Troubled

FIVE

KYLE GARCIA

As I walked away, I wondered who the girl was. I knew every girl here, well almost all of them. Was she a new student? Perhaps a transfer? Or foreign exchange student? She didn't look foreign to me. I finally went to class. I had lab science next. I walked down to the lab, Dawson and Ray were already sitting at our usual spot.

"Sara invited us to her party next weekend," Dawson said as I sat down with them.

I raised my brow, "who is Sara?"

They groaned, " Oh come on, the same Sara that has been looking for a way to go out with you."

I didn't know who she was and I didn't care, I didn't have many friends, I didn't like talking to people at all, especially when I had to force things.

"Oh come on, you are this school's cliche mysterious boy, complete with dark clothes and everything. You know everyone wants you at their parties," Ray said.

I knew about the cliche, mysterious thing, Ray always said it, although I didn't see how it was like that.

"I don't think I can be mysterious when you can Google everything you need to know about me." I said, shrugging. I was actually not interested in the conversation and the party,and they knew it, they just wanted to drag it out for no reason whatsoever.

"Anyway, you know half the student body population are girls, and they would do anything..I mean anything to get your attention." Dawson said.

"Wait, I don't understand what you guys are trying to do, are you convincing me to attend this party or telling me how great I am.?" I asked.

"Well, we are trying to butter you up so you can attend the party," Ray said flatly.

I shook my head, "I'm not going Ray, I'm not interested, you guys can go."

"You are actually our entrance ticket." Dawson said quietly. I frowned. Then I remembered that girl from before.

"Hey, do you guys know if we had any late transfer students?"

"Nope, I don't think anyone has transferred by this time of the year," Dawson said.

"Foreign exchange then?" I asked.

"I don't think so, no," Ray answered.

"Then why don't I know her?" I mused.

Before they could ask me any questions, the teacher called Dawson and asked him to mirror what he had just done, and because he was talking, he didn't know, and as he didn't know, he got a detention. I chuckled quietly with Ray.

Soon the class ended, just as I came out of the lab, someone breezed past me, like they were in a hurry to get to the cafeteria. I blinked when I realized it was the backgate girl, I wanted to follow after her, but my friends were heading in another direction, and they were with my lighter. If they skipped, I won't have anything to smoke with, and then there would be a problem.

Groaning, I followed my friends, cursing the day I met them, and cursing myself.

"Where are you guys going?" I asked when I caught up to them.

"To find an empty classroom, where else?" Dawson answered.

"Actually, can we go to the cafeteria? I'm suddenly craving cafeteria food." I winced at the way the lie flowed effortlessly.

"Since when did you eat cafeteria food?" Dawson asked.

I shrugged, it was true, I was particularly picky about my food choices.

Ray looked straight into my eyes, "let us go, I'm craving cafeteria food too." And left us behind. I chuckled, he had seen right through my lie. Consequences of knowing someone for too long. I walked slowly behind him.

We got to the cafeteria, I used my eyes to search for her, I got to the line and paid for the meatloaf which I was sure I won't eat. People stared at me, they knew I didn't eat here, everyone knew. I just chose a table that I could see everyone from where I sat. My friends sat with me.

"What is this moldy looking thing?" Dawson asked as he used his fork to turn the thing in Ray's plate.

"Cheesecake" Ray answered simply, he dragged my plate to himself and cut the meatloaf down to tiny bites.

He smiled, "here eat."

I gulped, I knew he didn't want me to have any excuse. I nodded my thanks, as I picked up one bite gingerly and put in my mouth, it was tasteless, but I smiled as Ray looked at me. My eyes went back to scanning the student body, I spotted her at the far end of the cafeteria, she backed us, looking into the sports field. I briefly wondered if she played any sports.

"Dawson who is that girl?" I said pointing to her.

"Who? The witch?" He asked with a mouth full of salad.

My eyes snapped up to his, "why do you call her the witch?"

"Haven't you heard the rumors?" He looked appalled.

I rolled my eyes, "if I had, I don't think we would be this conversation." I said putting another bite in my mouth to satisfy Ray.

"Well, there are rumors about her, ever since she came to this school three years ago..no one had heard her speak." He said.

I looked at her, a boy had gone to her table, making the student body to stare at them, and from the looks of it, they were having a discussion. I rolled my eyes at Dawson.

"Hey Dawson, want to see a miracle? Look she is talking to someone right now." I pointed with my chin.

"You seem quite interested." Ray said quietly as Dawson watched their interaction intently.

"Not interested, just wondering why I didn't know her, she has been in this school for three years and I don't know her, I still haven't even seen her face, and you guys said all the females here want my attention." I said, taking my last bite from the disgusting food in front of me.

"Well I heard she is strange, and even her parents know, they are trying to get rid of her." Dawson said again.

I snorted, "that's a little too far-fetched, don't you think?"

Ray said quietly, "I heard she is troubled."