Chapter 39 - XXXVIII (1/2)
”Okay, that was definitely hot,” Vivi says dramatically, even going as far as to dramatically fanning herself with her hand.
Brie laughs amidst the continuous pain that she was feeling from her headache. ”Ah, don't make me laugh!”
”I was just relaying the events from earlier,” Laia attempts to defend herself but to no avail, as the three girls opposite her were still laughing. ”It's not my fault you think it's funny--”
Shane interjects with a hearty chuckle. ”It really is. I can even imagine what Andrei looks like and it only makes me laugh even more!”
Vivi elbows her. ”Shush, he's coming back,”
True to what Vivi said, Andrei did indeed enter their room right after she warned Shane who immediately shuts her mouth.
The boy still had an angry expression on his face despite the time that had passed since his encounter with the asshat.
It didn't help that the asshat just had to pass him with the goal of probably making his way to the cafeteria, seeing that it was already recess and Laia was supposed to ask Brie to come with her earlier if only she wasn't distracted by Shane and Vivi.
Not that the two weren't a welcomed distraction, Laia honestly needed some sort of entertainment after what happened earlier that both (entertained) agonized and stressed her out.
”Vi, are you coming?” Jake calls out from the door, his hand holding the asshat's uniform collar, therefore making the other boy unable to continue walking.
Vivi turns to the three girls she was with. ”Are you going to the cafeteria, too?”
Shane nods. ”Yeah, I gonna buy some pizza. I overheard earlier that they were having vegetarian today,”
”Ew,” Vivi groans. ”Who the hell likes vegetables on their pizza?”
”Me,” Shane deadpans.
”I am definitely judging you right now,”
”Do they have pepperoni, though? If they do we should opt for the one with the cheese filling inside the crust!” Brie suggests, already standing up from her chair.
Laia was quick to assist her friend whose legs wobbled. ”Are you sure you should be walking around? How about we go to the clinic and get you checked first?”
Brie shakes her head. ”Nah, I'm getting better. Nothing pizza couldn't fix!”
The short-haired girl sighs but doesn't insist. She knew that her friend's head was probably still hurting but her desire to come along with Vivi and Shane to be with Jake in the process was obviously her priority.
”You sure?” Shane asks, obviously worried as well. ”We can just get the boys to order us what we want--”
”I'm seriously good,” Brie interjects with a smile. ”Let's go?”
Shane and Vivi exchanged concerned glances but said nothing else. It's not like they could insist further, either, especially with how even an intervention from Laia still didn't work.
The four girls made their way to where Jake and the asshat were. Jake immediately places his hand on Vivi's shoulder and pulls her closer to him, making Laia raise an eyebrow at Shane who shared the same expression.
”What are you gonna buy?” Jake asks.
Vivi hits Jake's hand that he placed on her shoulder, making the boy winces and opt to remove it completely. ”Ramen?”
”For recess? Won't you get full for lunch?” The asshat turns to her with a perplexed look.
”I skipped breakfast earlier,”
Brie looped her arm around Vivi's. ”Why?”
”I was about to be late, hehe.”
The six laughed. Laia watched how Brie would try to catch Jake's eyes but it was evident that the boy was adamant about avoiding her eyes.
Their situation didn't go unnoticed by Vivi as well, who tried to slow down and give way for Jake and Brie to walk at the same pace but Jake would always catch her doing it and would place his hand on her waist, effectively making her steady her pace.
”What's with the awkwardness?” Shane whispers, evidently uneasy.
Laia sighs. ”I honestly don't know at this point.”
They were able to reach the cafeteria after a few turns and a trip to the stairway. Laia could barely keep it together with how bad the tension was between Brie and Jake when they were at the cafeteria's entrance.
It doesn't help how she was already tired from that single trip.
She should definitely start jogging again or even exercising for at least fifteen minutes like before.
Or at least do some curl-ups. Maybe at least ten? Fifteen?
”... Lopez? Hey!”
Laia turns to the asshat who was currently looking at her like she suddenly had a huge zit on her face. ”Are you done daydreaming in the middle of the cafeteria?”
”Technically, we're in the entrance--”
”What do you want?”
Peace. Prosperity. Money.
Lots of money.
A house overlooking the sea?
”I guess a grilled cheese?” was what Laia was able to reply.
Laia fought the urge to facepalm. Of course, she just had to reply with the food she saw being eaten by a random student passing by.
She can only hope that the grilled cheeses being sold in their cafeteria aren't as expensive as those sold in hotels or restaurants.
That would be both pathetic and sad, honestly.
The asshat's nose scrunches as if he ate something bad. ”A grilled cheese? Can't you make one at your home and pack it for recess?”
Laia was about to reply when Jake pushes the asshat towards the line to the cashier, cutting their conversation (argument) off.
”At least Jake knew when to drag Sammy's ass away,” Vivi says. ”By the way, should we just wait for them, or shall we find a table?”
Shane points at a nearby table. ”A table. Standing around makes us look awkward as hell,”