CHAPTER SONG - Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood

I glanced over at my friend. "Sara, I can't believe your actually going to do it." I picked up the tray of food, and thanked the lunch lady as Sara grabbed her own food.

"What do you mean? Come on think about it, we are in high school. Next year we are going to be in collage and I don't plan on going in there with no experience."

I almost chocked on the apple I just bit it. "Experience? Sweetie." I chuckled. Sara had a theory, one that had nothing to do with science or even logic for that matter. Sara was convinced she needed to loose her cherry in order for the school year to be successful. Not that I was a virgin or anything but why she think's this is beyond me, but Sara is headstrong. Once she decides something, that was the end of that. She was outgoing, the completely opposite of me. The only reason I was every found at any party, or any social gathering for that matter was because of her. Sometime's I wondered why we were friend's, but then I just ended up being thankful for her.

Sara thanked the lady and came up beside me. "I heard collage men are a lot and I plan to be able to keep up with them. You don't?"

I slanted her a look as we walked over to the lunch table. "I plan to study." I muttered. She knew to well I don't plan to keep up with anyone but my professor's syllabus.

"What about fun?"

"Fun?" I repeated, glancing around the cafeteria. Fun would be after I graduated, after I work my butt off and ended up making my passion, my life. Then I'll think about having fun. But, it definitely won't be the kind of fun Sara talks about.

As we walked, I spotted Ash across the cafeteria sitting on top of a lunch table, legs dangling beside Kirsan who was at least sitting in a chair. Both have walked me to class today, both I was starting to get use too, and even maybe liking a little bit.

From across the cafeteria, Ash lifted his hand, waving at me. My cheek's heated up instantly as I tucked my head down, away from his direction. People were already turning their heads, trying to figure out who he was waving at because everyone knew the Ramos boy's don't socialize outside their own group. I for one was not part of their group.

I set my lunch plate on the table, sliding into the chair and tried to get rid of the serious blush I had going. Sweet baby pandas, I do not want people looking at me, I turn into a tomato. Sara dropped down beside me, still going on with the same conversation, "Yes fun. You know the kind that adults have in collage. The parties, the walk of shame and more. I plan to experience of all it. I'll make a list, and I'm going to check mark it off. You should be proud, I'm taking your advise and staying organized."

I slanted her another look, because clearly she was out of her mind. "That is not what I meant." I explained, grabbing my fork to start eating.

The sound of a plate dropping on the table beside me made me jump and clench my hand to my chest. "Oh lord!" I breath, snapping my attention to the noise maker, who happened to be a very annoyed looking Ash.

He swung himself onto the table, crossing his leg's underneath him all well busying himself by twisting a rubric cube. Without looking up at me he asked, "Are you ignoring me?"

I stared at him in horror. "Can you please get down? Your causing a scene." I hissed, mortified by the kind of attention I knew was surrounding him.

"You ignored me back there. I waved."

Of course I ignored him. Half the cafeteria was staring at me. Did he want me to start hyperventilating from all the attention in the middle of the lunch room? Or run out of it? Highly likely that was something I would do. I was basically hyperventilating now as Sara chuckled beside me, grabbing an apple off her plate and leaning back to watch the whole scene. "I saw." I said, words shaking.

Ash nodded, still keeping his attention on the rubric cube he was trying to solve. I gulped down heavily, feeling my body start to heat as I wishing he would just get off and act like a normal student. But if I have learned anything those past few days was Ash was anything but normal. He was dramatic, loud, and kind of funny when he wanted to be.

Pausing for a second, he titled his head up. "You didn't wave back." he stated, looking like he was still trying to figure out why. As if I was the rubric cube now.

"Are you really upset I didn't wave back?"

He shrugged. "Well no, but still, I waved. It's the thought that counts or how ever that bullshit line goes."

My breathing kicked up a notch as I slouched lower in my chair. And Sara spoke up before I had the chance, "Hey cutie, Lina here doesn't like attention if you haven't gathered. And you are a waking attention magnet. When you waved at her, do you know how many people looked?"

