CHAPTER 9- MYSTERY HAS TO UNRAVEL ITSELF SOMEDAY

We got to the cafeteria in time to see Janelle taking out freshly baked buns from the oven for a little party she was going to be organizing for her staff, for their dedicated service and commitment to their work. Those guys deserve it because, we wouldn't be getting such sumptuous meals if not for their tireless efforts to give us the best kind of meals.

"Whoa, this place is always packed." Chloe voiced out in a dead pan voice.

"Haha, relax Missy. I know just who to speak with to get us the food." I grinned.

"Really? Jumping the gun much, eh?" She smirked.

"I like to see it as pulling the right strings during emergency situations. I'm famished ma'am, so this is a code red😁." I just loved how freely I was able to relate with her. I didn't even have to feel like I had to prove myself beyond being a quarterback/football player. I was seen as a human first, one in need of real friends whenever I was with Chloe, this explains why I love being in the company of this beautiful young lady.

"Umm, Mr Code red, we need to get seated else, we'd settle for eating our lunch in the parking lot." Her voice serenaded the noisy cafeteria.

"Haha, of course, we'd sit just by the window to get a view of the parking lot."I picked an empty table close to the window and allowed the cool autumn breeze to spread the scent of flowers into our little corner of the cafeteria that housed all flavours and aromas from exotic meals.

"So, what are you trying out this afternoon?" She half smiled and the mole just above her lip made her look like The goddess of Charm in a supernatural movie.

"I'd just settle for a lot of waffles and an ice cone," I answered.

"Not much, considering just how hungry you were sounding a few minutes ago. Why don't you try spaghetti and meatballs with tomato sauce and a bottle of orange juice? I'm going to order that and I don't want to seem like a buffalo because I am going to be eating more than you." She laughed.

"Haha, how nice of you to offer assistance in selecting my lunch. Fine, I'd take it. The waffles wouldn't hold much longer in my stomach like spaghetti would." I conceded.

"Now that that is settled, we should eat. Besides, I'm taking care of the bills this time, no protests. You're rather too kind."

"Alright, I'd let you handle it." I raised my hands in mock surrender when I saw her fishing out her wallet to hand out the cash.

"Let me get the food then."

I could sense SMOKY rolling his tongue at me.

"On the contrary, let us go together. It'd be faster in getting the order once and for all than to be late for the gym class. Remember we have to get changed and freshen up in time for the class."

"Helllooo, you seem to know Queensland High more than I do. What did you do to the new girl?"

"Oh please, stop being dramatic or we'd both lose our appetite when that bell goes off."

We strolled past the milling crowd of hungry students and got to the counter, then we ordered Chloe's treat. Due to the privileges of being seniors, we didn't always have to wait in line. It was a privilege I didn't abuse; it came in handy whenever I saw the need to have a hurried lunch.

"Hey Janelle, looking good as always." I greeted the friendly chef.

"S to the K, to the Y, to the E, what's his name? Skye. It's good to see you too boy. How are you doing today?" The every cherry Janelle acknowledged my presence in her usual excited chants.

"Doing well sis, thank you."

She whipped around to give Chloe an approving look before saying, "new friend? She's cute ☺️."

"Janelle, ever curious. Yes, she's a transfer student and my new friend too. Her name is..." She cut me off before I could finish my sentence. "Easy boy, let the young lady speak."

"I can introduce myself Skye, you don't always have to speak for me. Thank you very much... Hello Miss Janelle, my name is Chloe. Yes, I transferred from Silverdale High to Queensland High for my last year in high school." She said sweetly that made Janelle purr.

"Aww, feisty and cute. A hot combo. I'm Janelle, you can drop the Miss. It's great to meet you Chloe dear. You're in safe hands, trust me." Janelle said like a big sister figure.

"So, Janelle we'd see you around. Besides, the buns look great out there. The party promises to be lit I can tell."

"Oh, you remember the annual party I host for my team. That's swell." She turned to Chloe and said, "see, I told you he's adorable."

"Enough about me ladies, this young man is starving. "We got our food trays and went back to eat at our table.

My mind kept wondering just how familiar Chloe seemed, but I couldn't place my mind around it. One day at a time I told myself, there is a whole semester to get to know her before prom and the end of the school year. I glanced over the table to meet her gaze and I was berating myself inwardly for even looking at her when she was looking at me. I had a feeling she was staring at me but I couldn't say for sure, I just had to look.

