lxvii. thinking again and distant memories

I was alone at lunch that day. Justin was retaking a test and Aaron had a cold and was staying home, so it was just me. I looked around. It was strange how much everything had changed in the last few years. Cliques had driven us apart, and the kids that were best friends in kindergarten now sat at opposite ends of the cafeteria. Maybe that was happened to Aaron, Justin, and I too. We just didn't know it yet.

Where did I belong then? Maybe I was just one of those people who didn't have a place in the world. Maybe I didn't need one. I was okay on my own. I didn't rely on my parents as much these days, especially since Mom wasn't here anymore. I didn't really need anyone else either.

That was silly. I liked having Aaron and Justin around, no matter how much of a pain they were sometimes. They would be back tomorrow and I would come to my senses. Justin said he might even finish his test early, and then he would come back to hang out with me. He always said he hated seeing me alone, but I liked it better in some ways. It was my own little oasis inside the chaos of the cafeteria.

Things were easier when we were little. Sure, we had our problems, but at least we could always be there for each other. Now, that wasn't so easy. We were all stuck inside our own little worlds.

I didn't mind that much though. It meant I had more opportunities to be alone like this. I had peace and quiet...well, it wasn't exactly quiet, but whatever. I took a bite of my pizza. I was unknown in a crowd like this, and I liked it that way.