41 | Pass the torch

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Look at that raccoon reading an Apple Cabin guide! Thank you @j.rhianna.j for the poster - I haven't even commented yet on the little baby in the corner

Chapter 41: Pass the torch

They stepped aside, watching me, as if expecting me to actually walk through that. No, no, no.  This is not the Hunger Games and I am not a tribute. I looked ahead at the path they'd paved.

It headed straight to Luke Dawson.

He was standing in the center of the cafeteria, talking to Austin. He laughed at something Austin said and ran a hand through his hair, unaware of the eyes that were on him.

That's when Austin mentioned me and Luke turned around, scanning the lunch line until his eyes landed on me. He smiled and that warm smile reminded me of normality.

This is the Luke I know. Not the basketball player some people idolize.

"We were waiting for you," Luke said, walking towards me. His hoodie was unzipped, and I don't know why I focused on his hoodie strings, watching them move beneath his bare neck. 

Austin walked beside him and they crossed the cafeteria. It struck me as funny that it takes me several minutes to get through the crowd and they just waltz through. 

Austin walked towards the doors. "Let's go to lunch," he said, next to the line of people waiting.

"Isn't this..." I asked, holding my tray of food as we walked out of the cafeteria.

"No," Austin chuckled, as if I was a kid asking for dessert instead of dinner.

**

The hallways were pretty empty during lunchtime and I walked with my tray in hand. Such a shame my lasagna was getting cold. I hope there's a microwave wherever we're going.

I caught Luke glancing at my tray with a small smile on his face.

"What?" I asked.

"Do you eat like a five-year-old every day?" he teased me.

What's wrong with lasagna and a juice box?

"No, but you could act like a gentleman every day," I responded, extending my tray for him to take.

His smile widened at my response and he accepted the tray.

The boys walked quicker than me and I found myself hurrying keep up. Austin was leading the way, and he took a left turn before he strolled into a classroom where music was playing.

Luke held the door open for me with one hand, while the other held my tray. He waited for me to walk through. I did, feeling major deja vu.

"First time, Millie?" Chad presumed, sitting at the teacher's desk in an empty classroom.

It felt like I was walking into a detention run by Chad.

Somehow, Chad had connected his phone to the surround sound speakers in this room and was playing music. Delivery food lay out on the front row of desks, including an area for drinks. He'd even managed to smuggle alcohol into school.

"Yes, first time," I lied.

I don't think anyone remembered, but on the first day of school I-

"No," Luke corrected me, "You came here on the first day, by accident."

OK, so Luke remembered. I looked at my boyfriend with mixed emotions. I thought about how even back then, he cared about me. But then I also thought about how back then, he was a real jackass. I'm conflicted.

"Cauliflower pizza's for Bianca," Chad claimed some dishes, "And I'll have the spicy avocado salad."

I picked up a warm bowl and Austin told me what it was. "Spinach and gruyere potato casserole."

Sounds good to me. I dipped my fork into a cheesy golden-brown potato and took a bite. Lunch has never tasted this good.

But then again, lunch has never been with Roland Chadwick III.

"How did you get this?" I asked him, "All of this?"

"I have a guy who picks up the food for us, since delivery isn't allowed on campus," Chad answered, pouring sauce over his salad, "And the setup in this room, that's all Luke."

Luke sat down with his food and when I looked at him expectantly, he explained his side. "When we were sophomores, there was a senior on the basketball team who was dating a Spanish substitute teacher. She gave him the passcode to connect to the speakers and he told me before he left."

Makes sense now why there are speakers in this class. It's a language lab.

"He passed on the torch," Austin said before suggesting, "You should give it to Millie when we leave."

When we leave. I didn't want to think about that. They were all seniors and I had another year of high school left. One more year without Luke, Chad or Austin. It's strange to think of now.   

I was happy with how things were, now.

"And the teachers don't mind?" I asked, impressed at how they secured this whole setup under the administration's nose. It's not like the music they were playing was quiet.

"That's where I come in," a girl's voice said from the door.

I watched Bianca stroll in, making an entrance. She was wearing a white sweater crop top and black jeans. Her hair was up in a fishtail ponytail and she had on a finger ring chain bracelet.

"Cauliflower crust pizza Chad, right?" she reminded him while she inspected the drinks.

"Yeah, pizza with cauliflower," Chad pointed at it.

