The Outcasts

Chapter 3

We'd arrived at my calculus class, Luther and I had been talking the whole way. "I have history now, but I have lunch next. How about you?" He asked me.

I smiled before I answered him. "I have lunch next. I'll meet you outside your history room and we can go together. Who's your history teacher?"

He took a crumpled up paper out of his jean pocket before he looked back up at me. "Mr. Hughes."

"Ok, downstairs. I'll meet you there after class," I told him. He nodded his head and walked off. I turned around and walked into my math class and found my seat far in the back. I took my place next to a nice-enough senior named Axel Stevens. We weren't friends, but we were on decent terms. He was widely known to be a player, but he was actually a nice guy. He'd tried to flirt with me within the first week of the school year but I immediately shut him down, telling him that "I want to actually focus on school this year" and "I hope we could be friends". Like I said, we aren't friends, but we get along.

"Hey Jules," Axel greeted me. The desks in this classroom were placed in pairs, so I had no choice but to be near him.

I put my books on my desk and gave him a small wave. "Hi Axel." Our teacher, Mrs. Smith, walked to the front of the class and told us that we could use this period to study for our test tomorrow. She said that we could listen to music on our phones if we wanted, so I did just that. I took out my phone and put an earphone in my right ear. I played the song When I Was Young, one of my favorite songs, and put my music on shuffle. Just as I put my down, a text came in. I picked my phone back up and checked the text. It was from Di. She was in study hall, so she was allowed to text.

Wuts up with u and Luther??? U have to tell me.

I sighed, and begrudgingly texted her back. We got to talking and it turns out we have a lot in common. He's pretty cool. We r just friends, chill.

I almost immediately got a response. U talked all class, walked out together, and walked to class together. He's doesn't even have the same class as u. "Just friends" don't do that.

Well, we do. Don't u have a boyfriend u could be texting rn? Its true. She was dating our friend Matt, so she could be texting him right now instead of me. Although, maybe she did and he didn't answer. I don't know what class he has third period.

Matt has chem right now. Plus u and Luther are more interesting. Isn't he cute? I thought so.

Yeah, he is. BUT WE R JUST FRIENDS.

Jules, I know u. I know u have a type. That boy is the definition of ur type. No way u two will just be friends.

Just becuz I've dated a couple guys KINDA like him doesn't mean I have a type.

I'm pretty sure that's wut it means to have a type...

Wutever. And I can be friends with him. We r really similar, he's really cool, I don't see y we couldn't be friends. I don't feel the need to date every guy I come across.

I'd be willing to bet money that by summer, u two r dating.

How much money???

$75 sounds good enough.

Ur on. Ur gonna be out $75 come June 13.

No way. Did u find out any more about Luther being a drummer?

Not much. He's been drumming for a while and he loves it.

So it's like u with singing I guess. U two really r similar.

Yeah, it's crazy. He likes the same bands as me. Which is awesome, cuz goodness knows none of my other friends do.

Class is over in literally two minutes. I've gotta go.

As soon as I got done reading that text, the bell went off. I picked up my books and walked out of the classroom. Remembering I promised Luther I'd meet him at his class, I booked it downstairs. I was slightly out of breath by the time I reached Mr. Hughes' room. I leaned against a locked next to the doorway, waiting for Luther to come out. When he did, I tapped his shoulder to get his attention. When he saw me, he smiled and looked relieved.

"Hey," he said. "Can we go to lunch?"

I looked at him strangely, unsure why he seemed so rushed. But if he didn't want to tell me, I wasn't going to force him to. We'd only just met this morning. I just nodded and led the way to the cafeteria. When we entered the doors, I found my usual seat next to some of my friends, Matt, Di, Jessie, James, and Brie. I sat down next to Jessie and Luther sat next to me. Everyone except for Di looked confused when Luther sat down. Di just smiled and waved at him.

"Guys, this is Luther," I started to explain. Luther gave a slight wave to everyone. "He started at Bluewood today, he's a junior. Don't worry. He's pretty cool." Everyone did some form of a greeting towards Luther, but I could tell that some of them were still unsure. Before I continue, I should mention that James and Brie are what you'd refer to as the popular kids. They dressed with prep and acted with an air of sophistication that could get frustrating at times. They accepted me because I used to be like them. Before highschool, I was put together, prim and proper. But eventually I realized that wasn't me. Come freshman year, I dressed differently, acted like a decent human being, and changed my overall appearance. They realized that it was who I actually am and accepted it. In turn, they accepted my other friends as well, including Charlotte, Matt, and Jessie. Di was already popular, but she was a very friendly and welcoming person. But when it came to most people, Brie wasn't so generous. I hoped she would be a little less judgmental towards Luther.

Matt leant forward and stuck out his hand, not in a formal way, but in a causal and kind way. "I'm Matt, Di told me about you," he gave Luther a smile that he easily returned. "It's great to meet you."

"Same, man," Jessie spoke. "I'm Jessie." Jessie looked Luther up and down for a moment before he chuckled. "Seems to me like we are gonna get along just fine." I realized then that Jessie and Luther were quite similar. Jessie had sloppy, dark brown, thick, wavy hair that today he swept to the side of his face and tucked under a gray beanie. He wore a black button down in the same way Luther did but he had a white tank top under it. He also had on ripped black skinny jeans and wore white converse. The two of them were undeniably similar. "I'm guessing Jules has a type." Jessie looked at me as he said that with a smirk on his face. Yes, we used to date. It was during last year, but we broke up over summer and decided we'd stay friends.

"Shut up Jess," I reached across and playfully slapped his arm. "Luther here is way better than you could ever be. He may just be my new best friend."

Suddenly, Brie spoke with a smile on her face. "Luther, I'm Brie. If Jules says you're ok, then I don't see a problem. It's nice to meet you." Thank goodness. That went better than I'd planned.

"James. Cool to meet you bro," James introduced himself. "I've known Jules since way back in the first grade. Been friends ever since." He looked at me and I smiled, reminiscing over simpler times. James was a great guy, though he had his moments. He was kind, funny, charming and got along well with my other friends. He was a bit of a jock, playing basketball, football, and baseball plus wearing his normal combo of Abercrombie shirts, designer jeans, and Nikes. He even had his hair predictably styled in it's usual blonde quiff. But who am I to judge? He was still a good person.

Luther finally spoke. "Cool. This is kinda weird though. You know me being a year younger than you guys."

Matt and Jessie looked at each other. "Matt and I are actually a year older for our grade," Jessie said. They were actually two years older than Luther.

"But hey," Di interjected, trying to keep Luther comfortable I suppose, "we can still all be friends. It'll be great."

"Thanks," Luther said. "Jules, I'm gonna go get food. I'll be back." I nodded at him as he got up. Once he was away from the table, I looked to my friends, waiting for their comments to pour in.