I'm an angel in an angel's body

I pushed open the cafeteria door and was instantly greeted with noises of students laughter, some screaming, some gossiping, some of the boys chasing after each other for god knows what and some girls squealing probably because they were chosen for cheerleading squad or something. My nose fill with the aroma of different kind of foods. I spot Tracy and Rose sitting at our usual table. At right side of cafeteria students are lined up to take their food and the left side is wall made of glass giving a full view to nature outside and some students having their lunch in there.

All the tables on the side of glass wall is occupied by popular groups except ours. We are not one of the popular group but we're friends with some of them. I make my way towards the queue of students and waited for my turn to come. I took my tray of food and went to our table.

'Hi, Mary. Nice dress'

'Hi, Diana. Thank you' I waved at her and gave a smile while making my way towards our table. Diana was seated at the table before us with her four friends. They are five popular girls group of junior year. This girls go on a date so often that they might have dated probably every boys in our school. Off course, except Elias Brown. And their isn't a day that they go by without going on a date.

'Why are you late' Tracy asked after swallowing down her sandwich. I sighed and sat down on the empty chair and placed my tray on the table.

'Mrs. Henderson asked me to tutor Julie' Mrs. Henderson our physics teacher.

Rose chuckle at my frowning face. 'It's not funny' I scowled at her. 'It is not. Your face is!' she chuckled again. It's not like I hate tutoring I just don't like it. I stuff my mouth with sandwich letting it go for now. 'why are you wearing a dress?' Rose asked eyeing my sundress. I am wearing a white sundress with red and black floral with a black jacket and black leggings. 'What do you mean? Am I supposed to come naked?' I asked with a serious face and went back on my eating. 'oh you know what do I mean!' she narrowed her brown eyes at me flipping her brown hair backwards.

'Yeah, why are you wearing a sundress?' Tracy asked curiously.

'We have a family gathering in my aunt's house. I'm going there directly after school. I can't go to my house and change and then go to my aunt's. It's double work. My aunt's and my house is like on the opposite side of this town. So, I'm going to go directly with Noah' I explained and bite on another sandwich. Noah is my paternal cousin who is in sophomore year.

'Lazy ass' both Rose and Tracy said in unison.

I glare at them. They smile back at me.

'It is true'

'No, it's not'

'you don't want to change two clothes in a day. Because it will increase your laundry. You don't want to go back to your house. Because it will take more time and you have to drive for long. Say me, if it's not called laziness then what?' Tracy retorts.

I scoffed at her logic. 'It's called saving the time by lessening the unnecessary work. You dumbass' I flick at her forehead. 'ouch' she yelps and massages her forehead and her light blue eyes glare at me. And I grinned back cheekily. 'why hadn't she kept it at weekend? It's just a day away' Rose asked. 'she's too hasty. She thinks of one thing. She can't wait till she does it' I shrug. Rose nods in understanding.

We finish our lunch and head outside the building from the other door of cafeteria that leads directly out. There are several benches, some of it occupied by students, some of them having their lunch and some just hanging out. We sat on one of the empty bench that was under the tree shading us from sunlight. Tracy gather her thick black hair into pony tail and Rose had let her straight brown hair flow freely. Today I had put a little effort in styling my dirty blonde hair, considering I have a family gathering.

We talked for a while, then a group of students who are a popular group from senior year that is our year occupied the bench nearer to ours. Three boys and two girls.

'HEY THERE! THREE SAINTESS!' Sam, who is funniest of them, called out to us little louder then necessary. I cringed feeling unnecessary attention drive to us. We are friends with him because he is my lab partner and he is an extrovert so he befriended Rose and Tracey too considering we three are always together.

'How many times do we have to say don't call us that' Rose snap at him. Which he just laughed away. 'Give me a reason not to' he smirk at us. While Sam is talking with us, his other friends were having their own conversation. Hailey repeatedly checking her manicure and Anna checking her tattoo on forearms. Really, they are like two different ends of a magnet. Hailey is a walking Barbie doll. Thin figure, always wearing fancy dresses, manicure perfectly done, hair perfectly done, make up 24*7. Anna.. other way around. She's a tomboy. I guess she's influenced by them. I mean the three boys in their group. Brian, Sam and Liam.

Hailey saw me looking at her and smiled. I smiled back and she went back with her conversation. Hailey is not bad at heart when you get to know her. She just has some attitude problem. I laughed mentally. Whereas Anna is hard to approach so I don't ever bother to bring up conversations with her.

'You say me not to call you people that. But you three are the definition of the Saintesses'

My jaw dropped at Sam's exaggeration. Even if we reason with him hundred time he is not going to accept. I shake my head at him already giving up reasoning with him and knowing what he's going to say next.

'You guys never had a boyfriend, you are still a virgins, your first kiss is still to be given' with each sentence his smirk grows. 'You guys don't even go on a date, you don't have any male close friend… ' he says slowly, ticking off his fingers.

