Moon Girl

Eighteen - First Lunch

Monday morning rolled around like it always does. Krystal laid motionless in her bed, the comforter tucked under her chin.

This feels different, today feels different. Blake and I hung-out outside of school. We're technically friends now. I have no idea if that changes anything. I forgot what all of this is like. How nerve wracking!

Krystal threw her comforter off and grabbed her cloths. It was apart of her normal look; black jeans and a deep red long sleeve.

The school halls were packed like normal, students squished in like sardines. As per usual, Krystal clung to the sides while Blake walked in the middle his group of friends. His mind was else where and his friends chatter was just background noice.
"Seriously Blake." Ted looked at his friend in annoyance. "Where are you?" A blond girl, whom Blake had talked with a few times clung close between the two.
"I'm right here." Ted rolled his eyes. The rest of the group carried on without the three. The blondes beady eyes were fixated on Blake, he paid her no mind.
"You we're MIA Saturday too. You didn't answer my texts or calls. We were having a bomb ass party." A year ago Blake would have died not being at that party, but something changed in him. He took senior year seriously.

Life is just outside those push door. Real life. Not just parties but jobs. I was 16 and 17 once, but I'm 18 now. That makes me a legal adult, if I want an adult life, I have to act like an adult.

"I was busy."
"Busy with what?" Ted snapped.
"Life." Blake pushed out of his friend group and made his way to his first class.

Ted and Blake remained strained for the next few hours. They still met between classes but the conversations between them were forced and awkwardly. He was dreading lunch and having to fake it for an entire group of people.

At lunch, Krystal decided against the library and ate outside. She hid in a back corner, away from most of the student. The sun was warm and the slight breeze felt nice. It felt like summer day or a day of luxury.

Blake plopped down next to Krystal.
"Hello."
"You know you're ruining your reputation by sitting with me."
"Oh no, my high school reputation! The horror!" He pretended to panic. Krystal hid in her hair, pinching her lips to stop herself from smiling. "Eh, I don't mind." Blake finally said.
"Well, then hello, I suppose." She sat up straight.
"Well hello back." They shared a gentle smile.

God, I feel alive with electricity. I want her to keep smiling at me. I'm crazy. I have to be. I'm over the moon for this girl.

He's looking at me funny. I think his eyes just sparkled. Yup, most definitely just sparkled.

Krystal turned and looked out at the court yard.
"Do you always hide out here?"
"No, mostly in the library. It was too nice to pass up on to be out here." Blake drew in a deep breath, Krystal mirror him.
"I agree." Blake's phone buzzed in his pocket. He leaned the the side to grab it. Ted had texted him, asking what he was doing. Blake put his phone back.
"One of the many girls obsessed with Blake Hardy texting you?" Krystal bitterly joked.

Yikes, that was a bit harsh.

Blake laughed.
"No, no fan girls. It was nothing." He shrugged. Krystal looked to where his eyes once were, she notice Ted staring at them.

I don't think it was nothing, I think it was Ted. Why isn't Ted out here, or better yet, why isn't Blake in there?

"Why are you sitting with me?" She blurted out. The question didn't phase Blake at all.
"Is it a crime to eat with you?"
"Don't you want to eat with your friends?" She pushed a little farther, trying to find the truth.
"I am." Krystal stared at him.

His friend? I'm his friend? Does that make him my friend? Are we friends?

Blake turned and smiled at her. It was one of his overly excited, goofy smiles.

Okay, how can I not be friends with that man child? I mean look at that smile. What a kid.

Krystal smiled back at him.
"Okay." She whispered.

They didn't talk much, just watched the students around the courtyard.
"I went to see Oma again." Krystal swung her feet like a child. "She talked my dads ear off about you." She smiled. "She said you reminded her of Opa when they were young." Blake watched her lips as she talk. Krystals eyes were trained on her shoes so knew nothing of his affectionate attention.
"She's really nice."
"She always has been. Opa was the more out going on. Oma lived in his shadow, she didn't mind though. Opa was a hard working man and she thought he deserved to be the center of the universe, not the sun."

I think I can side with Oma K on that. I know someone who deserves to be the center of the universe instead of a ball of hot air.

"How long were they married?" She finally looked up, our into the yard.
"I don't remember. They met when they were 16 and started dating shortly after."
"16?"
"16." Krystal confirmed, meeting his eyes. They lapsed into another silence, comfortably.

The bell rang, reminded students they were still in the institute of learning and not on vacation. Krystal closed her eyes and turned her face to the sun, absorbing the last bit of rays she could.

I could stay here forever. Surrounded by pretty flowers and the warm sun. Even having Blake around wasn't too bad.

I know she said Nancy was the popular one and she was very pretty, I just can't see over looking Krystal. I've always noticed her, maybe because of the scar but I saw her. She was the girl in the corner everyone was too afraid to talk to. I have zero excuses for myself other than following the masses.

"Well, I need to get to class." Krystal gathers her stuff the bench next to her.
"Same time and place tomorrow?" Blake suggested. She met his eyes. Her black hair cascading around her acting as a canopy over her and Blake.
"No."
"Why not?"
"If I let you hang around me all the time, you might expect it." She smiled smugly and ducked inside, leaving Blake sitting on the bench alone. He sat motionless, dumbfounded by her. The door swung open again, Krystal stood in the doorway. "I'm joking, I eat in the library if you care to join me." A gentle smile crossed her lips. Quickly, Blake grinned. "You coming?" He nodded and followed her into the school.

She really had me going....butthead.

I'm glad he came and sat by me, I'm also glad I changed my mind about inviting him to lunch tomorrow. Whether he does or not, is a different story.

Blake was too caught up in his thoughts about Krystal and tomorrow's lunch to notice the world around him. He even managed to completely block out Ted and his insistent nagging.

Krystal doodled in her notebook. She drew Oma and Opa K, Blake, and Nancy. In each class she filled a page, slightly smiling to herself.

Maybe I can understand why my mom wanted me to make friends so badly, they make it easier to breath.