It is the first lunch period that I've had in 10th grade. The same school, same people, same hideous lunches, some of the same teachers.
One thing is new. One person. One dark auburn haired, ice blue eyed, skinny, sort of pale guy. He was dressed in a blue pull-over hoodie, some jeans and black Converse.
He sits down at a table, alone. He's never been to our school before, so he's bound to have no friends.
I have a full table of friends. Katt- my best friend. Mike, Jakob- twin brothers, but oddly enough don't look or act anything alike. Jakob has attempted suicide twice (though has gotten help and is nearly fine now) and Mike, who is gay. Cath- a really outgoing blond girl. Cayla- not afraid of anything. Speaks her minde far too much. And Robert. He's one of the most artistic people I've ever met. He's dating Cath. I have more friends than that, it's just that those are the people in this lunch. There are three other lunch periods.
I can't find anywhere else to sit, so I just plop awkwardly down by the new boy, eating my pizza.
"Hey." I say quietly.
"H-Hi." He replies, nervously.
"What's your name?" I politely ask.
"Benjamin-or Ben Porter. Yours?" He asks. His voice is non-discript; like velvet or satin. A smooth, low-but-not-too-low voice.
"Nicki Evans. Why did you come to Richwood? There is absolutely nothing to do here."
"Yeah, no doubt. I came..." He pauses, looking down at his food, "Because my dad died. My mom wanted to get away- from the house she once shared with the man of her dreams. Out of the town she shared so many memories with him in. To get away from Iowa. This is where we ended up."
"Oh... wow.. I'm so sorry.." I say, giving him an apologetic look.
"Eh, it's not your fault by any means. He died in a plane accident. He was an extremely wealthy pilot... and an artist. He painted a lot. Weird combination, huh?" He laughs.
"Yeah. That's cool, though... a variety of carrers is always good." I smile at his uniquely beautiful face.
"Yeah." He yawns, showing his perfect pearls of teeth.
"Long day?" I ask.
"Definately. Every first day of school I have had since birth has been long. Listening to teachers moan on about expectations and respect.. it's the same thing every year. We know how to act- it's just that some choose to act wrong."
"I couldn't agree more." I nod, getting up to dump out my garbage. I go back to the table after that, watching him gracefully eat his food.
Suddenly, a freshman comes up to me... I think his name is Sam. He's like my stalker... he knows almost everything about me. The most annoyingly cute boy ever. He's just not my type.
I go into flirting mode and sit right next to Ben, rather than across from him. We share some laughs, Sam and I, and eventaully Sam leaves. I grin, glad that my plan worked.
"Who was that?" Ben asks.
"Sam Newhart. My 9th grade stalker."
"Oohh. Brutal." He grins.
"Totally. He kind of creeps me out."
"Aaah." He says.
All of a sudden, out knees touch between the chairs. It's sort of a magically awkward moment. He looks at me and smirks nervously, and looks away and smiles. I stare at the table and move my knee.
"I gotta get to class... what do you have next period?" I ask.
"Art. You?"
"Same. Wanna walk me there?" He smiles.
"Sure." I laugh, and we stride down the hall together to our next class.