Splinters: Part One

Part One | 7

Collie sat back. "I was just explaining to him about the American Revolution."

Mrs. Beck huffed and turned back to talking. I looked down at the notebook and wrote.

Are you going?

Collie looked at me and smiled, nodding. I smiled back, feeling relief rush through me. I was glad she wasn't mad at me anymore. Collie and I passed notes the entire class and even after it ended, we continued to talk.

"So, do you want to sit with us at lunch?"

"Well, I... I usually sit with Ursanne."

Collie frowned the slightest bit. 

"But," I began. "she sits with her best friend, Bella, anyway, so..."

Collie beamed. "Great!"

Arriving at the cafeteria, I bought my lunch, letting Collie go in front of me, and then we headed towards the usual table she sits at. The table, Ursanne would say.

When I took a seat next to Collie, a bit hidden from Ursanne, I felt a little uncomfortable. The people sitting around us gave me weird looks like they had the first time I sat here.

"What's he doing here?" a dark haired boy asked Collie, pointing to me.

I pressed my lips together.

"Please, Cam, go on. It's okay to talk in front of him as if he can't hear you," Collie sarcastically bit back.

"Seriously, Collie," I recognized Tay say.

"Brayden can sit with us."

"Says who?"

"Says me."

I turned to Collie and whispered, "Maybe I should go, Collie-"

"No," a new voice said. "Let him sit."

I jerked my head towards the boy who had tripped me the first time I set my eyes on Collie in US government. He was the same boy who wouldn't acknowledge me when he was angry she hadn't text him back. This was Zech. 

I watched him as he walked to the other side of the table and took a seat directly in front of us. "Why not?" He continued. "He can be part of the group. After all, he is invited to my party." Zech glanced at Andrew who was sitting not far away from me.

Andrew ducked his head and continued eating. I didn't even know he was there. 

"It's okay?" I asked nervously.

"Sure," Zech smiled, a little creepily might I add.

"Um... Thanks." I finally let out.

"Yeah..." Collie said slowly. "Thanks."

Zech smiled wider and then reverted his attention to his food. Tay sighed heavily and rolled her eyes, earning the same gesture from Collie. She noticed me staring at her and quickly perked up.

"So, is-"

"So, Collie, you're going to my party tomorrow night, right?" Zech interrupted.

I restrained myself from turning around and calling him out. He literally interrupted Collie from saying whatever she was going to say to me, and for some reason, that irritated me. It wasn't like they both began talking at the same time. Zech deliberately interrupted her. Collie frowned and turned to him.

"I already told you I was."

"Why the sudden change though? I mean, just a few days ago you were saying that you didn't want to go and that you had other plans. In fact, I thought Friday nights were 'off-limits.'"