Always | ✓

6. Cafeteria Hell

Serena

"Brace yourself."

On the way to the cafeteria, I was telling Julie about all the insane moments that have happened in there so far, and the many fights.

Not sure why people think that's the best place to suddenly start acting like their in a fight club, but it happens quite often. As if there's not an open space outside that would be much better, than around the place food is served.

When I look to Julie, I saw a worried expression on her face, her brows knitted together and a frown, where she was smiling before.

I heard her take a deep breath, I thought that maybe I had scared her a little too much.

When we approached the big cafeteria doors, I opened them for Julie and I to walk through, trying to give her a reassuring smile as well.

I looked over to Julie as we entered the cafeteria, and saw her look a little wide-eyed as she took in the surroundings and all the people in the room.

Our cafeteria is quite big. Last year they had some renovations done to make the place a little more easier on the eye, and a place that students would actually want to eat at.

The school newsletter asked for suggestions and the cafeteria was the main thing that people wanted changed. Now it looks a lot better and bigger.

I looped my arm within Julie's, so that she didn't bump into anyone, and walked towards the usual table that my friends and I sat at.

As usual high schools, everyone tends to sit within their own groups, which is natural.

Julie and I both had packed lunches, so there was no need for us to be standing in the lunch line. Those lines can seem so endless when your stomach is empty.

I could hear Julie whisper to herself, whilst looking around and I quietly laughed at that. It felt like we were in a new land and she was seeing everything for the first time.

She just seemed so amazed, I wondered what her old school was like. Our cafeteria can't be that different to her old one.

Finally, we got to our table where everyone else was already seated.

Two chairs were left unseated, which Julie and I then took for ourselves.

I sat, and the looked on amusedly as Sara smacked away one of Danny's hand.

"Danny, get your dirty hands off my fries," Sara warned him, pointing a finger in his direction as well.

Sara is quite possessive over her food. She loves food in general, but only her favourites, she wasn't crazy about all of it.

Fries were quite high on her favourite food items list, and everyone knew not to mess with her. Well, except for Danny. He knew it, but still did it anyway.

Danny rolled his eyes at Sara's warning. "Sara, it's just one fry," he told her.

One fry or ten, it was basically the same to her.

"Stop it, both of you," Mel then scolded them both.

Sometimes Mel had to take on the Mother Hen type of role for the group, especially between Danny and Sara. Other times, it's me that fills that role.

I cleared my throat, getting everyone's attention, clearing it once more to get Danny and Sara's attention, since they were just glaring at each other.

"I invited Julie to come sit with us for lunch. Hope that's cool?" I said.

It came out as a question, but it really wasn't.