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5. Cafeteria incident

The bell rang loudly before I could reply to Asher. He looked alarmed and then immediately turned towards me, his face pulled in a grin.

"I hope you can do it tomorrow?" He asked

I opened my mouth to say no but I could not say anything. Maybe this was my chance to finally get close to him. It was pathetic because I have been trying for ages to talk to him. This was a sign.

I nervously let my lips while checking the sheet under my arm, "Uhh...sure. Umm... Maybe-"

"So sorry babe but I gotta go. I am running late for class" He babbled, interrupting me and was gone before I could say anything. So much for asking him on a date.

My phone vibrated again and I was reminded that I had to get to class. With a sigh, I turned on my heels and rushed towards the class. I could definitely come up with a better plan to ask him out.

As soon as I entered the class I noticed Kayleen had saved a seat for me. My lips pulled up in a smile and I hastily walked towards her, not caring about tripping on the way.

"Where were you?" She whispered as she tugged at the strap of my bag.

"And what is that?" Kayleen frowned as I placed the file on the desk. I thought about it for a while because I was sure she was not going to appreciate my answer.

Even though almost every girl in school was gone for Asher, Kayleen was an exception. She hated his guts and was never subtle about it. When she found out that I liked him she tried to be quiet about her hatred for him.

"I-"

"Good morning class! Who is excited to learn some history?" The loud booming sound interrupted before I could say anything. I released the breath I was holding and turned towards the teacher. But I could still feel her eyes on me.

"Maybe you can tell me later" Kayleen quietly mumbled as she turned towards the teacher.


She was not joking when she said that I should tell her later. As soon as we were sitting in the cafeteria she stared at me with that questionable look on her face.

"What?" I innocently asked while unwrapping the foil from the lunch.

A sandwich seemed like a safer option. It was not like our cafeteria was bad, but it was not a good one as well. The food was average, something you would only eat if you don't have an option.

"You very well know what I am talking about" She huffed, leaning back against the chair.

Erica passed by our table, sneering as soon as she noticed me. I had no idea why she hated me so much.

"Anya!" Kayleen nudged me a bit harder.

"What?" I grumbled rubbing my hand. As soon as I open the foil off the sandwich my nose scrunched. I thought it was going to be a bacon sandwich but instead, it had veggies inside it. I picked out the lettuce and tomatoes, glaring at the mayonnaise and tomato sauce soaking the bread. What was the point of selling a sandwich without meat? I angrily thought and slammed the sandwich back in the dish.

"Whoa is everything alright?" Kayleen whispered, staring at the plate and then at me.

"I thought it was going to be a meat sandwich"

Kayleen laughed, shaking her head "Yeah right. Our principal would have an aneurysm if he spent any more money on this pathetic cafeteria."

"Right" I sighed picking up the sandwich. The heat inside my belly was intensifying, demanding to be fed so had I had no choice but to eat that sandwich.

"So?" Kayleen drawled while eyeing the sheet sticking out of my bag. Jesus Christ!

"It's Asher's" I mumbled quietly around my sandwich.

"Uh? Sorry I don't speak mumbles"

I rolled my eyes at that and tucked the sandwich in the foil again.

"Its Asher's file not mine"

Kayleen did not even look surprised, just mildly zooming her eyes towards the sheet and then staring back at me.

"Seriously? You let that loser talk you into doing his homework?"

"Hey" I gritted my teeth.

Taking a deep breath I weakly continued, "Don't call him that"

"No no you don't make any excuses now. I know that you have been in love with him forever but seriously this is not the way to go."

She grabbed the sheet along with the file from my bag. My eyes widened at that and I immediately went to grab it but she ducked away. Did I mention she was taller than me?

"You are not going to do it" Kayleen narrowed her eyes at me.

"Kay stop it. It's my decision" I sternly said while trying to take the file from her hands. She held it up higher and scooted behind so that I could not reach her.

"I know and it's a stupid decision and as your best friend I am entitled to stop you"

I snorted, "As my best friend you have to support my decisions. Now give me the file back"

Before she could reply we noticed Asher entering the cafeteria with his friends. My face brightened up and I looked at him hoping that he would recognise me. Our eyes met for a second but instead of smiling back he just turned away and walked towards the table.

My face fell at that. I felt as if my heart sank at that moment and breathing was truly a difficult task. Kayleen had noticed that. There was no way she was going to miss that. Lowering my head I picked the sandwich. Maybe he was having difficulty in recognising me. After all, he sees so many faces in a day.

"This is insane!" Kay huffed and I heard the screeching sound of the chair. I lifted my head to stare at her, shaking my head when I noticed her walking towards Asher. What was she trying to do?

I dropped my sandwich and rushed after her but she was quicker than me. Damn my short legs.

"Kay please stop" I whispered behind her as I felt the number of stares following us.

She did not even bother to look behind, too busy stomping her feet against the floor. Once she reached the table Asher was sitting in, she lightly tapped his shoulder.

"Hey, asshole!"

Everyone around the table gasped, glaring at me instead of saying anything to Kayleen. Asher's eyes widened and he set his mouth in a firm line, instead of answering her. He sat up straight.

"Next time why don't you do your own homework? Or are you too dumb for that, Captain?"

The table beside us mockingly laughed, cheered and some of them snickered. Most of the boys in our class did not like Asher so they were enjoying that he was getting humiliated in the middle of the cafeteria by a girl.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?"

Kayleen batted her eyelashes, "Wow you don't know my name. Should I repeat it again so that you are dumb brain can process?"

"Kay!" I yelled, my face flaming as Erica glared at me and mouthed something. God she was going to kill me. Wasn't she?

"Listen-"

Kay interrupted him again and threw the sheet at him, "You listen you need to cut that shit that you are famous and people are going to do anything you want. News flash you are not. You are just some dumb captain whom everyone will forget after you graduate."

Asher looked proper furious and by the way, he was clenching his fists by his side scared me. His jaw was ticked, as if he was really trying to control his anger so I pulled Kayleen out of there. I couldn't believe that she would embarrass me in front of everyone, especially Asher.

As soon as we were out of there I couldn't control the anger bubbling inside me. How could my own best friend sabotage everything? What was she thinking?

"That serves him right" Kayleen giggled as we were walking down the hallway. Thankfully it was seemed empty because everyone was sitting in the cafeteria for lunch.

That sound of her laughter was mocking me. She ruined my chances with him and was laughing. It was like something took over me in that instance and I couldn't control it.

I slammed my hand harshly against the lockers, ignoring the way my best friend flinched and stepped back. My chest rose and fell rapidly due to the heavy breathing.

"Anya..." She murmured quietly

"Shut the fuck up!" I screamed, tears rolling down my face. How could she do that? Asher would probably hate me forever.

"You're scaring me"

"Are you fucking happy now? You have ruined everything for me"

"But I was just trying to-"

"Leave! Just get out of here" I sobbed, covering my face. It was so embarrassing to stand there while she did that.

Kayleen pressed her lips together, "You can't be serious right now"

"I am"

"Fine have your way" With that Kayleen walked away leaving me in middle of the hallway to have a breakdown.


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