I was a coward. A spineless wimp. There I was walking from class to the lunch room when I spotted Mason. I immediately hid behind someone, ignoring the questioning looks of my peers. I glanced at the back of Masons head and the people around him to make sure no one spotted me as I made a quick dash across the room.
"What are you doing here?" Scar asked confused when I set my stuff down and sat beside her.
"What do you mean?" I feigned stupidity.
"Aren't you and Mason a thing now?" Scar asked.
"So? That doesn't mean I'm gonna ditch my bestie," I replied, patting her back softly. She looked at me unbelieving so I turned away, noticing Kristi for the first time.
"Oh my goodness, I haven't seen you in forever," I exclaimed to her, smiling widely.
"I know," She said, smiling shyly.
"I should've have gotten your number that way we could text," I told her.
"You can have it now... if you want?" She offered.
"Yes, definitely," I replied, handing her my phone to put her number. When she handed it back, I called it and smiled widely when her phone rang. She gave me a shining smile of her.
"We can text all the time now. Don't worry though, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon," I reassured her, knowing she usually ate lunch alone.
"Why are you really here?" Scar suddenly asked me.
"I already told you," I sighed.
"I don't believe you," She said.
"I don't care," I told her.
"You're so damn annoying," Scar stated.
"And you're a bitch, but you don't see me complaining," I replied, starting to get annoyed.
"I suggest you go before I say something I'll regret," Scar snapped. I narrowed my eyes at her. Normally I would reply back but I didn't have it in me so instead I stood up to walk away.
"Wait, I'm sorry. I know when you're upset Luce and I know when you're lying," Scar's voice softened as she reached out to keep me from going. My eyes snapped to Kristi's briefly. She looked a little scared as if we would start a fist fight.
"I'll go, sorry," she mumbled nervously.
"No, don't. Nothing's wrong. Scar's just imagining things," I said quickly, satisfied when she sat back down.
"Then why are you so defensive?" Scar asked me.
"I'm just not in a good mood," I told her. I really just didn't want to tell her that I didn't know how to go up to Mason and look at him without giving myself away. Suddenly, my slightly accelerated pulse settled and I calmed down. A feeling of warmth took over me and I knew exactly why. I turned my head and saw Mason standing a few feet away. He was holding two lunch rays in his hands. I frowned, confused, as he walked around the table and sat down in front of me and beside Kristi. Scar pulled me out of my daze by pinching my arm. I sat down and watched as Mason slid one tray over to me and began on his.
"Um, what is this?" I asked him.
"Lunch," He replied.
"Why?" I asked.
"I figured you'd be hungry," He stated, looking into my eyes intensely. My breath hitched. He was so... kind. I was almost speechless, besides the "thank you" I shot out, as I picked up a hot fry.
"I have to go pick up a paper. Kristi come with me?" Scar announced, standing up and gathering her belongings. Kristi looked puzzled for a minute before a look of realization crossed her face and she followed suit. I wanted to cuss Scar out for leaving me with Mason alone. I'd get her later.
"See ya," She shot out as they walked away. I turned back around and shifted in my seat when I met Mason's gaze. Why was he always looking at me?
"What?" I asked. He didn't say anything for a minute. I wasn't uncomfortable under his intense gaze but I felt a little naked as if his eyes could see everything from the inside out.
"What?" I asked him, munching on a fry.
"Is something bothering you?" He asked me. Yes, I wanted to blurt out.
"No," I responded instead.
He obviously looked like he didn't believe me. Suddenly, he stood up. I thought he was about to leave but instead he came around and sat beside me. His close proximity made me feel warm and tingly. It was such an odd thing, my reaction to him. It was unnatural.
"Why'd you come over he-?" I started to ask but stopped and suddenly burst into giggles.
"Stop. Oh.. ahaha.... Oh good.... Please.... Ahhahahahhahha.. no.. ahhahah... stoooooaahahahahap," I screamed, tearing up as Masons hands tickled my sides. He continued for a few more minutes and then stop, releasing me. I wiped my eyes, my face turning red when I noticed that a lot of people were watching us with amused expressions.
"That was embarrassing. Why would you do that?" He asked Mason, smacking his arm lightly.
"I had to get you smiling somehow," He replied, grinning proudly.
"That was horrible," I said, laughing still. Mason wrapped his arm around me and pulled me closer to him. If I wasn't mistaken, I believe it was the first show of public affection between us. I could see through my peripheral vision the whispers and pointing that were coming our way.
"I-" he started to say but was stopped when a tall, red headed male, whom I recognized to be one of Mason's friend, came rushing towards us with a look of panic written across his face. He looked at Mason but said nothing. They seemed to be having a conversation with their eyes or something. I don't know but Mason suddenly stood up.
"I have to go, eat your food," He told me before rushing off with the red head following. I frowned when he turned to look back at me. Where were they off to in such a hurry? I could say I'd find out when Mason got back but knowing him, I was better off asking a brick wall.
Standing up, I grabbed both of the half empty trays and threw them away. I wasn't hungry anymore and my Econ class was about to start.
***
Thirty minutes into my next class my phone beeped from a text message. Immediately, I told the teacher I felt sick and he granted me to leave. Sending a quick text to Scar, I headed to my car and then out of the parking lot.
I reached AJ's school in no time and stepped out. I tried calling his phone but he wasn't picking up. I walked up to the school and through the front doors. The hallway was empty and my footsteps were loud as I headed towards the main office. No surprise, AJ sat in the chair beside the Principal's office. His left eye was swollen and he had cotton in his nose.
"You should see the other guy," AJ stated sheepishly.
