At the entrance to Mr. Talbert’s class, I couldn’t help but to search around for judgmental eyes staring at AJ and me. That was going to take some getting used to, but I suppose being the target of a few close-minded individuals was a small price to pay to be this happy. It amazed me that AJ still seemed to be oblivious as he contentedly kissed my forehead and walked toward his homeroom. How does he always make everything look so easy? Or maybe I just over-think everything. With that behind me, I suddenly felt more at ease as I thought of the next time the situation would arise.
When lunch came, I was as nervous as the first day I returned to school after Antonio found out about AJ and me. I walked straight to my table, sat down and opened my book. This was quickly becoming my routine. The sound of someone’s footsteps averted my attention, and I looked up. Deanna stood across from me with her tray of food in hand. “Why are you over here alone? Come sit with us,” she said cheerfully. I hesitated a moment as I glanced over at their table. AJ hadn’t made it in yet, but I saw Leila there next to Trevor. Deanna and I walked over to the table and I took the empty seat across from her. My presence immediately made Leila cringe as she rolled her eyes in my general direction.
“What’s up Sam?” Karl yelled in spite of the fact the he was only two seats down from me.
“Hey,” I responded shyly. I still wasn’t completely comfortable with AJ’s friends, but they were friendly so I imagined that it wouldn’t take me long to warm up to them.
Just then AJ, Randy and Chris entered the lunchroom together. What if he felt like I’d invaded his space by sitting here with his friends without him inviting me? That concern quickly faded when he noticed me and smiled.
“And I didn’t even have to beg,” he said as he took the seat to my right. I returned the smile, pleased that he wasn’t upset by this change.
“So, you coming back to hang out with us next weekend?” Deanna asked. I looked over at AJ briefly before responding.
“Um…..I guess so, if I’m invited.”
“Of course you’re invited,” AJ replied without looking in my direction.
“I guess that’s a yes then,” I said answering Deanna’s question.
“Good because we’re having a bonfire Saturday. Karl’s dad’s gonna grill and everything. It’ll be a blast.”
“Sounds like fun,” I replied.
Deanna was really easy to get along with and I made a mental note of the fact that I didn’t see her interact with Leila much. That was strange seeing as how they were the only two girls in the group before I came along. As I thought of her, I automatically looked down the table to where she was seated. Her bright hair was pulled into a ponytail that looked like it should’ve been uncomfortable, but I don’t honestly think she was aware of anything at the moment other than AJ. She was unmoving as she sat staring intently at him. She didn’t even notice that I was watching her. As AJ laughed and talked with Randy, Leila seemed to be mesmerized. I couldn’t blame her; it was an easy thing to do. I jumped a little when she shifted in her seat and crossed her long legs, but she still didn’t notice me. Deanna, on the other hand, had.
“Don’t pay her any attention,” Deanna whispered as she leaned in toward me. “She’s a bit of a stalker, but she’s harmless…..I think anyway,” she amended. “But if I were you, I’d just keep my distance. She’s totally obsessed with AJ, which means that she already hates you by default. It’s pitiful really. I don’t know how Trevor doesn’t see it. I guess love really is blind.”
When I smiled at Deanna, it was a weak one. “Does she just stare at him like this all the time?”
“Yeah…..pretty much. She has some serious issues if you ask me. Her infatuation goes wayyyyy beyond a normal teenage crush. She’s a freakin’ weirdo.” Deanna assessed the concern in my expression. “But I wouldn’t worry about it. A.J can’t stand her, so she doesn’t usually interact with him much. She just……watches him like that.” Deanna trailed off as she glanced over at Leila. As she watched him it was like she was off in her own world; like no one else existed. Creepy.
The laughter coming from my friends’ table interrupted my train of thought. No one noticed me sitting here…….except for Leslie. Our eyes met and she dropped her gaze to the table, her expression thoughtful. AJ put his hand under my chin, drawing my attention back to him. “You ok?” He asked.