Chapter Ten: Lunch with Weirdoes
The next morning, Gwen walked to school happily. She never felt so happy in her entire life. She made up with Johnny and she made some changes in her cheer-leading. Instead of being bossy, she became kind and gentle to her team. Her team was shocked of how she was acting yet was happy that she was acting friendly. Usually she will walk along through campus but everyone greeted her with kindness and she made some admirers along the way.
Friends… I never thought I would have real friends… Gwen thought, standing at the balcony. She was on the roof of the school building.
"Gwen, eat up… Eat as much as you like."Zelda said, smiling. "There is plenty to go around."
"Are you worried about your weight?" I asked.
"That never came to mind." She said. She then turned to Chad. "Chad, am I gaining weight?" Chad squirted out soda when he heard that. Maurice, Cree, and Ruby were laughing with his reaction.
"Z, I really don't know. You look the same to me." Chad said.
"Then I have nothing to worry about." She said, eating another slice of pizza. I haven't eaten pizza for years because I was worried about my weight but looking at her and how happy she was I thought I can do the same. I took a bite and I blushed. It was amazing. "Oh Gwen, how is it? Is it good?"
"It is incredible. I love it." I said happily.
"I am happy to hear that." She said.
She was so nice to me yesterday and even with all the stuff I put her through, she still call me friend.
Then Cree and Ruby walked toward her. "Oh Cree.. Ruby, what are you two doing here?"
"I usually wait here for the others." Cree said.
"Same here…" Ruby said.
"Also, my favorite show is about to start." Cree said.
"Your favorite show?" Gwen said.
"UNO! YOU GET BACK HERE!" A loud voice screamed. Gwen turned and found Zelda being chase by two teachers. "STOP RUNNING UNO! WE WON'T LET YOU GET AWAY TODAY, DAMN IT!"
"Like I will wait for you two…" She said, racing away.
"DAMN IT, YOU ARE JUST LIKE YOUR OLD MAN!" They screamed.
"Right on schedule..." Cree said, giggling. "I love to watch her runaway. It is quite amusing."
"Why is she running away?" Gwen asked.
"Zelda used to be in the Track and Field but she quit because she couldn't do it." Ruby said. "The teachers want her back because she became an ace in the team. I couldn't match her speed and endurance."
"She is super fast." Gwen said. "I get why they want her." Then Chad appeared with Maurice.
"I see she is at it again." Maurice said, kissing Cree on the cheek. "Hey beautiful…"
"You are such a charmer." Cree said, giggling.
"I guess things don't change." Chad said. "Hey Gwen, I hope you had a good morning today."
"I did… Thanks Chad." Gwen said, blushing. Ever since we became friends, he is so nice to me.
"And good morning to you Ruby." Chad said.
"Morning…" Ruby said, smiling. He is not a bad guy… He lets me be with Zelda and even call me friend. I think he is good for my Honey Bunny. They watched her run through the campus but she stopped when she reached a dead end. "I guess she is finally getting caught."
"Alright Uno, we got you know. You were so cooperative with the Track and Field and I don't know why you quit but we would like you to come back." One teacher said.
"Yes so please come with us." Another teacher added.
"I guess you are right, I am trapped." She said, smiling. "But hey is that Mrs. Collins in a short skirt? She looks so hot."
"WHERE?!" Both teachers screamed, blushing and searching for the sexy female art teacher. "I DON'T SEE HER!" They turned and found that she was gone. "UNO!"
"I guess she will never be captured." Maurice said.
"She is very funny." Gwen said, giggling.
"Hey Baby, are you going to be at the game Thursday night? It is the championships after all." Maurice asked.
"Of course, I wouldn't miss my honey's big game." Cree said.
"Get a room." Chad teased.
"You are the one to talk." Maurice said. "You get mushy around Z. Anyways, is Z coming to the game?"
"She is going to be there." Chad said. "She doesn't like sports but she is willing to come to the game to cheer me on." She was always there for my games.
Our last game, we weren't doing well. We were three points away from the visitors and we only have two minutes on the clock. The thought of losing pressured me. I am their leader and my team is counting on me.
"YOU CAN DO IT CHAD!" A voice screamed. "DON'T GIVE UP NO MATTER WHAT?!" I turned to the voice and found Zelda standing while everyone was looking at her. She was my friend at the time and I smiled when she was cheering for me in my varsity jacket. "YOU GOT THIS CHAD!" Cree stood up and joined her.
"MAURICE GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME!" Cree screamed. "YOU BETTER NOT GIVE UP ON ME!" Maurice and I turned to each other and smiled. Yup, we both agreed that we have awesome cheerleaders. We won that game that night and it was all because of them, because they believed in us.
