3rd Table In The Center

Rose and Health had walked together to her next class. As it turned out his next class was on the same floor and area as hers just a few doors down. They mentioned maybe seeing each other at lunch and he headed off to his class while she walked into hers to find Sam already there holding a seat for her.

Math class came and went and then it was lunch. Lunch tended to be, possibly, the biggest minefield of the day. It seemed worse than breakfast or dinner though Rose was never exactly sure why that was. At least, that was her impression.

She and Sam made their way to the cafeteria got their lunches and then got a good look at the seating situation.

The Jocks, Cool Kids, Cheer Squad, Rich Kids were on one side and on the other side was the Band Geeks, Nerds and Unpopular Kids were on the other side. In the middle were the tables Jack was sitting at where the groups were mixed up a bit. A few cheerleaders, jocks, delinquents, nerds and other miscellaneous student types sat in the tables around Jack, Ashley and Blossom.

Glancing at each other Rose asked. "Middle? 3rd table back?" There seemed to be a decent mix of the students that didn't fit on either extreme and a bunch of the more artsy students that weren't band nerds.

Sam nodded. "Sounds good."

They ended up sitting at the table behind where Jack was sitting. At this table there were a few girls who, like them, were part of the gymnastics team but not cheerleaders. There were a few students from music, art, theater, photography realms with maybe a few of the writing art forms thrown in. Though neither Rose nor Sam knew everyone at the table; they knew enough of them to know that they'd be welcomed sitting there.

And they were; as they came to the table they were both met with a few hellos and that there were seats opened if they wanted to join them. These were the kids that didn't care about rumors; if you were into art or at least could handle the endless conversations that might happen about which musical was better, who was the better guitarist, drummer, singer, whatever in whatever type of music, which artist depicted light better, etc. you were welcomed at that table.

Not to say they didn't also discuss typical teen stuff but they had their own world they loved living in.

Heath did join them, after a few minutes. It was then Rose spotted Kyle walking in. She felt her face grow a little flush. Sam's eyes went to where Rose was looking. She leaned in and almost in a whisper said. "Go ask him if he wants to sit with us."

"No. I can't."

Sam sighed. Rose was an introvert at heart and was actually shy in many more areas than most people knew. It was obvious though that her friend liked this new boy. Or well, was attracted to him. It was a normal teen thing; which was a good sign.

"Don't worry you're not blushing." Sam smiled at her friend but realized if Kyle was going to sit with them it wasn't going to be Rose who offered.

Before Rose could protest anymore Sam stood up and caught Kyle coming out of the lunch line.

"Hey, Kyle isn't it?"

"Yeah." Kyle responded, curious as to what this blonde girl he had only seen in one class could want.

Sam gave him a friendly smile. "Just was wondering if you'd want to join us for lunch. I mean if you think you can handle sitting there." She pointed out where they were sitting and really Kyle did seem like he'd fit right in. Sam was, usually, a pretty good judge of these things.

Kyle nodded. "Sure."

Rose thought she'd die of embarrassment but was really good at faking it so when Kyle came over she smiled at him. "Hey, you were really good at the auditions."

"Thanks." He smiled taking his seat across the table from her and Sam but sitting near Heath.

Heath introduced himself, along with a few of the other people at the table. Before lunch was over Kyle would be introduced to everyone. But not before; a girl came over to him. A bouncy brunette, with perfect hair, a perfect smile, and probably a perfect trust fund. She made a direct line from the rich kids' table to Kyle.

"Heeeey." Flashing him her perfect teeth and then looking directly at Rose. "Rose aren't you going to introduce me to your new friend."

It took every ounce of her being for Rose to not roll her eyes. "Kyle this Denise. Denise this is Kyle."

"Oh, Kyle. You know you're welcome to sit with us." She said nodding to the rich kids' table; like not everyone could guess where she had just come from. "I suppose Rose could come too."

Kyle looked directly at her and said. "No, thanks. I'm fine here." He hadn't missed at all the way she hadn't acknowledged anyone else at the table and only acknowledged Rose for the introduction. The way it was clear that anyone else from the table wouldn't be welcomed at her table except him; despite what she said. (Or maybe because of the way she said it)

"Come sit with us."

She sounded like she was inviting him to the dark side and half expected her to say that they had cookies.

She then added. "You only get one chance. Us or not."

Kyle took a breath and said. "Not. I have no interest in sitting with you. I'm perfectly fine here." And just a little more. "But thanks for the invite." In a way that made it sound like she shouldn't waste her time offering again.

Denise looked like she was going to throw a tantrum but stopped short of it. Instead the girl turned on her heel and stormed off.

The table sat in silence for a moment.

Then Heath said. "Well, that was expertly done." Sam and Rose and everyone else, laughed a little and went back to what they were all talking about before they had been interrupted.

tag (if anyone wants to join this table)