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This is definitely not Starbrooke Inside of the cafeteria, it’s busy, though busy is an understatement It’s packed wall to ith students, and there are several food lines and options It’s a nice change from the awful food we had at h to make me feel a bit optimistic

“Hoas your day so far?” Her voice is syriious, one of those laughs that just makes you happy to hear it “That bad? Ouch”

I shoot her a playful s as we pile our trays up with food I’m thankful it isn’t all healthy food; after this day, I’ over the options, I eventually choose a grilled cheese sandwich and fries I even grab a bowl of fresh fruit so I can convince ood 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’uys My eyes go wide as I take thele one attractive

“Hey guys, this is Charlie Charlie this is Ada 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 se bite frouy who helped rins 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 riive 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 s at e shirt He has flawless, dark skin and long lashes He could be a , 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 atirabs my attention It’s actually one of my favorite punk bands, and I can’t help but appreciate his taste in ues me I assume he plays uys 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 eous with his long lashes fra eyes and his chiseled features I feel heat creep into ives rin I quickly look away and focus on my food instead

“How is your first day going?” Trent asks, flashing his s and look back down atwhile 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 fir the to stand up forI 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 co around for a second and pull out o 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