❝She was either wildly naive or dangerously intelligent❞

When we walked into the cafeteria, I really didn't want to notice how abruptly everyone had stopped just for a breath, without even realizing it themselves.

Or that, it was because of Ethan's firm grip around my body, plugging me close to his side as if he thought, I'd flee away or something.

However, as we reached close and closer to the table, where our friends were, it became more and more clear, the sudden change in the atmosphere. Those shocked and some knowing faces, casted towards us.

Theo was the first one to break into a full bloomed grin, looking at us "Is it still the night? Am I dreaming?"

"Do you want me to punch you, to make sure?" Beside me, Ethan mused, lazily striding towards our seat.

"Nah, the shock itself was enough to wake me up. So, it's true then, I am actually seeing you two little too close for someone who can't stand each other"

Pulling out the chair, I directed an annoyed look at him, which he so effortlessly ignored, when Finn commented in with a smirk

"I know right, this day should be recorded or something. In the book of most unexpected days in history"

Blowing out a breath, I sat down and raised an eyebrow, when Maria turned to me with a cunning look and asked "So, are you normal again?"

"What do you mean?"

She shrugged and muttered, "You were acting a little weird lately" later shoving greeneries in her mouth.

"Or maybe, it was just your weird thinking?" I rolled my eyes, retorting and hoped, no one would say anything further.

But, obviously it didn't stop Kate from gushing "I seriously am not over it, so does it mean you are toge--"

When beside me, Ethan chuckled putting an arm behind my chair, making Kate a very happy person, I couldn't help but exasperate "Can you guys just stop? Go back to the topic you were on, before us"

Hearing my words, Nate raised his sprite can in my direction, saying "Thank you for speaking. I wanted my attention bac-"

"Oh shut it, no one wants to hear your bratty ass anymore. Look at them, they look so adorable. My ship has sailed!" Sharon cut him off, practically shaking with glee and peered at us in awe. I swear, I could almost see those hearts in her eyes.

Letting out a tired sigh, I slumped down in my seat, praying to god to open up the ground and swallow me. I wanted to go back to being normal, hiding in the shadows, they were giving me or well us a bit too much attention.

"You know what else looks adorable? You shutting up." Nate growled at his cousin.

Sharon didn't even seem fazed and snorted snidely, "My fist colliding with your face would look adorable too."

Ignoring their feud, I looked at Maria and felt my jaw drop, watching her eating her lunch, which was nothing but veggies, freshly cut green veggies.

"What happened to you?" I asked her, baffled, looking at the plastic container then back at her.

She gave me a confused look, pretending to be innocent as I asked her again "What the hell are you eating?"

"I wanted to try something different" She mumbled half heartedly, picking up the broccoli with her frock and shoving it in her mouth.

Not buying whatever she was trying to sell, I gave her a pointed look, letting her know that I expected an honest answer.

We both knew that more than anyone on the table, she hated veggies, especially lettuce, which she was so much enjoying. Or pretending to enjoy.

"Okay, sorry for that obvious lie. It's just I am trying to lose some weight, ya know? Lately I am not feeling much... what's the perfect word?" She admitted quietly.

And she told me, I was acting weird

"I called it! You've been making such shitty faces while eating, it's so obvious." Sharon, presented her deduction.

"You don't have to lose weight, whatever shit your mind is cooking up, forget it. You are perfect just the way you are, however if you keep this up, you might starve yourself to death" I told her, clearly disappointed by her move.

"She's right sweetie, you don't need this stuff. Let me have it. Lack of booze is definitely messing up your head." Kate giggled, before hovering over the table to grab the container.

Then, she pushed it towards Theodore, encouraging "Babe, go ahead. Eat it"

"What the fuck? Why would I do that?" Confused and looking precisely bothered, he yelled in discomfort. Clearly, he was happy with his food.

"So, you will be okay with Maria eating this?"

Muttering under his breath, "Oh God, girls are so unfair." he took it from her.

His expression was laughable as he closed his eyes and took a lot of salad in one go, filling his mouth as humanly as possible

"Damn it tastes like raw grass" He commented with his mouth still full.

It was as if Kate had asked him to swallow glass pieces, when he gulped down. Watching everyone laugh and making fun, he moved the salad in front of others, at the center.

"You know what? You guys too should suffer this" He scoffed.

Rolling his eyes, Alex took the fork and tasted the salad. After munching a bit, his reaction was somewhat like

"Geez, someone eats this everyday?"

"I bet, dog food tastes better than this." Finn stated, after taking another bite.

