Dominion

Chapter 11

My stomach is literally crying for food. I am not sure how many eyes has looked at me now due to my rumbling stomach. I maneuver my way through bodies as I head to the cafeteria. Hope the meal for today is nice. Luck be on my side let it be sphagetti, even without my favorite combo; meatballs, I might literally hug the chef.
I get to the cafeteria to find we are eating rice and I groan, dragging my feet to the line.
"Hey" Ben comes to stand behind me on the line.
"Hey" I greet.
"Didn't see you much yesterday." he says picking up a tray as I do.
"Spent most of the day with Leslie " I tell him grabbing a plate which I place on my tray.
"You pick your cousin over your amazing best friend!? " he places is hand on his chest feigning offense.
I laugh at him putting my plate out to be served. "I guess that's part of life" I tell him to which he scoffs.
Collecting my plate now filled with food, I walk to an empty table and Ben joins me shortly.
We dig into our food and engage in small talks. James walks up to our table, a guy trailing behind.
"Hey " he grins at us setting his food on the table.
"Hey, haven't seen you in a while" I wave at him. He takes the seat in front of me leaving the last seat in front of Ben for his friend.
"Hey, my name is Daniel but you can call me Dan for short."
"Not like it's a long name but yeah, noted." I laugh.
"I guess so." he smiles sheepishly.
"Nice to meet you, I am-"
"Clara" he finishes for me.
I look at him surprised, "can't say you are wrong."
"Ben, nice to meet you." Ben stretches out his hand for a handshake.
"I don't get a handshake too?" James complains looking sad.
"No" Ben retorts not bothering to look up at him.
James gasps, I laugh at their childish behavior and Daniel joins too. I notice his eyes just as our laugh dies down, they are really brown.
"Yeah, just like my mum's" I slap my hand over my mouth realizing I said that out loud.
"I like them" I comment truthfully.
"Thanks, he smiles at me.
"you look so cute with your dimples when you smile, such cuteness should be illegal. " I blurt out shamelessly.
He laughs, "thanks" he runs his hand through his tousled hair giving me a sudden urge to run my hands through it too, his hair looks so soft.
"Why did you come with me? You're stealing my girl right in front of me" James grumbles shoving Daniel playfully. Everyone on the table laughs except Ben of course who just shrugs groans.
I begin to choke on my food thanks to James and Daniel making me laugh. James is fast to offer me a cup of water which I collect appreciatively. He looks at me overly concerned and I smile feeling uneasy under his gaze.
The way James looks at me makes me wonder if he has feelings for me cause it's that type of look you give someone you like. I really hope he doesn't, maybe I am just reading meaning into it all. He is cool, good-looking and all but I can't just see myself having feelings for him.
"Earth to clara" Daniel snaps his fingers in my face taking me out of my thoughts.
I blink, "sorry, was thinking about something."
"You need to reduce the way you think about me love, you're kind of blowing off this low-key thing we have going on." James smirks.
I fake cough, "Excuse me?"
From the corner of my eyes I see Ben roll his eyes as James and Daniel burst out laughing.
"You definitely meet and surpass all I have heard about you." Daniel says and I give him a quizzical stare.
"I don't get you."
"Neither do I " Ben who has been quiet all the while adds.
Daniel chuckles, "Well, I have heard a lot about you from guys observations and all..." he trails off
I look at him in disbelief, I barely talk to guys here so I am definitely surprised. "Okay, hope they are all good comments."
"What if they weren't " I look at him like he has suddenly grown horns. Is he serious right now!?
"Just joking" Daniels says much to my relief.
"But I am not joking when I say you are pretty." he winks and I try not to blush.
James punches him, "You stole my line."
Daniel glares at him, "better luck next time bro."
"Can you guys try to tone it down with the flirting." Ben interrupts their bickering.
"No" they say in unison.
I face-palm myself and take the last spoon of my food. Ben gets up to leave and I follow suit.
"Nice talking to you both." I say walking off after Ben.
Something is off with him, I can sense it and I need to know what it is.
"Ben! Ben!!" I call out to him.
He stops and turns to look at me. I increasing my pace, walking faster to catch up with him.
"What's up with you." I say falling into stride with him
"Nothing" he answers not sparing me a glance.
"What do you mean nothing " I know for sure something is off.
"I mean nothing." he shrugs.
I frown at him, "then how do you explain your mood and behavior?"
"I don't know what you are talking about Clara."
"Don't tell me that, something is definitely wrong with you!" I snap.
He sighs and stops walking, taking my face in his hands. "I am fine Clara, nothing is wrong with me. If something was, you will be the first I will tell and you know that."
I am still not convinced, I can't shake the feeling that he is lying to me and it hurts, we've always told each other the truth.
"Are you sure, you were usually quiet back there." I press.
He chuckles, "that's because two certain guys were at the table."
I laugh grabbing him by the hand as we walk to the venue for the next activity of the day. "Okay then."