. Lunch Tradition


You hate the schedules. You don't mind school that much - social interaction is fine, you've got a few other friends, so it's not too bad that Olette and Pence aren't in your class. Last year's schedule was fine - the three of you could at least eat lunch together. But this year, lunches are eaten in the classroom, as builders and construction workers rush about, turning the lunch room into another gym. Why the school needs two, you can't even begin to understand.

So you chat with some of the boys in your class, but they're a bit too rough for your tastes. Sure, maybe you're pretty rough, but you've never gotten on well with people like you. For example, Seifer - thank God that he's a grade above you. You will never have to survive a class with him. So you pretend to listen, and argue with them - they pick on you, in a friendly-way, for being so hot-headed and noisy.

Across the room, Fuu watches you like she thinks you're the most disgusting creature she has ever laid eyes upon. Or eye, though lately she's been wearing hair clips and keeping it out of the way. This surprises you each time, and it seems to do nothing but frustrate her, as you have noticed that she takes out the hair clips within half an hour of class starting.

It's annoying. Eventually, you can't stand it anymore - when lunch starts you slam your lunchbox onto her desk, and turn a chair from the desk in front to face her.

"We're eating lunch together," you inform her. For once, she doesn't look so harsh - just confused, and asks;

"Why?"

You're not sure why, honestly. Perhaps so that she'll like you - just a little bit, as a friend. So she'll understand that you're not so annoying that she needs to be so disturbed by your mere existence. So you don't respond, and instead sigh, as though the answer is obvious and she's stupid. That doesn't help your case very much, and she reverts back to glaring at you harshly.

She's always been pretty violent, but she only kicks your ankle once, and after that ignores you. And all your questions. So you keep talking, trying to get her to pay attention - because she really is listening, you know she is.

"So why do you keep clipping your hair back if you're just going to put it back down? Olette does that too, but with pigtails. Girls are pretty weird, I guess. Though, I suppose it's not just girls. Everyone's weird - some people are just especially strange. Like Seifer - how can you even stand to hang out with him?"

Aside from the red mark on your cheek, and the vague sting, you can't tell she's slapped you. She's fast, and has already returned to her lunch, going as far as pulling a book out of her bag. You beat down the urge to punch her back, and instead lean down to see the cover.

"What'cha reading?" You ask. She ignores you. "Is it a good book?" You ask. She glances up, looking as though she'd very much enjoy killing you. "What's it about?" You ask. She pushes it against the desk to further hide the cover. "Do you like reading?" You ask. She slaps you again.

All things considered, you're not sure why you've started eating lunch with her every day.


Pastel Ink