"Indirectly, you mean that you've tried dog food before?" Nate chimed.

Just like that the plastic transparent container was passed around, everyone taking a bite or two of the salad, leaving their regretful remarks and experience.

A humming laugh escaped my mouth, when Ethan too took a bite, cautiously munching and then gave me a thumbs up.

"I can't believe you guys ate my lunch." Maria grunted, her fingers running through her hair, tugging it.

"Just like, I can't believe you were eating salad for lunch." I let out a snort.

"Damn right, you must've hit your head very hard" Sharon mumbled, in agreement.

Rolling her eyes, she ignored our words and grumbled "So, the only thing I am having today for lunch is nothing? That's even worse."

"Don't be a drama queen, we'll get something very delicious and your favorite. We have some free time left, even after this."

"I really want to make a dirty joke about that" Nate grinned, from across the table.

Hearing his words, Sharon flipped her hair, speaking "Shut up, Nathan! No one wants to hear your lame jokes."

"What the hell is wrong with you, woman? Stop speaking on everyone's behalf, not everybody is like you."

And the lunch went on, except occasional bickering and arguments involving very violent threats and jokes, we all sat in silence devouring our lunch. Nate had especially ordered Taco for Maria, giving her a life lesson on health and happiness.

Wiping the corner of my mouth with tissue, I crumbled it, throwing it on the table, when the loud noise of bell ringing echoed in the cafeteria. Students hanging out there, didn't even bother to cover the obvious groan leaving their mouth.

"Darn, I am nowhere near finished, can't I just stay here for a while?" Finn whined, wiping his hands.

Everyone except us girls, got up, fixing themselves as if they were not eating lunch like a long time starved wild animal.

"Up to you, although the coach wouldn't like it too much. He can be quite...." Alex trailed away, not wanting to share more and gave Sharon a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Scary, intimidating, soul sucking leech?" Finn visibly shuddered, before standing up unwillingly and discarding the empty water bottle.

I looked away, when Theo and Kate shared a brief kiss, a little to brief of my liking and looked at the person I should be focusing on in the first place.

Ethan caught my eye and instantly, my heart jumped up forgetting everything around and I found myself admiring his features and flexing muscles visible through his white T as he got up from the chair, towering over.

"Aren't you coming?" He suddenly turned to ask, catching me off guard and completely embarrassed.

The little dirty smirk formed on his lips, told me he already knew, I was staring at him. Without meeting his blazing irises, I replied in a low voice

"Not really, I am free, well at least for now"

For a flickering second, I swear I saw the disappointment crossing his eyes as he nodded soundlessly and went to grab his bag.

Just as I thought he was about to leave, he bent down, placing his palm on the table and searched my eyes. The temperature rose up, my skin felt scorching and suddenly the thought of everybody present there didn't seem so inconvenient.

I just wanted to grab the fistful of his T and pull him close, killing every single inch of space between us, which wasn't much.

As if reading my mind, he leaned in and enveloped my lips in his warm ones. It was a small kiss, just an intimate caress of his lips on mine, soothingly, but it was enough to leave me breathless.

Not paying attention to our friend's hollering or shameless whistling, he pulled away and smiled. That goddamn smile.

"Have fun, but not too much and miss me. You know I am going to" He murmured, standing back up straight and left with everybody.

-Not before craning his neck to give me a parting wink.

Chuckling, I turned back to my girls and saw a very excited Kate, completely lost Sharon and a very curious Maria sporting a smirk.

"Hmm what did he say?" She asked slyly, resting her elbow on the table, fully interested in my life.

"Nothing, just how annoying you guys are and that he's looking forward to runaway with me"

Kate let out a huff, before muttering "Yeah, sure. At least, you guys are not at each other's throat anymore"

"Oh trust me, they are definitely at each other's throat.." Maria slammed her hand on the table in enthusiasm, before wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

"Biting, licking... some hickeys" Kate joined her too in a sing-song voice, making me throw malicious glares at their direction.

Sharon raised her eyebrows at me, before giggling "Are you blushing?"

"Woah, you are! I can't believe it. What changed?"

"Shut up!"

What a mess, le sigh.

Just as I got back from school after my exam, I sat down to write this, because simply I wanted to continue, so yeah.. here ya go.

Hope it isn't too bad.

This chapter is dedicated to CrystalRiddy for her kind and supportive words, which made my day. Thank you darling, truly. You are a blessing.

Take care everyone, be safe. Smiling is definitely one of the best beauty remedies :)

Love, Zee...