I walked over to an empty table near a large window facing what supposedly was the garden. I put my book down at the bar table and walked over to where all the students were getting their lunches. The food here was like no other. I saw students receive large portions of meat and rice, accompanied with a drink of their choice. I walked to the back of the line, noticing that there was almost no one left. I grabbed myself a tray and scanned the food choices. There were sandwiches, pasta, noodles, and rice. It felt like a buffet. I decided to keep it simple with a sandwich. I haven’t had a proper sandwich in what felt like forever.
“Whaddya like?” A woman that looked tired stretched her hand out, and I passed my tray to her. She wore a coarse apron with a bib. There was laced ribbon along the bottom of it, and it was a pretty pink pale color.
“Um. A sandwich please?” She looked at me and nodded.
“That’s basic. No one ever gets them. Although they are pretty good.” She grabbed a pair of tongs and gave two large portions of baguettes with tomato, lettuce, and chicken inside. I smiled when she gave me the tray.
“Thank you.” She paused, shocked. I tried grabbing the tray from her, half my brain thinking she was a robot that ran out of battery.
“Did you…?” I tilted my head, starting to get worried. Was she alright? “Did you just say thank you?” I stared at her blankly.
“Yes?” I looked at her and spoke slowly.
“I am- perplexed.” She beamed. Her eyes smiling quicker than her. She retrieved her arm and placed an extra portion of sandwich on my plate. “Don’t tell anyone. But I like you, and- you’re welcome.” She grinned. I let out a small chuckle and thanked her once more. If I couldn’t make any friends on my first day, I could still pat myself on the back for becoming friends with the lunch lady. Because there was no one else behind me, I saw her shove her hands into the pockets of the small, ruffled apron she wore, and her elbows assumed an argumentative and questionable air. I walked off and back to the bar table near the window. I lifted my book up and placed my tray of food down. Rotating my wrist, a bit, I sat down and started to take the first bite.
The moment the food touched the little tastebuds on my tongue, I felt an explosion of happiness and flavor. I smiled and continued bite after bite. This was probably the best meal that I’ve had in a while. I smiled and opened the book I had taken from the library. Maybe living here wouldn’t be that bad. If I lay low, and shove my head in between pages of books, then there wouldn’t be any problem. I’d just have to slip in like some invisible ghost. Oh wait, ghosts are invisible. I awkwardly chuckled at my own thoughts, mentally slapping myself and reminding it that I make the most terrible jokes any man has heard. I swear, the jokes I make only trigger my funny bone. I heard the doors to the cafeteria clang loudly, making everyone turn their heads towards the sound. I looked as well, curiosity striking through my veins.
The same exact group of boys that I had seen in the hallways entered. There were occasional whistles and cheers as they stepped in. The doors closed behind them, releasing a loud clacking noise. Were they locking us in this cafeteria? I dropped my fork and prepared to get up to ask the lunch lady. My chair scooted backward, interrupting the silence. I paused and looked around as a bunch of eyes started staring towards me.
“Sit back down! -…” A kid who was sitting beside me with huge glasses pushed my shoulder down. I sat down, confused. After a few minutes of silence, everyone went back to chatting. Meanwhile, I could see that the group of boys had turned their attention towards me. I sunk in my chair, not ready to make any enemies on my first day. I quickly turned around, picking my fork up and pretended to eat. But really, I was just pocking my food here and there. If you’re thinking about why the hell, I’m using a fork to eat my sandwich, yes. I’m someone who hates to eat crumbly sandwiches with my hands. It gets a little bit too messy.
The boy beside me turned to me, quickly avoiding the gaze of the group of boys.
“New kid, whatever you do, don’t make yourself the main character. Especially with those guys in your story.” He shifted his eyes to the left. He grabbed the sleeve of my uniform jacket and I flinched. “Unless you really want to die.” I rubbed the back of my neck.
“What power do they have in this place?” I questioned.
“Power?” A voice spoke behind me. Perhaps I asked that a bit too loudly. I slowly turned around in my seat, the boy next to me; still clinging onto the sleeve of my jacket. Irritated, I tugged my arm towards myself, making him release his grasp on me. The boy who hovered over me smirked and let out a low husky chuckle. “Power…” He huffed, taking a pocket knife out of the hem of his uniform. Who even keeps a knife up their sleeve? I stared at the knife. Everything but fear was welcomed. It was kind of pretty. He flicked it, and I gasped at the gorgeous prints molded into the knife itself. He took a step closer, making me back up in my seat.
“Is that a knife?” I slowly spoke.
“I love how you state the obvious with such a sense of discovery.” The boy grinned, showing his perfect set of teeth.
“I thought no weapons were allowed.” I whispered softly. At this point, everyone had returned their gaze to our side of the cafeteria. Noticing the attention, I shifted my eyes towards the rest of the students. Knowing I had no power now, I still glared at them with all I had. Most students turned away and continued to silently eat their lunch. Others just stared. Where were the guards when they were actually useful?
“Darling,” He stared me right in the eye. I tried to take my eyes off of him, but when I did, he shoved the knife towards my neck, the side of the blade touching my adam’s apple. “Out paths may have crossed briefly, but you’ve still had the misfortune of knowing me. Once you do, then you’ll know how much...” He paused. “Power, I hold.” I swallowed. Maybe questioning him wasn’t the best idea.
It was the same boy from the hallway, now that I noticed, and he had tattoo’s lining his left arm. Wearing a short white button up with the school’s logo on it; accompanied by many silver chains on his neck. God. Can I leave? No. Can I punch him in the face? Yes. Before I knew it, I swung my fist at his jaw, and he caught it. He caught my punch.
A/N: AAA!! Thank you so much for 400 reads! I apologise for the short chapter this week. The next chapter will be posted next Sunday because of work, so keep your eyes out for it! Oh, and sorry for leaving you on a cliff hanger.
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