Ash glanced over at her, tipping his head in understand that made his raven hair fall to the top of his eyes. He gave her a nod, and opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted. "Fuck Ash, perhaps you don't run off next time. Tell me where your heading before you leave me sitting there. Is this where we are sitting now?" Kirsan asked, coming up and sliding into the seat beside me, and making Ash wave his hand in my direction. "She didn't wave back at me!"

Kirsan tugged at his grey slack's, getting more comfortable beside me. "And you though that perfect solution was to make a dramatic scene? Ash, she has social anxiety, and your on the fucken lunch table. Think about it for a second. What do you think she's feeling?" he asked, eyeing his brother with an analyzing expression.

Ash looked over at me as I shrunk lower in my seat, wanting to hide under the table at this point. Half the cafeteria were watching us, or more so watching Ash because he was now getting more comfortable and resting his elbow's on his knees like this was were he was staying. He started spinning the rubrics cube again, furrowing his brow's in annoyance because he couldn't solve it. His tan shoes, resting right beside my lunch tray.

Kirsan leaned forward, tapping Ash's shoe. "Ash, how do you think she feels?" he repeated, before rolling up the shelves of his white long sleeve. And on the table, Ash lifted his gaze up to me. He regarding me for a second, like I was a Trig question he had no idea how to solve. And then cleared his throat, looking like he wasn't to sure of his answer. "Shitty?"

His light whiskey eyes bounced to Kirsan for conformation, who nodded. "Yes, so what can you do to make her more comfortable?

Before Ash had a chance to reply, he was cut off. "Get the fuck off the table, Ash."

Two seconds, I am two seconds from standing up and running away. It's all I want to do, and I don't mean to but I can feel tears gathering in my eyes from how anxious I was feeling. And then Ash sighed dramatically and swung himself off the table, dropping loudly into the chair. And I lowered myself in my seat more, raising my hands to my face.

"The hell are you doing?" Mateo asked, coming around and grabbing an extra chair before sitting down in it.

Ash tossed the rubrics cube on the table, clearly giving up for now and waved his hand at me. "She ignored me Mateo. You know how much it hurt's me when I'm ignored. It's like an arrow to the heart—" he pointed to his chest, "Right here. It's piercing my heart. Do you see the fat hole?" he dropped his head backward, sticking out his tongue, "I'm dead because of her. You killed me Lina!"

I peered at him though my fingers, even smiling a little. And for a second I forgot the gazes that were being held at the table. Ash could do that, distract you from anything by just being, well, Ash. But Mateo didn't find it as funny as I did and instead slanted him an annoyed look. His jaw jetted out, and the tips of his lips curled in a scowl. He pointed his finger at Ash. "Don't climb on the table again."

Ash dipped his head back, holding Mateo's stare for a second before rolling his eyes and grabbing the brownie off Kirsan's plate. And I watched Mateo pull back, tug off his black jacket and hanging it on the chair, leaving him in a grey teeshirt that was doing him justice. His arms looked magnificent, curved and muscular. And his chest, or boy, his chest was right there, flexing at every movement.

Sara looked in my direction, confusion waving in her expression. I was just as confused, mainly about the whole new seating arrangement of the lunch table. Since when did we get a new group of friends? It's always just been us. Now, at our table were three men that the whole school walked circle's around because they were afraid of them. And that why Sara leaned into my ear and whispered, "Is this the new normal? They walk you to class and now they sit with us?"

Mateo glanced up, regarding her for a moment. "Is that a problem?" he asked, making Sara look over at him, and narrowing her attention at his scowl. She wouldn't back down, no matter how hard he tried to scowl at her. Sara wouldn't back down if a bear stood in front of her, teeth on display and claw's in the air. Instead, she shrugged, playing with the tips of her ponytail. "Nope, just getting my fact's straight here as we clearly are going to have to start making more room if your going to invite all your friends here."

Kirsan chuckled beside me. "This is it for us. Other the Maddox, this is our friend circle."

Sara rolled her eyes because clearly she wasn't being serious about making more room, there was room. She was trying to figure out why in the world they were sitting with us. And I found some courage to pull myself a little higher up in the chair. I felt Mateo watching me, the pressed stare humming on my skin but I knew better then to look.

