Splinters: Part One

Part One | 32

"Hi."

"Hey."

"Ready to go to lunch?"

I nodded and she started to walk, but I pulled her back. Confused, she raised an eyebrow. "What's the matter?"

"I don't want to sit at the regular table today."

She lifted her strap more securely on her left shoulder and puffed out her bottom lip. "Okay. Where do you want to sit? It's a bit chilly outside to go outside tod-"

"With Grady."

Her eyes widened. "Grady."

"Is that okay?"

I could tell she was hesitant, but she agreed anyway. "Sure. Yeah, let's go."

Collie and I both made our way to the cafeteria where it was infested with students. I looked for Grady and found him in his usual spot, alone. Usually, Ursanne sits with him, but I couldn't find her today.

"C'mon." I pulled Collie with me and the two of us sat across from him.

He rose his eyebrows. "You're sitting with me today?" It wasn't with sarcasm. It was genuine.

I nodded and slung an arm around Collie's shoulder. "Yeah. I'd rather be here than that one."

I nudged my head towards the popular table. Looking that way, I caught sight of Taylah glaring at me as she sat across from Zech. He smirked my way. I rolled my eyes. "See?"

He nodded and looked at my girlfriend. She silently took out her sandwich and began eating. She was slouching which was unusual. I whispered to her. "You okay?"

She turned her head and smiled tightly. "Yep."

After that I began eating. Grady and I started talking about chemistry and the ridiculous amount of homework we were getting every other day. In the middle of our conversation, Collie looked behind her and then began putting her food back into her lunch bag.

"Where you goin'?" I asked, frowning.

She hesitantly searched for an answer. "Well... You and Grady seem to be getting along and I'm only intruding so I'm gonna go talk to Tay."

I knew what she was silently telling me. I held onto her hand and pulled her back when she tried to get up. "Wait, no. We'll talk about whatever you want now."

Grady nodded eagerly. "Yeah. We can-"

"Really," Collie insisted. "It's no big deal. Have fun talking about... Cars."

Grady and I both looked at each other, confused. Collie seemed to think that was her opportunity to leave so she did. Grady frowned. "We were talking about Chemistry."

I looked down at my food and began eating. "She wasn't paying attention."

"She wasn't?"

I shook my head, not bothering to make eye-contact. Sometimes Collie really got on my nerves. I wouldn't say anything though. I hate arguing with her. It's just not fair. I go out of my way to get Taylah to like me and she can't even sit with Grady for an entire lunch period.

"It's because of me, Brayden," he sighed.

"That's stupid, because you've done nothing wrong," I said forcefully.

He shrugged.

"It's pointless, you know? I try and try with her friends." I was quiet for a second. "She doesn't even put in effort with mine."

That wasn't entirely true. She's been trying very hard to get along with Ursanne, but then again, Ursanne isn't my friend. She's my sister.

I heard Grady breathe and I could feel his eyes on me. I knew he was struggling to say something that would make me feel better. Sometimes, things just can't make me feel better.