I walked into the cafeteria, repeating what I'd done in first, second and third period. I looked around, remembering Bex's invitation for lunch. I find them sitting in a large group, with everyone laughing and throwing their heads back, not a care in the world.
Definitely the populars.
Well, looks like I chose right for once.
I walked over too them, and they all noticed me immediately.
"Zach!" Macey's voice brightened considerably, and she flashed me a brilliant smile.
"Invitation still open?" I asked, fighting the urge to smirk.
"Of course! You can sit by me. Everyone this is Zach." She introduced me as I took my seat.
"Hey man, I'm Grant." One of the bigger guys introduced himself, shaking my hand.
"Nick." Slightly smaller than Grant.
"Jonas." Poor boy, muscular but just...tiny!
"Josh." I looked Josh over a few times, not really liking the vibe I got from him.
"DeeDee." Blonde pigtails and bright pink shirt- ugh not at all for me.
"Elizabeth, but call me Liz." I liked her, quiet but, i don't know. I just like her.
"And you already know Bex and I." Macey finished.
"Nice to meet you guys." I smile politely.
Grant tells some joke about new kids, and the whole table starts laughing, instantly alleviating the tension.
We talk for a few minutes, and get to know each other. And for the most part, I really liked these guys.
Suddenly, the cafeteria doors slam open, revealing blonde curls, only from the front, she's ten times as beautiful.
Her big blue eyes are set perfectly on her high cheekbones, and her lips look soft and pink.
But those eyes, they're aged. They've seen one too many things.
Who is she?
"What, does he think she owns the place?" Macey remarked snarkily under her breath as blondie went through the lunch line and bought some chips and a drink.
"Honestly, what's with her?" Ben asked.
"Guys quit! You know it's not her fault." Liz snapped at them, defending the girl.
"Yeah it's not her fault she's nuts." Nick said in a mock defending voice, causing everyone to snicker.
"Sorry, I'm afraid I'm not in on the joke." I said, with as much grace as I could manage. They were talking about her as if she weren't 30 feet away.
"The chicks crazy!" Macey explained, as if this in itself was an explanation.
"Helpful Macey." I snapped, getting frustrated they weren't telling me.
"You'd probably rather not know Zach. Cammie's a touchy subject with us." Liz said softly, and I was liking her more and more by the second.
"Liz! We said we'd never speak her name again!" DeeDee hissed, obviously outraged.
I felt a sudden rush of anger. Why were they talking about her like this? She seemed like a perfectly acceptable person, what had happened that they were so...bitter?!
"Speak her name again? What is this, Harry Potter?" I asked sarcastically. I was met with no response.
"Honestly, will someone just tell me?" I asked earnestly, curiosity burning through my veins. What was it about this girl?
"Cammie was one of our best friends." Bex said icily.
"Was." Macey added harshly, honestly sounding like a total bitch.
"Well, she was more than a friend to Josh-y here." Grant snicked, playfully punching Josh in the arm.
"Hey man, I am not proud of that. No need to bring it up, even if the sex was amazing." All the guys broke out in laughter, while DeeDee looked on with rage and...Jealousy? And Macey, Bex, and Liz regarded them in disgust.
"And then she went crazy." Jonas muttered, running his hand through his messy curls. He seemed as though he was actually sad Cammie was no longer their friend. Perhaps deep down he still cares about her.
"What do you mean 'she went crazy'? Could you get a little more specific?" I asked, directing my question towards Liz and Jonas.
I noticed now the way they were sitting so close, and them holding hands. They must be a couple... Well isn't that adorable!
"Honestly, there's not really much more we know. Just one day, she kind of...cracked. Had a breakdown in the courtyard. Started screaming about things that no one wanted to be reminded of. She spent the rest of the year far away, in some mental hospital. This is her first year back." Liz said quietly. Everyone had their gaze on Cammie, who was sitting alone at a table in the back, calmly eating her chips and sipping her coke like no one was watching.
"So why aren't you guys talking to her? Isn't she your friend?" I asked, afraid of their response.
"Have some respect for bro code man, she's my ex." Josh snarled.
You selfish bastard! You left her just because she had a mental break down? Shouldn't you do anything for the person you love?
I thought all these things, but I didn't want a fight on my first day. So I kept them too myself.
"Oh, right. Sorry..."