"This game is going to give us a shot in that football scholarship." Maurice said. "We might play in college football or in the NFL."
"It sounds awesome but it is funny that we will all have to part ways." Cree said. "We are all Juniors. We only have a few months left together."
"I have never thought of that." Ruby said, frowning. "It sounds depressing."
"At the time we are Seniors, we have to focus on scholarships and applying to colleges and universities. We might be too busy to be together." Gwen pointed out.
"Hey, let's focus on the present instead of the future." Chad said. I am uneasy about this as well but I don't want to mope about it. I want to spend time with these guys as much as I can especially with Zelda. "Let's have fun instead of sulking."
"Chad is right." Maurice said. "Even when that day comes, we will try our best to keep in touch with one another."
"Then let's promise to always be friends." Ruby said.
"We promise…" They all said.
Zelda raced through the halls with a smile on her face. "I totally fooled them. I almost thought I wasn't going to make it." She said. Damn what a crazy day…
This morning I didn't go with Chad to school. I needed to do some errands with my father before heading to school. After I was done, I walked to school by myself. I passed by a store and a necklace caught my eye. It was a necklace made out of black beads and has a shark tooth as a pendent. I thought it would be perfect for Chad's gift. I raced in the shop and to the counter. "Excuse me sir…"
"Yes young lady, what can I do for you?" He asked.
"I was wondering how much is the shark tooth necklace?" I replied.
"Oh, it is 20 dollars." He replied.
"Is it okay if you can hold that for me? I am going to be late for school." I said.
"Of course my dear." He said, smiling.
"Thank you so much." I said. "Have a good day sir."
"Likewise…" He replied.
I hope he likes it.
She then bumped into Johnny. "Oh sorry Johnny, are you hurt?" She said.
"No, I am fine. I see that you have fewer bandages as before." Johnny said. She is always on the run.
"Yes, I didn't want to look like a mummy." She said.
"Ahh…" He said, scratching his head. It is weird that we are talking as if nothing happened yesterday. I heard that Gwen is her friend now. "Zelda, I want to apologize for hurting you yesterday."
"I should apologize to you. I hurt you too." She said, looking worried. "How are your injuries?"
"I am fine Zelda but it wasn't right of me to hit a girl." Johnny said. She is worried about me than herself.
"Hey I told you that I forgive you." Zelda said. "I am just happy that you are okay. The last time I was sleep fighting, my opponent was sent to the hospital and that was years ago. I am just happy that it didn't happen to you." She then smiled at him. However, it gave him chills down his spine.
"Ahh… I am happy too." Johnny said. Somehow, she can be very scary. "So Zelda, I was wondering if we can well… start over…"
"Start over?" Zelda said.
"I mean, I know that I am a jerk and I don't deserve your forgiveness but…" Johnny said, scratching his head. "I just want to make things right with you."
"Hmmm… You can start by holding this." She said, giving him her bag. "Can you deliver it to the roof please?"
"Okay but why?" He asked.
"Well…"
"ZELDA UNO, YOU GET BACK HERE!" The two teachers screamed. Zelda let out a sigh.
"Well, I have to get going. It is good chatting with you." She said, running away.
"Yeah…" Johnny said. She is so damn weird but I guess weird is good. He then turned to the bag. "'Well, I guess I have to get this delivered." He made his way to the roof and found his sister with her new friends. Chad turned to him and stare at each other is silence. "I am not here to cause trouble. I am here to deliver your weird girlfriend's bag to you."
"Oh thanks…" Chad said, grabbing it. "I guess she is still being chased."
"Yeah, she still is." Johnny said. "I also wanted to say sorry to you. I went too far with things and…"
"Apology accepted…" Chad said, smiling said. "I am just glad it is over."
"Ahh.. really…" Johnny said shockingly. His eyes widened with the concept that he gave him so easily. It is just like before…
"We are sorry for hurting you. I am sorry for giving you all this. Yes, I wanted this before but I can't." Gwen said.
"Oh, okay… You guys are forgiven. No biggie…" Zelda replied, smiling.
"Wait, you would forgive us so easily even when I hurt you." I said. It amazes me that she just forgave us especially me without a second thought. Why?
"I think I hurt you more. I mean, you have more bruises and I gave you a black eye." Zelda said. "But even with all the mean things you both did to me, I forgive you. I think holding grudges are a waste of time. I mean, why waste a day hating someone?"
It is like Lady Cree said, she is too nice. And now this guy… I think the weirdness is rubbing off on him.
"Well, I will be leaving now." Johnny said. "I don't have any reason to be here."
"Hey Johnny, do you want to join us for lunch?" Gwen asked. "We have plenty and we would love to share with you."