From the other side of the table, Ash dipped down into his backpack and pulled out a binder. Then with a loud slam, dropped it in front of Kirsan who shot him a narrowed stare. "The fuck is this?" Kirsan questioned.

Ash grinned at him, that pretty boy grin that he had mastered for the core. "Homework I have no clue how to do."

Kirsan shook his head, pushing the binder far away from himself. "And?'

Ash waved his hand at the binder before grabbing and dragging it back. "Your the genius, help me."

Kirsan push the binder back. "No. I'm not helping you because last time you tricked me into the doing the whole worksheet well you slacked off. I'm not helping you if your not going to pay attention. Your wasting my time."

Ash gasped, smacking his palm to his chest, looking generally hurt about the accusation. "I would never deceive you like that brother. I am neither smart enough, or cruel enough to do that to you. I love you, come on!" he begged.

Sara nudged me, amusement in her eyes and whispered, "Are they always like this? Not that this isn't entertaining but I can get use to those two. The other one not so much."

I glanced at Mateo, (the other one.) who was watching his brother with amusement in his face as he ate his sandwich. Ash said something that made him raise his brow, and the corner of his lip slid up just a tiny bit. He had one of his leg's pulled up on the chair, and looked awfully comfortable and really, really hot. The thought alone made me flush. And I forced myself to look away before I got caught gawking over him.

I glanced back to Sara. "What's wrong with the other one?" I whispered back. There was absolutely nothing wrong with him. If anything, there was to many thing's right about him. I didn't want to think about it, but I have found myself dwelling over him. Thinking about him over the day way to many times. Every thought I had, always somehow ended in him. Always came back to him. Even now, sitting in front of me I had to freeze my gaze on the table or I know I would glance at him. I know he has a grump face but still, he wasn't all bad. And he was sure a treat to look at.

Before Sara could respond she was interrupted by Ash. "Why are you whispering? That's kind of fucken rude." he said, leaning over the table and snatching my brownie.

I gasped, shooting forward. "Aye." I called, grabbing it back from his hand just as he was about to bite it and glared at him. "And its rude to take food from people." I explained.

Kirsan sighed glancing up from his phone. "When are you going to learn manners? We all learned them at a young age, it's time you catch up, Ash."

Ash grinned in response and grabbed the rubric cube again, starting to twist it around. Mateo sighed at his brother, and looked around the cafeteria. Then his attention landed on Sara. "I have nothing wrong with me." he said, biting into his apple. I almost missed the words because I was to busy watching him chew. Watching the way he would lick his lips, and his jaw would flex at every bit. Heck, who knew that could be so hot. So captivating, and attention stealing. Lord? You hear me? How many hour's did you spend on this man?

Sara raised her brow at him, not intimated by his scowl. "You don't smile."

Mateo shrugged, slapping Ash's hand as he tried to grab his brownie now. "That makes something wrong with me? Because I don't smile? Lot's of people don't smile. How would you know if I smile, don't tell you have spend your time watching me? I'm not the interesting, I promise." he smirked.

We'll agree to disagree on that because I'm convinced this man is terribly interesting.

Sara leaning forward, placing her elbow's on the table and grinning at Mateo. "Come on man, the whole school watches you, that's no secret." she said rolling her eyes at him.

Mateo regarded her for a moment before shrugging, and ended the conversation just as Maddox came up beside the table, dragging a chair with him. "His smile is top notch. Don't let him fool you otherwise." he chuckled, dropping into the chair he brought over. He grinned at Mateo and for a second, they just look at each other. Having a full blown silent conversation before turning their attention back to us. Kirsan on the other hand, didn't seem to interested as Ash couninted to try to convince him to help with his homework.

Sara sighed and leaned forward to grab a napkin. "Okay Ash, what is it you don't understand?" she asked, making Kirsan chuckled beside me and glance up from his phone. "Don't let him pretend he is listening and just nod along until you basically have done the whole worksheet for him." he explained.

