SCINTILLA

CHAPTER 5

Gym had been fairly boring. Lauren and I had spent most of it playing badminton after we'd done the basic warm-ups with the entire class. Coach Clapp wasn't very strict in his lesson plans for the day, just as long as everyone was doing something active he didn't mind what went on.

Running into the girl locker rooms I rushed into one of the shower stalls and quickly rinsed myself. There was no way I was going to walk around for the rest of the day smelling like sweat. I usually kept small sampler shampoo bottles in my locker for this specific reason. Lauren shouted that she was heading out but that she'd see me at the lunch table.

Drying myself the best I could, as fast as I could I threw my clothes back on. I ruffled my semi-damp hair around while looking at my reflection in the full-length mirror near the entrance and exit of the girl's locker room. I'd gone for a fitted red pullover loosely tucked into some faded jeans and finished off while my white dirty sneakers.

Cracking my knuckles as I made my way out of the gym and towards the cafeteria. I thought about asking Bella to join my friends and me at our table, I'm sure Jessica must have but on the off chance she didn't, I'd find her and ask her myself.

As I pushed one of the cafeteria doors open, I moved over to the side and looked for Bella before seeing that she was already seated at our table and being introduced by Jessica to the others. I smiled until I noticed Lauren actively ignoring both Jessica and Bella and only focusing on her conversation with Katie. Sighing I quickly made work of getting my food before making my way over to them. I scratched the nape of my neck before tousling my hair around as I sat down.

"Mikey, you met my homegirl, Bella."

Snorting, I opened my water and took a sip as I watched the biggest idiots around making a fool of themselves.

"Your homegirl?"

"My girl." Out of nowhere Tyler came running in and kissed Bella's cheek while also pulling Mike's chair out from underneath him. I watched Mike chase after him towards the outside area of the cafeteria probably into the field.

"It's first grade all over again, and you're the shiny new toy." Bella smiled awkwardly and I couldn't help but laugh behind the back of my hand.

"Ignore her," I told her and then glanced over to see Lauren having a fit by herself. "and her too." They were being insecure and jealous for really nothing. Bella smiled but said nothing else as she messed around with her food.

"Smile." Angela softly spoke as she took the picture for the school's paper. "Sorry, needed a candid for the feature."

I failed to notice Bella's anxious face and Eric's annoyed one when I turned to Angela. "Can I see what you've got so far An—"

"Feature's dead, Angela. Don't bring it up again." I glared at him before turning to Angela and almost losing it when I heard Eric mutter to Bella. "I got your back, baby."

Laughing I looked at him highly amused, "You're so stupid." He mocked me then turned to his food and began conversing with Mike and Tyler, who had brought along Connor. I smiled at him before turning my attention back to the girls.

"Guess we'll just run another editorial on teen drinking." Angela sighed while resting her chin again her fist. I heard a scoff and turned to throw Lauren a look before turning back to Angela.