This is definitely not Starbrooke. Inside of the cafeteria, it’s busy, though busy is an understatement. It’s packed wall to wall with students, and there are several food lines and options. It’s a nice change from the awful food we had at my old school, at least. The smell alone enough to make me feel a bit optimistic.
“How was your day so far?” Her voice is sympathetic while she waits for my facial expression. I grimace and she bursts out laughing. Her laugh is contagious, one of those laughs that just makes you happy to hear it. “That bad? Ouch.”
I shoot her a playful smile and shrug as we pile our trays up with food. I’m thankful it isn’t all healthy food; after this day, I’m in serious need of carbs. Looking over the options, I eventually choose a grilled cheese sandwich and fries. I even grab a bowl of fresh fruit so I can convince myself I make good choices occasionally.
“I usually sit with my friends, is it okay if we join them?” she asks before we try to find a seat. I nod and she leads me to a table near the middle. Thanks to her description yesterday, I’m not that surprised when we walk up to a table full of guys. My eyes go wide as I take them in, every single one attractive.
“Hey guys, this is Charlie. Charlie this is Adam, Cole, Alice, and Trent.” I give a shy wave before sitting between Abby and Cole.
Her friend Adam is tall and muscular, clearly the athletic type. He has dark brown hair and warm brown eyes with flecks of honey. His smile is friendly as he nods at me and takes a huge bite from his sandwich. I recognize him as the guy who helped me with my locker. He grins around his sandwich as my cheeks turn red and I quickly look away.
Alice seems really shy. She has her red hair braided to the side. Her big green eyes are hidden behind black rimmed glasses. She puts down the book she’s reading to give me a tentative smile and wave.
Trent appears to be laid-back and cheerful. He’s leaned back in his chair and his lips are tipped up in a lazy smile, perfect white teeth flashing at me. His style is casual, sporting jeans and a bright orange shirt. He has flawless, dark skin and long lashes. He could be a model with those features. The guy is captivating, our eyes locking for a moment as we study each other.
Cole is the last of the group. He has the whole dark and brooding look going on, shaggy black hair falling slightly in his face. He’d have been one of the guys picked on at my old school for being too emo. The band tee he’s wearing immediately grabs my attention. It’s actually one of my favorite punk bands, and I can’t help but appreciate his taste in music. Something about him intrigues me. I assume he plays music because he has one of those chunky leather bracelets guys wear, with a guitar pick holder woven in. If I didn’t think he was attractive before, that just added to it.
When he looks up at me, I’m struck by his amazing bright blue eyes. He’s gorgeous with his long lashes framing his striking eyes and his chiseled features. I feel heat creep into my cheeks, which he clearly notices because he gives me an amused half grin. I quickly look away and focus on my food instead.
“How is your first day going?” Trent asks, flashing his smile at me. I give a shrug and look back down at my food. I try to keep my face from falling while I brace myself for their reaction. Here’s the point where everyone starts to judge me. I really don’t care what most people think, but I suddenly hate the idea of Abby and her friends not liking me.
What the hell is wrong with me?
“She doesn’t talk, guys,” Abby states in a firm voice before giving them each a serious look. I appreciate her wanting to stand up for me. It’s something I haven’t had happen before and I relax a bit. Even Lizzy wrote me off as a lost cause bef
ore too long. Though I can’t say she didn’t try at first, I was just too far gone at that point to care.
A loud beep comes from my back, and I dig around for a second and pull out my phone. Thank goodness it didn’t go off in class or I’m sure I would have been in trouble. It’s a text from Sophia, which is what I suspected. Only her and Danielle have my number.
Sophia: Good first day?
Me: It’s alright. Could be worse. Only a few awkward moments so far.
Sophia: Hang in there, it will get better! I just have a good feeling about this. We can get ice cream after school to make it better.
Leave it to Sophia. She’s a forever optimist and the offer of ice cream actually helps. When I finally look back up, Everyone is giving me confused looks. I didn’t think having a phone was weird so I glance down to make sure I didn’t make a mess with my ketchup or something. What the heck?
“You can hear?” Abby asks quietly, the first of them to finally say something. I nod slowly, still not sure what she’s talking about. I didn’t use sign language in front of her. “Whoops, I told the others you were deaf. I’m sorry,” she says sheepishly. I give her a shrug and a smile. I don’t care what she told them. Hell… maybe it will spread around the school and make my life easier.
“Why don’t you talk then?” Alice asks bluntly. I meet her gaze with wide eyes. Knowing this isn’t the time or place, I just shake my head and look away. A shiver of fear rolls though me and I have to fight to keep the panic attack away.
“You don’t ask people questions like that, Alice!” Adam says in an exasperated tone. Her face immediately flames to a dark red, and she mumbles a quick apology. Abby reaches over and squeezes my hand when she notices I’m not eating. She doesn’t let go, instead shifting her fingers so they are intertwined with mine. When I look up, her smile is different, and I can clearly see she’s interested.
“It’s okay, Charlie. Our group of misfits doesn’t care if you’re different,” Cole speaks up, giving me a wink and a reassuring smile.
“What’s your afternoon look like?” Trent asks, and I reach into my bag with my free hand and pass over my schedule. “Anyone have biology, gym, or the arts coming up?”
“I have biology with Walters next,” Alice announces without looking up from her book.
“I have biology with Green. Who does she have?” Adam calls down to Trent.
“She has Green. I have gym with you, we’re playing basketball this week. You any good?” Trent looks up at me expectantly, and I nod. I’m actually pretty good at volleyball and basketball, at least. “Sweet,” he says with a big grin, dimples flashing. “You can join my team then!”
“I have the arts for last period,” Cole adds as he looks at me. I offer him a small, shy smile. It’s not my usual smile. I generally appear pretty confident in my numb state, mostly because being emotionless leaves little room for letting others get to you. For some reason this group is shaking my barriers and I don’t even know them well. Part of me is screaming to stop, knowing they’d never truly want me.
“Phone?” Adam reaches his hand toward me, his question more a demand than inquiry. I give him an odd look, not sure why he wants my phone. Whatever, I doubt he’s going to run away with it. When I hand it over, he taps his fingers across the screen for a few moments, before handing it back with a smile. “Now you have our numbers and a group chat. Let me know if anyone messes with you. We protect our own,” he says and levels me with a challenging look. I nod and pull out my notebook writing out a quick thanks to show him. It’s so odd to have them looking out for me, but he’s clearly pleased I agreed and gives me a big grin.
They continue the conversation around me, and I’m happy to listen and eat my food. I actually feel fairly comfortable with them. Though I hardly think they qualify as misfits, I’m assuming they just grew up together since they’re a mix of nerdy, outgoing, sporty, and punk.