"No. Cauliflower crust," Bianca repeated, twisting the cap on a bottle of sherry.

Chad looked very confused.

Luke noticed that Bianca never answered my question so he filled in, "Bianca and Oma are in many clubs at school. They've managed to convince teachers that we're some extra-curricular group."

I glanced over at Bianca who was listening to Chad exclaim, "What's the difference? Here's cauliflower and here's the pizza!"

I went back to my lunch. It didn't seem like they were going to resolve that conversation any time soon.

"People were really staring at you guys today, you notice that?" Austin asked us, changing subject as smoothly as the sourdough bread he was eating.

"Yes!" I exclaimed, "What was that about?"

"They know," Austin said ominously.

We've already been through this. Luke and I haven't been that subtle with our chemistry lab make-out sessions.

Austin teased us, "They know all about your little love story."

"It's the least subtle thing," Bianca added, taking a seat with her glass of sherry and pizza. I couldn't tell if it was cauliflower crust, but I was definitely not going to ask.

"At least keep it sanitary," she told us, "Making out in the cafeteria is not something we want to see while eating yogurt."

"Well the cat's out of the bag," I sighed.

Chad joined the conversation at that exact moment and missed out on the context. "Why does this dead cat keep coming up? I thought we had a funeral to bury the topic."

"You went to a funeral?" Bianca asked in concern.

Chad nodded, "Yeah, it was for Roger-"

"Winnifred," Luke corrected.

Austin clapped, "Let's pause this confusing mess of a conversation for a second. Chad, didn't you have an announcement you wanted to make?"

"Why yes, Austin, I did. Thank you for reminding me," Chad adjusted his shirt before he announced, "As you may or may not know, it is now December."

"It is," Austin nodded.

Is this the announcement?

"And by the law of logic and the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve is not far off."

Again, Chad surprised no one with this revelation.

"I want to invite you all to New Year's Eve at my winter home," he finished.

Oh. Well that took a turn.

**

~Early afternoon~

I was excited at the thought of New Year's with my boyfriend. It would be my first planned New Year's Eve kiss. 

I arrived at the mall for another afternoon shift at the store. I planned to look at the outfits on sale today and maybe use my employee discount to buy a new dress for New Year's.

When I arrived at work, I was surprised to find the store manager waiting for me behind the cashier. Usually, we only need one person in the store.

"Millie. How are you?" she asked me in a cold tone.

It was the kind of tone that says I don't care how you're doing.

"Good thanks," I replied, "How are-"

"Where are the keys to the store, Millie?" she asked in a very slow voice.

"Uh..." I unzipped my bag to look for the keys, "In here."

I hope.

The store manager stood up and walked to the front, "I'm going to need you to give them to me. A loyal customer has filed a complaint against you."

"What do you mean?" I asked, pulling out the keys for her, "I haven't done anything."

The store manager grabbed the keys and they jingled in her hand.

"According to this customer, you left the store unattended a couple weeks ago," she said, "It's both disappointing and reckless. You put store security at risk and that is grounds for termination."

I didn't even know what to say. This is my first job and I'm already fired. I didn't want to be fired. I needed this job.

"Please, can I get a second chance?" I asked. 

From the way she was treating me, I could tell it was no use arguing.

"You will be compensated for this week's work but then we'll cut ties completely. We take the safety of our store and our customers very seriously."

"But I didn't do-"

"It's already been decided. Let's make this a smooth transition, shall we?"

**

I found myself out in the mall parking lot on a cold winter's day. I had no job and no references. 

This is really going to hit my coffee allowance.

I wondered who complained against me. Could it have been the same blackmailer – whoever that was?

The one constant since junior year began is that there's someone out there, who knows my habits, and is out to hurt me. 

I dialed a number and Cearra picked up.

"I'm actually free tonight," I admitted, "Still a chance I can come for dinner?"

"Yah. My parents just started cooking. You'll meet my crazy family."


A/N: Where will Chad's winter home be?  You can vote for their New Year's trip destination on my Instagram poll (@NatalieInACorner)

How badly do you feel for Millie? She's been fired :(

Also, I've been asked a few times and YES I'll post an extra chapter of Play No More when the first book (Player Next Door) hits 15m reads.  We're now at 14.989.... so close! Vote, comment and share the story and see you next time!

<3 Natalie


You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net