Glorify Bad (ON HOLD)

Chapter Six - Nothing Special About It

 

        Caleb had found his way to the lunch room that mid day. He had slept through his last few classes and was woken by the exiting feet of his classmates. In the cafeteria, Caleb was welcomed by the abundance of students filling the echoing room. He grabbed his tray of what looked to be yesterday’s lunch and headed towards a table at the back of the cafeteria which seemed to be vacant.

Caleb could point out the sectioned tables where certain cliques and friend groups divided themselves. The largest table, filled with varsity jackets and low-cut shirts, was the obvious popular table. It was as though the rest of the room were the paparazzi and that table was what everyone wanted in on.

At the opposing side of the room were whatever was left. Caleb watched as the scurrying freshman squeezed their way into table room and jocks tried showing off their tough guy image by bench pressing the batting eyed girls. So fucking structured.

Caleb’s judgment was put to a pause as his table was welcomed by a guest.

“Is this seat taken?”

        It was Nora. She held a brown paper bag in her hand as she stood over the table waiting for a reply.

Caleb shook is head, gently making room for the girl who was keen on opening her bag. 

“How are you liking your first day so far?” She asked as she pulled a plastic bag of celery and carrots and began to nibble on the orange and green vegetables.

Caleb gave a forced smile. “I’ve managed to squeeze in a couple hours of napping time.”

Nora chuckled. “I see its going well.”

“High school is high school. Nothing special about it.” He leaned back into his chair with his arms folded tight to his flannel shirt.

Nora shrugged a shoulder. “It could be worse”

“You’re right. I could be one of those,” Caleb nodded his head towards the popularity table.

Nora gave a crooked smile. “Yeah, that definitely would make it worse.”

Caleb looked back at her, then back at the table.

“Why are you sitting over here anyway?” Caleb cocked his head.

“Should I leave?” She pulled her brows together with an offended face.

“Thats not what I meant. I mean, you know everyone in this room. You don’t have a designated clique you belong to?”

Nora let out a sigh and lightly rolled her eyes at the realization of what Caleb had been getting at.

“No, I don’t. But neither do you.” She pointed out.

“That’s because I don’t care to make friends.” He said.

“How do you know that I do?”

He sat for a moment, squinting his eyes as he watched her eat her a piece of celery.

        Caleb took his eyes off the girl, looking over at the other side of the cafeteria. As his eyes reached the sight, he could see the tall, slender black on black clothed boy that had been in his world history class. He sat alone, sitting as though he were in a business meeting with his legs crossed and stroking his chin. His slightly untamed, curled brunette locks were pushed styled from his forehead. He held a face in thought, looking at the students passing by his empty table.

“Who’s that kid over there?” Caleb nodded in his direction. Nora leaned into the table, staring into his line of sight. After making clarifications of who he was talking about, Nora let out a moan of irritation.