Lunchtime Disaster

It was now lunch time, and the girl was in the office. To her left, Nikolias stood talking to the headmaster. As soon as the headmaster realized, they hadn’t given Cordovia an AP Science book; they walked over with one in hand. Apologizing for the mess from this morning, the headmaster handed the book over. Cordovia didn’t think anything of it, since this was truly her first private school. She was still trying to understand everything that was happening around her. Barely listening, she then felt a hand on her shoulder. Which caused her to jump, only snapping her out of her thoughts.

“Oh I am sorry. Come on, let’s go to the cafeteria. I’ll take care of your lunch today.” Nikolias said with a chuckle. Though he seemed to be rubbing his neck, as he didn’t make eye contact with Cordovia. And at that moment, she spotted his mark as he was rubbing his neck. It was a crescent moon also, though that was all he had. She wanted to ask, but didn’t want to admit she was looking at him. Nodding to him, she still hardly said a word. Though, Nikolias seemed to understand a little better than most. As he walked out of the office, he held the door for her. Walking out, she smiled softly at him. Looking over his shoulder, off in the distance a young blonde could be seen staring at the two. Disappearing before Cordovia could say anything to Nikolias, the girl shook it off. Though in the pit of her stomach, she had a bad feeling something was about to happen.

As the two walked the halls, Nikolias explained more of the school in a brief, but detailed version. Listening carefully to his words, the girl could only imagine the details he was describing to her. The gardens seemed to be more alive when he spoke; more than the area the headmaster took her to. She smiled briefly, then turned her face away from him. ‘This is different. A new school, and a new place. So why am I feeling like I want to reinvent myself?’ She asked herself, then looked at Nikolias as he had stopped in front of the cafeteria doors. Stopping to his right, she gently asked “Is everything alright?” He nodded, though his eyes seemed to scan the cafeteria through the door window.

Opening the door, he looked at Cordovia with a small smile. Walking through the doors, the girl waited for him to show her around. It was her first day after all. It hadn’t been more than a minute, and already the whole room was quiet. And soon when Nikolias walked in, everyone went back to being normal. Feeling a little self conscious once again, the girl gulped ever so lightly. Nikolias waved his hand to her, as he showed her where the line was. Even though there really wasn’t one. He explained they had different kinds of lunches, for each individual that had a special request. Though she really didn’t quite understand what he meant at that moment. But not really asking what he meant either.

As they reached the last lunch lady, Nikolias paid for both of their meals. “Come on, you can sit with some of my friends and I. I’m sure they will like you.” He said with a small smile playing on his lips. Admitting to herself, she couldn’t stay away, she nodded in response to his suggestion. Walking through the middle of the tables, the two talked briefly.

That was when disaster struck.

Cordovia seen it coming, though it was already too late to stop it. Nikolias had been walking a few steps ahead of her, and then a leg slipped out behind him. As gravity seemed to play its role, the girl began to fall forward. She pulled the lunch tray to her chest, without really thinking of it. And once she hit the tile floor, the food that was once on the tray, was now on her uniform and on the floor as well. Others began to laugh, and the girl that tripped her stood up. Nikolias just happened to turn around, as the events were beginning to happen. “Oh, excuse me.” She said with a sarcastic tone followed by a laugh, as she was now standing over Cordovia. “Let me help you with that.” She finished as she tilted the drink she was holding, and poured it on Cordovia’s head; laughing louder as she did. The other students joined in once again. Bending down to look Cordovia in the eyes, she whispered “Nikolias is mine. So stay away.”

Cordovia watched as the girl did all this to her, though she didn't retaliate. Yet. It was something she was always told not to. Unless they had physically harmed her. That was one thing she had learned after being moved to a different foster home. Her emotions ran wild for a moment. Yes, she was angry that this girl was doing this to her. And yes, she was panicking because of the laughter. But like her usual emotion, a monotone look was all her face could hold. ‘I do not know this girl, and yet she is picking on me. What have I done?’ She thought, hoping that someone would intervene and soon.

Off in the distance, someone slamming a lunch tray on a table could be heard. “That’s enough!” She shouted, as her voice echoed throughout the lunchroom. Everyone was now quiet and their attention was now back to their groups. The girl that tripped Cordovia, was now standing straight up looking to see who had shouted. She quickly moved closer to Nikolias with slightly terrified eyes, once she realized who it was.

As another girl stomped forward, she glared at the girl now hiding behind Nikolias. Though he too, was trying to figure out what was going on. “I’ve had it with your jealousy Angel. Leave the poor newbie alone.” She spoke, standing in front of Cordovia the entire time. Shaking her head, she stepped closer to the girl now named Angel. As the other girl did so, Angel merely seemed to run off. A little scared by the girl getting closer to her.

