Cafeteria Struggles

As the blinding light and thundering boom fills the night, my senses fade to silence as the sun glares down on my sealed eyelids. I rub my crusty eyelids, awaking myself as I sit up. I look down on my bed, seeing Clover sprawled out as my bedsheets lie on the floor. Restless sleeper huh? I check my watch, 7 on the dot, how lucky for me to be up so early. I crouch on my feet, reaching my leg over the bed to not wake the sleeping Clover. Finding that the floor is too far away, I have no other option... I test my weight on the edge of my bed, hoping to find a foothold. Slowly apply my weight to the edge, I notice the bed slowly shifting as I apply more weight. That won't work either!.. Guess I gotta jump for it! stretching one leg out, I thrust myself over the bed, landing on all fours to soften the blow. I look back on Clover, seeing her roll around, still fast asleep. I place my blanket back over her. Now that's out of the way... I walk over to my desk, lifting the chair back as to not make a noise. I slowly set myself on the creaking chair as I open the laptop, inputting my password. I let the clock tick by as I read more of the stories Lucky has to tell.

The sheets begin to rustle to life as Clover sounds with groans and whines. I look back, watching over the sheets, seeing if the tired beast has awakened.

Jax: "Finally up?"

She groans louder in response, sitting up while wiping her eyes. Her hair, untamed, shields her tired face as they dangle. Without opening her eyes or saying a word... She throws the covers back over herself as she flops back onto the pillow.

Jax: "HEY, C'MON, IT'S ALREADY TEN! IF YOU GO BACK TO SLEEP NOW WE'LL HAVE NOTHING TO EAT BUT BREAD CRUMBS IN THE CAFETERIA!"

With my pleas and cries, Clover finally sits back up, wiping her eyes once more. She pushes her hair off to one side, slowly taming the foul beast. Her voice waves and cracks as she whines out her retort.

Clover: "Do I have to..."

Jax: "Do you want to eat?"

drowsily, she nods her head yes, barely keeping her body from falling back into bed.

Jax: "Then get up already and go get dressed."

Clover staggers to her feet, looking around the room for a place to change. I feel like her mother forcing her up for school.

Jax: "It would probably be better if you changed in the bathroom. I'll change and wait out here for you."

Clover: "Ok..."

Clover meanders into the bathroom wavering in each step. I grab the usual shirt and pants from my dresser, throwing them on before my flight suit and bracelets. As I adjust my jacket in the mirror, I notice Clover's pink suitcase sitting by the mirror. She didn't... I hear a click come from the bathroom as Clover peeks her head out of the bathroom. Her eyes waver as salty tears sat in her eyes, ready to launch their assault on her scarlet red cheeks.

Clover: "Jaaaaaax..."

She reaches her bare arm out of the bathroom, pointing a finger at luggage. IS SHE NAKED!? Cant she just put her clothes back on and grab the suitcase herself!? I get she isn't a morning person, but can anyone be this vulnerable!? I grab the suitcase, speed walking to her while averting my gaze. I hand her the suitcase as she slinks back into the bathroom. Is she that much of a klutz...

Finally dressed she steps out of the bathroom, suitcase in tow. After that, it seems she's woken up... She returns her suitcase to its original position, walking by me without a glancing look.

Jax: "You know... You could have just put on your clothes and grabbed the suitcase yourself..."

Realizing her mistake, she turns back to face me, eyes filled with even more water now.

Jax: "... Right?.."

She doesn't answer, just looks at me with a miserable look on her miserable red face.

Jax: "Nevermind! Let's just go get some breakfast alright?"

Arriving in the cafeteria without Clover saying a single word since the incident, I lead her to the food line. I read over the menu, looking for a decent meal. Spotting a few of my favorites, I pass a few recommendations to Clover.

Jax: "Ah! There are waffles today! The waffles the chefs make are quite good! And the bagels and toast are also very good as side dishes. They also make quite a few good omelets as well, their pretty big ones too!"

Arriving at the serving area I ask for my favorite meal for the day, an omelet with a side of waffles. I look back to see what Clover grabs, and to my dismay, she completely ignored my advice. She grabs two simple corndogs with a side of yogurt and butter toast. My feelings definitely arent hurt from that! Wasn't looking forward to her supportive opinion of my recommendations or anything! I mean it's not like this omelet and waffle isn't amazing or anything! And it's not like she'll love them or anything! She at least grabbed a piece of toast... Grabbing myself a fork and knife, I pour myself a glass of Apple Juice, noticing Clover's curious gaze. Did my emotion of, definitely not reject, reach my face? Or is she actually wondering how good my meal choice is?

Clover: "Do you like Apple Juice?.."

I finish pouring my glass, setting it down as I find us an empty bench. I look over, noticing she's poured herself a glass of Orange Juice.

Jax: "I do, why?"

Clover: "It's nothing... I was just wondering why you'd like such a subclass drink..."

I pause in the middle of the cafeteria.

