Black Roses | j.b

chapter two

It's time for lunch, and honestly I'm so hungry it feels like I'm gonna throw my guts up. Beverly and Claire's lockers are closer to the dining room than mine. As I reach my locker I hurry up because right now my stomach is having a full on consent and I do not approve. I throw my books in the locker and slam the door closed. As I turn around someone's blocking the way and when I see who it is I blink a few times to make sure my eyes aren't lying.

"Hey Quinn." Jonathan says with a smile and his hands in his pockets. I open my mouth and don't really know what to say.

"Hey." I say, but it sound more like a question. This is basically the first time I speak to him, at least alone.

"I just-" he says but gets interrupt by the concert inside of me. His eyes travel down my shirt and stops at my stomach

"Was that...?" He says, pointing a finger at me with a frown between his eyebrows.

"Mhm." I answer while nodding. This is embarrassing. "I'm really hungry."

"Oh." He says and scratches his head. "We should probably..."

"Yeah." I say and we start walking to lunch. This is weird, and kinda awkward.

"I just wanted to say happy birthday." He says and I look up at him. He's tall and I kinda feel like a dwarf beside him.

"Who told you it's my birthday?" I ask and he shrugs then smiles at me.

"I must've overheard someone talking about it." He answers and I nod.

"Well, thank you. I was kinda surprised when you came up to me." I say and Jonathan lets out a laugh. A dimple is formed in his cheek as he smiles and I can't help but think it's cute.

"You must think I'm crazy." He says and I shake my head quickly.

"No, I didn't say that! It's just that you've never spoken to me before so I got surprised, not scared." I say with a laugh and Jonathan joins in.

"Well I thought it was about time I speak to you. I mean, we've been in the same class for one year and a half and besides, you seem like a nice girl." He says and I must admit I'm kinda shocked.

"Uhm, well- I wouldn't say we've been in the same class for that long since you're away a lot." I respond and Jonathan nods in agreement.

"True. It's hard to have a career and study at the same time, you know. But I do my best." He says with a laugh and I smile at him.

"Isn't it stressful? I would never make it a week in your shoes." I say and he smiles at me.

"Well I guess it is, but I'm used to it." Jonathan explains and I nod. It's not like I'm thinking of him everyday and how he keeps everything together without break downs. But now when we talk about it, I can't help but put myself in his position and try to see everything from his perspective. He's an amazing actor, yes I've seen some of his movies and I'm really impressed, and if he would go to waste it would be such a shame.

"So." I say as we take lunch. "What are your plans for after graduation?"

"I want to focus on my acting, maybe move to LA or New York." He answers. "You?"

"Oh, I don't know. I want to move from this shithole however." I say and Jonathan laughs.

"Yeah, who doesn't?"

"Right?" I agree and we both laugh.

"I should go to my friends, they're probably waiting for me." I smile at Jonathan and he nods.

"Yeah, see ya in class." He smiles and I nod.

"See ya."

~

As I walk toward Claire and Beverly they both look at me, and I know before they even open their mouths that this will be a long lunch break.

"Well well well. What do we have here?" Claire says as I sit down beside her. "I think Quinn here is getting a little something for dessert."

She turns to Beverly who smiles with her mouth full of food.

"Whatever. You guys are just sooo jealous 'cause Jonathan choose me instead of you." I say sarcastically, making a gesture with my hand over my head.

"Baby girl, in your dreams." Beverly says and shoves another piece of food in her mouth.

"Seriously, tell us! What did he say?" Claire demands to know and I shrug my shoulders.

"He congratulated me, and we talk a little about his acting. That's all." I answer and they both look at me with doubt in their eyes.

"And my name is Beyoncé." Beverly jokes. "You sure he didn't ask you out?"

"I think I would have remembered that." I say and start eating.

"Just wait for it. You two will be the cutest couple on this school, trust me. I know." Claire says confidentially.

"Whatever." I just say, hoping this conversation is over. But the thought of me and Jonathan together keeps floating in my head like a boat in the ocean.