"Nah, these are your friends not mine." Johnny said. My sister is acting weird as well. I think it is because of that weirdo. Then Zelda burst through the door and close it. Speak of the devil…
"Phew, that was a lot of running." She said, breathing heavily. Why do I always have to be chase around the campus? There is not a day I can take a breather. She then noticed Johnny. "Oh hi friend, thanks for delivering my surprise."
"Friend?" Johnny asked. What is this chick talking about? We are not friend. She grabbed his arm and pulled him to the others. "UNO, LET GO OFF ME!" Gwen placed a blanket on the ground and everyone pulled out containers fill with delicious food.
"We were having a lunch together. You can share with me." She said, smiling.
"But I am not your friend." Johnny protested. "So let me go Uno…"
"What do you mean? You wanted to start over so this is how we start over." She said. "So you are going to stay here and eat with us."
"If I were you, I will go with it." Maurice said.
"Yeah, there is no way to convince her." Chad said. "I know this more than anyone."
"I tried leaving but she still wants to be my friend." Gwen said, smiling. "It is not so bad."
"It is nice that our gang is growing." Cree said, giggling. "So sit already and join us."
"Yeah, it is nice to have friends." Ruby added. "I was all alone until I met my Honey Bunny." Johnny sat beside her while Zelda sat beside Chad.
"Honey Bunny?" Johnny said.
"Oh she calls me that." Zelda said, smiling. "But you should be thanking Cree. She is the only that told me to be brave and make new friends. I was always so scared to talk to people. It was hard but I made three new friends." She lightly blushed in front of them. "I am happy that I met her."
"Oh Z, you flatter me." Cree said.
"Also Maurice and Chad helped me as well." Zelda said.
"Aww… No problem Zelda. You are one of us." Maurice said.
"Yeah, we will always be friends." Chad said, giving her bag to her. "Here is your bag."
"Thanks…" She said. She then pulled out a big container out of her bag.
"WHOA, WHAT DID YOU BRING ZELDA?!" Ruby asked.
"I brought lumpia and sweet and sour sauce." She said. "It is a Pilipino dish. I learned it when I was in American Samoa. It is pretty good." Then the door opened and Richard appeared. "Hey Richard, you are just in time."
"Of course I am here. I will never miss a chance spending time with you." Richard said.
"Why are you here?" Chad snapped. This fucker better not try anything to my Z.
"I got invited." Richard snapped. This fucker thinks he owns Zelda. You are not going to pull me away from her Number 274. They glared at each other.
"I invited him to join us. I hope you don't mind." Zelda said. Chad and Richard was still glaring at each other.
"Hey, just hurry up here. I am hungry." Ruby snapped. Richard let out a sigh and sat beside Zelda. "I brought some sushi."
"Oh I love sushi." Gwen said. "Hey Johnny, I brought some teriyaki beef. I know it is your favorite." Johnny smiled at his little sister.
"Thanks sis…" Johnny said. Ever since yesterday, I got closer to her… I usually hate her because her annoying demeanor and endless complaining but now, I feel that I have to know the real her. "I am sorry that I didn't bring anything."
"It is fine, there is plenty to go around." Gwen said, smiling. I am happy that I can have this peaceful time with him. We will always argue and fight but I am happy that I can experience this precious moment with my older brother.
"I brought green salad, fried chicken, and fried rice…" Maurice said. "Also some cake for you my dear." He kissed Cree on the cheek.
"Aww.. thanks babe. I brought spaghetti." Cree said. "With butter biscuits…"
"That sounds delicious." Chad said. "I just brought pork cutlets with mash potatoes."
"I brought cheesecake and some cupcakes." Richard said.
"Whoa Richard, they look delicious." Zelda said, staring at the cupcakes. "The frosting on the cupcakes looks so pretty. It is like art."
"Of course they are, I brought them from a bakery not too far from here." Richard said, giving her one. "Do you want to try one?"
"Ah…" Zelda said.
"Z, I brought your favorite, chocolate pudding." Chad said. "I made it myself."
"AHHHH! I LOVE YOU CHAD!" Zelda cheered, grabbing the pudding and eating it happily. "It tastes so good, Honey. I love it so much. Can you please make me pudding every day?"
"Sure thing babe… Anything for you…" Chad said, kissing her forehead. Stay away from her… Chad gave Richard a mischievous smirk while Richard glared at him with hatred.
You bastard… You are not going to beat me again. Richard thought.
"Zelda, you should save the desert for last." Gwen said. I swear she acts like a child.
"But Gwen, I love pudding." Zelda said, giving her puppy eyes. Gwen let out a sigh.
