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We load up our trays with chips, mac and cheese, and brownies. I also
get a soda, because fuck it, I’m hungry, and I want to drink some calories
today.
After we pay, I walk over to a round table and glance back, making sure
he’s following me.
His eyes dart left and right, carrying his tray and backpack, and he’s
probably nervous as hell. After all, I can’t remember the last time I spotted
him in here, and everyone is looking at us.
I keep my eyes forward and set my tray down, having a seat. He quickly
slides into a chair on the other side of the table, and even though the hairs
on my skin are standing on end and I’m aware of every damn person in
here, I inhale a deep breath and give him a reassuring smile.
“See?” I brag, opening my Coke. “It’s getting better already.”
But then something smashes down in front of me, my food splatters,
and I gasp, instantly stilling as mac and cheese hits my arm and hair.
What the…?
“Whoa!” Howls sound off across the room, followed by laughter, and I
know it’s coming from my old table. People around us take notice and start
laughing, a few taking out their phones to take a pic.
I sit there, frozen.
I look up, seeing a fat, cheesy noodle dangling from my hair over my
forehead, and I lock eyes with Manny as he reaches over and picks up the
red apple that had come crashing into my tray. He stares at me, looking
surprised, but then his eyes shoot up to the noodle, and he snorts.
“Hey,” I snap. This isn’t funny!
But he’s smiling anyway, shaking with laughter.
I roll my eyes, feeling my stomach tighten into a knot, but I set my
drink down and pluck the noodle out of my hair. Grabbing a napkin, I start