Walking through the cafeteria doors, Rose searched for Josephine in anticipation. Someone I recognize… Just let me see a friend for once today.

As Rose wasn’t able to find her, she decided to stand in line to get lunch when a pair of hands covered her eyes. Rose flinched.

“Who is this?” she questioned. No reply. “Josephine?” The suspect shook her head no. Rose pondered over who it could be. She didn’t know anyone else in there.

Taking a wild guess, Rose asked, “Callum?” Balling her hands into fists, she prayed for it to be him.

“Awe… How’d you know?” Callum pouted, coming into view.

“Because I’m cool like that,” Rose joked, shrugging her shoulders. Unable to play along, Callum burst out laughing. “What?!” Rose questioned, slapping his shoulder.

“Nothing,” he replied, clearing his throat. “I didn’t know you had lunch this period.”

“I didn’t know you did either.”

As if it were no big deal, Callum shrugged. “How has school been so far? Any cat fights?” Callum asked, eager.

“Only with you,” Rose teased. Callum glared at her, making her laugh. “There was this one incident in first period, but other than that, it’s been fine.”

“You’re so mean to me,” Callum frowned, clutching at his heart. Rose let out a slight chuckle. Glad to make her laugh, Callum smiled before turning serious. “What happened during first period?”

“Nothing, really. There was only an impudent boy who gave everyone an attitude,” Rose disregarded. Especially me.

“Was he cruel to you?” Callum asked, concerned. Rose knew Callum cared for her like he knew she cared for him, so this was quite a natural response for him.

Callum and Rose were as close as one could be; he was not only her brother, but her best friend. Callum was there for her through thick and thin; he would do anything for his little sister. Rose knew she could come to him for almost anything.

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen him before. I think he’s new,” Rose reasoned.

“That’s no reason for him to give you an attitude. You don’t deserve one, unless it’s from me, of course,” Callum joked. Rose rolled her eyes.

“Of course.”

Right then, someone hugged her from behind. Rose, pulse racing, turned around to see Josephine.

“Hi!” she squealed.

“Hi, Josephine,” Rose replied back, giggling. Behind them, groans and complaints could be heard.

“Oh, shut up! I already have my lunch!” Josephine yelled back.

Typical Josephine. The people behind them grew quiet.

“That’s what I thought!” Josephine swung around and lit up at the sight of Callum. “Hi, Callum!”

“Hi, Josephine,” Callum stammered.

“I didn’t know you had the same lunch as us,” she stated.

“I didn’t either,” Callum mumbled. Rose noticed his rigidness.

“Hey, don’t you have friends waiting for you?” Rose asked him.

“Oh, uh, yeah! They’re probably looking for me. I’ll catch you guys later.” Rose nodded as he rushed off.

“I know that was a lie,” Josephine stated, glaring at Rose.

“No, it wasn’t. He actually does have friends waiting for him. He saw me, so he wanted to say hi,” Rose denied.

“Yeah, whatever. So, anything happen with you so far? Nothing’s happened with me, yet. I haven’t seen any cute boys or anything,” Josephine frowned, looking disappointed.

“Besides Callum,” Rose teased, rolling her eyes.

“Well, duh,” Josephine chuckled.

“Well, something did happen with me today,” Rose said.

Curious, Josephine stared at her best friend as they sat down at her table, waiting for Rose to spill the beans.

“Well, in first period I saw this gorgeous guy whose seat was assigned right next to mine. I was really happy, but when he was walking over, he seemed pissed. I glanced over at him, confused while he sat down, and he rolled his eyes at me! He gave me an attitude! Can you believe that? I didn’t do anything to him.”

“What a jerk!” Josephine exclaimed, too dramatic for Rose’s taste.

As she spoke, Rose began to smell something revolting once more. She glanced around, searching for anyone from first period when she saw him: Demetri. Josephine noticed where she was looking and purred.

“Josephine, that’s him. That’s the guy. He’s the one who gave me an attitude,” Rose whispered.

“That’s him?!”

“Shhh!”

“Sorry, but that’s him?! That handsome guy gave you an attitude?!” Josephine exclaimed in a whisper.

“Mhmm.”

“What a good-looking jerk!” Josephine burst out rather loudly. Shocked, Demetri glanced their way. “Ooh la la,” Josephine smiled, batting her eyelashes. Demetri rolled his eyes. “I get what you mean by attitude,” Josephine huffed.

“See, I told you,” Rose replied, not able to take her eyes off him. His attitude towards her best friend surprised Rose. There weren’t many boys who turned Josephine down. Why is my heartbeat quickening?

Demetri sat alone at a lone table near no one. Seeing this, Rose wondered if he had friends.

All of a sudden, clacking echoed in Rose’s ears. A girl wearing stripper heels and a much too revealing outfit walked towards him. Watching her, Rose’s chest tightened, but she couldn’t tell why. Was she getting sick?

“Hey, cutie. Can I sit here?” the girl asked, winking. They weren’t too far away as Rose could still hear her talking.

“Why don’t you run along and go pick another guy, one who prefers tramps?” Demetri groaned. The girl gasped. “Run along,” Demetri mumbled, motioning for her to get going.

With her heels clicking against the hard tile, she stomped off.

Seeing how quick Demetri was to judge put Rose in lower spirits. Rose noted how the girl looked trashy, but she chose not to judge. She would prefer to think there was a cause for dressing that way, such as a rough home life. Picturing what Demetri may have thought of her sent shivers down Rose’s spine. She would not give him the chance.

As Rose thought about this, Demetri caught her watching. Rose looked away, humiliated by her nosiness.

“Did you see what he did?” Josephine asked in alarm.

“Can we just forget about him? Let’s talk about something else. Are we hanging out after school?” Rose asked, praying they were. She needed to get her mind off of things. This day hadn’t gotten off to the greatest start.

“I can’t. My mom will want to know how my first day went. I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. There’s always tomorrow. You should go home; you haven’t seen your mom since like-- yesterday morning.”

“Thanks.”