What We Lost In The Winter

Chapter 18

“Becca, are you gonna sit with us again today?” asks Addison as we (meaning me, Alex, Lydia, Addison, and Bria) stand outside the science classroom.

“I think so, yeah,” I nod.

“Awesome!” she smiles. Our group heads down the hall and splits up as we have to find our lockers. Gabi Reeves, who isn’t in my science class, but in my homeroom, is at her locker. I grab my lunch box and wait for her. She sits with us, I think. At least, I’m pretty sure. She and Alex seemed really close yesterday. In a friend way. They seemed like really close friends.

“Are you waiting for me?” she asks.

“Yeah,” I nod.

“Great! Let’s go!” She slams the door shut behind her and we head off. Some of our group is situated at the same table as yesterday. I don’t know where the others are. Probably either at their lockers or buying lunch. Alex is there with Ari, Stephanie, and Christina. Gabi puts her lunch box down next to Alex and I put mine by hers. I open my bag to discover a granola bar, an Oreo, and an Activia yogurt with no spoon.

“I need to get a spoon,” I say. They have plastic utensils near the lunch line. I grab a spoon and go back to our table and pull out the yogurt.

“Omigod. Can I see your yogurt?” Stephanie exclaims. I hand it over confused. Why does she want my yogurt? “I’ve had this yogurt before! At a hotel in Quebec!”

“Really?” I ask. I can’t tell if the question is about the fact she had this yogurt in a hotel or how she felt the need to see if it was the same yogurt. Who knew yogurt brands could cause this much excitement?

“Wait, you guys. I have to tell you something,” Alex begins. “Apparently when I was little, I wanted to name my kid Tinkerbell Jesus so she could fly and live forever!” The table goes silent at first as we all try to comprehend this message. Tinkerbell Jesus. Why?

“TBJ!” exclaims Ari. I smile. This is the start of an inside joke, and I’m a part of it. I’m already fitting in. Eventually the lunch supervisors let us out for recess. Our group follows everyone else outside into the brisk December air. Everyone starts running around and screaming “TBJ! TBJ!” and I join in because I understand it. I actually understand it.

After recess, we go inside and head off to Homeroom. This time, I feel way more comfortable in this class. Nicole Gibbard’s at my table and she’s part of the friend group. Gabi sits close to us so I can talk to her too.

“Hey guys, I’m migrating to your table today,” Gabi says, pulling her chair over. She glances towards Taylor and Eva Hudson who don’t pay much attention to us.

“Welcome,” Nicole smiles. In return, Gabi tickles her back, causing the victim to let out an awkwardly loud snort. Taylor looks up surprised. Eva starts laughing like a maniac. Her chair tips over behind her and she falls to the ground. Instead of an embarrassed smile or laugh, she jumps straight back up, doing both of those things with confidence. Almost like she meant to fall out of the chair. This time, it’s Taylor whose head hits the table from the hysterical laughter. These people really like laughing. Or maybe it’s just Taylor. Every time I’ve seen her today she’s found something hilarious.

The rest of Homeroom contains more laughter and strange things including constant references to mooses. I move to my social studies table and wait for the next class to begin. Mr. Ralston begins the lesson and then it’s over and it’s time for Spanish. After spanish, it’s another bus ride home. This time, I sit with Camilla. As we get off the bus, I let out a sigh of relief. Day number two: Completed.

First off, I just want to add that TBJ is not meant to be offensive. If you're offended by it, I deeply apologize. That scene was based off a true event that happened at my lunch table, and all my friends wanted it to get a reference. Again, it was not meant to offend anyone. 

Question of the Chapter: How did Day 2 go?