The bell signaling lunch echoed through the momentarily empty halls causing students to bolt up from their seats, the teacher trying to get in their last words before everyone rushed to the cafeteria. I let out a sigh, the first half of my day was now officially over. I only hoped that the rest of the day went faster than the first. Classes were uneventful, though I was kinda glad to have the four boys I met this morning in most of my classes. They were all nice enough, well with the exception of the one name Cartman. He on the other hand was an asshole.
I lagged behind the other students, taking my time as I gathered my things before finally making my way to join the rest of the student body. I slipped through the groups of teenagers as if they were not even there as I pushed the cafeteria door open and wandered to a table far from others and sat down alone. I set my thermos down in front of me, grasping it as I looked down at the table. Sitting alone definitely was not the way for me to make friends, but I would rather be alone until I can know for sure where I'm welcomed.
"No Kenny, she's a girl! We can't let her sit with us." The whiny voice of Cartman reached my ears above the cluster of voices. I may have only heard it once but it's one of those voices you never forget. His voice was way too hard for me to blend in with everyone else's from the sheer annoyance it brought whenever he opened his mouth. Even in a crowded cafeteria I could hear his from the other side of the lunchroom. Though I can't complain now that I know they were talking about me. I focused on listening for Stan Kyle, and Kenny to hear their response.
"Dude, she seems pretty cool. I mean you saw her hair right? You should chill Cartman." The voice of Stan, I believe, came next. A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips at the fact that my colorful hair was what made him think I was cool.
"Just go ask her, I feel bad she's sitting alone." Kyle chimed in. "Plus I agree with Stan, she seems cool. A little shy maybe, but we can at least be welcoming."
I unscrewed the cap to my thermos, at least trying to look like I was minding my own business, not that they would even know I heard them, as I waited for a sign that I was being approached. I anticipated for Kenny to come over to me from what I heard of the boy's conversation. I swirled my thermos around a couple times before lifting it to my lips and taking a few small gulps, thankful that between the heat of the school building and being stored in my book bag that the liquid had warmed up a little. Though I was still disappointed I saw no microwave anywhere I could sneak a use from.
"Hey, um Luna right?" Kenny's voice came from my left, exactly where I heard him approaching from. I looked at him out of the corner of my eye as I casually returned the lid to my thermos before turned myself to look at him.
"That would be correct." My voice came out strong and smooth, hoping to make a comeback from my embarrassing morning at the bus stop. "Kenny, right?" I flicked my bangs out of my eyes as I looked up at him.
"Yep, that's me. Do you want to sit with me and my friends?" Kenny asked, rubbing the back of his head nervously.
"I suppose." I said with a small smile as I thought about the fact that he was actually nervous about talking to me.
I stood up with graceful movements, trying to put on some confidence to make up for my rough start this morning. Following Kenny to the table where the others from this morning where sitting plus a few others whom I have not yet met. Kenny returned to his seat, looking at me and patting the seat between him and Stan to indicate that is where I should sit. I lifted my leg up over the seat and in one swift motion sat down and set my thermos back down in front of me.
I looked at the boys surrounding me, all of them had a tray of cafeteria food, all except for Kenny and me. Kenny instead had brought his own lunch which he had begun to unpack. A very plain looking sandwich and a bottle of water was all he had.
"Hey guys look, Luna has even less to eat than Kenny!" Cartman burst out laughing as he pointed at me. I glared at him, remaining quiet.
"Shut your fucking mouth Cartman." Kyle scolded, hitting Cartman in the arm.
"Yeah, who cares how much food she has. Not like you even need food fat ass." Kenny spoke up, his voice as clear as the others now, the slight difference gone. I glanced over at him and realized he had removed his hood, presumably to eat his sandwich.
Holy Hell. I thought to myself as my breath caught in my throat. Now I know how they must have felt this morning when I took of my hood. I couldn't help but stare at Kenny as I took in his now fully revealed face. His blonde hair was messy from his hood but somehow looked like it was meant to be that way. Seeing more than just his deep blue eyes was pretty shocking to me, but why I felt that way I did not know. I figured it was just because he went all day without taking his hood off so it was surprising to see him with it down.
"Earth to Luna!" Stan poked my shoulder, causing me to jump as I was lost in my own thoughts and completely tuned out everything.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I was just thinking." I turned my head to look at Stan. "What were you saying?"
"I said I didn't get to tell you this morning but your hair is badass and asked if you wanted my fries. I just figured you maybe forgot lunch money or something."
"Oh no. No fries for me, I'm good. I don't really eat lunch very often. Thank you though. As for my hair, I know." A sly smile spread across my face as I flicked my hand, causing my hair to swish so the colors swirl together. "I dye it myself."
"That's fucking awesome. You should come do mine, nice and blonde so no need for bleaching." Kenny laughed as winked at me and took a bite of his sandwich.
"Hey, less work for me. Consider yourself lucky, I have naturally black hair so it's a major pain the the ass to bleach." I turned my gaze back to Kenny, our eyes catching one another full on. The eye contact lasted no longer than a few seconds, but that was all I needed to feel a tug begin.