"I'm not sorry for staring at you. I've been thinking about that question you asked earlier if I was a twin." Her eyes peered into the depths of my soul and I had to hold on to will power before it would warrant me peeing nervously in my pants. I couldn't tell why I was nervous but the feeling was just hanging like some heavy clothes that have refused to dry on a rainy day.

I almost choked on my juice before spluttering the, "excuse me" words.

"You're excused. Get yourself together and answer."

"Well, you seem really familiar. I just have this feeling that refuses to go away, it's like I've met you before and I have a very hazy memory of it."

"Hmmm, I can't say I remember meeting you before. I know the best person to answer this question of whether or not I am a twin."

"And, who would that be?"

"My mum, silly, I'd bring it up. Besides, it's the weekend. She'd be home by Saturday afternoon, so we can talk about it then."

"I'm sorry I am acting weird. It is just really disturbing and I know just how my mind works. If I don't get it off my chest, I'd not find that fulfilment in the discovery of a new fact or mystery story I need to unravel." I said.

"I totally understand you. It happens sometimes with me. Getting the facts straight helps rid you of unnecessary stress."

"Of course, let's finish lunch then we can get changed in time for gym class." I said after looking at the wall clock.

She acknowledged my statement with a nod and set to finish her meal. SMOKY was the last person I expected to see because, I knew he was going to rub it in my face with his killer facial expressions that I have successfully completed the "making me look like a weirdo manual" a few days into knowing Chloe and I slapped my face inwardly. I just wanted to get out of the cafeteria; I was beginning to feel claustrophobic. I needed air.

"I'm done, can we go already? You seem faint."

"Really, I'm fine. I just need to get ready for class."

"This is a rather interesting school, who organizes a gym class just after lunch, even if it is thirty minutes after?" I could sense the sarcasm in her voice and I chuckled softly.

"We have tried to get it changed by the management but the Dean of students kept us from broaching the topic all over again. He always dismissed us with the, "your predecessors never had a problem with the gym class fixed by noon. I have other pressing issues to attend to fellas...y'all would be out of the system anyways. Don't bother me."

She laughed and shook her head in mock pity, "it's alright 😹. Let's go. We have time to relax before the class."

"Of course, we do."

"Chloe, Chloe I have been looking everywhere for you." We turned around to see Jess gaining in on us.

"Yes? You have been looking for me, why?" Chloe said in what sounded like a low guttural sound from the back of her throat.

"I just wanted to say, I'm sorry for being a very annoying person to you. I am opening my hands of friendship to you. You like nachos? So, do I." Jess sounded like she had rehearsed this script and I found it hard to believe. I was just hoping Chloe wouldn't blow it out of proportion and just accept to be friends and move on.

"Well, everyone deserves a second chance to prove themselves. Apology accepted. Yes, I like nachos." Chloe said, although she had a look of someone who was carefully weighing her words before saying anything to implicate herself.

I could tell Jess was up to something even though I couldn't place my finger around it. The most popular girl in school doesn't just walk up to a perceived rival in beauty and brains to seek peace, not to talk of friendship and even knowing what she likes to eat. I had a gut feeling a setup was coming soon; I had to warn Chloe to be careful.

"Hey Skye darling 😊, I see you showing my friend around. Continue the good work, tour guide. See you both at gym class. Ta ta." With that, Jess half walked, half bounced in the direction she came.

"Wow, I wasn't expecting that." Chloe said.

"I was kinda expecting an apology but just be careful Chloe, she strikes when you least expect her to."

"You were expecting an apology? Did you put her to it?"

"Not exactly, I only told her to be nicer and I must say she took it rather very seriously."

"It's not a bad thing; let her have the benefit of the doubt. Everyone is good, to say the least. Besides, she is your girlfriend I'd expect you to speak fondly of her." Chloe berated me with the tone of her voice.

"On the contrary, Iamconsideringbreakingupwithherassoonaspossible." I said within a split second holding my breath.

"What was that? Did I hear you correctly?"

"What? You could understand that?" I quizzed.

"Of course silly, I used to be able to do that with my best friends Dylan and Miranda. "Oh my goodness, I should give them a call when I get home. It's been ages."

"Okay, that's cool."

"We have a class to be at in a few minutes, we'd address your issue later. Let's go." She said with finality and I could only mumble like a child whose candy fell into mud.

"Okay then."