9. Mushrooms and Pepperoni
Lunch was hectic. After visiting the nurse's office—bag of ice clutched in my frozen hands—Zack was nice enough to carry my books that I had just acquired from each class. Long metal tables were squashed together in the gym. The room was full of conversation, people yelling to each other from across the room, others starting miniature food fights. As long as the food doesn't come near me I'm fine. I get aggressive. I scanned to room to see where the guys were. Sure Zack is nice, but I owe it to the guys to spend SOME time with them right? But I couldn't see any of their tall frames. Crestfallen, I join Zack at a table and immediately people begin to flock around us.
Not because of the new kid—me, duh—but because Zack is quite popular. Well how could I blame them, he was extraordinary; he probably travelled way more than anyone in La Push. He's been to Europe, Asia, Canada, and other places that I've never even heard of before. Not only was he talented—he's on a swim team somewhere in Forks and plays a lot of basketball—but all the girls seem to agree that he was hot. I don't see him as hot, he's cute. A stud-muffin maybe, better than a plain muffin, but all in all cute. But hot was a term I'd describe the La Push gang as.
One more time I looked around the room to see if I could see them. Everyone was crowding around me and quite frankly I was getting a bit claustrophobic. With a little cough I smiled at Zack and excused myself, picking up all my books and left the table.
Out in the hall I bumped into Jared and a girl showing their affection in the hallway, his frame pressed up against hers as she pressed her back against the wall.
"Whoa…" Was all I said.
I did not expect that at all.
The girl looked at me and immediately blushed and hid behind Jared. Jared looked up at me and gave me a sheepish grin. His hands tucked into his jeans, his shirt clinging to his lean muscles.
"Uh, hey." I said, trying to break the awkwardness.
"Hey Paige. Um, this is my girlfriend Kim. I don't think you guys met yet."
The girl named Kim stuck her head out from behind Jared's back and giggled a small hello and immediately hid behind Jared again. She had normal features. But she had the most gorgeous eyes ever. I'd kill to have eyelashes like hers.
"Hi," I said politely, "have you guys seen Paul or Jacob?"
Jared ran his hand through his short cropped hair and jabbed his thumb out the door.
"Outside, they hate it in there." He pointed to the gym.
"Dido," was all I said before I started for outside. "Thanks!" I called over my shoulder.
But I don't think they heard me because they were at it again.
Outside the sun was beating down. My dark hair immediately began to heat up. Shielding my eyes from the sunlight with my hands I ran towards the guys sitting under the giant tree.
I waved at them and called their names. They waved back. All of them except Paul who leaned moodily against the tree. Jake came up and took my books like a gentlemen—ha right—and passed them to Embry who sat with a girl, resting her head against his shoulder. I looked at Paul and smiled. He looked away towards the school. Aggravated I plopped myself down beside Jacob and took some of his ham and cheese sandwich. He looked at me and gave me one of his famous smiles. Large and very adorable.
"Where's your lunch shorty?" Quil asked.
I glared at Quil as he sat down on my other side. His hand wrapped playfully around my shoulders. He is such an annoying flirt.
"Why don't you come and lie down with me on the grass?" He winked.
I looked him straight in the eye and recited a quote that I once saw on a bumper sticker.
"The lion and the calf shall lie down together but the calf won't get much sleep."
Jacob cracked up laughing and Embry joined in. Quil looked at me puzzled.
"So, you're calling me the lion? Cool! The lion is the king of the jungle. I don't get what's so funny." He said.
I rolled my eyes. "Well I'm not the calf."
Jacob and Embry kept on laughing while Quil looked twice as puzzled. But I watched as Paul head towards the school and disappear inside. What is his problem anyways? Why can't he just be nice for once? Why can't he just have a normal conversation with me without having to turn it into an argument?
"Ha, ha…" Quil said, finally getting the joke.
The boys started play fighting with each other while I stole more of Jake's lunch. I was FAMISHED. Again. Gosh, I hope there's nothing wrong with me.
Pale hands touched my shoulder as I plucked bits of sandwich into my mouth. The touch was soft and gentle. Startled I looked around and saw the girl Embry was sitting with. She was quite pretty. Average, but her smile was like a light bulb. Okay, bad description, but her smile seemed to make everyone around her glow.
"Hey. Embry told me one of his friends came into town from way back when you guys were like kids." She said. "I'm Emma Castle."
I smiled back at her, but I knew my smile wouldn't be as bright. "Hey. Let me guess, Embry's girlfriend?"
I wasn't the most subtle person in the world. But this is how you get topics out in the open. But it never seemed to work with Paul. I may be a pain in HIS butt, but he's stabbing my heart every time he ignores me like he does.
She nodded and sat down beside me, watching the guys wrestle each other in the dull green grass. "I don't fit in at this school." She said quietly.
I looked her over. She was as white as snow. Yas…I gulped.
I felt homesick. I missed my brother so much. How much has changed in just a few days.
"I don't fit in either." I said finally, after another bite of ham and cheese.
She shook her head and let her dark hair drape over her shoulders. Her knees bent, her arms wrapped around them.
"Everyone thinks I shouldn't be here," when she catches a glimpse of my face—it must have been a scary or weird face that I made—she instantly corrects herself. "I mean, not everyone. But most of the girls. I think they're mad that I'm with Embry."
"Jealous bitches." I stated.
She shrugged. "I don't really care what they think. I actually miss home."
"Really? Where are you from?" I ask.
Hey everyone keeps asking me. Why can't I ask that question?
"Port Townsend. It's not as far as Utah, but it's pretty far. It's very scenic there as it is here in La Push. Just more city life."
Emma and I kept on talking, we had some things in common, the type of music we listen to, brands and logos that we like to wear or make fun of, companies we hate for forcing child labor. We talked and talked until Embry wrapped his long arms around her and took her away to make out or something. I felt a chill go up my spine as a scary shadow loomed over me from behind. Before I could swing my legs around to kick the legs out from underneath the guy something fell into my lap.
It was pizza in the bag.
I looked up and saw Paul his moody face still in place as he stalked off to lean against the tree.
He gazed at me and rolled his eyes.
"Eat." Was all he said.
I couldn't help but feel giddy with every bite of mushroom and pepperoni I gobbled up. He noticed that I didn't have a lunch. Noticed I was hungry and bought me pizza.
It was the best pizza I've ever eaten.
I was free so why not one more chapter? Maybe Paul is getting in touch of his soft side?
