. And if we are still up for Dunkin' Doughnuts, call me."

She turned away, dumping the tray in the bin she started walking away. Away from two people who were soon going to change her life.