'I'm saying you for the hundredth time, we do go on a date' Rose said in exasperated tone.

let me say you his reasons are lame. And we do go on a date. It's just that he hadn't seen us go. It's no use saying him or proving to him about it. He will still stick to his reasons. Tracey stops him before he could narrate the all reasons. This is not the first time. I roll my dark grey eyes. Whatever we say he is not going to listen.

Even if I say him that I actually had a boyfriend when I was a bit younger he had said 'you call that dating? You guys didn't even kiss' he shook his head at me and looked at me as if he's explaining to a 5 years old kid.

'... I have never seen you guys show your legs…'

'Will you stop already?'

'.. No…. You guys had never tasted alcohol… '

'SAM' we three groan in unison.

'Ok, ok… I'm done. But there are still so many reasons' he says raising his hand in mock surrender. Don't even ask me why does he know so much. 'You look beautiful today' he said eyeing me. 'Thank y…'

'It's good to see you look presentable sometimes' he said like a mother appreciating her child. 'You know, you should wear dresses more often. At least you look like a girl in it'. And then laughed along with Tracy and Rose. He is really annoying. He always likes to pick at me. It is funny when his words are directed at others not when you are the one being slayed.

'You are. Really. Hilarious' I said with a clenched teeth then chuckled bitterly. I saw his stomach unguarded and swiftly stood up and went towards him and punched his stomach hard enough to hurt him and light enough for the pain to stay only for a minute. He made a choking sound a little too dramatically. I quickly took my seat grinning. I felt his abs when I punched him. So I doubt my punch had done anything severe.

I scoff at his behavior, how he had hold his stomach and bend over like it really hurts. Other people might actually think I had hurt…. Something else. I saw others giving us a glance.

'Everyone knows I'm kidding' Sam said, now recovered and grinning like a moron. I glare some more at him. Off course everybody knows. I wear dresses more often then Tracy and Rose. And I definitely don't look like a boy.

'Mary, I'm going to skip the lab today don't wait for me' he said simply like it's the most common thing and removed the phone from his pocket and scrolled through it. 'What?' I shout at him not believing my ears and waiting for him to say he is just kidding. But he doesn't. Today we have a lab test with partners and teacher said that we have to be responsible for each other, it's on you whether your partner is present or not. If the other is absent then you have to do it on your own. I don't care whether you are alone or together you are going to attend it. He knows it. He knows that even if he doesn't attend the test he will pass as long as I do. Damn him. I can manage the test on my own. But I'm not going to let him have a A grade for free.

'Say me you are just kidding' I ordered Sam sternly. But he didn't even look at me. He focused on his phone and ignored me purposely just to annoy me. 'SAAMM' I screamed but yet he didn't spare me a glance. 'You are going to attend this test whether you like it not' I forced out every word sharply.

I swiftly stood from my place and went towards his bench and snatched the phone from his hand. I looked at the phone to see it turned off. He didn't even looked concerned neither did he tried to snatch it back and was looking in front where the cafeteria is visible through the glass wall. I sighed heavily and raised my hands in exasperation.

'Cut her some slack, man' Liam said to Sam trying to help me. Liam another boy in their group. The one who stops Sam whenever he gets too much to bear. And he speaks with us sometimes unlike Brian(also another boy of their group). He is arrogant, rarely speaks with anyone except his friends unless necessary. He is the most popular boy in our school and most handsome (in my opinion Elias Brown is the most handsome) . And well he comes in the top list who mocks and sneer at Elias Brown along with their friends. Yes, sadly even Sam is involved in it. The one personality of him that I truly dislike.

'It's fine. I can handle him' I said to Liam giving a sly smile which was directed at Sam.

'Sam! Did you forget how I had made you to attend all those classes last year?' I said smirking at him. 'I guess I should remind you again'. His head snapped towards me his eyes widening. Everyone laughed at his discomfort except Brian. Hailey and Anna had even stopped talking and were laughing with us.

'You wouldn't' he said laughing nervously.

'Try me' I gave him sickly sweet smile.

Last year before teacher made him my partner I was not even knowing he was in our class. He used to always skip his classes and doesn't even try to pass every test. He has potential but he don't use it. He attends the class and passes his test only to the point where he could proceed to next year. So last year when teacher made him my lab partner she said to me that if he doesn't complete every assignments with me then my grade is going get down along with him. 'I don't care what method you use but I need him present in my every class' she said. My jaw literally drop at that time. How could she do this to me, I thought at that time.

But now when I look back it seems really hilarious. What all methods I had to use for him to attend the class. And most of it was successful. After half a year I didn't had to force him. He was attending willingly. After my accomplishment of managing to force him to every class and his grades rising teacher thought it was better to keep him as my partner even this year.

When I asked the reason for his action. He simply said waving his hands off. 'My father owns a university in NYC. So I don't have to care about my grades. Even if my grades are B I can still manage to get in my father's uni' he grinned stupidly.

'I'm just kidding. I will come!' Sam said in high pitch voice.

'She is a devil in an angel's body' Sam muttered in his breath something like that. I widen my eyes at him.

'What?' he asked innocently like I accused him of something he didn't do. 'I didn't said anything'

I shake my head and let it go. But really, I'm definitely not like what he said. I'm an angel in an angel's body. I laughed mentally.