"Fine but make sure you eat something else beside pudding." Gwen said. When did I ever become soft? It is funny how this loser can make anyone her friend.
"Okay Gwen…" She replied happily. "Chad, can I have some pork cutlet? It looks so delicious."
"Sure love, you can have some." Chad said, giving her a plate with a pork cutlet and mash potatoes. She took a bite. "So how is it?"
"It is so good. Did you cook this?" She asked.
"Of course I did." Chad said. "You are not the only master chef here." She kissed his cheek and eat some more. Richard sulk that he wasn't the one that didn't receive the kiss. "Try a lumpia Chad…" Chad grabbed a roll and dipped it in the sour. He took a bite and smiled. "So?"
"It is really good Z, I love it." Chad said, smiling. Then Ruby offered a sushi to Johnny.
"Do you want some John?" Ruby asked.
"Sure…" Johnny said, taking a bite. "It tastes really good."
"Thanks, my parents own a seafood restaurant." Ruby said, smiling. "Oh my name is Ruby…"
"Ruby, nice name…" Johnny said, smiling. "Can I have some more please?"
"Sure…" Ruby said, giving him more sushi. Everyone was eating his or her meals. It was a funny lunch session. Richard and Chad was stuffing Zelda with food while she was too naïve to see that they are really fighting over her. Cree and Maurice will eat while watching them. Ruby, Gwen, and Johnny will share their food and bet who will win. It is funny how all of her enemies became her friends. Ruby then let out a sigh and leaned her head on Johnny's shoulder.
"Hey, are you okay?" Johnny asked.
"Yeah, when I eat a lot I get tired." Ruby said, letting out a yawn. "I hope you don't mind."
"No it's fine." Johnny said. Ruby smiled and fell asleep. These people are so weird. They just accept me as their friend just like that. And this girl… She actually looks cute. Oh no, what is wrong with me? Don't tell me I caught the weirdness too. No, I can't…
"You fit right in." Gwen said, giggling. I see that my brother is doing well here. I am happy.
"You really think so." Johnny said.
"Yup, welcome to the group." Maurice said.
"Are you sure you guys want me here?" Johnny asked.
"You seem to be an alright guy." Cree said. "I may have taught Z how to make new friends but she has a gift of seeing goodness in other people. Not a lot of people have that."
"She sees goodness in me after all I put her through." Johnny said.
"She invited you didn't she." Maurice said. "And also Richard… "Johnny turned to Zelda and found her eating pudding while Richard and Chad were arguing. "Zelda may be naïve and silly but she has a good judge of character."
She sees goodness in me…. Johnny thought, gritting his teeth. I don't deserve this. I don't deserve to be with these people. He then turned to Maurice and Cree. They were smiling at each other and holding hands. Lady Cree acts different here. She is not acting all high and mighty and is dating her right hand man… Their positions don't matter here. He then turned to Chad. He was irritating Richard by kissing Zelda on the forehead. Chad is the top agent and yet he is with a weirdo. He has all the girls in the world to choose from and he chose a civilian. What is up with that? He then turned to Richard who is glaring at Chad. Also Richard is here and he doesn't like hanging out like this. He usually flaunts his charm to the ladies but he rather be here than do that. He then turned to Ruby who is now sleeping on his embrace. He blushed as the girl was sleeping peaceful in his arms. I heard Ruby is a bisexual and they still let her in. Her sexuality doesn't matter. Nevertheless, even as a bisexual, she looks so cute. He then turned to his sister who is amused by Richard's reaction. Moreover, what Gwen and I pulled yesterday, they still want us to be friends. What is going on here? Why are they so nice to people like me?
"Hey Johnny, you want some lumpia?" Zelda said, smiling. "It is like an egg roll but with meat. It tastes really good even with the sauce."
She never stops smiling and she never did anything bad to me. She always gives me a smile.
"Johnny, are you okay?" Zelda asked. "Don't you like it?"
I don't know if she is just an idiot or she really does believe I am good. He thought. She always gives everyone kindness even to people that don't deserve it. Is this what Chad sees in her? Is this what makes him love her so damn much? He let out a smile. Chad, you are a lucky man to have a weirdo. "Hey Zelda…" Johnny said. Richard and Chad stopped arguing when they heard his voice.
"Yes Johnny…" She said.
"Thank you…" He said.
"Hmmm…okay… I don't know why you are thanking me but okay." She said, smiling yet she was baffled what was going on. "So do what some lumpia?"
"Sure…" He said. "Friend…"
"AWWW… YOU CALLED ME FRIEND!" Zelda cheered. "Say it again…"
"Don't push your luck…" Johnny said. I guess it won't be so bad to be friends with a bunch of weirdo. Maybe, I was already a weirdo from the beginning.