It was two pm and we were in the campus cafeteria. I had thought I'd see the boys, and at least have Lucas brighten my day. Even with my honest confession that there was nothing romantic going between me and any of the Salvatore boys, Katelyn did not seem to believe me as she and three of her friends decided to ruin learning for me. After her threat, we had finally entered the class. Thankfully, I was able to see a place to seat but unfortunately, it was a space before Katelyn. The girl made my life hell. From pulling my hair that my mother had taken her time to style beautifully - she even made me promise her that I would not ruin it - to poking me. They were so childish. I could hardly learn anything. She kept whispering in my ear like some loon, reminding me what would happen to me if I ever went close to Aaron. I had barely had a proper conversation with that guy ever since I stepped my feet into his home. What could I possibly have to do with him? The girl was just mad. Still, I kept mute. Now, in the cafeteria, I had collected my own food tray was about to go find s place to seat when the tray upended and I found my feet leaving the ground. My body hit the floor, my face landed into my lunch. There was an uproar of laughter. I mustered what dignity I had left and stood, picking wasted food and putting it back into the tray.
"Oops, sorry."
Katelyn's voice sounded anything but sorry. She was not sorry at all. People like her were never sorry. Just as Vanice never was.
"Watch where you're going next time, Katelyn."
I heard the cafeteria lady warn her.
Without a word, I picked the tray and dumped it where dirty dishes were. I went to the sink by the corner and cleaned food from my face and dress. I wanted to cry but I swallowed it. I was used to it. It could have been worse. It wa food stain, not bees stinging as you try to bring your books out of your backpack. Or having to wear urine smell for the rest of the day. Food stain was better. Only you have to carry around stain like a badge on your sky blue dress.
I cleaned as much as I could from my hair that was now let down and scattered so I could get food particles and prevent the strands from getting sticky from being wet by juice in a cup. I was humiliated but I did not say anything. I carried my bag from where I had dropped it when the cafeteria lady called me back.
"Here, have this."
She offered me another tray of food. Exactly what I'd ordered before.
"Thank you."
I was not expecting it. And I guess she saw the surprise ony face.
"It's okay. Go have lunch."
I ignored the silent laughter over my now shabby appearance. Let her continue, maybe she'd stop when she realized I had nothing to do with Aaron.
"Katherina May Salvatore."
I froze over who had called me and added Salvatore to my name. I knew Lucas' voice but I had not expected him to call me that in public but I guess I should expect anything from him henceforth.
"Hey."
I greeted him as he came near my table.
"Hey, girlfriend."
He kissed my cheek. I knew I needed him to make my day better. Then he scrunched his face and drew back.
"What happened to you? Your hair and your dress."
I caught Katelyn's eye and I knew she was fuming. For what exactly? I didn't know. Also, she had this look that was daring me to talk. I merely looked away. I had no plans to tell anyone anything.
"I slipped with my tray of food and fell."
"Are you serious?"
I nodded. Plastering a smile not to make him suspicious.
"Why are you smiling then?"
"Because I do not want to cry and hate myself for being clumsy. Moreover, it's a waste of energy. It won't change what had happened."
"You're right."
"What did you have to scream my name that way? And Salvatore? Really?"
"Are you not a Salvatore?"
"Only because your father is mated to my mother."
"Which makes us what?"
I paused in my eating. "Okay fine, you're right. We're siblings."
"Exactly."
"It's lunch time. Why are you not eating in your own cafeteria?"
I realized that each class that their own cafeteria. This was the cafeteria for second year students.
"Because Salvatores have their own cafeteria. Dad made it for us. Said we're royalty, and should have our own eating corner. There's everything there."
"That's good. So why are you not there?"
"I came to get you. You're a Salvatore."
"But it's for you and your brothers."
I protested as he drew me up and was practically pulling me out of the cafeteria with students watching. Many were yet to learn I was a step sibling to the Salvatore boys. Or maybe they knew about a new step sibling but did not know who it was.
"Wait let me get my bag."
I went back to get my bag.
"Where's Aaron, Lucas?"
Katelyn asked.
"He's in the Salvatore cafeteria."
"I want to see him, can I come?"
"You know the Salvatore cafeteria is only meant for family, Katelyn, and you're not family."
I met with her eyes, her glare was cutting. She was going to make this my fault too and make me pay for it. I just knew it.
"But she's not a Salvatore, Lucas. Moreover, it's really important I see Aaron."
She had stood from her seat and came to where Lucas stood.
"You saw him this morning, Katelyn. And you see him everyday. Whatever you have to tell him, I'm sure can wait till when next you see him. You even see each other after school, so waiting a few hours won't kill you."
Lucas flashed her one of his charming grin and took my hand, leading me out of the cafeteria with eyes on us.
"But you're taking her."
Was that an angry whine I heard in her voice?
"She's a Salvatore, Katelyn. She lives and eats and sleeps with us." He paused when he realized what that sounded like. "Well, not actually sleeping together. We all have our own rooms obviously, but I'm sure you get the point. Anyways, moving on, whatever we do, she does. You know why?"
He turned to meet her angry gaze.
"Because she's a Salvatore."