And for the rest of lunch I sat in silence, and stared at the girl with issues.
I studied her, watched how she ate, how she would look out the window longingly. Or how she would fix her eyes at seemingly empty space, and focusing so intently on it that you would wonder what on Earth she saw in it. But most importantly, I saw the pain in her eyes that appeared whenever she would glance at her old friends. The ones who left her for being different. Who left her for popularity.
You might have lost them as friends...But you gained me as one.
As I walked into Biology, I nearly ran into the door.
I hadn't been able to stop thinking about everything I'd heard at lunch.
They were all really great people- funny, nice, and welcoming- but what they said about Cammie was awful.
I righted myself, and handed the teacher, Mr. Solomon, a note.
"Hmm well, there's only one person without a partner, but I'm not sure you'd be able to keep up with her." He eyed me, clearly thinking I was a brainless jock.
So even the adults are still judgemental in this town huh?
"I guess it will work. Have a seat next to Ms. Morgan." He gestured to the back of the room and I smiled when I realized who he meant.
Perfect.
I strutted to my new seat and sat down next to her, leaning close.
"Hi, I'm Zach." She scooted her chair away from me slightly, and looked at me, puzzled.
"Why are you sitting here?" She asked quietly, and I almost melted. Her voice was so sweet and innocent, it couldn't possibly be the voice of a mad girl.
"I'm your new lab partner." I said, sticking my hand out for a shake. She just stared at it for a while, before I got uncomfortable and put my hand down.
"So what's your name?" I asked, hoping to start a conversation.
"Cammie." She said absentmindedly, doodling in the margins of her notebook.
She seems perfectly normal...
"That's a neat drawing." I said, pointing in her notebook. Our hands only brushed for a millisecond but the effect was instantaneous.
She jumped out of her seat as if I'd shocked her, and her breathing accelerated.
"Er, bathroom." She mumbled, and she all but sprinted from the room.
"What a freak." The girl across the aisle whispered to her fried and they both broke out in silent giggles.
I clenched m hands into fists, and tried to focus on the presentation. Only, I found myself focusing on the door, waiting for Cammie's return.
She didnt return until the vet end of class, and she looked...disheveled.
"Are you okay?" I murmured, being careful to keep my hands to myself. I noticed the way she was sitting, with her arms slightly wrapped around herself, as if to hold herself together.
She nodded slightly, grabbed her backpack and stood up, just as the bell was ringing. She kept her head high though, and I had to give her credit for that.
I swear I've seen her before...
I shook the thought, continuing on my way out of class. I stopped by my new locker, throwing in all my books and grabbing my jacket.
As I shrugged it on, I noticed plenty of people giving me odd looks. I couldn't tell if they were friendly or if...
Someone tapped me on the shoulder and I turned around, to see a smiling Macey.
"Hey Zach! Walk with me?" She asked, batting her eyelashes and already turning to walk towards the exit.
"Uh, sure." I followed her, trying not to look at her swinging hips in that oh so short cheer skirt. I mean, cut me some slack, I'm a teenage boy! I have hormones too ya know. I just didn't exactly want to act on those hormones.
I mean, there's no denying Macey is hot, that's obvious.
But the way that Nick looked at her, seemed like he wants to be a little more than friends...
Or maybe he's just a douche that wants to get laid by one of the hottest girls in school.
Either way, I wasn't looking for a fight.
"So Zach," Macey practically purred as she walked me to my bike. "Think I could bum a ride? Maybe we could hang at your place?" She asked, practically sitting on top of me. If that's even possible when two people are standing up.
"Sorry Mace. I'd love to but, I have somewhere I need to be." I said as I jumped on my bike, and quickly pulled away, leaving behind a very red faced and angry Macey McHenry.
Oh well. Time to go do some digging...
I smirked, and sped up, my curiosity for answers almost bursting.
What is it about this girl?
AN: Hey everyone! I hope you had a nice memorial day, if you celebrate that. God bless our troops everywhere. AHHHHHH ONLY 7 DAYS OF SUMMER LIKE, WHAT? I'm excited :) I went to the lake yesterday with my friends and we had so much fun and then we went to 711 and bought sooooo much candy and then we came home and played with sparklers and went swimming in my pool and danced in the street ahahaha rebels we are. Anyways, review if you love summer?
