Chapter 24: CHAPTER 24

By the time lunch came, I expected my feelings to be neatly folded. Much to my disappointment, at the sight of Cross they slipped through the cracks of our usual interactions.

On one hand, it was awkward. He wasn't the type to claim a girl publicly, so witnessing him coming out of a romp session felt wrong. On the other hand, I was angry-furious, really that he had the nerve to make me his next target.

You son of a bit…

"You alright Clara?" Cross surveyed my untouched lunch.

This boy-with calm ocean eyes and hair as black as the darkness he'd been doing things in only periods ago -had the gall to look concerned.

I nodded. "Mhmm."

But I couldn't make my disgust too obvious, otherwise he'd notice and pry. Technically, I wasn't supposed to know he screwed Amy second period.

"I'm not in the mood for chicken today" I added lightly.

David perked. He eyed my tenders and fries. "If you're not eating it, can I have it?"

"Of course." I slid the tray in front of him.

My stomach couldn't handle food when I was stressed anyway. David smiled gratefully already munching. Apparently, he was "bulking". For what, I didn't know.

"Want me to get you something else?" Cross offered.

"L..didn't bring any extra money" I said, making an excuse.

He stood. "It's fine. I'll pay. Did you want pizza or burger?"

Cross has bought me lunch before, so this wasn't unusual. But the idea of him handing me anything made me want to vomit. He would have to hold that tray and bring it to me, I knew where those hands had been.

Cross must've caught my expression. "Wow. Neither? You want something to drink then?"

I waved him off. "I’m fine,"

He could keep his considerate gestures to himself. Because how many times has he touched me after touching her? And why was I even thinking about that now?

Maybe because when his sex life stayed private, it was easy to ignore. Just rumors and whispers. I only ever saw the girls afterward: either perfectly composed or falling apart after he left them. But I'd never seen them in-between. Not like how I saw Amy.

Mussed up, skirt hiked, buttons half undone. The view made it too real, and his recent actions towards me more insulting.

I think I like you.

Jerk. I should've really drilled him on that "think" part. What did Cross know of liking anyone? He's as inexperienced as me when it came to serious relationships.

".. Are you on your period?" He asked, this time more careful.

"No!"

I fixed my attention on the worksheet in front of me. It was just my luck that Theodore had two assignments due last minute. While I volunteered to do his math problems, he buried himself in the English chapter. Numbers were easier than feelings.

The answer was clear, unchanging, and left no room for ambiguity.

Thedore rubbed his forehead in frustration, setting his book down with a thud. "The writers are idiots! How can this kid be the age of 'seven and ten'? You can't be two ages at the same time!"

Cross lowered his water, giving his friend a look of concern. I bit the inside of my cheek to fight laughter.

"Total morons," Cross responded, deliberately not correcting him.

"Teddy, honey," I began, unable to hold my giggles. "The character is seventeen years old. Back then they used to write it that way."

Theodore read the sentence again, apprehension filtering through his gaze. "This is why I need you in my life," he said seriously, holding my hand reverently.

Cross rolled his eyes. "I could've told you that."

"But you didn't," Theodore snapped, squeezing my hand tighter.

"It's common sense."

I pretended to focus on the worksheet, eyes fixed on the neat column of numbers. It was difficult to appear engrossed in math questions when my dominant hand was still held hostage by a thankful Theodore. He and Cross were still quarreling, but I refused to engage with any reaction.

"Go back to reading, Teddy," I encouraged, nudging him to move ahead and stop the glaring contest he had with Cross.

To my relief he did just as much. I went back to the simple equations, purposely dragging each step to have them last me all period. Cross seemed to notice my slothful pace.

"Do you want me to do the other half?" he offered. Of the boys, he was the brightest in numbers. He could easily devour this paper in less than five minutes.

"No thank you, I've got it."

"Yeah, Clara's got it," Theodore chimed in. His gave Cross a suspicious look. "I don't trust you."

Ahead of us, I heard David stretch and get up from the table. "I'm getting another tray."

"I’ll join you," Cross mumbled, sounding rather grouchy too. What was up with him?

I resisted the urge to check and kept my eyes down. When the two walked off, Theodore laughed softly beside me.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

He shrugged, giving nothing away. "Just something I've noticed."

"Which is?"

"I’m busy reading."

I rolled my eyes. He'd been hopelessly distracted earlier, and now suddenly he decides to be studious. Whatever. I continued with his homework.

When Cross returned, he held two slices of pizza, one being my favorite-pepperoni. I declined, keeping my tone polite while reigning in my disgust.

"Give it to David. He'll eat it," I suggested, after he insisted he would only eat one.

Cross’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing. In the end he handed both slices to David, who was very thrilled.

Fortunately, I managed to stretch the homework until the end of lunch.

I passed Theodore his math paper. He beamed and kissed my cheek. "Thank you, Clara"

"Of course."

Cross's gaze flickered between us, darkening when Theodore met him with a cheeky grin. I picked my tote and slung it over my shoulder. Outside the lunchroom, I exhaled.

Finally, freedom.