The Foxfire Chronicles- Comrades and Classmates

Chapter 7- Lunch

           When art was over, Sophie was glad that she got to go with Dex to lunch. Even though band and art were fun, she was ready for a break from classes. Dex and Sophie picked out a lunch table, and got out their lunches as they sat down. Sophie unzipped her white lunchbox and started to eat a sandwich, that Edaline had packed for her. Dex was eating his own mystery sandwich. It looked like his had eggs, jam, and meat. 

      Sophie talked to Dex about his siblings, hobbies, interests, and how his classes were going. Sophie told him about Silveny and Iggy, and Dex thought their relationship was hilarious. Just when Sophie was about to say something else, someone plopped down on her right. It was Marella.

   Sophie smiled, introducing Marella and Dex. "Dex, this is Marella. Marella, Dex." The two smiled and waved at each other.  Dex, probably wanting to break the ice, asked her a question. 

      "So, Marella," he started, "What do you like to do?"

       Marella smiled and chirped in response,  "Well, I have a pretty good voice and I'm in choir, oh and speaking of choir, did you hear what happened to one of the kids in my class? He was suspended! Yeah, It's crazy. He kept talking back to the teacher, and saying a bunch of disrespectful stuff. He wouldn't stop! So than he got suspended." Marella paused to sip some of her water and then continued. "I mean, why would he do that? All he's gonna get is more trouble. Don't even get me started about that other kid, this one was in orchestra though. So apparently something that the teacher said really set her off and so then she sneaked into the orchestra room and- " She paused looking at Dex and Sophie sheepishly. "I'm talking too much, aren't I?" 

     Sophie took one look at Dex and the two burst out laughing. "Just a little." Dex told her, and this time Marella laughed too. 

    "Oh, I forgot to tell you." she said. "I usually sit at lots of different tables, and if it's okay with you, I'll sit with you guys once and a while." Sophie quickly nodded, before the talkative girl could say anything else. Then Marella leaned in to whisper something.

    "Do you know who Fitz Vacker is Sophie?" Marella inquired. When Sophie shook her head no, Marella continued. "He's over there, and he's super popular. Apparently his dad just got a super good position working with the mayor or something, his family's loaded. He's the grade above us, and he's like, really good at football. Just thought you should know about our schools practical mascot"

  Sophie looked over to where Marella was indicating and-Uggg. He was the guy she had bumped into in the locker room. Why did she have to humiliate herself in front of him of all people. He was actually looking kind of bored. His table was almost filled up with athletic looking guys, but Sophie noticed a spot next him was saved. The guy, Fitz, moved his hand away, allowing another athletic guy to sit by him. Sophie couldn't see his face, but the blonde kid next to Fitz's build looked an awful lot like-

       "The guy who just sat down is Keefe, and he's really good at basketball. Varsity." Marella stated, as if she had read Sophie's thoughts. "He's also really popular, but he's more of the troublemaker, and Fitz is more of the perfect angel, if you know what I mean." 

     Dex scowled in their direction, saying something that sounded a whole lot like, "Hmph. Wonderboy." Marella looked at him. Then looked at Fitz. Then looked at Sophie, who was looking at Fitz. A mischievous grin spread across her face. Sophie noticed her smile, and had to wonder.

    "What?" Sophie asked obliviously. "Why are you looking at us like that?"

      Marella's large eyes danced with amusement, and her wicked grin got bigger. "Oh. It's nothing, Sophie. Nothing at all."

   Sophie wondered what Marella could possibly thinking, and thankfully, Dex changed the subject. "Hey, thanks for sitting by me guys. I've got to go, I told my science teacher I'd help her with something. I'll be back in time to lead you to your next class, though Sophie." 

     Sophie and Marella said goodbye to Dex, and Marella raised an eyebrow. "So..." she asked expectantly.

     Sophie, still getting used to Marella's strange ways, was confused. "So what?" she asked.

     Marella sighed exasperatedly. "Sooo Dex? Walking you to your classes, sitting by you at lunch?"

      Sophie just smiled. "Yeah, he's a good friend."

       Marella stared at her and after a while she face palmed. "Sophie, Sophie, Sophie." she said.

       Sophie just laughed, and kept talking even though Marella cleared her throat. "You sound like Keefe." Sophie continued. "This one time-" Marella pointedly looked behind Sophie, and this time Sophie stopped and whirled around to see Keefe just standing there. He smirked, saying,

   "Wow. First the . . . incident today, and now bragging about my greatness? You're more smitten with me than I thought. Although, don't worry, this happens to me a lot. . ." Keefe said, still grinning. 

    Sophie glared, which would have been much more effective if her cheeks weren't the the same shade as an overripe tomato. She was about to retort, but Keefe's friend, Fitz, came over.

   "Common, Keefe. Let's get going." He stopped when he saw Sophie. "Oh," he said laughing. "Sorry about knocking you right over in the locker room."

     Sophie blushed even more. "I-it-I mean, it wasn't your fault. I can be a real klutz sometimes."

      Fitz's dazzling smile got wider. "Yeah." he laughed, but he didn't sound judgmental. "I get it though. I have some pretty embarrassing stories myself. I won't go into details about them though, if Keefe found out about them, I'd be toast."

    Keefe winked. "I don't need any more info, Fitzy. You already make it too easy." he retorted. "If I'm being honest Foster, compered to the scene at the pool, this is a little . . . meh. I mean, I didn't even have to rescue you this time."

    "What happened at the pool?" Marella inquired eagerly, clearly wanting more gossip.

     Keefe sighed. "Oh you know, just Foster falling for me."

      Sophie raised an eyebrow. "You knocked me into a pool." Even though she was trying to be mad, the two laughed. Keefe smiled, and turned to look at her, 

     "Same difference."

       Fitz cleared his throat and smiled. "Marella and ... Sophie, right?" Sophie smiled and Marella nodded, as Fitz continued. "It was nice officially meeting you Sophie, especially in a much better setting." he told her, his teal eyes laced with amusement. "Maybe the next time you bump into me I will be able to actually catch you."

      "Me too." Keefe said, grinning.

      Sophie just smiled, cursing her red cheeks. They just didn't want her to injure herself. Of course. She was so overthinking it.

        When the two said goodbye and left, Marella let out an eardrum piercing squeal. "Oh. My. Gosh!" she exclaimed. "Wow Sophie. Three nice, cute boys? This is amazing!"

         Sophie blushed, but was still confused. "What do you mean?"

            Marella let out an amused chuckle. "You're joking, right?" When Marella saw her serious expression, her jaw dropped. "I don't believe this." she said, looking absolutely shocked. "I can't believe you don't know. Don't you know how crazy this is?"  Sophie just blinked. Marella just laughed. "Wow." she said. "Just. . .wow. Never mind. I'll see you tomorrow, I think Dex is waiting for you. To walk only YOU to your class."

            Sophie smiled, a little weirded-out by Marella's behavior."Okay. . ." she said uncertainly, earning herself another face palm from Marella. Sophie just chuckled at how odd her new friend was being, and walked over to where Dex stood.