Walter

NATURE VISITS MY LUNCH HOUR

Michael was eating his lunch as he usually did, sitting in the furthest corner of the cafeteria, away from prying eyes and the typical stares that he would get.

He was used to it and sitting with Walter made things easier. He didn't mind not interacting with others during lunch as most seemed juvenile to him.

Both he and Walter would watch over the cacophony of noise and bustle that was lunch. They would comment about the absurdity and silliness that presented itself in front of them on a daily basis.

Those who stood closest to the cafeteria food line were of the more athletic variety, some were even brutish. He found that alone in class they were actually nice decent people, but together in a group it was like watching a hive mentality ensue.

He and Walter had once commented that as a whole unit, they seemed to regress into a Neanderthal like state of grunts and shouts. They would flex their arms and puff out their chests in an attempt to outdo one another and hopefully impress the gaggle of girls that would flock around them like peahens to their prancing peacocks.

The girls were just as entertaining to watch. They would spend most of their time primping and preening themselves in their mirrors. But the truth was that they used their mirrors more as surveillance tools, to covertly see who out of the horde of posturing bulls and butting rams were watching them, while still maintaining an air of unattached decorum.

Scurrying quickly through the lineup were those with the higher than average intellect. They would aptly circumnavigate the greasy burgers and fries that was the daily food staple of this establishment in choice of fruits and juices. They moved efficiently and swiftly through the line up like lemurs, bouncing in and out of the group of children, picking and snatching up the untouched fruits.

Making it out with their food without a glance from the bulls or rams was a welcome relief, as most days involved them being the butt end of many jokes or insults.

These were the ones with the brighter futures, even though it would never cast them into the limelight or make them famous. They knew their minds were the trophies to covet, not the accolades of torn tendons or compound fractures. But the attention they seeked from those of the opposite sex was no less important then those charging their way through life on their physiques.

The moment anyone from the gaggle of preening princesses looked their way, they would avert their eyes and prance away like startled sheep. Afterwards they would whisper to one another of the swan that had glanced in their direction.

"Say, whatcha doing?" someone asked.

Without hesitation, Michael replied. "Watching the nature show."

"Really, that's interesting. I always just thought it was a bunch of seventh and eighth graders eating lunch.

"Hmmm....what?" said Michael.

It was then that he realized someone was actually standing beside him. He had been so engrossed in observing the other children that answering the question had been an automatic response.

"I'm sorry," said Michael. "I guess I was lost in thought."

"Looks like it was a deep one, do you mind if we sit with you?"

"Ummm... sure, I don't see why not."

The boy sat down in front of Michael and reached out his hand to shake his. "Thanks, I'm Shaun."

Shaun looked as if he was just slightly shorter than he was, but was much larger and figured that he could have easily fit inside his rib cage. At first glance, Shaun's sheer size was formidable. He wouldn't want to get into a fight with him, all Shaun would have to do is sit on him and he would be done for. His hands were large too. It had felt as if he had shaken his father's hand.

But it was his face that threw him off, it was round with short cropped blond hair and a smile that seemed to stretch from ear to ear. Michael felt incredibly comfortable around him and was not sure why. He sat there for a moment before it donned on him that Shaun had said 'we'.

"Hi."

Almost dwarfed by Shaun's size stood a thin little girl with wavy strawberry blonde hair.

"And this here's my little sister, Kristina," said Shaun.

"Ya, and that's Kristina with a K," she said. "But you can just call me Kay, everyone does."

"Ok... I'm Michael," he said with a slight hesitation.

"Are you sure? You don't sound sure," asked Shaun.

"Oh yes, I'm sorry. I'm just a little surprised. I don't really have many friends here."

"Well then, that makes three of us. I guess we'll just have to be real good friends with each other. Me and special Kay here just moved into town a few days ago. So we don't know anyone yet."

"I told you not to call me that, Shaun. You know I don't like it!" shouted Kristina as she started to beat on her brother.

Watching this made Michael smile, you wouldn't know it by looking at him but inside he was laughing as well. He was amused at the interaction these two had with each other. Watching her beat on her brother was as effective as a squirrel attacking a bear.

"Why do you have to torture me like that?" she shouted as her fists flailed about ineffectively. "We just made a new friend and the first thing you do is bring up the name mom and dad used to call me when I was a baby. Why? Why? Why?"

"Because it's my job as your older brother to torture you and besides, how else am I gonna make you pout. You know how cute I think you look when you do."

"I do not look cute when I pout!" she fervently exclaimed as she began to pout. "Big meanie," she said as she slapped him on the arm.

"Hmm...I think I was just bitten by a mosquito."

Kristina then crossed her arms, glared at him and stuck out her tongue.

Looking at the two of them, he would never have guessed they were siblings. But he quietly agreed with Shaun's assessment of his sister, even now with her scowling, frowning, pouty look on her face, she was still cute.

Maybe cute wasn't the right word to describe her. Even angry, he thought she looked very pretty.

I think I'm really going to enjoy being friends with them, he thought.