The cafeteria was buzzing with hungry students as usual. But this time around, something was different. They were all giving me side glances.
Hadn’t they had their full of sly looks this morning? I wondered, still beside Naomi. We were walking toward the queue to get our own food.
“So…when are you going to meet him?” Naomi asked, bringing my attention to another topic that had taken residence in my head.
Since Adam had mentioned and planted the motion that he wanted to see me during the lunch break, I’ve been spacing out a lot.
It was obvious, well at least to me, by the look in his eyes, that the last thing he wanted to talk about was some damn party. He wanted to kiss me, maybe even fuck me.
Would I let him? That was the question that had been brewing in my mind all this while. Would I let Adam fuck me?
“You have spaced out again. It is good that you are actually leaving really. I don’t know where your mind would have been in if you were actually still staying here. Adam would have completely made a mess of you.” Naomi mentioned. And for a second, I got annoyed that she would say something like that.
“Don’t go giving me that face. I’m the one who has been talking all this while, yet you keep ghosting or spacing out on me. What are you thinking, if it’s not about Adam? Don’t you lie to me. I know you like him more than you wish to. The guy is hot. I don’t blame you. But don’t sideline me because of that. Although, I am afraid that’s what would have happened if you were staying longer. You would have sidelined me till he was done with you.” Naomi surmised.
I sighed, and swerving aside, hugged her suddenly to myself, surprising her and the other queue liners.
“I’m sorry, Naomi. It’s just that this is the first time I am getting attention from a guy. Worse, the guy is Adam; one of the hottest boys who has ever lived. It feels so surreal and overwhelming that I can’t believe it sometimes. I imagine and re-imagine it a lot, and then wonder if my life has really gotten on a better track. I am so sorry about ghosting you. I really am. From now on, I promise not to space out again.” I whispered into her ears, chuckling when she gave me a light jab on my stomach.
“You are forgiven then. Your forgiveness only stands though if you keep your side of the deal. Deal?” She asked.
“Yeah, deal.” I answered.
“Good. Now, let’s get some food and get out of here.” She said, but then clucked her tongue as if remembering something.
“You know you never answered my question. Are you going to see him now or later?” She queried and I shrugged. “I don’t know yet. Still contemplating.”
There was a notable ruckus from behind us in the queue, and we turned around to see what’s happening. Our mouths dropped slightly open in surprise when we saw Adam pushing his way forward. Adam never joins the queue. What was he doing here?
“Hey, Maya…I remember mentioning that you meet me on the terrace during lunch break. Why are you here?” He asked, immediately he got to me, his hands hidden in the front pockets of his black denim jeans.
“I.. uuhh.. just thought I would eat first.” I replied, overcoming the stuttering madness.
“Don’t worry about that. I already ordered for you. Let’s go.” He said, never taking his eyes off me.
I gulped down saliva, letting my eyes roam everywhere but at him. His gaze was making me mushy and uncomfortable. What sort of attention is this? As usual, the others in the cafeteria were looking at us.
I could see his brothers and their normal clique staring right at us. Claire was huffing in anger, but she sat there, unable to do anything.
But what could she do? Nothing. I liked that.
I felt a pinch on my elbow. Naomi of course, reminding me that Adam was still waiting for an answer.
“Huhhh, okay.. lead the way.” I finally answered, inhaling deeply.
This was it. Going into the unknown with Adam.