Stopping in her place, she turned around. Moving backwards to Cordovia, she helped stick up for her without reasoning. “You alright?” She asked softly, then stuck a hand out to help her up. Nodding slowly, still trying to understand what was going on. Cordovia took the new girl’s hand and stood on her feet. Looking down at her uniform, she sighed softly. “Angel is going to be like that. Now that she thinks Nik here likes you or vice versa. I’m Amaria though! Nice to meet you.” The girl said, introducing herself with a bright smile. She seemed to be brimming with life, now that the other girl was gone. Wiping the drink from her eyes, Cordovia then tried to get some of the solid food off her uniform. She sat down rather quickly, as a memory of her foster family flashed before her eyes. As she placed her left hand on her right arm, she gripped it rather tightly. Slightly shaking, she tried to calm herself down.

Breathing slightly rapidly, Cordovia stood up rather quickly, and ran out of the cafeteria. She was starting to panic, not from being in a new place, but because of her memories. She sometimes wished she didn't have Hyperthymesia, it only made things worse for her at times. Especially when it has to happen in a new school. As she ran down the halls, she remembered how to get to the garden area. The way the headmaster had taken her. Though she didn’t know, both Nikolias and Amaria were chasing after her. Both worried about what Angel had done to her, publically.

Once she was there, the girl followed the path Nikolias had spoken of so vividly. Though never being there before, she actually found the working fountain he had spoken about as well. Moving closer to it, she could hear the sound of the water flowing calming. Lily pads laid upon the top of the water, while fish swam underneath. Frogs could be heard croaking off in the distance as well. It was peaceful, and this was beginning to calm her down. The memories that were flowing through her mind, seemed to go away as she relaxed finally. But it wasn’t long before she could hear people calling for her.

“Did you see which way she went?” A girl’s concerned voice could be heard, only making Cordovia want to hide more. Though she stayed where she was. “I think she moved towards the fountain. I told her about it.” A boy’s calm, but stern voice said, as he could be heard moving closer to the area she was. She waited for the two to show their faces. Once they rounded the corner, Cordovia felt better. It was a relief to see the one that saved her from the humiliation, and Nikolias too. Sitting on the side of the fountain, the girl looked into it once more. As the two walked over, they didn’t say anything for the moment. They let her calm down, figuring that's what she needed.

“I have another shirt and jacket. Don’t worry, the headmaster won’t let Angel get away with this. He is her father anyway.” Amaria said, as she looked at Cordovia. Placing her hand on the girl’s back, she smiled softly. It was rare to make a connection, but something in her stomach told her to trust the words this girl said. Nodding, Cordovia stood up and smiled lightly, though it was hesitant. She looked at Nikolias, who held a sorrow filled look on his face. Walking over to him, Cordovia tried to force a smile; even though she was wearing food, and her hair was now sticky. “I’m okay. I was just having a vivid memory and it sort of made me panic. That girl is just an average cheerleader bully. She’ll get her karma sooner or later.” Cordovia said, this time it had been more than a few words. The two standing in front of her, were rather shocked. But happy, that she wasn’t upset about what Angel had done. Most others probably would have been.

Smiling, the girl moved towards the fountain once again. Looking into it, she could tell that this last year of high school was going to be different. Especially being in a school, where it was private. And, now knowing she wasn’t quite human anymore either. It was going to be different, and seemingly difficult in her eyes. But she knew she had to work her hardest, even now. Looking back at the two, she smiled once again. “Thank you both for coming to check on me. And I’m Cordovia Amaria. Sorry about not talking.” She began to say, then turned away from them as her cheeks started to head up. It was slightly embarrassing for her to talk about it. “I’m normally not the one to talk. Observations are more my style.” She finished telling them, hoping they wouldn’t mind her listening more than normal.

Looking between the two of them, Cordovia smiled lightly. Amaria was already nodding, as she smiled brightly. “I don’t care. As long as we can be friends? Plus, you’re gonna need me around.” She explained, as she giggled softly. Cordovia nodded, then looked at Nikolias, who was smiling to himself. He was slightly mysterious to her, but she wanted to find out more. And why he too held a similar mark to her. It was time she asked her father about the marks. But she knew he was a busy man. Since he didn’t bring her to school himself. Sighing, the girl turned around and headed for the main building. She was ready to change, and possibly fix her now sticky hair.

As they all walked towards the front door to the school, the next bell rang. It was after lunch, and she really didn’t know her schedule then. As she looked down to her bag, Nikolias spoke softly “It is gym class now. You will be able to clean up. Be ready to demonstrate your abilities. Coach is Mr. Wickman again, but that's because he’s the coach anyway.” Nodding, Cordovia looked over her shoulder at them. She really didn’t understand what he meant, when he said abilities. But she just went along with what he was saying. ‘The science teacher is our gym teacher. Great.’ She thought to herself, as the three of them walked into the building, and headed off towards the gym. Hoping there wasn’t going to be anymore surprises.