Autumn

I slammed my tray down on the table and slumped into a chair. Eyes aimed downward, I hurriedly began to stuff potatoes into my face as a table of teenagers blinked confusedly in my direction.

“Autumn?” Leila asked over the din of the cafeteria. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” I snapped. “I’m fine.”

“That’s a laugh.” Replied Maria. “I bet it’s over room assignments.”

“Oh come on.” Said Casey. “Who’s the worst she could have?”

“Try Madison Diaz.” I replied.

A stunned silence erupted.

“Oh wow.” Said Carey eventually. “That’s unfortunate.”

“That’s not the bad part.” I said. “She’s not that bad. The connecting room is far worse.”

“Worse?”

“Alexis Cho and Kaylee Thompson.” I answered, sliding back in my chair.

“I almost feel worse for those two.” Said Maria. “They hate each other.”

“Well, at least I don’t have to hang out with them all the time.” I said, “That would suck ass.”

Suddenly, the loudspeaker began to blare.

“Attention, students! Since we had some issues last year, for the first 2 weeks, everyone is to sit with their room block during meals for bonding. This takes effect now. So move. That will be all.”

Well how convenient.

The cafeteria erupted in complaints and yells, every high-schooler going absolutely bat-shit. I couldn’t bring myself to do anything more than stare at the ground in sheer disbelief.

F*** me.

Five minutes later, I found myself seated at a linoleum table, 4 pairs of angry eyes glued to the surface. It only took Alexis a good 30 seconds of awkward to pull out her phone. Even Kaylee Thompson, paragon of idle conversation, sat tight-lipped and uncomfortable, fidgeting with her ever-present black gloves.

If this was my future, this was definitely a world I didn’t want to live in. Stupid room-block. Stupid rules. Stupid Madison. Stupid table. Stupid school. Stupid grades. Stupid Je-

…stupid everything.

My mind spiraled down into its usual pit of despair, slipping further and further until I was completely submerged in a river of regret and doubts. Nothing was okay.

“…okay…? …what’s wrong with you..?”

“…dude?...what’s going on…?”

“…AUTUMN!”

With a jolt, I blinked back into reality.

“What?”

“Dude…where did you go?” Asked Kaylee, her eyes filled with concern.

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.

Her eyes still glued to her screen, Alexis muttered, “Your face just f***ing went blank and sad…then you started tearing up and some shit. ”

Huh.

I wiped my eyes.

I should probably fix that.

“Wow, Alexis. What compassion.” Mocked Kaylee.

“F*** off. Her problems are her problems.”

“Well…if we’re all gonna’ be BESTIES…”

Alexis abruptly stood up, knocking her drink all over the table.

“You three will NEVER be my “buddies”. We may be roommates, but we’ll NEVER be friends. Clear?”

A stunned silence filled the air.

With a grunt of disgust, Alexis stomped away towards the exit.

“God what a bitch.” Murmured Kaylee as she attempted to wipe up Alexis’ mess.

Upon realizing that all eyes were on our table, the three of us cleaned up quickly and sat in silence. I felt awkward and uncomfortable, more so than I ever had been. I’ve fallen on stage and felt more okay than that moment. Hearing a faint whimper, my eyes flicked over to Madison, who had taken refuge inside of her sweater and was now staring intently at where Alexis was a good 5 minutes ago. She looked legitimately scared…I almost felt bad.

“If she’s gonna’ act like that all year, I’m gonna smack her.” Said Kaylee, breaking the infinite silence.

I gave a nod of agreement, still not comfortable enough to say anything. Hell, I didn’t even know what to say. With a sigh, Kaylee ran a hand through her brown, curly hair. She suddenly clapped her hands together, sending a shock of noise across the mute table.

“How about we do introductions?” She said, a forced smile plastered across her face.

Neither Madison or I responded, our hearts still recovering from the last 10 minutes of activity.

“Come on guys, you seriously cannot make this more awkward. Help me out here.” She pleaded, raising her eyebrows to accentuate the striking blue eyes she used to her advantage.

“Okay but…we already know each other…” I said, still unsure, but somewhat persuaded.

“Bullshit!” She responded. “We know how the world perceives each other, but we don’t really know each other, do we?”

“I suppose not…”

Madison remained silent.

“Wanna go first, Madison?” Asked Kaylee, adorning a comforting smile.

In response to the question, the small girl sunk further into her sweater and gave a quick shake of her head.

“…okay..?” Said Kaylee “Um…I’ll go first then.”

She cleared her throat and ran her hand through her hair once more.

“Hi! I’m Kaylee Thompson and-“

“Hi Kaylee.” I echoed in a monotone.

“Is this an AA meeting?” She responded, somewhat exasperated.

“Yes.” I shrugged.

“…okay..?” She sighed again. “Uhm..Hi! I’m Kaylee Thompson. I live on a farm with my dad and my two older brothers, and I love animals.”

Silence fell. I think Madison clapped…or at least made an attempt at it. Who knows.

“…someone else please go.” Said Kaylee, visibly beyond wits end.

“Hi. My name is Autumn Archer and…I like art.”

“What kind of art?” Asked Kaylee.

“…art.”

Kaylee massaged her temples, quickly typing something into her phone before shoving it back into her over-sized letterman jacket.

Suddenly, all eyes were on Madison.

“Your turn.”

Startled, she kind of choked and took a minute to catch her breath.

“M-my name is M-Madison Diaz. I l-l-like b-books.”

She retreated back into the sweater.

This was going so well. Good job Kaylee.

The athlete hung her head in her hands, murmuring small things about being a failure as a captain.

“I can’t have this year be messed up! This is supposed to be my year! And Alexis- OH HI ALEXIS!”

The cheerleader had sauntered back to the table without a sound, the look of disgust clear on her face. She sat down and leaned back in her chair.

Avoiding all eye contact, I pulled out my phone and sent a SOS to Casey. This tension was ridiculous.

“Did ya miss us or what?” Kaylee shot at Alexis.

“Oh you wish. Connors sent me back here because I ‘wasn’t bonding’.”

“Not like you’re ever gonna.” Mumbled the blue-eyed girl under her breath.

“Speak up, Gloves. I couldn’t hear you!”

“Sorry Pom Poms. I forgot I was in your esteemed presence!”

By this point, both had stood up on chairs, completely towering over a ruined meal and the sweater that had once been Madison Diaz.

Then the first spoonful of mashed potatoes flew.