Chapter 42

Sitting in the cafeteria was annoying. Normally Kris and I would just eat our lunch in the gym. I liked doing that. But now that I was with Sara she wanted me to sit in the cafeteria with her. I didn't really mind it. Every once in a while I would eat in the gym with Kris and Sara would join, or sometimes just me and Kris, but today I was in the cafeteria. Sara was talking to Sophie who was now sitting with us at our table. I still didn't like her, but whatever. Kris was in the gym. We were texting back and forth. Me mostly just complaining about being in the cafeteria. Her complaining about being alone in the gym. I told her to come sit with us but she hated the cafeteria more than I did. It was loud and crowded and it always smelled of old chicken nuggets. I looked at Sara who was on my left. She was holding my hand under the table but she kept loosening her grip because she wasn't paying attention to me. I just rested my head on my hand and looked around the cafeteria.

"No seriously I was dying. I thought I was gonna pass out on the track." Sophie said with a bunch of hand gestures.

"Thats terrible. Braddock doesn't really make us run all too often since we run a lot in games. But after Averys little stunt Braddock was pissed and ended up making us run until some of the freshman got sick." Sara said laughing though the end of the sentence.

"Its not my fault they can't handle a little running." I moaned.

"It was fine babe. It was funny." She said leaning over to give me a kiss on the cheek.

"Awe you guys are so cute." Sophie squealed. I was trying really hard to be nice but she was just so girly and prissy. It was annoying. Or maybe I was just in a mood. Either way I hate the cafeteria.

"Awe thanks." Sara smiled as she rested her head on my shoulder. At the same time Kris text me. She asked if I could come to the gym for the rest of lunch, which was about twenty minutes. I told her okay, silently thanking her for giving me an out.

"Hey babe I'm going to go to the gym to meet Kris. She wants to talk about something." I was already putting my backpack on my shoulder. Sara just looked up at me.

"Okay do you want me to come with you?" She asked sincerely, but her body language said she wanted to stay so I said

"No it's okay. I'll just meet you after lunch is over." I said.

"Okay." As she said this I leaned down and gave her a kiss on the lips. When I opened my eyes to pull back I saw Sophie looking at us. I kissed Saras forehead and walked off, giving Sophie a look. Not a mean one, but a look.

When I got to the gym Kris was eating her salad on the bleachers watching some underclassmen play a game of 3 on 3. When she saw me she waved and moved her back pack from beside her so I could sit down. I threw my backpack down and sat next to her.

"You're welcome." She said still watching the boys.

"For what?" I asked playing dumb.

"For bailing you out." She said pushing me with her elbow.

"Yeah yeah shut up." I laughed. "I love eating with Sara but the cafeteria sucks. Theres a reason I avoided it for the last four years. But I love her so if she wants me there I'll be there." I said while shrugging my shoulders.

"You are so whipped." Kris said laughing.

"Looks who's talking." I retorted. Kris just kind of nervously laughed.

"Too soon?" I asked.

"Just a bit, but it was funny." Kris said poking at her salad. I turned my attention back to the boys. One of them crossed over the other and made a lay up. The other boys just went "oooohhh".

"So proms coming up." Kris said out of nowhere.

"Oh shit I totally forgot." I said running my hand through my hair. I had never been to our prom before. It just wasn't my thing. Kris on the other hand had gone all four years of high school.

"Yeah, I don't know if I want to go this year." She said pulling a water bottle out of her lunch box.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Well Mack and I had talked about prom a lot, and she was supposed to take me. But I don't know now. It just doesn't feel like a happy time. I mean I know I should be happy. Its senior year and were in playoffs but I don't know." She was just watching the boys.

"Come on, if I have to go you have to go." Kris looked up at me in shock.

"You're going?" She practically screamed.

"Yeah I mean I know Sara is going to want to go. And I'm her girlfriend so I kind of have to take her." I said rolling my eyes somewhat.

"Have you decided how you're going to ask her?" She asked kind of sulking.

"No. I forgot it was even coming up." I said laughing. One of the boys fell on his ass. We both laughed.

"Well if you need any help with anything let me know." She said still laughing.

"Thanks dude, you're the best." I said nudging her shoulder. Right around that time the bell rang. Kris and I got up and headed back for the cafeteria. We had to pass it to get to class and I needed to meet up with Sara. As we were walking Sara and Sophie started walking out of the doors.

"Who's that girl with Sara?" Kris asked.

"Thats Sophie." I said with as much irritation in my voice as I could muster.

"You don't like her?" Kris asked.

"She just annoys me. I'm not really sure why. Sara says I'm jealous and maybe I am but its whatever."

"Just forget about her. You have no reason to be jealous of her. Sara is yours." Kris said. Right then we caught up with Sara and Sophie. I walked up to Sara and laced my fingers through hers.

"Hey babe." I said.

"Hey Avery. You're doing track this year right?" She asked

"Yeah I am. Coach said I have too because of the relays." I said.

"Sophie says she's going to try out for the relays too. You guys could help each other out a lot. " I felt awkward. I looked at Sophie and said

"Yeah if you want I can help you out." I said.

"Yeah that would be great. I need to work on getting off the blocks. I could never get used to them." She said smiling. Before I could answer I felt an arm wrap around my shoulders. I looked up to see Ollie with Kara trailing behind him.

"Hey guys what's up?" Ollie said.

"Nothing just talking about track." I said turning my attention to Kara.

"Are you doing track Kara?" I asked.

"Yeah I am. Me and Ollie are doing it. But that's a long time from now. We need to focus on basketball." Kara said laughing.

We walked like that for a while until we all went our separate ways to class. I walked Sara to her class and gave her a kiss goodbye. Then I proceeded to haul ass to my class. Kara was right. I need to focus on basketball. Not track, not prom, not Sophie. Just basketball.