Chapter 62: Ess: bESSt by warelander

Several weeks have now passed since Ess botched her cheerleading appearance. Ever since then and the Sig lead cheer-up mission things have gone back roughly to what Ess would consider normal.

Sure, the bullies sure still liked to target her, under the supposed reason that Carrie was just that upset that she made a farce of the first big basketball match of the year, but besides that things seemed to have returned to normal.

The cheerleading squad had all welcomed her back with a smile, all forgiven. Even Raina never brought the incident up anymore and was comfortable letting Ess take the lead again.

What felt most unusual to Ess though, was not having to worry about pranks from Jaan or her little elf friend. The one condition for it was that she had to let Yoko be. A small price to pay, to finally be rid of a major source of humiliation, even if she initially had to bite her tongue a little.

Today wasn't a ''be nice to Yoko as thanks for her cheering you up too'' day though. Today was a day where she got to spend lunchtime with Sig and his two childhood friends.

Even weeks after that big moment, it still always felt like a challenge to approach Sig. Of course they were friends now, but a flame for someone isn't just going to change into something more platonic, overnight.

Luckily(?) for her, this was also one of those days where Gogotte was the only one handling the food for the day. This time it was something that could be described as pasta, with a funky-smelling mushroom sauce.

Needless to say, trying to brave this was going to get her mind to other places.

It didn't take long for her to spot the trio she was looking for at their usual table, looking about as enthusiastic about the cuisine in front of them, as she was.

''Hey y'all.'' She greeted the gang, swiftly getting their attention.

''Heyah..''

''Yo.''

''Hey Ess.''

The three friends greeted her back to back, signaling to the green-haired Tetra daughter that they had a seat reserved for her. Ess in turn quickly took her seat next to Sig, smiling at him, which he returned.

''So….up to anything?'' She awkwardly attempted to lead the conversation.

''Just eating…..I think.'' Sig looked down on his questionable dish, looking anything but eager to dig in.

''Well, it's not gonna bite us at least.'' Marvett figured, not entirely sure of her own claim. Rabbisuke shared the conflicted sentiment.

''Suits me well. I have no intention of biting it either.'' Lagnus snarked, fiddling around with the food, with his spoon. The pasta-like dish somehow consuming the fork put a quick end to that.

All four students sat there stunned, for a moment, before collectively pushing their trays away.

''Uhm, as for plans.'' Marvett attempted to steer the conversation elsewhere. ''I'm taking Dalida to the movies. I wanted to ask you guys if you want to come along as is.''

''Sure thing.'' Sig kept it short and to the point, as usual.

''Sounds good to me.'' Lagnus concurred, still a little disturbed by that fork incident.

Ess meanwhile sat there silently, a bit uncertain when all three of her table mates suddenly began to look at her. As a cheerleader, Ess was no stranger to being the center of attention, but moments like this did push her awkward button.

''W-What?'' She asked, a bit forceful, attempting to not sound meek and instead keep some composure.

''What about you? You wanna come too? Marvett now asked Ess directly.

The young Tetra girl felt a bit stunned hearing that, a part of her felt like she wasn't hearing right, but that didn't make sense.

''You'd take me along too?'' Ess now was genuinely sheepish, unusually for her in a position where she could usually assert an air of confidence instead.

Didn't help that all three friends seemed equally puzzled.

''Of course, you can always hang out with us.'' Lagnus assured her gently.

''You're our friend. We like having you around,'' Sig for emphasis gave her arm a comforting pat, threatening to make her face go red as it would have always done, but this time she had herself in check over it.

Looking around and seeing all three of them be so inviting, Ess was considerably relaxed about the situation, it was as if all that tenisty just vanished into thin air again.

''Thanks, I'd love to. Sorry, I'm still not used to this.'' She admitted.

''It's fine. We haven't hung out that often yet, I get it.'' Lagnus understood what was going through her head.

''If things feel awkward for you, you always got Sig.'' Marvett half-teasingly said more to Sig than Ess.

He didn't really get it, but he did give Ess an assuring nod, giving Ess a nice sense of comfort to know she was indeed as wanted as they made it out to be.

''Argh! It's grabbing my arm! What the frick is that thing!''

That tender moment was swiftly interrupted by the sound of Choppun screaming in the middle of the canteen. Today's food managed to get a hold of his arm and the paperbagged enigma struggled to free himself, as everyone around him watched in terror.

''...Maybe it's best we spend the rest of the break somewhere else.'' Lagnus nervously glanced at his own tray, worrying the lunch could jump at him any moment.

Everyone else at the table agreed, as they and many other students, fled the room.