Chapter 3: Lunch Talk

As I go nearer, I could immediately figure out that they're both complaining. It's probably about the art homework thing.

"It's so stupid! Why would you give a homework on the last week of school!" says Theo. "It's like teachers giving you summer reading. You heard that? SUMMER READING. It's like 'Enjoy your summer break from school and don't forget to still think about school' like what?"

I take a seat across them. Theo Goodman's the school's official jokester and prankster. Or the class clown. He can get away with pranking any teacher and they wouldn't know, except every student does. His skinny pale body and side-fringed black hair makes everyone have an impression of him as a quiet, harmless boy who listens to emo music or something. But, by now, everyone knows who he really is. One time, he almost set the entire music room on fire.

"Calm your ass. As always, I'll just get a picture from Google or something. And some professional Photoshopping, of course." Says Cyrus, "There's a reason technology exists in the 21st century, buddy. While teachers are busy being boomers, our generation is evolving like Usain Bolt."

I glance at him across the table. If Cyrus Kippen were to finish high school, the yearbook would reveal his usual emotionless poker face with his messy bright brown hair and his yearbook quote would be 'Most likely to dropout'. The one always ditching schoolwork's and generally school, but somehow gets away with it every time. The only surprising thing about him is that he can come off as brilliant sometimes. It's like there's a hidden Einstein in his giant forehead.

The realization hit me why we're in one squad. A dork, a doofus, and a dropout.

And we all have big—

—disappointments.

It's kinda perfect, if you ask me.

Moreover, they are one of the factors the bullying kind of died down the past few years. Firstly, the odd but successful reputations they put out which makes everyone wary about this group of friends. Secondly, for the most part, whenever they find out someone has been bullying me excessively… you may wanna kiss your parent's goodbye. And take extra care of your head. Especially your head.

They've always been here for me and sticking with me for as long as I know. Both seriously and not, I honestly don't think I'd be here right now if it weren't for them. I guess that's one of the reasons why I feel safe around these two idiots. And how I'm trying to be very generous with them.

Well, sometimes, a little bit too generous.

"And shouldn't we even be on summer break now? They're all deliberately making us suffer." Theo rambles on.

"That, I can agree on. But we are on a public school so there's no even point bothering." Cyrus shrugs.

"Legit."

The reason why we're still on school is so that the teachers can lend us their dirty work and check the papers and some other finalization shit before graduation. Cyrus and Theo do this thing where they'd often, somehow, exchange each other's papers and give each other passing remarks. Even if they don't share any of the same classes. It also doesn't make any sense considering that they already cheat from me (even if I don't allow them). Also, there are still a whole lot of students who have their clearance all messed up. I don't remember doing any of that shit for the past few years, but I still haven't flunked school, so I don't find a reason to get worried.

When I took a sip of my orange juice, they both look at me. I know that look. Even if they already have food in front of them, they're seriously still hungry. I drawl, "I am not treating you guys again. I already paid for our food three times this week. And it's Monday." I take another sip.

"Not that, bro. I'm talking about what you told us yesterday. Is it true?" Theo asks.

"It's true. This guy is leaving Winterville after high school for good." I snort, "I also did just find this out yesterday, but I'm all prepped. I'm even excited. Think God started existing again."

Cyrus interjects, "Okay, but who the hell are we depending on for food and grades then?"

Theo corrected him, "Just food."

I shot them a look.

"We're kidding. It just, you know, sucks, man."

"Yeah, we won't be seeing your stupid face much anymore."

I sigh again. I really will miss them, "Well, I won't miss you two idiots."

"Wow, thanks for the 10 years of friendship." Says Cyrus and his face suddenly lit up, "Yo, so you know about that forest here in Winterville?" Just like that, the conversation topic changed immediately. He talked about how good the 21st century is but guys being emotional is still taboo apparently. "I researched about it and heard that a lot of weird shit happens there. Maybe we can…"

"No."

"Oh, come on! You know I have an extra dirt bike for you. We can see what that's all about. Imagine all the girls we'll attract." Theo suggests and does a half smirk.

"I raise a brow, "You really think we'd find girls there? Plus, that's obviously a myth." And I have a girlfriend. But I forgot to say that.

"I mean, when we come back from the spooky forest, imagine all the attraction we'll get and the sick stuff we have!" Theo defends his answer. "That's a total, literal boost up. Not that I need it."

"We'll just have to find out." Cyrus smirks, "No one really goes to the forest. It's a really big-ass place and you'd never know what we can find! We can do whatever the hell we want, bro."

"Bro, one last epic hunting event before you go."

"Bro, stop saying bro." I say and rest my back on the chair trying to decide.

Theo whispers to Cyrus, "What am I supposed to call him, then? Underdog?"

I ignored that and think. I really want to get started with the drawing project; I already have something in mind. In fact, I was already in the middle of drawing it, or the person, before the assignment was even announced. And I wanted to watch the UEFA Nations League Semi-Finals later. But if we don't go now, they'll probably nudge me the entire week. That's much more annoying.

I decide, "Fine, but we're leaving today."

After replying, I felt someone sit beside me, "So, what are you boys talking about?" Jessica kisses my cheek. She doesn't usually sit in our table; she normally sits with her other girl-friends, but I figured she had a schedule.

"Just normal teenage boy stuff." I replied.

Like Jessica's music taste and mine, our friend groups are like oil and water with each other. Most cliques in the school are diverse and don't care about gender roles, but I just got stuck with these 2 dorks and Jessica also has her friend group of 4. They sort of remind me of the Mean Girls characters. I mean, they're not mean, at least not really, but their style and the fact that they are inseparable are very similar.

"Well, I hope that normal teenage boy stuff doesn't happen on Thursday. It's our monthsary, remember?" She reminds me.

Oh, fuck, I forgot. "Of course, I remember. What time did you say?" I ask.

"7pm, sharp. Don't be late." She sweetly threatens. I smile and nod.

One of her girl-friends, I think her name was Hannah, suddenly called, "Jess, our deal?"

I got confused and asked before she could avoid the topic, "What deal?"

She responded smoothly, "I lost some stupid bet not doing a dare. So, I have to buy her whatever she wants." She kissed my cheek again, "Got to go." And there she goes.

I look back at the Theo and Cyrus, (I forgot they were there) and they both just rolled their eyes. "What?"

Cyrus replies for the two of them, "You guys are so cheesy." Then fake gags.

Now I rolled my eyes, "You guys are just jealous I have a bigger dick than yours to have a girlfriend." I finish my orange juice. Their eyes widen and I gave a smirk.

There, I said it.