Chapter 18

Mackenzie came back for a glass cup. She waited for a little like she expected us to scurry around at once in response to her demand; I was in honest awe.

After a short boring wait, she says," I'll be waiting in the parlor." And walked out.

I watched as she sashayed out of the kitchen, wondering why she couldn't get it done herself... By the way, it was her grandma's house.

By the time I was turning to Martha, a cooler glass on a saucer was thrust into my face. "Go give it to her, use it as an opportunity to start a conversation."

My mouth opens and closes. "Okay...Okay." Collecting the bottle, I turn around and head for the parlor. I got this.

She was not in the parlor as she said. She was sitting Straight up on a barstool at the bar, with her phone in her face. It was not too far from the parlor, but still...She said she was going to be at the parlor.

As I approached her from behind, I wondered who else sits on a barstool with legs crossed. I noticed how straight her back was. Why could she not lean on the backrest? It would be much more comfortable.

I walked on to her front, hearing a ping sound from her phone, and extend the glass. "Hey, you asked for a glass."

It took her a while before she looked up at me. Utter rudeness.

She then looked at my hand. "Oh, thank you. You...I forgot you had not yet gone home." She collected the water. "Why didn't you tell Martha to help you with this by the way?" She said with a little laugh.

I have hands to do it myself, I replied; not having the guts to say it out. She returned her eyes to her phone. "Can you help me get some ice? Thank you."

Wow...Such a lazy girl. Ice, What in the world. I subconsciously paused, contemplating how wrong she was. I walked away to get the ice.

It was lunch period, I had stayed for some extra minutes in class; trying to go through the topic, phrase, and clauses. I packed my textbook, notebook, and writing materials into my bag and headed for the cafeteria. The thought of Mackenzie and my last dinner filled my mind. She does not know me...Yet.

"Babe, over here," I heard someone shout. As usual, the place was noisy and full. Not my kind of environment.

"Sophie!!!"

Adverting my gaze towards the familiar voice, I spot Clarissa. She was waving wildly with a goofy smile on her face. I tuck my hair behind my ears shyly and look around, heading towards the girls. I was being referred to at first as a babe.

While passing probably the loudest table that harbored attractive boys and girls, a girl called out my name. The temptation of snubbing came, like, why was it at this table.

I looked at the girl who called my name. "Mmh?" I could call her jewelry queen. Not only had she donned a lot of jewelry, but she also had unnecessary colorful-looking ropes on her wrist. She was beautiful regardless.

Could you help me with that bracelet under that table?" She said, pointing at something shiny in the opposite direction.

Looks like something had slid away from her and she couldn't get it herself. But it made a little sense, I was passing innocently, being closer to the table, a voice in my head defended.

I walked over to where the shiny thing was and squatted, picking it up. Now I was directly facing the table, I had a clearer view of the kind of people SEATED there. There were over eight boys and girls with Jax and Mackenzie included. My stomach did a little flip and I hurried to give the girl her bracelet, hoping I wouldn't be noticed.

"Hey!" Mackenzie called out as I was turning to leave. I could pick out her voice from anywhere; high-pitched and commanding.

Well, what can I do? I turned around, "Yes?" I stylishly looked around and spotted my three friends.

"You look awfully familiar!"

"She is the one from that fancy car", someone whispered audibly.

I frowned, That statement is wrong in so many ways.

I am just going to say okay and leave, I told myself. I parted my lips about to say something before she interrupted.

"I think I know you from somewhere... A concert, vacation, restaurant, household party, las vegas?" Her eyebrows were arched.

"You meet a stranger and just assume you know the person??" I asked agitatedly.

"My bad...Nevermind."

Embarrassed much? I turned to leave and walked away.

"Terrible memory," I mutter to myself, laughing. Where did what I said even come from?

"What a fucking coincidence." Came an exclamation from behind.

I stopped abruptly. Did I rejoice too quickly? Realizing I had stopped, I pick up my pace again. Faster now.

"Were you not the one at my house yesterday?" She announced. Alerting a good number of students.

"Jesus Christ!" I stopped dead in my tracks. Okay, it's okay Sophie.

