Chapter Twelve

Juniper

My eyes went to Grayson and his face was in a deep frown not liking the scene Archer was currently causing with me.

In some seconds Archer was leaving his table and walking towards me with that mischievous look on his face as I widened my eyes in horror and before I knew it he was standing right in front of me with a coy smile on his face.

The whole cafeteria suddenly went dead silent as everyone watched me and Archer intently.

“Hi Juniper ”

Jasmine’s head immediately shot up from her phone to see who just talked and her eyes widened in surprise horror finding Archer Graham at our table.

“Hi Archer.” I said nervously.

The entire cafeteria remained quiet as they watched my interaction with Archer which just made me fret more. I was getting attention and it wasn’t the good kind.

“So juju, will you sit me for lunch? There’s plenty of space” he offered.

“I’m okay here Archer” I politely refused but I could tell he wasn’t giving up that easily.

“Your friend can come too. Hi by the way” he said suddenly turning to greet a stunned looking Jasmine who was too frozen to say anything back.

I took in a deep breath “Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to be a bother to your friends”

“I told you not to mind them, you’re my friend. C’mon” he said picking up my tray of food as I grabbed Jasmine’s hand taking her with me as we followed Archer to his table.

Everyone was still watching us with surprise looks on their faces the cafeteria still so quiet. Ivan seemed to notice my slight discomfort at that so he yelled loudly .

“There’s nothing to see here dorks! Move on with your lives. Shows over!”

And with that everyone turned their attention back to what it was they were doing the air filled with electric chatters as I hopefully thought no one talked about what just happened.

“Thanks bro” Archer said sounding really grateful to his friends intervention.

We finally sat down with me sitting right next to Archer. I could feel the curious glances from everyone seated at the table and I just shyly played with my hands.

“Guys, this is my friend Juniper, Juju for short and she’s new in Daleton prep so you better treat her with respect or I’ll fucking stab your asses” He said firmly with a twinge of excitement and darkness sounding in his voice. I think his friends all took his threats seriously nodding their heads and welcoming me nicely which just amused Ivan a lot.

“Oh and what’s your friends name?” He asked taking my attention from Grayson who just sat so casually as he scrolled through his phone looking like he just stepped out of a magazine no longer seeming phased by what was currently happening.

“Jasmine” I answered

“Okay and also be nice to Jasmine too” he added firmly.

“We get it bro!” Ivan shouted back playfully making Archer laugh at his friend’s attitude.

Eating lunch at their table was pretty fun which was unexpected because I was expecting them to be all stuck up and posh. Ivan and Archer wouldn’t stop bickering and it was fun to watch Ivan mess around with his friends.

Grayson just sat quiet all through not saying anything or bothering to make conversations with anyone but i caught him steal subtle glances at me. It’s like he wants to know me but doesn’t know how to talk to me and I’m too scared of him to even bother making the first move.