The Unrecognized Beauty

Chapter 4: Cafeteria

ATHENA'S POV

It's time for lunch. Our lecturer had just dismissed the class a minute ago, and everyone had already gathered their things.

Megan speaks just as I'm ready to get out of my chair. 

"Athena..." I waited for her to say something else. "...may I join you? Let's go together for lunch," she finally suggested.

"Sure. Let's go, shall we? "I agreed. It's best to have company anyway, so I don't feel self-conscious about eating alone.

I was the first to walk to the door, followed by her.

We were on our way to the school canteen when I noticed Markus exit from the male restroom.

From behind us, I heard someone calling his name. I'm guessing it's his friends.

"Isn't he that guy?"

He then turned our way. I was looking at him when he moved his head so quickly that I couldn't look at anything else. Our gazes were locked. He gives me a cold glare in return. His eyes seemed to be full of loneliness.

For a second, it felt that everything stopped. It's as if he's the only person I can see for a moment. I'm not sure what happened, but his friend was approaching him the next thing I knew.

Benjamin asked Markus before we completely passed them.

"Is everything alright, bro?  You can always count on us," he said, his voice full of concern.

We had already passed by them, so I couldn't hear Markus respond.

"Hey, you all right?" "All of a sudden, Megan asked.

"Yeah. What were you saying? I'm sorry." I apologized, feeling guilty. I heard her say something earlier that I couldn't understand.

"Oh! I was wondering if he was the one that walked out of class. But there's no need to think about it; the two men who approached him a little while ago just confirmed my thoughts. Isn't that his friend?" she replied.

"Ah, yeah," I replied.

She nodded. We both remained silent after that.

After a 10-minute stroll, we arrived at the cafeteria.

It's a big one. It's bigger than the cafeteria at my former school. Many tables and chairs are inside; however, I barely notice a vacant area due to many students. I am hoping to find a seat.

I didn't realize how hungry I was until I smelled the food from every table we walked by.

"Go ahead and get your lunch," Megan said cheerfully, "and I'll find a table for us."

"You won't accompany me? Do you want me to place your order instead?" I responded.

"I have my lunch with me." I nodded. "We don't have enough money, so I cook at home and take it here to save money."

"If that's the case, I'll get in line right now and place my order. Do you want anything like dessert or something?" I asked, and as I looked at the line, I noticed that it was getting longer.

"I'm fine. Thank you so much, Athena! By now, I believe you should be on your way to the line. On the other hand, I'll find us a table," she remarked, indicating the line where students place their orders.

"I believe you are correct. You may begin eating if it takes me so long. There's no need to wait for me," I said, getting ready to leave.

"Don't worry, I can wait," she said as she smirked at me and said, "I'll go now."

We said our goodbyes. We did what we agreed to do. I'll stand in line for my food while Megan looks for a table for us.

I overheard girls conversing while on the line.

"Why would he do such a thing? "I heard a lady remark.

"I'm not sure, girl! It was an odd experience. That is something he never does. He walked out of the room after saying he wasn't feeling okay," said the other girl. I'm not aware of who they are. I didn't turn my head since I didn't want them to think I was listening in on them.

It appears that I know who they are discussing.

"Markus! Enough! She's just admiring you," I turned to face the source of the voice. William had Markus in his right arm, which I noticed. It seemed as if he was intervening to prevent Markus from harming the girl in front of him. Because the girl's shoulder moving, I assume she's crying.

Now everyone is staring at them. I'm intrigued by what's going on.

"William, let go of me. Don't add to my irritation with this girl." I noticed fury in his eyes when he turned his face to William from where I was standing.

"What's wrong with you? She's only handing you something," he explained, his gaze fixed on Markus.

"You're right!  I've declined it several times, but she continues to push it on me while talking nonsense! "Still facing William, he explained.

"That's not a good enough reason to treat her that way.  Bro, you just pushed her! It would be best if you didn't do it to a girl. And what is this nonsense you're talking about?" he said, his gaze fixed on Markus.

"Well, she just said she loves me, and Margarette left me because she never loved me in the first place, and Margarette is now dating someone else," he replied, then he turned to face the girl. "How will you know that, huh!?" he asked.

"I-Im sorry, Markus.  Since then, I've had a thing for you. You never see me, and now that M-Margarette has left you, I figured this was my moment. I-I was just so desperate," she stutters as she sobs.

"You'll never have that chance.  Don't ever show your face to me again! You have no idea what I'm capable of," he muttered as he walked out of the cafeteria.

The girl then covers her face with her hands and sobs more loudly. I feel sorry for her. But who am I to pass judgment on Markus? I'm not sure where he's coming from, but I'm sure he's having a tough time.

What Benjamin and William heard, on the other hand, stunned them. They appear to be completely unaware of the situation.

"One piece of chicken and spaghetti with mango juice, please," I requested to the person taking my order.

"Got that, ma'am! Please move to this side," she said.  My order arrived after a bit.

"Here is your order; please proceed to that counter for payment," she said, indicating the counter where I should pay for my food.

"Thanks," I said, then moved on to the next counter to make a payment.

After that, I went to look for Megan.

"Athena, here!" 

"Thank you for this, Megan," I murmured as I put my lunch on the table and sat down in my chair.

"It's no problem.  What had happened earlier had been quite intense. I assume you too witnessed it."

"Yeah. Let's eat, shall we? "I said, trying to steer the conversation away from the topic.

After that, we began to eat. I hear people around us discussing the tense incident that happened earlier.

After lunch, we returned to class, and since it was the first day of school, we only did introductions.

"Class dismissed!  I'll see you all tomorrow," our last-period lecturer announced as soon as the bell rang.