I turned, "Your house?...Or your grandmother's?"

She didn't seem happy with what I said. "Yeah, whatever. Hey, do not just stand there, come sit here with us." She patted her side and space appeared out of nowhere.

I didn't jump at her offer, so she added, "If you don't mind."

Trying to ignore the way Jax is mirroring my every move, I replied. "I actually do. I have friends." I turned to Clarissa and the rest, who were paying rapt attention. "Thanks though."

She squinted at my friends, giving them a closer look. She was displeased. Nobody had probably turned down her offer before now.

I turned and walked to my waiting friends, with several eyes on me.

"What was that about?" Crystal questioned.

"Umm...Actually-"

"You live with Mackenzie??" Maxi adds.

"...I guess." I didn't know what to say. How was I going to explain without telling them everything? I don't even understand, myself.

Maxi and Crystal exchanged glances. I clenched my toes...This is uncomfortable.

"Guys chill. Sophie here hasn't even stayed up to a week in this school. As time goes by, we would get to know more about her...We still have more splendid friendship years ahead of us. There is really no need to rush." That was Chole.

"Thank you ....., that makes sense." I blurted out, happily...Was it even necessary to say that? I haven't been thinking recently as I usually do before talking.

"No qualms, Sophie. We just have to smoothen things out to ourselves when we start to forget." She replied.

Crystal raises an eyebrow. "Forget what? ...Never mind, I get you now."

"It has been quite a while since we went out together, you know," Maxi said looking down at her plate. She gathered a spoonful of veggies, "We should do some group hangout soon, what do you guys think?" she stuffed the veggies into her mouth and chewed.

I watched her cute and huge innocent eyes that were wide open, waiting for our responses. She had pink blush below her eyelids, it made her look tender...She caught my eyes. It was already too late to look away. I smiled at her. She then tilted her head and made a love sign to me. Her smile was everything.

The stupid insecure side of me became tempted to look behind me. I was the one who smiled at her, who else would she be doing that too? Stupid.

Crystal cleared her throat and plunged forward. Tucking her hair behind her ears, and revealing her silver-blue contraband earrings, she stated. "There is a party coming up this Friday, and guess the host?"

She didn't wait for any guesses before spilling out the name.

"Jax! Do not forget, his parties are always lit. You do not want to miss it!" This time she was looking at me.

I am sorry to burst her bubble, but I am not going to lower my standards just because of... Of anything.

"When was the last time you went to a party, Sophie?" Chole asked.

I opened my canned drink, unintentionally loud. "I really cannot remember." I guess almost never. I take a sip of my drink and look at the can to read its contents.

"Hmm...Wow." Maxie exclaimed. "It is no wonder you are a very smart student. I am guessing focused and committed too."

"Excuse me. We are all smart students, and we attend parties too." Crystal shrugged.

"There are different types of smart students," Maxi said.

"well, Get ready to attend one soon. I mean a party." Clarissa said.

She was referring to me. I do not go for parties, I chuckled silently to myself.

"I promise you, you would not regret coming. We are all gonna be together, so you are safe." crystal added.

"But hey!" Maxi whined. "I am talking about going out as a group!"

"Oh yeah, we could- "

Chole was interrupted by the loud bell. It sounded aggressive today.

I guess we should consider sitting separately because we never get to finish our lunch before the bell goes." Chole complained.

Crystal laughed. "That is soo not happening." She threw some crisps into her mouth and munched.

"We actually did the last time." Maxi defended looking all innocent.

"That does not count, because it was a race."

"How about a race every lunchtime so we would have enough time after?" I asked. My toes were already clenched inside my shoe.

"My mom told me when I was younger, it is not right to rush your food," Maxi stated.

"Yeah." Crystal agreed. "The idea still makes a lot of sense though," She added, chewing another round.

"Young ladies!" Declared an adult male voice.

There was a man standing at the door of the cafeteria. I then noticed some group of friends ducking past the man standing at the door. Now we are the only ones in the room, the man excluded.

"I suppose you heard the bell." An eyebrow was raised.

"Sorry sir," We chorused.

Trying to be quick, we packed the remaining sealed snacks and exited the room.

.....