Jax: "Huh? Mind repeating that for a second?"

Clover: "What do you mean?.. You mean apple juice being a subclass drink?.."

Jax: "YES THAT! Apple Juice is not a subclass drink! Apple Juice is amazing! I mean, how could you like Orange Juice! It completely overrides the taste of your meal!"

Clover looks up at me. Her face filled with shock and disgust at my prior comment.

Clover: "Having a fresh slate for every bite is best! Unlike Apple Juices shallow taste..."

Jax: "Shallow!? I'd rather it is shallow than completely overpowering! Unlike Apple Juice, Orange Juice has a horrible taste when combined with certain foods! And it doesn't go down as easy as Apple Juice!"

Clover: "Huh!?..."

As Clover makes her counter-argument, I notice the outside doors fly open as Doc steps through. Seeing me and Clover in our debate, a large grin emerges from Doc's face as he beings to walk over. Uninterested in his witty comments, I shoot him a death glare with every inch of my Apple Juice loving passion. He spots my radiating glare, slinking back through the door at which he came as his grind fades to fear. Cutting Clover off mid-sentence, I decide to move on with the day.

Jax; "Let's just finish eating and get to training for today alright!"

Without missing a beat, Clover snaps back

Clover: "Fine, but that just means you admit Orange Juice to be the rightful, and superior Juice..."

This little... Deciding to go follow through with my actions, I relent. Finally, after our heated debate, I find us a bench. We slide into it as I look around the room, finding everyone looking back at us. I lower my head, hoping to merge into the air around me, out of view.

Jax: "Fine. But that doesn't mean ill be drinking Orange Juice any time soon."

In silence, we continue to eat our food. Finishing my waffles, I enjoyed every bite of my omelet. Clover, finishing her corndogs and toast steals another glance at my omelet

Jax: "Do you want a bite?"

She nods her head furiously in agreement.

Jax: "Is that so? Alright then..."

Clover doesn't have any utensils since she ate handheld foods... So if I do this... Using my fork, I scoop a part of my omelet, promoting her to eat it. She'll get flustered realizing it's an indirect kiss! A grin emerges from my devious face as I await Clover's flustered reaction. She tilts her head in confusion, wondering what I'm signifying. Realizing what I'm trying to do, she returns her head, closing her eyes and opening her mouth. I withdraw my fork, Placing it back on my plate. NO! THAT'S NOT HOW YOU'RE SUPPOSEST TO REACT! DOES SHE NOT REALIZE WHAT SHE'S DOING!? I rack my brain as I feel my face grow hot. I stand from the bench, quickly walking over to the utensils table. I glance around the room, noticing everyone's eyes falling on me with a gentle smile. I muster the angriest face I could, attempting to shut down their gleeful faces. In response to my threatening attempt, their faces grow even brighter. In retreat, I return my gaze to the ground, grabbing a fork and speed walking back to the table. Sliding back in my seat, Clover looks at me with a puzzled look.

Clover: "Ja-"

Jax: "Don't worry about it."

I scoop the edge of the side I haven't touched, once again promoting her. Once again, Clover leans forward, opening her mouth with closed eyes. Damn it... Why must I feed her like this. I swear... If Doc hears a word of this... His skinning would be the least of his torture... Clover chomps down on the fork, gently chewing on the omelet with a gleeful face. Fulfilling my mission, my eyes retreat to the floor once again. Setting down her fork on my trey, I pick up mine and continue eating. I glance up at her sparkling eyes, beckoning me for more.

Jax: "You want more?.."

Once again she nods her head furiously in agreement. I set down my fork, once again picking up hers and scooping the opposite corner from where I ate. Once again, I feed her a bite. Setting down her fork and picking up my own, I took a bite myself. Watching her face in case she wants more. finishing her scoop, she once again opens her mouth for more. What is she? a kid? I swap forks every bite, giving her one, then one myself as we both wind down to the last two scoops of my omelet.

Clover: "This... Is really good!.."

In glee and pride, I close my eyes, puffing out my chest. I reach down grabbing a fork and scooping a bite for myself.

Jax: "Heehee, I told you it was good!"

I stick the fork in my mouth, realizing it's colder than my usual fork. This isn't... I feel as my face once more, grows hot. I set down the fork slowly chewing my omelet. I didn't... Right?.. Hunting the last bite for herself, Clover grabs the other fork, scooping the omelet, and placing it in her mouth. I feel my face grow hotter as she gleefully chews on the last bite of my omelet.

Jax: "Done?.."

She nods her head once more.

Jax: "Alright... Let's head out for training now..."

Clover averts her gaze as her face becomes a light pink

Clover: "Ok... But first... I have to go to the restroom..."

NOW YOU ACT BASHFUL!? I calm my rage, leaning down on the table with my hands on my face.

Jax: "Sure... I'll be waiting outside..."

With that, Clover stands up, waddling over to the bathroom. I look up, watching as Diana follows her around the hallway corner.

There won't be any mental warfare during our training... Right?...