Beyond Our Lies

e i g h t

The next few days I was caught up in homework and group projects so I decided to use lunch to finish my assignments instead of going to the diner. Sure I loved the diner and I absolutely loved the milkshakes there but I wanted to make sure the table I sat at was peaceful before I came back.

The bell rang signaling lunch was over and I packed up my bags. "I'll see you guys later. Thanks for letting me sit with you again." I smiled and waved at the two that sat across from me. They weren't quite popular and often got bullied but they still were extremely sweet to me and others. Anytime I needed to do work without other kids talking to me, I would sit in the back of the library with them, making small conversation and get my assignments done early.

I followed my usual route to government and as I walked in, I noticed a drink on my desk. More importantly, a strawberry milkshake with extra whipped cream. I quickly turned my head to the direction Elijah sat in and saw him sucking on the straw in his exact same shake. I laughed and mouthed a 'thank you' as I sat down. He chuckled and nodded his head.

The rest of the class went by in a blur as I finished my drink and thoroughly wrote all the notes on the board. Afterwards, I waited for Elijah to come out the doorway and walked with him down the hall.

"Oh my god you're the absolute best for that."

"I didn't see you these past couple days and figured I'd fuel your addiction," He said as he took a hand through his curly dark brown hair. I snorted and he laughed, his green eyes shining with his smile.

We continued walking the same route, seeing as we both had classes in the same hall. However, when we passed the double doors to the back of the school, he started to walk out of them, not before placing a brick from the outside to halt the door from closing. He saw me staring at him quizzically and motioned for me to follow him. I glanced around to make sure there were no teachers and walked out.

I still have five minutes to get to class, it'll be fine.

"Hey man what took you so lo-." Oliver stopped his sentence midway as soon as his eyes landed on me, causing the other two familiar boys to look at me. I readjusted my backpack strap nervously and thought about running back inside. I think Elijah caught my hesitation as he nudged me forward and I glared at him, causing him to snicker.

"You joining the dark side or something, June," Xander uttered and I looked at him confused. He nodded towards his hands and I saw a pack of cigarettes and a bottle of alcohol.

I widened my eyes and frantically shook my head. "I was just talking to Elijah and followed him out here."

Oliver dramatically gasped, "Are you stealing my bestfriend, bitch?" I looked at Elijah who muttered something and threw an empty can at him, hitting him in the chest. "Ow." Oliver whined and continued with a string of cuss words.

I walked over to where they were all standing and figured I could stay just for a few minutes considering my class was less than thirty seconds away.

"So when did you two become friends anyways," Alex spoke up for the first time since I've walked out. He added, "You hate pretty much everyone, bro"

"Man, shut up. We were just in the same class, that's all." Elijah smoked, something that clearly did not smell like an average cigarette. I guess Rebecca was right in a sense, he was a stoner but that didn't make him any less of a person.

Hearing him say that comment should have left no reaction from me but I couldn't help but feel sad about it. I would consider him a friend but I guess that's not really how it works with everyone else.

They continued their conversations for a few minutes and I decided it was probably time I went to class. I started to turn around and head inside when Xander pointed it out to everyone I was leaving. "Where you going?"