Until We Drop | boyxboy

Chap.3: Like a Toy

I can hear snippets of conversations around me, and every so often they slip through my mental barriers, but nothing makes enough sense for me to put it all together. Megan and Jordan are standing in line with me, talking amongst themselves as the cafeteria buzzes like a bee hive. I frown and think, The rumor mill is turning.

I purse my lips and glance over at Jordan and Megan, and quietly mutter, "Is there a new student?"

Jordan glances at me like I'm stupid, before muttering, "Seriously Beau, you met him yesterday...."

Megan rolls her eyes. "I'm surprised he doesn't remember."

My frown deepens and I quietly hiss, "What are you talking about?"

"Christian, obviously," Jordan replies. "He just started here today."

My mouth drops open in silent realization, and I immediately feel stupid for not realizing sooner. I mean, of course he would go to school here, where else would he go?

I sigh. "Right, sorry guys, I'm . . . not really myself today."

Megan frowns and curiously asks, "Why do you say that?"

I bite my bottom lip and drop my gaze to the floor as we walk to our table with our food, both so I don't trip, and so she won't see me turn into a red-faced fool. "Because of Garrett," I mumble as we sit down.

Everyone's already at the table, happily enjoying their lunch and telling funny stories. And then there is me, raining on their parade as I sit down with a heavy sigh that immediately halts all conversation.

Kat glances up from her conversation with Abigail, her girlfriend who goes by Abby for short. "Beau, are you okay?" Kat's sudden concerned voice asks.

I don't reply, I just pick at my bread roll and crumble the pieces between my fingers. Kat glances at her brother with a raised eyebrow and quietly hisses, "What's wrong with him?"

"It's Garrett, again," Megan mutters bitterly.

Kat instantly tenses and frowns as she reaches out to rub my back, and softly mutters, "What happened, Beau? Do you need me to beat him up or something?"

I laugh at that, unable to help myself as I reply, "No, but thanks. He just . . ." I trail off with a sigh. "I don't know, I guess it just . . . feels like he's using me. He asked if he could come over tonight and I—-"

"You didn't say yes, did you?" Kat immediately demands.

I feel my cheeks heat up as I quickly shake my head and gasp, "Of course not, I'm not an idiot!"

Kat sighs. "That's not what I was—-"

"I know . . ." I mutter. "I didn't invite him, and I didn't kiss him and now I just . . . feel like a puppet or his toy."

Kat frowns, and JoAnna winds her arm around my shoulders and mutters, "Hey, you're too good for him, Beau. Just—-"

"Don't talk to him anymore," Megan says. "He's a waste of your time, Beau, and you deserve so much better."

I smile thinly. "Thanks, Megan."

She nods with a small smile before returning to picking at her food, and then the rest of us slowly melt back into the happier side of conversation. And as we talk and joke around, the lunchrooms usual loud hum of voices talking over each other began to lessen to a gentle hum. I glance up curiously, as does everyone else, and then I see the reason for the sudden lull in conversation.

Christian Philips is standing at the entrance of the cafeteria, his eyes slowly searching the room before settling on something. I feel a shiver race up my spine when our eyes meet, and when he looks away the feeling goes with him. I release a shakly breath, only to choke on it when I realize he's walking towards our table.