All through the morning I was bombarded with constant questions, all along the lines of:

'Who's your hot new friend?'

'So... If your not together, do you think you could introduce us?'

'Wow...is he for real?'

It bothered me...a lot. More than it should. He was the subject of the whole schools conversations, exactly how it had been on my first day, a year ago. He managed to sit next to me in every lesson. I had obviously been very distant and depressed in the recent months so...his seat remained empty. The day had been quite ordinary, given the circumstances as we walked into the cafeteria at lunch. It was surprisingly nice to have the easy company of him at school, something I had never noticed I was missing. The cafeteria was almost empty as the bell had only just rung. We went and grabbed some food making idle conversation before sitting down at a vacant table. I took a bite out of my apple and looked up to see him staring at my face intently, chewing on a cheese roll.

I raised one eyebrow questioningly. He nodded and slowly swallowed.

"Bella, if I were to ask you something, would you promise not to..." he asked, not being able to find the right words.

"Not to..." I prompted.

"Over react, disassociate your self from me, or let things get awkward?"

"What is it?" I enquired.

"Promise me."

"Okay, but what is-"

"Bella!" I was interrupted by a high pitched voice.

Jessica. Errg. I'm pretty sure she hadn't spoken to me for weeks now. Not that I would have noticed to be honest. She took the seat next to me and made a point to give me a brief hug before turning allher attention to Tom.

"Hello, I don't believe we've met." She said extending a hand towards him, "I'm Jessica, Bella's best friend," she said with a giggle, looking at him from under her lashes. Tom took her hand briefly, before taking a quick glance at me.

"It a pleasure to meet you Jessica" he said politely.
But I could tell he knew exactly what I was thinking. He knew precisely what she was doing. My eyes narrowed reflexively, I didn't like this, heat welled up in my chest and I felt a little like punching Jessica. I was immediately appalled at this thought, of course I wouldn't punch anyone... as much I wanted to right now.

No.

I wouldn't.

We were eventually joined by many others, including Lauren, to my great distaste. But also Mike and Angela, who seemed more interested in me than Tom.

It was nearing the end of lunch when Angela whispered quietly in my ear. "I've missed you Bella, it's good to see you're starting to...move on." Mike just nodded in agreement.

I was suddenly overcome with emotion, and couldn't help but pull Mike and Angela into a hug. It was all I could do to keep the tears from rolling. Jessica turned to look at me with resentful eyes... I assume for hugging Mike. But seriously wasn't she just flirting with Tom?

Tom took the momentary cease in Jessica's 'seduction techniques' as I liked to call it, to excuse us from the table.

"Bella, will you come with me to the office a moment please, I need to hand this slip in for signing," he said with a smirk.

Jessica piped "Don't worry I'll go with y-" and was interrupted by Toms smooth voice.

"Bella?" he said, completely snubbing Jessica.

I was already on my feet.

I need to know what he was trying to say before Jessica interrupted.