“Hey, Destiny,” Luke says matter of factly.
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Destiny says hey back trying to keep her composure.
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“That group really does not know when to keep their mouths shut, do they?” He must be referring to the group that had formed around Emily. Luke sighs.
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“Yeah. Were they talking about what I assume they are talking about?” she asks with a tinge of hesitation in her voice.
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“If you mean your misjudgment of Megan’s character, then yes,” he responds.
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“I’m such an idiot for falling for her trick!” Destiny interjects.
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Luke heaves another sigh. “It’s not your fault. She’s just insecure herself and likes the power that comes with being such a, well you know.” He obviously knew enough about Destiny to know she doesn’t appreciate cussing, or swearing, as she would say.
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“Trust me. I know,” Destiny says. “So you don’t feel weird or awkward now that you know about..” she can’t bring herself to finish her question. Were Destiny and Luke friends before? I had never known them to say a single word to each other besides maybe a generic greeting in the hallway.
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“Are you kidding? Of course not.” There was an awkward pause that seemed to contradict Luke’s reassuring statement. “In fact, why don’t you sit with me at lunch? You can bring… uh—“
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“Vanessa,” I quickly chime in.
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“Yes, Vanessa too. We need to show those girls that they don’t have the power that they think they have. Who are they to try and make fellow students’ lives miserable for a cruel laugh?” The annoyance in Luke’s voice increased.
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“I’m just glad that you don’t think I’m weird for liking you and for telling Megan such crucial information,” she laughs sarcastically. I actually was wrong. That moment was the last time she laughed all day. “So you think that they won’t have any reason to tease me if you sit with me at lunch? Is that the plan?”
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“Exactly. Megan and Emily will never see it coming. You, we, are going to do the thing they least expect- become friends as a result of their sorry excuse for a prank, joke, or whatever they are trying to call it.”
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So they weren’t already friends? But why was Luke acting like they were always friends?
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“He’s gone,” Destiny announces.
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“You and Luke were friends before this?” I ask curiously.
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“No. Just acquaintances,” Destiny replies unfazed.
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“But—“
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Mr. Vilard, my least favorite teacher who I was unlucky enough to get for homeroom health and geometry this year, interrupted with the day’s assignment before I could ask the question that was pounding away at my head. Something was telling me that Luke was not being genuine and not the fact that he wasn’t aware of my name.
