My eyes dart to Moss and Nina's table as they share a friendly banter and laugh. Frustration boils within me, and I stand, abruptly barging out of the cafeteria. Claire chases after me, managing to catch up, her sobs stifled but still lingering.
'Where are you going, Boo-boo?' She asks with concern in her voice.
'Anywhere but here,' I growl. 'Go back and finish your lunch, Claire. I'll see you later in class,' I tell her in frustration.
'Oh, okay,' she says, with a glum face, returning to the cafeteria.
I rack my brain for somewhere quiet, a place where I can think and perhaps vent my frustrations. The library comes to mind, and I head there.
The smell of old books hits me as I enter. I pull out a seat and slump at a table beside a student who wears thick rectangular glasses with her head in a book. She stares at me, surprised, then gasps as I bang my head on the table, muttering, 'Stupid, stupid, stupid.'
Her stuttering and squeaky voice breaks the awkward silence. 'Um, Y-you're putting a dint in the t-table.'
I glance at the girl who pushes her oversized glasses closer to her eyes. I huff, 'Pipe down, Pipsqueak. Can't you see I'm in the middle of a crisis?'
'Oh…-sorry, maybe you should talk about your p-problems, and maybe I can h-help you with some advice?' She stutters nervously.
I give her a strange look, furrowing my brow. 'Advice from a bookworm. Are you crazy?' I ask.
Pipsqueak tilts her chin up. 'If I were c-crazy, I would have to have some kind of psychological d-disorder, such as Munchausen or not be in touch with reality or-'
I shake my head. 'Okay, okay, I get it. Since I don't know what to do now other than bash my head against a table, I will tell you my problem, but you are to breathe a word of this to anyone,' I declare.
'O-okay,' she agrees.
'So,' I begin, 'I had a childhood best friend. I couldn't even ask the Moon Goddess for a better friend. One day, over seven years ago, I cut her off because I thought she was making my family and pack not take me seriously and worry about me being responsible enough for when I become Alpha. So yesterday, I realized that I'm an idiot and that it was myself making me look like a court jester. I decided last night that I would beg Nina for forgiveness and repair our friendship today at school. But the school brought in a new student this morning, who you all saw, Moss. He has been glued to Nina's hip and flirting with her all-damn day. So that's my problem,' I grizzle.
'O-okay, I see. Doesn't Nina live at the Packhouse with you? You could always apologize at home,' Pipsqueak suggests.
'I was going to this morning, but I was enjoying the conversation I was already having with her and didn't want to ruin the time I was having with her,' I explain.
'Okay, is there a subject you have with her?' Pipsqueak asks.
'Yes, science and Mr Thompson made us lab partners for the term,' I answer.
'P-perfect, that's when you can apologize,' Pipsqueak smiles, her nerdy enthusiasm shining.
‘I have science with her tomorrow,’ I nod and stand to leave but stop, ‘What was your name, anyway?’ I ask her.
‘Pippa,’ she smiles.
I smile, thinking her nickname that hung in my mind suits her even more perfectly now. ‘Thanks, Pip-Squeak, see you around,’ I wave to her, saying goodbye.
The lunch bell rings, and I complete my last two classes, focusing on the tasks to stop the thoughts of Nina from eating my mind. Still, no matter how hard I tried to focus, the image of Nina was vivid. I’m relieved its home time so I can walk home with Nina and spend some time with her.
Claire appears literally out of nowhere, startling me. ‘Oh, Boo-boo, I’m so excited to be coming to your house,’ Claire says, taking my arm in hers.
‘What are you talking about, Claire?’ I ask, confused.
‘Boo-boo, don’t tell me you forgot already? I’m coming over to help pick you out something to wear for the party on the weekend, remember?’ She pouts.
My stomach churns. I had utterly forgotten that I was Claire’s date for the party and that she was coming over today. I’m lost in thought, trying to think of a way out of it, but I can’t think of a decent excuse.
‘Come on,’ Claire says, pulling me along to catch up with Flint and Josie.
‘Hey Claire, aren’t you going home?’ Josie asks.
‘No,’ Claire smiles. ‘Magnus invited me over. I’m going to help him pick out something to wear to my party. I am his date, after all,’ she says.
Josie glares at me but quickly smiles when Claire looks at her again. ‘You are coming to the party too, are you not?’ Claire asks Josie.
‘I guess I’ll be there,’ Josie sighs.
‘Great!’ Claire says, squeezing Josie.
As we walk home together, the atmosphere is tense, and I can feel the disapproval radiating from Josie.
Nina walks trailing behind us home. Every time I turn to see if she is still behind us, I find her dismally staring at the ground. She’s completely ignoring me, and I don’t like it. I try to slow down a few times, but then Nina slows down, and Claire pulls me along to increase my speed again.
We arrived at the Packhouse. My parents greet us and look down at Claire’s hand, holding mine and frowning.
‘And who is this… lady?’ My mother, Astrid, asks politely but doesn’t seem to approve of her and subtly glances at Nina trailing behind.
‘Oh, this is Claire, a… friend from school,’ I introduce her.
‘Oh, don’t be so shy around your parents, Magnus,’ Claire says, slapping my chest. ‘I’m his date for my party this weekend,’ Claire beams.
‘How… lovely,’ my father says, forcing a smile. ‘Well, you must come in then,’ he adds and gestures for us to enter.
Claire and I ascend the stairs to my room.