Ash graoaned heavily, slumping in his seat. "I didn't do that! You just kept writing the answers so I let you!" he scowled at him. And Kirsan glared at him in annoyance, twice harder. But Ash stared right back, making me realize that out of the two Ash would win, always. His angry face looked like it could eat you alive and spit you back out. Even thought he was younger, somehow he could be scarier.

Kirsan dropped the glare first, shaking his head. "Just pay attention Ash." he said, his tone tripping into coldness that made me shiver. But Maddox groaned, opening his container of food. With his fork he waved it between the brothers and scowled. "Can you two not start this fucked idiotic shit here? I already had to listen to it at home. Give me a fucken break." he stuck his fork into the container and started eating, still glaring between the two younger brothers.

Ignoring them, I reached down and opened my backpack. Last night mom asked me to bake some cupcakes because they were having a baby shower in her office. Of course, I was more then happy to do so, as cupcake's are so yummy. Actually, all pastries are yummy and when I loved a sweet goodness, I learned to bake it. I learned over time to make cupcakes, tarts, scenes, and much more. The list goes on to the point that I could start my own bakery if I wanted. I don't but it's a fun little hobby. One day I imagine it will come in handy when I have to bake deserts for my future children's sporting events.

Grabbing the one cupcake I had left for myself, I set it on the table before zipping up my backpack and straightening in my seat. Sara was now trying to help Ash, but Kirsan was still frowning at him, glancing between his phone and his brother. I wonder what it's like to have siblings in close age. I mean I have my sister but she's older than me, married, and happily living. By the time I set into middle school she was already out of the house. I wouldn't say I was the only child but it sure felt like that sometimes.

I always wanted a brother. I don't really know why, maybe because it just sounds like fun. The siblings bonding I see in movies, all the silly things they do to each other, and the protection of course. I don't know, but I guess it wasn't destined to be.

Sara glanced over to me. "I don't get one?" she asked, looking at my cupcake as Ash tried to figure out an equation.

I shook my head. "No, sorry. I have only one today. I can share?" I told her, but she waved me off, setting her attention back to her new student. I grabbed the cupcake, starting to peel it.

"Look Mateo, a cupcake." Maddox snorted, wiping his hands on a napkin. I looked up at Mateo, who attention was glued on the cupcake. "I see it." He said, his voice leveled to perfection.

Kirsan leaned into me, his arm brushing mine and causing me to recoil back a little. He didn't seem to mind, thank goodness because I don't do it on purpose. It just kind of happens before I can stop it. Beside me, he watched Mateo and spoke, "Hide it, eat it, do something before he takes it."

I searched his face to a clue about what he meant. Why would Mateo take it? That's completely unmannered liked, and he just scowled Ash about that same topic. Clearly he wasn't going to just lean over and yank it out of my hand. Or was he? Because the look on his face when I turned to face him kind of looked like he might. His eyes were chained to the cupcake in my hand, widened a little. Did he want it that bad? Knowing myself, if he asked I would give it to him.

Maddox laughed, leaning back in his chair until it started to tip over. "Where did you get it? I'll go grab another." he asked.

"I baked it."

Sara sighed beside me and ran a hand through her face, clearly starting to get frustrated because Ash was either really not understand the topic or just pretending not too, and something told me it was the latter. And Kirsan was chuckling, watching them arguing between each other but Sara grew more and more frustrated with every time she had to repeat something. And Ash, well he just nodded and grinned. Heck, like the pinguin's from Madagascar. I almost laughed but Maddox spoke before I could, "Look Mateo, she baked it. Your shit out of luck."

I glanced between the two, trying to figure out why they were so fascinated by the cupcake. Not getting an answered, I decided to ask, "Can someone please explain why his staring at my cupcake like he hasn't eaten in months?"

Maddox titled his head back, and laughed. With two finger's he held onto the table, balancing on the back two legs of his chair as his feet swung. The black Nike's airs hitting on the leg of the chair. And I made a grump wish that he would tilt to far back. Not to fall or anything but to scare him a little. Sadly, my wish didn't come true. Instead he pulled his gaze off me and looked at Mateo. "Stop staring, its not cupcake day." he told him.