The Love Game

Chapter 2: Lunch Date

I was late to the bus that morning, so I decided to walk with Elliot to school. It had turned out his house was near ours. I waited outside his house. I checked my phone, and we didn't have much time to get to school. We would probably be a few minutes late unless we really hurried. Thankfully, as I was thinking this, Elliot walked out of his house and slammed the door behind him. He only had on one backpack strap as he greeted me and began to walk.

I turned my head back to look at his house. It looked similar to his old house at Fort Gallagher. Ms. Elliot's mom must have pulled some strings. "Your house looks nice! I wish we could say the same. Lucas just found a random house and decided it would be good enough," I frowned.

As Elliot was about to respond, we turned our head to see the bus passing. Sophie was in one of the windows with a smug grin before the bus flashed away. I curled my hands into fists at my side. He turned to me once more. "It's alright," Elliot responded flatly. "Carmella likes nice houses, I think."

I was weirded out by the fact he called his mom by her real name, but whatever. After a bit of walking and small talk, we made it to school. We weren't that late, either! "I'll see you at lunch, then?" I asked Elliot. He just gave me a nod as he walked off.

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After leaving my Biochemistry-Homeopathy-Theology 102 class, I headed to the lunchroom. The bell ringing had left my ears a little dazed as I fought through the crowd walking around. I passed a few people who looked familiar in the halls- maybe some people from my past school in Meridia? I shook my head. It wasn't likely. Most of the Meridians went to Susalys and Westmarch.

When I finally reached the lunchroom, I found a spot with enough space for me and Elliot. As we all know, everybody in school goes to lunch at the same time, there are not different lunch periods, so the lunchroom was rather large, and there were a few spots outside to accommodate for all of the children. As I was waiting for Elliot, a kid in a blue t-shirt walked up. 

"Is anyone sitting here?" he gestured to the empty seat. Before I could respond, he sat down. "Hi. I am Sebastion. Right now, bullies are following me, sorry. I have to hide in plain sight..." the kid was constantly looking around, visibly nervous. He talked quietly as well. Surely he knew there were tons of other students talking around us? I could hardly hear him.

As I was about to tell Sebastion someone was already sitting there, Elliot walked up. He examined the table and noticed there were no empty seats. "Er, Elliot--" I tried to explain what happened, but he simply inhaled, sighed, and walked off to find his own seat. "Look, Sebastion, my friend just walked off 'cause of you, so you better cough up a better story than you're hiding."

"Well... Jacob's the one following me. Surely you know about him, right? Oh, no. I see the l-look in your eyes... Freshman? Well... He's just v-very scary. That's... All," Sebastion's gaze kept lingering away only to cut back to me. I looked over to where he was staring. I saw a kid with a leather jacket and broad shoulders. His hair was a mess, but in that perfect, tousled hair sort of way.

"Really? Well, alright, Sebastion," Max shrugged. He rubbed his arms. Sebastion looked around, then he looked at me oddly.

"O-Okay, um... Well. I just t-told you who I am, s-so, isn't it your turn?" he questioned me. I nearly facepalmed! Had I been so rude?

I nodded, thinking. I smoothed out my skirt. "Well, I'm Max. Maximillion Hall, to be exact. I don't usually tell people off the bat, but, I'm a student from Meridia.. Really, you're the only one I've told, I think. It feels nice to say."

Sebastion blinked, clearly in thought, like he was trying to say something that wouldn't hurt my feelings. That was what I liked about him so far. He offered me a sweet smile. "Well, are you recovering? I mean... Armade's fate was so..." he looked away, seeming upset. He turned back. "I hope you are recovering," Sebastion simply stated.

As I talked to the shy boy, I couldn't help but keep looking over at Jacob. I think Sebastion noticed eventually, because he said "You keep looking at Jacob. You must be scared of him too, right? I get it. He's so... B-Big, strong..." Sebastion stutters, messing with the hem of his shirt. I swore I could see his face get a little red, but I decided it was a trick of my eye.

"Y... Yeah," I responded after a bit. Sebastion seemed satisfied with my answer as he kept talking. "He usually doesn't track me down in lunch like that, but who knows? Maybe he really needed that extra lunch money for milk or something. I just hate how mean he is! Like, does he really have to steal from me and nobody else?" I started to get the idea his face might have been red from anger.

I nodded, finding myself relating to the kid. "I had a bully in my other school... They called me... Names. But I ignored it and they eventually stopped. So I guess I would tell you to do that if you want advice? I don't really give advice. Sorry, bud!" I frowned. Sebastion didn't seem offended I couldn't be wise.

"I think lunch is almost over. I'm going to go meet with my friends. I h-hope to see you in the halls, M-Max..." Sebastion murmured shakily as he got up and sped off, leaving his food on the table. As he walked away, I wondered why he would get so nervous. I didn't know bullying could get that bad. Not until then, anyway. I thought back to the question he asked.

Was I really looking at Jacob because I was scared of him?

a/n the pic is sebastion and max ik they werent standing but i forgot :) anyways i hope u enjoyed next chapter we will be meeting more cute boys.......