Rewind

XVII: Trouble

    It is probably the first time Zeke has had lunch in the cafeteria. It's not like he's popular or something, but he has a reputation. People do fear him—because they misunderstand him—and know he is not one to join crowded places. So when he walks inside the cafeteria with me by his side, many glances are on us. I hear murmurs and some people don't even try to hide their surprise. I take a glance at him and he looks super serious, and that's his way to state he doesn't care. He does what he wants. Although I'm pretty sure that being here is not what he wants, but I asked him to have lunch with us. Sam is already waiting for us, I went looking for him after class and I had to beg a little bit. We are friends now, we get on so well so it's just normal that we have lunch together, right? That's what I've seen in films, at least. Friends eat together.

I smile widely and hold my head higher. It makes me happy that he's here and that he agreed to this. He notices my smile and turns to look at me briefly, giving me one of those amazing smiles that lights up his whole face. My chest does that funny thing again.

We buy something and I notice Zeke just asks for a sandwich. No wonder why he's so skinny.

"That's not good for you," I say, as we keep moving in the queue to pay. "Balanced meals are essential for a proper and functional body."

He chuckles lightly. "I don't like cafeteria food," he replies and I snort.

"Then bring your own food. You need to feed properly or you'll disappear. You're super skinny," I tease him, grabbing his arm to illustrate my point. He is skinny but he's not soft and it's not because I'm touching his bones, it's because his muscles are defined.

"I try to make the best out of every second of sleep. I can't wake up earlier to make lunch and no one else is gonna do it for me," he replies and I pout.

"Then you should be less picky. I'll share with you today," I offer and I ask for a larger portion even if he complains.

Then we head to where Sam is waiting and Zeke greets her kindly. She teases me because I bought too much food but then I tell her I'm just looking after Zeke's nutrition.

Even if he complains, I make him eat part of my steak and smashed potatoes. Even Sam tries to help me feeding Zeke and we end up playing, with the whole 'here comes the plane' and other childish things. When he laughs one of us shoves some food in his mouth.

We actually have fun, Zeke laughs a lot and we are completely oblivious to the commotion around us. It seems we are being louder than normal and people are staring at us. Saying they look shocked is an understatement.

When we are leaving the cafeteria with its murmurs behind, I tell Zeke, "we are indeed ruining your reputation. The bad boy was laughing at lunchtime!" I exclaim in fake horror and Sam mimics me.

"Now the kids won't respect you anymore! The bad boy can actually smile. That's what they are all saying," Sam continues the joke and Zeke looks at bit embarrassed, but the smile doesn't leave his lips.

"You're gonna be the end of me. I should've remained friendless," he sighs and Sam and I look at each other—Zeke walks in between— and after a nod each of us grabs one of his arms.

"Too late," I sing making him laugh again as he shakes his head.

A loud thud stops our game and we stop cold on our feet just to see Butch cornering a girl against the lockers and two guys by his side. She's short with jet-black hair, a bit overweight and a frightened expression. In fact, she looks close to tears and I squeeze Zeke's arm without noticing it.

"Oh, little rat, are you scared?" Butch snickers. "What did I tell you? You worthless little rat, the only thing you'll ever accomplish is buying me food so if you don't bring enough money, you're failing. Again." She can't look up and it seems she only wants to disappear. "I'm just trying to help," he continues, in a disgustingly sweet tone as he approaches more, his face centimetres apart. "You need to go on a diet and I'm just helping you to avoid temptation." The poor girl shuts her eyes so tightly trying to keep tears at bay, he whole body is trembling and Butch and company are only laughing. "You exist to give us your money. If you fail at that, you're better off dead."