Ethereal

4

Luca

As I walked into the cafeteria, I could feel people's gazes on me.

Bruh fuck off, I know I'm new but do you all really have to stare.

My eyes flickered to the direction of where I felt the stares from, and noticed a group of people sitting at a table were looking at me. 

My eyes landed on one of them in particular, but as soon as I looked at her, she averted her eyes.

I really didn't expect her to be here.

The girl who passed out in my room, the one who vomited and cried and somehow still looked pretty, who's name I found out was Hira sat at the table with a blank look, avoiding eye contact.

How can someone who was so emotional when she was drunk, look so cold when she's sober?

When I had saw her in my class, for a moment she seemed to be confused by me, as if she was looking at a puzzle she couldn't solve. When I saw her curious gaze, I could tell she didn't remember who I was at all.

I looked away from them, zoning back into the conversation that the guys I was with were having. 

"See but, she looks so cold all the time that it seems like if you tried talking to her about anything she would shut you down" Darren said.

"Who?" I asked.

"Hira, the girl with the dark curls and big green eyes" the other guy Felix said.

"Hazel not green" I said.

"Oh-ho, you've been here for less than a day and already are interested in a girl" Darren said, smirking. 

"I'm not interested in her" I said, my ears burning slightly.

"Whatever dude, fair warning though, she doesn't do serious relationships from what I heard" Felix said, patting me on the back.

"Doesn't Aaron have a thing for her though? I swear they've been like kinda close for a while" Darren said.

Who's Aaron?

"Aaron has got a thing for every girl" Felix said, chuckling. 

"It was weird seeing you here again, Luca" Darren said, "Why didn't you say you were moving back here?".

"Wanted to be a surprise I guess" I said, smiling. 

"Bruh" Felix said laughing.

"You look so different from middle school, like I know we kept in touch since you moved but still bro, you look different than your Inst*gram" Darren said.

I shrugged. "I guess, anyways let's go. Didn't you say you wanted to go off school grounds for lunch?" I asked.

"Yeah but change in plans, Aaron decided to go off with some girl instead of giving us a ride" Felix said, with slight irritation. 

"I can give us a ride, I drove to school" I said.

"Fuck yea" Darren said, "let's go".

We left the cafeteria, but before we left I looked back at Hira, who was quietly nibbling on her food.

Cute.

~~

"Need a ride home?" I asked Darren as we walked down the hallway.

It was the end of the school day and we were pushing through the crowded hallways to leave the building. 

"Nah, I've got basketball practice" he replied, "I'll walk with you to your car though, I forgot my wallet inside".

I didn't say anything in response. 

Why the fuck do they have so many students when the hallways are so small ?!

We finally made it out the school but before we could go to my car, a voice called out to me.

"Hey Luca".

I turned to see Hira looking at me.

"Uh yeah?" I asked.

What did she want?

"Could we talk for a min?" she asked.

Darren looked at me and then back at her and let out a low whistle. 

"I'll just wait over there" he said, gesturing somewhere and walked off. 

"What is it?" I asked. 

"I just wanted to apologize about what happened at Alec's party. I don't usually get so drunk and emotional. So I am sincerely sorry for vomiting on you" Hira said.

Though her facial expression was neutral, her left hand was clenched tightly.

Is she nervous?

"Oh it's fine, not a big deal" I replied. 

"Ok cool, I just wanted to apologize I know it was probably a hassle to deal with me. If I could make it up to you I will" Hira said, her hazel eyes staring into my eyes.

She sounds so formal.

"I'll keep that in mind. Let's just say you owe me for now, but other than that we're cool" I said

"Yep. I'll cash in that favour later, see you around Hira" I said, turning and leaving.

"Wait" she said, grabbing my wrist. 

"What?" I asked. 

"Uh take my number so when you need that favour you can just text me" she said.

I sighed, taking out my phone and pulling up contacts. "Put in your number" I said, handing her my phone. 

She took and put her contact info in, and handed my phone back to me. I called her, and let it ring for a bit before cutting it. 

"There now you have mine too. I'm going to get going now" I said, turning and leaving. 

I walked over to Darren who was standing over to the side. 

"What was that about?" he said, throwing his arm over my shoulders. 

"Nothing" I said, stuffing my phone into my pocket. 

"I saw you got her number, way to go. I wish you guys the best" Darren said, messing up my hair.

"It's not like that" I replied, my ears burning up again.

"Okay" Darren said.

Something about his tone told me he didn't believe me.

~~

Song: Doom Boy by The Dirty Nil