Storm ☾ Paul Lahote

~HE'S BACK~

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"Eat your food," I glance up at Seth who gestured to my barely touched fries with his plastic fork. "Or I'll eat them." 

"Have them." I pushed them away, sliding them over to his side of the cafeteria table as he raised his eyebrow in question.

"You literally would murder someone if they even look at your food the wrong way." He hesitantly reaches for the fries that were on my plate.

I sigh, glancing around the crowded lunchroom before looking back to Seth, who was stuffing his face with fries.

"What's wrong?" He reaches for my hand that rested on the table, "You're not all here." He gestures to my current state.

"I'm just really worried," I mumbled,  running a hand over my forehead.

"Scott?" He already knew the answer. "Well-" A loud gasp broke Seth's thoughts as I glanced over my shoulder. My only real girl friend, Jennifer Brady, stumbled into the cafeteria, her jacket hanging halfway off of her as her hair bounced around her face.

"Here we go." Seth groaned.

Jennifer pulled a chair out, moving it so she could sit next to me, almost making it fall over in the process. "Oh my god." She drew out the phrase like she didn't know what else to say.

"What's up, Jenny?" I was almost afraid to know what she was freaking out about. "Did Mr. Valkes not mark your science test?"

"No." She dropped her hand on the table and looked at me with a 'this is far more intense' expression. "Girl, no. What I saw..was an angel. No, it was Jesus himself. Girl, let me tell you. When I say Paul Lahote is back, he is back."

I narrowed my eyes at her, my stomach twisting the slightest. "Yeah? So?"

Seth wiped his face in front of me. "Who did he attack this time?"

Jennifer shook her head, almost as if saying she was shocked herself. "No one, he's perfectly fine. He didn't attack anyone, he didn't even look anyone in the eye when he walked into the building."

I stared at her for a moment, "Okay. So what's your point?" I don't understand why she was getting so worked up about.

She rolled her eyes, grabbing my hand. "Come on, I'll show you."

"Jen, I know he's back. Shut up for a second." I move my hand away from hers. Her eyes narrow, questioning me.

"You already know he's back?" She brushes her hair over her shoulder, her hoop earrings on full display.

"Yes-" I shake my head, putting on a fake smile. "Oh! I thought you were talking about someone else." I brush it off, "Show me." Her eyebrows raising in question once again,

"You must be so excited! You've had a crush on him since like the ninth grade." I laugh, playfully pushing her as a giddy smile made its way on her face as Seth sighed.

"My fries.." He looks down at the three golden sticks on his plate.

"Eat them later!" Jennifer orders, linking her arms with mine. "We need to see my future husband!" She giggles as I raise my eyebrows at her obsessiveness.

"Jen, that's a little..." I hesitate to continue my sentence.

"What?" She stops us before we round a corner, turning to me.

"Nevermind," I shrug. "I bet you'll make him happy." I grin slightly, watching as she fixed her earring.

"You bet I will." She smirks, glancing over her shoulder. "There he is." I look to where her eyes rested. 

Surrounded by loads of people, Paul was opening his locker amidst the loud crowd. He seemed distant, as if he didn't want to be near them. It seemed as if he didn't want anything to do with them. They were just there. They probably weren't friends with him, they most likely just chose that spot to have a conversation.

"Go get em', Tiger." I nudge Jennifer as she turns her head back to me. " You won't get a date with him by standing here."

"You're right." She nods, "Wish me luck!" She turns on her heel, heading towards the lone Paul.

"What I miss?" Seth comes up beside me, readjusting his bag.

"Jenny is trying to get a date with Mr. Paul." I nod towards Jenny and Paul. Jenny had her finger around a strand of hair, twirling it in her gelled finger.

"Oh.." I cross my arms, smirking as she leaned against the locker smoothly. Paul's back was to me while Jenny was facing me.

I realized that Seth wasn't the least bit excited to see Paul Lahote, but at least his expression wasn't showing it. Mine was far from calm, I was trying to rationalize that this was not what we should be doing. It felt wrong staring at Paul Lahote, like it was an invasion of his space. Imagining his dark eyes locking on me was enough to send shivers down my spine. If Paul ever made direct contact with anyone, it was hardly a good thing. His reputation was the only true thing about him. He had a reputation, so did I.

Jen and I were polar opposites personality and interest wise. She was a musician, but she preferred to sing but the Music teacher won't let her do any solos. She would always rant about that to me. She despised sports with a burning passion while I love them. When I kicked a soccer ball, when I was three, I knew that was my sport. About three years ago, I joined the volleyball team at my middle school, now I'm the spiker on my high school team. Even though Jen hated sports, she would always be the loudest in the crowd when I played. She was a loud, boy-obsessed girl, but I love her to death.

"How bad is it this time?" Seth questions, observing Jen as she tried to flirt with Paul.

"He seems into it.." I raise my eyebrow as Jen sends me a wink. "He hasn't walked away."

"Or brutally assaulted her yet." Seth laughed at his little joke, making me scoff at his comment. It was true, Paul wasn't known for his nice behavior.

I observe as Jen laughed at something Paul said, making my stomach do a little flip. She reached for his shoulder, barely reaching it since he grew a few extra inches. She patted his shoulder before brushing past him, a small smirk on her face. Paul's head turns to watch her walk off, his eyes meeting mine as Jen stopped in front of us, looking as if she was going to cry or laugh.

"You alright?" My eyes meet Jen's, watching as another smile broke out on her face. She looked ecstatic.

"He said yes!" She claps her hands together. My face faltering as my eyes snapped to Paul's.

"I'm so happy for you." I cross my arms, glancing over at Seth who looked astonished.

Jen's smile started to drop, replaced with a look of worry and nervousness. "You okay?"

"I'm fine, this just reminds me," I pull out my phone from my jean pocket. "I should call Scott." I back away from the duo, dialing Scott's number.

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