Chapter 10- "I'm fine"

"Man, why do they insist on serving us this three-day-old chicken?"

At lunch, Nick voiced his indignation, causing us to stop chatting and look at him.

To prove his point further, he grabbed a spoonful of the dish and dropped it slowly on his plate, generating an unpleasant sound when landing.

I too had gotten the chicken, and didn't stop eating it. What could I have done? It was the only reliable source of protein I could find in today's lunch.

"They're probably just resorting to other means to get rid of us." Joey answered, "I mean, did you see this milk's expiration date? It says the 18th of October." He said, lifting the box up for emphasis.

"Okay, but that's just next month, so what's the-"

"Of last year." He finished, interrupting Kathy's contesting.

"Oh. Yeah, that's messed up."

"Indeed it is." I commented after swallowing, quite perplexed. "Can I see the box?"

He handed me the box and, reading the date information, I confirmed what he said. Wow, they really are trying to kill us.

"For real, first that huge hair tuft I found in my pasta last week, and now this?!" Avery complained.

I must say I agree. Unfortunately to us, our school didn't have the best health surveillance system.

Last year, they had to suspend classes for a week in order to pest control the kitchen and cafeteria to get rid of cockroaches.

There were even some rumors of a girl who once found a human tooth in her muffin a few years ago.

Maybe they were trying to give the concept of chocolate chips a twist.

"Hey Donny, why are you laughing?"

I hadn't even realized I was laughing at my disturbing thoughts when Grace pulled me out of them.

"Oh, nothing." I answered, "I just find it amusing how this school manages to get worse each and every year. There should be a prize for 'lousiest education center in Utah.' I'm sure we would win first place effortlessly." I finished chuckling, being followed by the others.

"Yeah, I'm already picturing the cover of a famous magazine reporting it", Avery added in between other comments and laughter, "Mr. Dawson holding his big thumbs up, grinning, and the school building falling to pieces behind him and the students looking miserable."

"And don't forget about the little glint on his teeth, like in the commercials." I added, laughing as well.

"Man, it's a shame we wouldn't be able to hear that 'ding!' when looking at it!" Joey commented, laughing like crazy and clutching onto his stomach.

"We could ask them to write it underneath, like a written sound effect." Avery replied.

We all burst out laughing even more and eventually resumed our eating and talked more about the school's many faults, including our beloved principal Dawson.

After a quite generous amount of time of us talking, Charlie approached the table and I glanced up, checking the time on the watch beside me. Lunch time was almost over by only five minutes. I wanted to ask him if it was everything okay, but as both seats next to me were already occupied, he pulled a chair across from mine at the table, which would make me have to talk to him in a louder tone, and eventually everyone around us would hear it.

One could think this is not a big deal. Maybe it isn't, really, but I didn't want to risk making him feel uncomfortable in any way. Why draw more attention to him, if I could just speak to him privately?

I, for one, never liked it when someone asked me if there was something wrong in front of everybody, especially when there really was, in fact. Everyone just stares at you, making you feel like a guinea pig lying, vulnerable, on the testing table.

Their judging stares as piercing as needles.

And so, I asked Grace if she minded switching seats for a bit, and she kindly granted.

"Is everything okay? You can tell me, you know." I quietly told him, after greeting him politely. His face was voided of any signs of tranquility or easiness.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thanks for worrying." The shy boy told me with a tight smile and I could see right through it. He didn't fool me, clearly it was just a comforting lie. Saying 'I'm fine' just gives away the entire game, as I should know.

I gave him a skeptical look, but stopped myself from saying anything else as he began eating his food. Maybe questioning him about it later will be best, I thought.

That went out the window, for I couldn't bite my tongue any longer.

"Hey, listen. I can see that you're not fine. Is it because of those stupid guys again?"

Charlie swallowed before answering me, "No, Donny. It's..." He stopped himself with a sigh, "it's fine, you don't need to worry about it."

"But I do. Just tell me what happened and-" I was cut short when someone put a hand on Charlie's shoulder.

"Hey there, fatso. I see you couldn't help it and came here running to have your lunch on last minute, huh?"

"Yeah, seems like the lard-ass took way too much time crying in the bathroom." Another idiot laughed, grabbing Charlie's free shoulder.

I stared at the scene unfolding in front of me and felt a striking and agonizing feeling build up in my insides.

I looked around me, to the people who sat at my table. My friends.

I'm not sure why I did it, perhaps I was seeking help.

You should have known by now that it is useless, dummy.

All of them were visibly uncomfortable and awkward because of the situation, yet no one showed any signs of taking an initiative. Not even Avery.

Seeing Charlie's face getting red as a chilly pepper by the second, I couldn't, and wouldn't be silent anymore. I took it upon myself to do what I deemed right, if no one else would. I had to swallow my own shyness for a moment and speak.

And that's what I did.