All for the Plot

f o r t y t h r e e

I have a confession.

I listened to Cirus's song throughout my entire first period.

And second.

By the time lunch came around, the song had been played more than fifteen times. I don't know if the replay value is extraordinary, or if I'm addicted.

Gia, Kate, and I were joined at our table by Natehan (sat by Kate), Cirus (sat my me), and Erica (sat my Gia).

It felt like the entire time, Kate and I were giving google eyes to Erica. Who was she? Why is she? When did she? How did she? Where did she? We had so many questions, neither of which Gia answered. She never dove into her romantic relationships. There were just pop-ups and pop-outs.

Kate and Natehan were debating the latest Marvel movie, while Gia and Erica were giggling over some meme on Gia's phone. Cirus and I exchanged a quiet smile, still feeling the weight of our earlier stare-down.

"Why are you two so quiet? You're being weird." Natehan remarks.

Kate elbows him, "Stop it. Don't listen to him, you guys are cute."

"Sorry, but they're not talking!"

"They don't have to! I'd wish you'd be quiet sometimes."

"One day together or one millennia together?" Cirus asks me under his breath.

I giggle. They did argue like a married couple.

Just then, someone entered the cafe and the whole student body fell into a hush.

No, It was not the posse of boys, neither was it Principal Erros.

It was Vanessa.

Her hot eyes darted around the room, searching for something. Or somebody.

When she found her target, she didn't let her eyesight go. If eyes were hands, they'd be strangled right now.

And that they, was me.

We stared intensely at each other, both at an even.

Cirus's foot came in contact with mine. I looked over to him to see him shaking his head. He didn't want me interacting with her in this way. Cirus has always been the un-confrontational guy.

Ugh, fine. I blew Vanessa a kiss, then returned to my conversation at the table. Us, the only ones talking.

I could've gave Vanessa the war she wanted. My fire sign energy is relentless in that way.

As the lunch bell rang, we all gathered our things and headed out of the cafeteria. Cirus fell into step beside me, his shoulder brushing mine. I started to walk slower, so he wouldn't have to walk as fast in order to keep up.

"Hey looking forward to tonight?" He asked, his voice low and smooth.

I nodded, feeling a flutter in my chest. "Yeah, I am."

We walked in comfortable silence for a moment, the only sound being the chatter of students around us.

"Vittoria?" Cirus said, his voice a little softer now.

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what's up?"

"Do you... believe in fate?" He asked, his eyes locked on mine.

I hesitated, taken aback by the question. "I... I don't know. I guess I never really thought about it."

Cirus nodded thoughtfully. "I think I do. I think some things are just meant to be."

Our eyes held for a moment, the air between us charged with a sense of possibility.

"I'll see you tonight," Cirus said finally, smiling.

"Tonight," I echoed, my heart racing with anticipation.

...

In sixth period, we were still tasked with continuing our novels. Mine was coming along nicely, and slowly. I still had a ways to go before the ultimate plot twist and I didn't want to rush anything. I just felt proud to be here, to be fully engulfed in a body of work.