No… not already. I shook my head slightly, clearing any thoughts I had before taking another look over at Kenny. Lo and behold, there the feeling was again. A slight tug, almost like a string was pulling on my heart.
"Luna, are you okay?" Kyle asked as he reached a hand over and waved it in front of my face. "That's the second time you have zoned out."
"Oh.. uh yeah." I realized I had been caught staring at Kenny for the second time. I racked my brain for some excuse, "I was just thinking what color would look cool on him.. Not.. Not that I think he was serious about the 'dye my hair' thing but it's always cool to picture what I would do if someone asks me to dye their hair. It's like art, being able to take how one looks and helping them express themselves through their hair. Back in Seattle I dyed so many of my friends' hair and each style and color was like I was bringing part of their personality forward for all to see. It's -" I stopped mid sentence, realizing that I was just rambling to these boys about hair color. Something they probably could care less about. "I'm sorry, you guys probably don't care about hair. I just ramble sometimes." I fiddled with my thermos and bit my lip to keep from rambling even more. A short silence fell among the group as I sat and waited awkwardly.
"Not that it's any of my business," Kyle broke the silence, "but why did your parents move here from Seattle. I mean isn't a city better than a small mountain town?"
I was not sure how to reply, I never prepared an excuse for a question like that yet. Thought, it was my own fault for mentioning where I was from in my little rant. "Why we moved is complicated." My response got intrigued looks from the four boys. "Honestly I can't tell you exactly why, I don't really know myself." I hurriedly threw out as my excuse. I knew I should just shut up, but of course my dumb ass never stops when I know I should. Anger and sorrow began to rise with the thought of Seattle. "All I know is that I left a lot of friends behind and now I'm in a town where I'm just the weird new kid with no friends."
My anger level kept rising, I knew I had to get away and calm down or risk my anger getting the better of me. "I'm sorry, I should go." I went to stand up and felt a hand gently grab my wrist.
"Hey, it's okay. Kyle didn't mean to upset you." Kenny looked at me with his clear blue eyes and when I looked back a wave of calm washed over me. My breath hitched as I froze in place, half sitting half standing. "Please, sit back down."
"Yeah, Luna I didn't mean to upset you at all! I just was curious is all." Kyle spoke up, his voice apologetic.
I glanced at Kenny's hand still lightly holding my wrist and then to Kyle before slowly sitting back down. "Yeah, okay. I'm sorry too. I'm just still upset about leaving everyone behind and on top of that making friends is not my strong point so I've been super nervous about coming to school here. I mean not many people start a new school their Senior year."
"Well, you're doing pretty good so far." Stan complimented. "I mean you must be doing something right if Kenny is being nice and not a perv."
"Dude!" Kenny yelled at Stan.
"Oh really now?" I laughed as I shot Kenny a sly look. "So Mr. Nice Guy is actually Mr. Fuck Boy?" Kenny stammered out a string of unintelligent babbles as he tried to get his words together, causing me to laugh harder along with the other boys around the table. "Hey, don't worry about it." I reassured the blushing boy as I put a hand on his shoulder and leaned in slightly to whisper in his ear, "I'm not as innocent as I seem either."
I flashed him a cheeky smile, gaining one in return, as I turned my attention back to the rest of the gang. "So, are you guys gonna let me hang out with you or do I have to keep up my search for friends elsewhere?"
"We don't need a fucking girl hanging out with us, she will interfere wi-" Cartman quickly began to bitch before I cut him off.
"Interfere with what? You don't even know what I like to do. Or are you just scared of getting beat by a girl in video games." I smirked, my comment generating "oohs" from the others. "Or is it you don't think I'm tough enough, cuz I promise you hun I could kick your ass. I'm more than just a pretty face." I flashed a smile his direction, a challenge to reply to me.
"Fuck you, Bitch!" Was all Cartman could reply after he stammered over trying to get out a reply.
"Nah, I think I'll pass for now. At least from you anyways." I chuckled as I pulled out all the sass I could. There was no way I was letting this fat ass walk all over me. I was rewarded for my sass with applause from the others at the table, apparently not many people can cause Cartman to be speechless.
"It seems my work here is done," I complimented myself , "and just in time too, lunch time is ending." I turned once more to face Kenny. "Thank you for inviting me to sit with you guys. It was definitely worth it." I smiled at him, and the tug at my heart picking up again as he smiled back.
"Yeah, no problem. It's not everyday we get to have a beautiful girl sit with us." A sly smile appearing on his face as he crumpled up the paper bag his lunch came in.
"Ah, flirtatious comments. There's Mr. Fuck Boy." I winked and smile at him as I stood up "Catch you guys after school." I turned and walked away, leaving them all staring. It wasn't a question, it was a statement. My confidence during this lunch period worked wonders getting these boys to like me, so I know I need to keep it up.
I smiled to myself as I made my way towards the cafeteria doors as I heard Kenny say to the others "She's fucking awesome. Plus look at that ass. I would tap that." I laughed as a thought came to my mind that kinda shocked me, but I welcomed anyways. I would tap that too dude.