***

The bell rang indicating the end of school.

I opened my locker and stuff all the books in and took just enough books to keep my bag from crumbling because of zero stuff. I'm going to my aunt's so what is the use of taking the books with me when I'm not going to open it. I closed the locker and looked for Tracy and Rose who were using their lookers.

'Tracy! Rose! I'm heading off. Bye!'

They turned towards me and said their goodbyes. Instead of exiting the building from main door I head towards the door which leads to basketball court. Noah must be still practicing basketball. I bet he hadn't even heard the bell.

I passed from the boys locker room were some of them were coming out or going in. I didn't bothered asking them whether Noah is in their because he won't be and walked further down the hallway. The dribbling of the ball was able to heard before I could reach the court. I stepped inside and saw our team practicing on their own without the coach.

I stood near the bleachers and watched them play. The time is over so they won't be practicing for too long. There are three people seated in bleachers engrossed in their own world. Elias Brown is on the court saying something to them. Well, his teammates. I guess he is directing them considering he is the captain of our basketball team. He stops talking and starts to dribble the ball and throws it from some feet away from hoop and it still passes through the hoop smoothly.

Then again they starts to take their positions. They had divided their team in two. And Elias playing the coach in his absence. He throws the ball in the center and Noah darts forward from the left side of the court and took hold of the ball dribbling it gracefully.

'Noah' Elias called out sternly. 'How many times do I have to say you give them a chance'

Noah stops dribbling and swiftly gives the ball back to Elias smiling sheepishly. 'They are too slow. I can't help it' Noah chuckles rubbing the back of his neck. Elias shake his head at him and order him something which makes him groan. Elias gave the ball to him and took the position which Noah took earlier. Noah slightly glare at him and nonetheless complies at what he said – acting as a referee. I chuckled lightly.

Noah threw the ball in the center and the guy from the right side of the court took hold of the ball. I recognize him from one of my class, Daniel. He charged forward dribbling the ball and his other two teammates following along. The guy from the left side court tries to snatch the ball which the right side guy easily moves the ball away from him and pass it to his other teammate.

In our school majority people thinks basketball is overrated. Not many people try to get in basketball team. I guess it has something to do with Elias being the captain. And it doesn't matter because there is no need of many people considering only 5 people is needed in a team and some extra players. And like I said there are still some people who doesn't consider Elias Brown as school's outcast. So the basketball team is still going. Not only that, our school has won the championship in basketball many times. We won last time too. The team was lead by Elias Brown itself.

They continued playing for a while whole time directed by Elias. His voice echoing in the court.

'pass the ball'

'To your left'

'Don't leave your court'

'stay in front'

'Pass behind you'

'Block your right'

Now I'm sure. His voice really do have a musical edge.

He didn't try to shoot any goal leaving it for his teammates. Then they stopped their practice and Elias was saying something to them. Probably saying that practice is over. Really? 25 minutes already passed since the final bell. All of them started to talk filling the court with their noise. One of the guy accidentally throws the ball to the far away corner. It bounce and bounce and stops till it reaches the end. The other guy next to him smack the back of his head saying something. Something like – being a basketball ball player you don't even know how to handle a ball.

Elias jogs after the ball and took the ball and threw it back. Before Elias could jog forward he trips and a painful noise escapes his throat. My heart skips a beat because of sudden change of moment. And his voice itself giving me a goosebumps. Noah instantly runs towards him some of the other following behind him. I ran towards him too crossing tge field when I saw him touching his left shoe and a nail actually sticking out of his sole. Damn! Lets hope it's not too deep.

He stands on one leg with support of Noah's arm. Noah visibly winces looking at Elias's foot. Elias face not showing much emotion like he had simply tripped. Noah notices me coming towards them and his face morph into relaxation.

'Mary! You came at the right time'. Well let's ignore the fact that I have been here for whole 25 minutes. Because we have more urgent matter in hand. I stood some feet away from them and examine Elias's foot. The nail is quite big. Thank god, the sole of the shoe is thick. So possibly there won't be much harm.

'Elias stepped on the nail' Noah said slightly panicked.

'I saw it. First, make him sit on that bench' I said pointing at the bench on the sideline and my voice rising a little in panic too. 'And remove the nail from his sole'

Noah take him to the bench. Elias takes his seat and rest his left leg on his right thigh and removes the nail himself before any of us could help. He winces slightly and then proceed to remove the shoe. His sock is soaked in blood and it looked like it is getting soaked more and more.

'Not good' I muttered to myself.

'Noah! Daniel! Bring him to the nearest restroom NOW' I ordered them. They didn't needed to say twice. Noah placed Elias's right arm on his shoulder and Daniel placed his left arm on his shoulder. 'Infirmary is closed now we can't do anything'

'You have a first aid box with you right?' Noah asked.

'off course I do' I always take first aid box with me wherever I go. It sort of make me feel at ease. Everybody who knows me knows that I always have a first aid box with me and that I know how to perform a first aid.