Ch. 4: Food solves everything

The second Professor Lopez dismisses the class, I grab my bag and nearly sprint out of the classroom. I send a text to the group chat that I'm on my way. Of course, Asher and I were assigned as partners. It's like the universe finds my misery to be amusing.

"Hey, sweetheart!! Wait up! Damn, you walk fast for such a tiny, little thing." I look behind me and sure enough, Asher is jogging to catch up to me. I start walking faster and just make it outside when he catches up to me. So close. I spin around to look at him and see him visibly out of breath.

"Aren't you our star quarterback? How are you this out of shape?" I question while crossing my arms.

"Ha ha. I'll be honest; this is a new one for me. Usually, I'm running away from the girl, not chasing after her," he replies. Wow. This guy actually sounds confused. Unbelievable.

"Right....cause it's so shocking when someone doesn't kiss your ass for a change." I roll my eyes.

"Well...yeah." he shrugs.

"Okay, is there a point to this whole conversation? I'm late to meet up with my friends." I check my phone. Nina and Char have both already texted telling me to hurry up.

"I wanted to know when you wanted to get together to work on our assignment. I have football practice and training sessions most days, but I'm usually free Monday nights."

"Wait. You're asking me about the project? Wow, so this is a new one for me too. I figured I would just do it myself and you would do nothing. You know, like last semester?" I reply, pointedly.

"Yeah, except last time, there were other distractions around. If only, I could remember their names. I want to say Sandy and Trish, but that doesn't sound right. Now, it's just the two of us." he smirks. Unbelievable. The other girls don't even rank high enough on his list of girls for him to remember their names.

"Close. Their names were Lucy and Monica."

" Oh, well whatever. My place then. Next Monday. Let's say around 6. I have a few dates, but I can move some of them around." he replies, while looking down at his phone, texting away to probably cancel his "dates."

"And what if I have plans next Monday? I'm not about to drop everything to make you happy!" I huff. He doesn't look up. He finishes typing on his phone, and then finally acknowledges me.

"Okay, so we're in agreement. Monday night, then. See you later, Makayla!" he winks one last time, and then saunters off to the parking lot, high fiving a few people along the way to his car who grab his attention. I almost scream out in frustration.

Thanks again, Professor Lopez!

*************************************************

I storm into the little café and spot Nina and Char at our usual table. They smile and wave, as I make my way over to them. I slide into the booth and sigh. Sara, our favorite waitress, makes her way over to me.

"Hey Kay! Your usual order?"

"Yes, please!" I smile. She nods and walks away, and my smile instantly drops. I lay my head against the table and groan.

"So, how was class? You make any friends?" Nina questions while laughing. Char giggles, as I look up and glare at them both.

"Char? You believe in all that astrology crap. Is the universe out to destroy me today or what?" I ask. I must be really desperate if I'm resorting to asking the stars for help.

"First of all, astrology is not crap. It's science. Second, I'm sure whatever is happening can't be too bad," she reassures me.

"No? So, being Asher Thomas's partner in criminal law all semester isn't too bad? Maybe if you ask all his adoring fans, it's not. Personally, I see my GPA and my patience level drastically dropping this semester." I reply.

They both look at each other before bursting out into laughter.

"Hey this isn't funny! I have worked with Asher in the past and he barely lifted a finger. At least, I had other people in the group to pick up for his slack. Now, it's just me and him. After last night's conversation, I know I'm not going to make it through this semester without wanting to strangle him!" I exclaim.

"Ooh, kinky!" Nina winks, as Char cracks up once again.

"Wait, when did you talk to Asher last night? And why haven't I heard anything about this?" Char asks, while pouting.

"Oh, this all happened while you were getting frisky with Lukey-poo in the backseat of his car!" Nina calls Char out.

"Whoa, what?" I blurt out. Char blushes as Nina sips her iced tea, waiting for her response.

"It wasn't like that! He was actually sweet last night." Char smiles to herself.

"So, he didn't try to pressure you into anything right? Not like last time?" I question, a little concerned. Lucas and Char have a really complicated relationship. When he isn't being the sweet, perfect boyfriend he should be, he's being an emotionally abusive piece of shit. They started dating at the end of last semester. It didn't take him long to get on my shit list. I really worry sometimes that he is going to snap on her one day and really hurt her.

"No, I swear. He was on his best behavior. We mostly just talked all night," Char assures me.

"Key word here: mostly." Nina points out. I laugh, as Char shoves her.

"What are you laughing at? I'm not the one who was flirting with Asher Thomas last night!" Char jokes.

"Who said anything about flirting? I was not flirting. If anything, Asher was hitting on me!" I point out, defensively.

"I'm sorry? I couldn't help but overhear. Did someone just mention my boyfriend's name?"

Kill. Me. Now. We all glance to our right and see none other than Cara White and her army of followers, flanked beside her.

"Oh...I'm sorry, Cara. I must have forgotten to include you in our conversation. My mistake." I say, sarcastically.

"Hmm...I guess I must have forgotten to give a damn, Makayla. Let's get one thing straight. Asher and I are practically together now, and I'm not about to let you play your little innocent act and steal him from me!" she sneers out.

"Oh, kind of like what you did to me and Nate back in high school?" I remark.

"Aww. Still hung up on that are we? Bitter much?" she jokingly asks. All her friends laugh at that, as Cara just looks at me with a proud smirk on her face. Really? She thought that was a good comeback. That's sad.

"Desperate much? News flash honey, but Asher doesn't do exclusive. Threatening Makayla isn't gonna change that." Nina shoots back at her.

Cara's smirk drops.

"Just stay away from Asher! You don't want to test me, Makayla. You've already lost one man to me. Let's not make it a habit." With that, Cara flips her hair and walks out of the café, while her friends trail behind.

"Wonderful. As if things couldn't get worse, now Cara thinks I'm out to steal her man." I groan.

Char pats my arm sympathetically, but Nina has a different approach to the matter.

"Okay that's enough of the "poor me" attitude. The football guys are throwing the first party of the semester this Saturday after the game, and we're all going," Nina says, emphasizing all.

"Yay! Lucas had asked me to go, but I told him no, unless all my girls were invited too!" Char claps her hands.

"I don't know guys. You know I'm not really into the whole football party scene...Their parties always get way out of hand. Can't we just order pizza and drink wine all night?" I ask.

"No. I'm sorry, but Nina's right." Nina looks shocked as Char says this. "We deserve a fun night out, and who knows? Maybe you will meet a cute guy who will take your mind off the whole Asher of it all?" Char suggests.

"See? If Char and I both agree on something, then it's happening. Complain and whine all you want, but we're going." Nina says firmly. I sink back into my seat. Once Nina sets her mind to something, there's no talking her out of it. Sara makes her way back over to our table with all our food. As I am about to bite into my burger, I catch Nina's attention.

"Fine. I'll go, but the second it gets out of hand, we dip. Deal?" I ask. Nina puts her hand out, and we shake on it.

Digging into our food, Char and Nina start talking about the classes they've already had that morning and random things in between, while I just listen and eat. I know that I'm lucky enough to have friends who help push me out of my comfort zone. I just hope I don't regret it.