After I had some ice-cream with Miles, he dropped me off back at Shelby's. Of course she was pissed at me for having been gone for almost two hours, claiming I had gone to take a walk. She even expressed her suspicion that I probably left with Miles to go somewhere.

What's the myth about women and their instincts again? I had no idea it was that accurate.

Because I'm not crazy and because I know the consequences wouldn't be great if she found out what really happened, I lied. I agreed to going out with someone but didn't mention who it was.

There was no point in denying it.

She heard a car stop near her house but by the time she walked over to the window, it was already gone from view.

And now we're still talking about the same thing...

"Shelby, you don't know him!" I said aloud, turning to the screen once again, trying my best to focus on the movie.

"Then let me meet him, Tyler, please. I wanna see the potential guy who's going to finally break your virginity!" She exclaimed excitedly and I cringed.

Um, she wouldn't be this enthusiastic if she knew it was actually her three-hour boyfriend so far.

"I'm sure it's Ashwin!" She squeals and I almost roll my eyes, "And besides, you've always liked him."

No, Shelby. I used to like him.

"It's not him." I assured her, shaking my head slowly.

She waved her hand dismissively at me, "Doesn't matter, we'll find you someone else then."

----

"Hey Lisa, please pass me the syrup?" My dad asked our helper.

I wasn't even paying attention to my surroundings, my mouth was just getting filled with more and more of these delicious pancakes.

Letting out a moan, I mouthed, "Mhhm... this is amazing."

"Everything tastes good to you, dork." Eddie rolled his eyes, earning a glare from me.

"Who are you calling a dork?" I asked him, clearly annoyed.

He looks around him dramatically, "Would I be talking about dad? Nope. Lisa? Absolutely not. Some other person at the table? Nope. Cause it's only the four of us. Obviously it's you. I mean like duuhhh." He sighed exasperatedly.

"Better to be a dork than an idiot, don't you think?" I smiled sarcastically at him and he scowled.

With that, I was able to enjoy my breakfast peacefully.

"Eddie," My dad suddenly said, adding more syrup to his pancakes. "Do you need a ride to school?"

My dad was really trying to be there for us once in a while. He's just not an affectionate person, and it became worse after mom died five years ago.

But I guess... kudos to him for trying.

Eddie shook his head. "No thanks, dad... Ryan already asked his mom to give us both a ride."

I could see how bothered dad was by this but the expression soon vanished as fast as it had appeared. I also pretended as though I hadn't noticed.

Having your kid bring taken to school by his friend's mom because you were known to always be busy was not a good look. And I bet it made him feel bad too.

----

"Tyler! There he is." Shelby said to me, trying to turn me in the direction of the mystery person.

"Who?" I turned to see Ashwin walking in the school hallway. I rolled my eyes, "Shelby, I told you I don't like him anymore." I complained.

She waved her hand dismissively. "There's no such thing. If you've liked him before, you can always like him again right?"

"I really don't know where you heard that," I muttered. 

"Ashwin!" She suddenly yelled out his name, making my eyes widen immediately.

"Shelby, what the fuck?" I said in a whisper-yell tone.

"Relax, just talk to him." She said through her teeth.

"Hey!" Shelby greeted cheerily and I refrained from rolling my eyes. Ashwin gave her a weird look as he came to a stop, probably confused as to why she's talking to him, but greeted anyway.

He then looked at me with a genuine smile, "Hey Tyler."

"Hi Ashwin." I smiled back.

"So, Tyler and I were wondering if you wanted to join us at lunch today." Shelby said, making me frown.

"I was?" I questioned her, absent-mindedly. That earned me a rough nudge to the ribs. I sucked in a small breath but quickly recollected myself.

"Yes, we were discussing it just now." She said through her teeth again. You could tell she was already starting to get annoyed with me. "Sorry, she hit her head against the car door today... temporary amnesia." She elaborated to Ashwin.

He nodded slowly, looking unconvinced.

"Right Tyler?" She used me to assure Ashwin. I just nodded.

"Yeah."

He immediately smiled, "Okay. See you guys then."

----

"Guys... the cheesecake is amazing!" Ashwin said as soon as he got to our table, catching our attention.

So this is our lunch table, consisting of the school's Queen B, Shelby White; her way too uncool best friend, Tyler Jones; the senior jocks; and the cheerleaders.

As you've already guessed, I feel left out... EVERYDAY OF MY LIFE. None of these people know anything about me, at all so I can't even refer to them as my acquaintances, let alone friends. It's like sitting with a bunch of strangers.

But Shelby tried to help me out the best way she could. She always finds a way to include me in their 'interesting' conversations but I'm always the one to crack a joke that's apparently not even funny.

"Really?" I squealed, earning a glare from most of the cheerleaaders.

Oh. Apparently we aren't supposed to conversate with the social pariahs – or rather, anyone who doesn't sit at our table.

They all turned to him once again, "Well that much we know, but tell me... are you lost?" Oliver, one of the jocks, questions him. The rest of the squad starts laughing.

"Well, your dearest friend invited me." He replied with confidence, folding his arms in front of his chest.

Everyone immediately turned to me and I raised my eyebrows. "What?"

"You're the only one who could invite such a loser to our table," Patricia said with venom in the tone of her voice.

I looked at Shelby, waiting for her to say something. It takes quite a long time before she explains to the group.

"Both of us asked him to join us," She informs our squad, making Ashwin sigh in relief when no one else says anything against him. It would honestly be embarrassing if Shelby invited Ashwin, only for him to be sent away when he gets here.

Ashwin takes a seat next to me. "Seriously, go try the cheesecake," He recommended and my mouth instantly watered.

"They have cheesecake today?" I could already tell that this would brighten up my day. I didn't even wait for his answer when I jumped out of my seat and rushed to go get the cheesecake. I even cut in front of the line and grabbed it, ignoring the groans and protests coming my way.

No one gets in the way of me and my food.

"Thanks so much for telling me," I thanked Ashwin and continued to devour my cheesecake slice.

Miles made his way to our table and Shelby stood up to give him a hug immediately, which he seemingly returned with the same eagerness.

When they pulled back, Shelby leaned in to kiss him. I wouldn't know what happened next because I had already turned to look away.

"Hey Honeybear," Shelby's eyes were already gleaming because of Miles' presence.

But Honeybear as a pet name...?
What do I care anyway? It's not my pet name.

Miles sent me a small wave once he had settled in his seat. I sent him a smile in return.

"Ew, do you have any idea how many calories are in that cheesecake slice alone?" Trish scowled at me in disgust and I rolled my eyes, annoyed.

Insulting my food is the same as you insulting me.

"Well Trish, unlike you, I have no time or consideration for your permissourian-what-the-ever-fuck-broccoli salad. Okay? Some of us like to eat food that satisfies the stomach, not food that turns your stomach green."

Ashwin broke out into a fit of laughter while Miles snorted. Shelby just raised her eyebrows at me, as if telling me I was pissing off most of the squad.

I couldn't even give a fuck at that point.