What It's Like To Be Liked

2. Lunch With 'Bad Boy'

Chapter Two- Lunch With 'Bad Boy'

Lunch time, finally. God, I'm starving. Tyler told me that he sits at the table near the drinks counter. So after History, the Cafeteria is where I went. Since the bell rang five minutes ago, the place was already filled with students. I scanned the vast space, looking for the drinks counter.

The magazines were right. There was the 'Popular' table which consisted of Ariana and Co., the nerd table, the jocks, the hippie table and the other tables were just a mix of regular kids.


"Lee Lee!" I heard someone call. I recognized the voice coming from the library not too far away from the cafe. There was only one person who called me that. Teddy. I smiled and waved at him as he walked up to me.


"Hey, Lee Lee," He grinned. "Ready to eat the worst food ever cooked?"


"Oh? So my Mom's got competition?" I joked. Actually, Mom was one of the best cooks I knew. But that didn't mean I couldn't make a couple of lame jokes.

We served ourselves, paid for our meal and sat down at the table Tyler usually sat at. I took a bite of my bacon sandwich. I got to agree with him, the food was crap.


"I think I'm gonna skip lunch." I wrinkled up my nose and chucked the rest of my food into a nearby trashcan. I would never waste bacon. Hell, I would never waste any food. But the cook magically made it taste like paper mixed with fat. Total bleh.


"So, how was your first day here?" Tyler broke the silence.


"If you call detention and being confronted good, I really had a blast." Note the sarcasm.


"That bad?" He raised his eyebrows. "Well, do you wanna go to Subway? It's just opposite the school. It'll make up for your bad day. I'm starving and I don't think I can eat this." He glanced at his meal and made a face. Well, I was hungry too..


"Best. Idea. Ever." I agreed immediately. "But are you sure we won't get caught or anything?" I didn't want to get into more trouble. Detention was bad enough.


"At my previous school, I was considered the 'Bad Boy'." He winked at me and walked towards the entrance of the school.

I knew he was kidding about the 'Bad Boy' thing, but I decided to follow him anyway. Fake bad boys don't get caught, right?



* * *

My theory proved to be correct; nobody caught us.

The Subway joint was packed with teenagers with ages ranging from twelve to eighteen. Practically everyone who was anyone came here. No teacher seemed to be in sight with the exception of Mr. Summers, who was, I heard, the coolest teacher at school and, I quote, 'didn't give a shit'.


"So you're new here too? I mean, you said that at your previous school you were a 'bad boy' so.." I said halfway through my Sub.

Tyler had almost finished. I still didn't understand how he fit all that food into his tiny tummy which I'd bet had abs. I could almost see them through his polo shirt. He had taken a foot-long Sub, while I chose a six inches one.


"Well, not exactly. We moved here two years ago. I used to live in New York. My parents wanted to move to a quieter neighbourhood, so, here I am." He explained taking another mouthful. "What about you?"


"Well, my dad changed the love of his life." I said making air bunnies at 'love of his life'. "Mom filed for a divorce. She decided to move back to her hometown and took me with her." I shrugged.

I know I shouldn't have said that about my dad because 1. I should respect my elders and speak about them with respect blah blah blah. 2. I barely know Tyler. But I needed to let that out.


"Oh." He managed after he swallowed.


We spent the next five minutes in silence. Talk about awkward.


"So what's your life like?" I asked awkwardly, taping my nails on the wooden table.


"The usual, you know? Busy parents who don't have time for you, not many friends and good grades. I'm the guy people would describe as 'Rich Kid Who'll Become Someone Great.'" He rolled his eyes at the stereotype and shrugged.


"Hey, at least you have a dad who sticks to his wife." I said, pointing my index finger at him for greater emphasis.


"Ha. Yeah, right. He's never home, neither is mom. The only family I have is my dog, Blanket, and Nanny Mayrose."He sighed, playing with a tissue.


"Blanket?" I said with a smile. I refrained myself from going 'Awww'. That's the cutest name I had ever heard of.


"Don't judge," He raised his hands in defense. "I was five when I got him. He used to cuddle next to me, like- well, a blanket. So, hence the name."


I burst out laughing. He looked at me flatly and I noticed that his cheeks had turned light pink.


"Okay, okay. I'll shut up. Dont get mad, Teddykins," I pouted.


"Whatever." Tyler pretended to be mad, but failed. The boy was so adorable I couldn't not stare at him. "You done with that?" He pointed a finger to the little piece of bread in my plate.


"Yeah, I guess," I shrugged. To be honest, I wasn't that hungry anymore. I did feel bad though, I mean, somebody worked hard to make that and I was just wasting it and.. Ugh.