I tripped

CHAPTER 2

After a tiring and equally boring morning of lessons, it was finally the time of the day at school I treasured with my entire being. Lunch.

Except now I have to spend it with the school’s celebrities. Great.

I walked into the cafeteria holding my back pack close to my chest as I made my way through the groups of people ridiculously standing in the middle of the place. I was soon out of the impenetrable forest of teenagers, when I tripped.

I tripped!!!

My precious container flew into the sky while I was sent crashing to the ground. I got up at the speed of light practically skating through the crowds following the trajectory motion of my baby.

Of course I became the new animal in the exhibit seeing as everybody kept staring at me but I couldn’t let my beloved mashed potatoes become…nothing.

It sailed through the air like an eagle right above some table filled with the jocks of the school.

I jumped and ended up doing a somersault over the said table before landing on the ground with my baby safe and sound in my food container in my hands.

Phew.

Unlike the loud standing applause I was receiving in my head, the cafeteria seemed to have gone silent with each and every one staring back at me with slack jaws.

I really hated being the centre of attention so I bowed my head low and turned back to retrieve my back pack when some wall blocked my path startling me and causing me to drop the container. The poor thing cracked opened and all my lunch was out on the floor.

Great.

I clenched my fist tight at my side as I stared at the potato mess spattered on the floor.

I looked at up and bit by tongue to avoid profanities escaping to the mindless idiot who bumped into me.

The signature mischief evident in his green eyes. He held a proud and accomplished smirk of victory. I glared at the spawn of the devil as he ran through his messy brown hair with his guilty hands. The moron was Luke, my very conveniently clumsy and mischievous goofy friend, Luke.

“What’s going on, Gemmy?” he said in his usual mocking tone.

“I...” oh help me Jesus not to say anything that insults your beloved creation, “I am fine.” I said calmly after spotting a familiar green container by the table we usually sit on. I quickly started charging. Luke hadn't noticed my mission and followed blindly until his eyes bulged when I grabbed his lunch container.

Spaghetti and meat balls. It wasn't my mum’s awesome mashed potatoes but I didn’t have breakfast so why not.

Oh yeah baby.

“NOOOO!” Luke cried as I took my first fork.

“Mmmm,” I moaned, “delicious.”

Amy clad in her cheer-leading costume that had our signature school colours of black and red casually joined us with her pompoms.

“Did I miss anything?” she asked placing her tray of school food on the table. Luke and I stared at each other for a brief moment and shrugged. Luke sat back in his seat with a defeated sigh and stared at the ceiling.

“Why oh why do I end up like this?” he cried.

“Because you are an insensitive jerk who destroys innocent girl’s lunch!” I accused him while smiling. He always had a way of making me happy, this guy.

“I don’t think I can handle this anymore guys!” Amy screamed exasperated to the table, startling both Luke and I with her dramatic slap on the table.

“What happened?” Luke asked sitting straighter and looking at her concerned. Her blond hair stuck out in all directions like she’d been running through it a lot and she seemed a little bit more sweaty than usual.

“Taylor is driving me crazy with her random morning practices and the worst of all she keeps changing the routine without even asking the rest of the team whether they are fine with it,” she ranted, “and do you know who the team screams at in complaint???!”

Luke and I sat and watched her air out her stress. It is never a good idea to poke an angry bear.

“Me!!!” she said more like growled, “all because I am the co-captain and I need to listen to what they have to say. Ugh!” she groaned and pushed away her tray, laying her head on the table in defeat. I warned her about cheerleading, there us always drama. And by drama, I mean Taylor Grim.

Okay... what do we do next?

As if Luke read my mental question, he shrugged and started rubbing her back.

“Look, Amy,” Luke started, “you are an amazing leader. I know all this is pretty messy right now and it sounds like you are taking on too much but what I see is that your team looks up to you and if I am correct I’d bet that they want you to be their captain instead of that shameless she-goat Taylor so just take a deep breath march up to her and do what any good leader can do. Negotiate and speak up for your team.”

Wow.

I … did not expect that.

Amy looked up to Luke and smiled gratefully. I left them to their moment smiling to myself. That smile fell off my face immediately when I caught three pairs of eyes staring in my direction very impatiently.

I completely forgot our get together!!!

“Ummm...” I said grabbing my back pack of the table, “guys I am so sorry I have to go. I almost forgot I had a discussion about some assignment I have. I am so sorry to leave you like this, Amy. But looks like Luke already has everything in order. Got to go now.” I rambled as first I could and bolted toward the table of the three annoyed looking boys. Guys? Oh let’s face it they passed Puberty way longer than half the high school senior boys. Men, that sounds more appropriate.

No one said any thing until I reached their table.

“Sorry it slipped my mind...” I trailed off hoping to be interrupted by anyone at this point.

“We noticed.” Felix hissed at Luke.

Okay…

“I am sorry a lot of stuff happened and…

“You did some killer somersault in the air!” Jordan announced, “I have never seen such a dramatic landing in my life!!”He laughed, “And all that for a container filled with mashed potatoes.” This time he threw his head back and hooted.

I slapped a hand over my face to cover the embarrassing blush creeping up my neck to my cheeks. A bit later Blake joined in too as if just realizing the humor of the situation. I noticed Felix crack a grin too. My nerves relaxed and I found my self smiling as well.

People alive in the world, I tell you, this is the end. Felix Black just cracked a smile!!! A full blown grin. Boy am I surprised.

It was cute that there was a little deep dimple on his right cheek too. I snapped out of my daze when I realized I was staring at him again stuffed myself into an empty seat.

“Okay, okay. Enough. It’s over. It was actually over thirty minutes ago. We have less than twenty minutes till the next class so I just want to say I am sorry I missed this time,” I sighed dropping my head in defeat, “so tell me what you guys discussed.” I looked up at them getting out my note pad to write notes.

“You think we would do that without you.” Blake stated. Finally back to his normal serious tone after a hoot of laughter.

“Plus in our defense, we were side tracked by a gymnastic stunt right over a table filled with people!!”And Jordan began his laughter once more.

“To be clear it was more like a spy mission to save the potatoes in distress!” Blake said putting a hand over his forehead like an actual princess.

“Ha, ha, ha,” I said sarcastically, “they were still no chance for them thanks to Luke, now if you would excuse me, I am heading to class. Better tell me now when we will meet or else I am going with my original plan, thank you very much.” I huffed and got out of the seat making my way to the exit.

What a lunch!

Now time for my free period that I spend in my own little world….