Chapter 12 Cafeteria Chronicle

Chapter 12 Cafeteria Chronicle
ELOWEN BENNETT
Laughter echoed around the cafeteria like sharp little knives.
I stayed on the floor for what felt like forever, sauce soaking into my hoodie and burning my palms. The humiliation was so thick I could barely breathe. Then I saw movement , Alaric standing up from our table like he was about to come over.
For one stupid second, I thought he might actually help me.
But before he could take more than a step, Tasha appeared out of nowhere and planted herself right in front of him, blocking his path. Her voice carried clearly across the noise.
“Babe, seriously? You’re not actually going over there, are you? She’s just being clumsy again. Come on, let’s go. I need to talk to you about the party this weekend.”
Of course.
I wasn’t important enough for him to bother.
The realization stung more than it should have. I pushed myself up on shaky legs, ignoring the sting in my hands and knees. Sauce dripped from my clothes as I grabbed what was left of my tray with whatever dignity I had left.
Without looking back at Alaric or Tasha, I turned and walked out of the cafeteria as fast as I could, head down, cheeks flaming.
I hated eating in the cafeteria. I had always hated it. This was exactly why.
I ended up in the janitor’s closet near the back of the building, my emergency hiding spot since sophomore year. The small, dim room smelled like bleach and old mops, but at least no one ever came here.
I sat on an upside-down bucket and slowly finished the little bit of food that hadn’t spilled, forcing myself to eat even though I had no appetite. Tears kept slipping down my cheeks no matter how many times I wiped them away.
When I finally stepped out of the closet twenty minutes later, my hoodie was still stained and my palms were raw, but I felt slightly more in control. I just needed to survive the rest of the day.
I turned the corner quickly, my mind still replaying the fall and Tasha’s voice, when I slammed hard into a solid chest.
Not again.
The impact made me stumble back. A pair of strong hands gently caught my shoulders to steady me.
“Woah, easy there,” a warm voice said.
I looked up and froze.
It wasn’t Alaric.
The guy standing in front of me was tall, maybe as tall as Alaric with light brown hair that had streaks of blonde, clear friendly eyes, and an easy smile. A hockey helmet was tucked under his arm, and he was wearing a practice jersey.
“Sorry about that,” he said, his voice gentle. “I wasn’t looking where I was going. You okay?”
I blinked, still shocked. “Y-yeah… I’m fine. Sorry, I was distracted.”
He studied me for a second, then smiled wider. “I’m Andrew. Just transferred here last week. Still trying to learn where everything is.”
“Elowen,” I mumbled, feeling awkward. “Nice to meet you.”
Andrew tilted his head slightly. “You’re in my English class, right? Second period?”
I nodded, surprised he had noticed me at all.
“Yeah… I think so.”
He shifted the helmet under his arm. “Cool. You seem like you actually pay attention in class, unlike half the team.” He laughed lightly, a warm, genuine sound. “I’m on the hockey team. Exchange student from Canada. Coach has me practicing like crazy already.”
We stood there for a moment, and to my surprise, the conversation flowed easily. He asked simple questions; what the school was like, which teachers to avoid, where the good lunch spots were. He didn’t tease me or look at me like I was weird. He just… talked to me like a normal person.
For the first time in days, I felt a tiny bit of tension leave my shoulders.
“Well, I hope I see you around, Elowen,” Andrew said finally, giving me another friendly smile. “Try not to run into any more walls… or people.”
I let out a small, surprised laugh. “I’ll try.”
He gave me a little nod and continued down the hallway toward the gym.
I stood there for a second, stunned. Someone like him — tall, athletic, good-looking, and clearly popular had actually talked to me. Nicely. Without any cruel jokes or hidden motives.
It felt… strange.
Shaking my head, I continued walking toward the exit. School was finally over, and all I wanted was to go home and forget this entire day.
But the moment I stepped outside, my stomach dropped again.
Alaric was leaning casually against his black Mustang in the parking lot, arms crossed over his chest. His letterman jacket was gone, leaving him in just a fitted black t-shirt that showed off his athletic build. His messy dark hair fell over his forehead as those sharp blue eyes locked onto me immediately.
He looked relaxed, too relaxed.
I slowed my steps, but he jerked his head toward the passenger side.
“Get in,” he said, voice carrying across the small distance.
I stopped a few feet away, clutching the strap of my bag tightly. “I can walk home.”
Alaric pushed off the car and opened the passenger door. “Not today. Get in, Elowen.”
The way he said my name left no room for argument. That familiar commanding tone was back.
With a heavy sigh, I walked over and slid into the car. The leather seat felt cool against my sauce-stained hoodie. Alaric got in on the driver’s side and started the engine without another word.
The silence between us was thick as he pulled out of the parking lot, I was expecting an apology for ignoring me while the whole school laughed at my sorrow, oh wait that was his sole mission anyway.
I kept my eyes on the window, watching the school disappear behind us. My mind kept drifting back to Andrew’s kind smile and easy conversation. Then to Alaric standing up in the cafeteria… only for Tasha to stop him.
Why did it even matter?
Alaric wasn’t my friend. He was my punishment.