On My Own Time

Chapter 4

When lunch rolled around I was beyond glad. I was starving and could only think about getting some pizza. The food here was terrible but edible and that's all my stomach cared about. Sara followed me to the lunch line, laughing at my excitement of food.

"Diego, calm down," she said after a giggle.

"I'm starving Sara, you have no idea."

"The amount of love you have for food is adorable. Anyone can bribe you with food."

"Is that so?"

We both turned to see Victor there with a smile. Caden stood beside him, a smirk on his lips. I looked over to their table to see their group of friends staring at us. I was confused, something seemed wrong.

"Oh yes, Diego absolutely loves food," Sara said, wrapping her arm around mine and laying her head against my arm.

I thought nothing of it because she always does this to either Max or I. However, Victor stared at her, his smile faltering just a bit. Caden chuckled and nudged Victor, making him look back up and meeting my eyes.

"Well, how about we make a deal?" He said.

We moved forward in line and I grabbed both Sara and I a pizza. She thanked me but focused her attention back on Victor, curious as to what he was going to say. They grabbed their food and followed us along the line.

"I give you food and you help me with my math class. I keep hearing that you have one of the highest grades in Precalculus and I need help for the upcoming test."

We moved forward in line and I paid for both Sara and I, which Victor's eyes followed the movement. They paid for their food as well and we walked outside, stopping to the side to talk and not be in the way. I didn't know what to say. I mean Victor never really paid attention to me other than a few friendly smiles here and there but he gave a lot of people those smiles.

"Oh Diego, you know you'll agree. You love food too much to pass it up," Sara said and shook her head with a smile.

I smiled down at her and slowly gave Victor a nod, by now his smile being a thin line. I wondered if he didn't like Sara or if he got a little upset because he thought I wasn't going to accept. But his smile turned big and bright when I finally agreed.

"Great! I'll text you later then," he said and walked off. I opened my mouth to inform him that he didn't have my number but he stopped me and said, "I have my ways."

I looked to Sara but she shrugged, linked her arm with mine again, and walked us to our table where Max was. He looked bored but smiled widely when he saw us. We sat down and Sara and him immediately started a conversation. I would smile and shake my head at them every once in a while but I couldn't fully concentrate on their conversation. Naturally my eyes began to wonder over the cafeteria and of course they wondered to where Victor and Caden were. They were laughing loudly and it seemed like Victor was the main center of attention. I guess he felt me staring because his eyes flickered up and we made eye contact. He gave something between half a smile and half a smirk making me look away and look back at Sara and Max.

Lunch remained like that as I tried my hardest to not look his way again. The rest of the school day was rather boring but Sara's friend, Charlie, offered to take us home instead of taking the bus which we gladly accepted. Max and I walked outside to meet with them at Charlie's car but we noticed how upset she looked. Charlie was shorter than Sara, standing at 5' 2". She had blonde hair with green eyes and was very kind unless you got her upset. Max and I weren't sure if we wanted to accept that car ride anymore.

"Hey guys," Max said calmly.

They gave us a smile but Charlie still looked upset. Max and I glanced at each other and that's when we realised her boyfriend wasn't with her. Max and I slowly found ourselves caught up in girl drama.

"Are you guys free to hang out?" She asked.

We all agreed and she suggested we go to the mall. We got in her car and she began the drive. She talked on and on about her break up with David, saying he was rude and demanding. Charlie was a very outgoing girl and said she can do stuff on her own without needing a man. I didn't argue with her nor feel like I needed to because I believed her. She was a tough girl.

"Today was the last straw! I wore a cute outfit for him and he got upset saying I was showing too much skin and needed to go change."

"Seriously?" Sara asked in disbelief.

Max glanced at me, practically saying 'oh my god.'

"Its just so annoying cause I wore it for him and I'm not even showing a lot! I'm literally wearing ripped jeans and a crop top that doesn't even show my stomach!"

"Girl, it's his loss," Sara said, finishing off that conversation.

"Anyways. . ." Max started, looking at me for help to change the conversation.

"Um. . . What do you guys want to do at the mall? I'm a little hungry," I finished.

"Oh me too!" Sara agreed, nodding her head excitedly.

"I actually want to go to Spencer's-"

"Oh my God! I need to go there too!" Charlie said, interrupting Max. "How about you guys go order food from that really good pizza place at the food court and we'll meet you there after. Max and I can quickly go to the store while the food is being prepared."

"Sounds like a plan!" Sara said, a smile wide on her face and Charlie now in a happier mood.

Well, I guess my evening was just planned.