Kiss Slowly, Speak Quickly

"Well as fun as this has been," I interjected suddenly, standing and moving away from the bench, "I do believe we have classes to get back to."

"You actually wanna go to class?" Maria asked, obviously shocked at the prospect of someone actually wanting to get an education.

I could only shrug. Did I really want to go back to a class full of bullies who used physical violence because I'm not as massive as they are? Yeah, right. But at the moment, anything was better than sitting here in a conversation that was only going to hurt me. I glanced at Mikey slowly then back to Maria.

"About as much as I wanna be thrown off Mount Everest," I finally answered in a soft laugh.
She smiled up at me. "Then sit down again. We'll go to the gym when lunch is over."
I heard Mikey quietly curse beside me and flicked my gaze to him only to have the same realization: We'd missed the lunch line. On any other day, no big deal, but we weren't sure if there was anything at home, and Mikey couldn't miss meals. I nudged him lightly and sat again, nodding as if to tell him we'd figure something out for him. I wouldn't let him miss anymore meals. Ever again, I promise myself. Maybe it was time I stopped making promises.

When I looked up again, Clarissa was sliding a lunchbox across the tabletop to us. I could only look over in shock. Strangers don't normally break bread with other strangers with whom they've almost nothing in common. It was sweet of her, yeah, but why was she?

Maria watched Clarissa then shrugged. "I don't eat here at school."

Clarissa shrugged her jacket up to her shoulder and looked at Mikey. "I don't eat in public," she explained. Mikey's eyes locked with hers. I shuddered. That was a phrase I'd heard too many times. It was unsettling to hear again. It made my stomach churn.

"I'll share it with you," Mikey offered quietly and a wave of relief overtook me. I was more concerned about him eating than I was her, but I guess that's not really fair.

She pursed her lips and looked away as I did the same, leaving then to their own private world while I was left to talk to Maria.

"So what grade are you in?"

She looked at me like I was stupid for a brief space of time before answering, "I'm a senior. Barely."

"Close only counts in Horse Shoes and Hand Grenades," I muttered to which she responded with a bright smile that made me smile.

Notes

AND BAM IT IS UP! Thank you all so incredibly much for being so patient! I can't tell you how much it means to me. As always, constructive criticism is welcome. Be blessed!