"Stop...it!" The words were forced out of Noah's mouth, the tight embrace that Savvy was giving him felt like she was about to crush his ribs at any moment.
"You're alive! Noah, you damn loser, I thought I lost you when I woke up!"
His hand awkwardly patted the crying girl's back as she filled his white shirt with her tears.
"Savvy, I think it's best if you, I don't know, stop crying?"
Noah wasn't too keen on the whole "comforting" thing close friends often did. Even if he tried, he'd fail. Terribly.
She untied her hold on him, allowing the young boy to intake a sharp deep breath and choke from the sudden air rushing down his throat.
Savvy wiped her tears away, her nose and eyes all red and puffy, making her feel worse. She licked her dry lips, sniffling softly as she waited for her friend to regain his composure.
"As much as I love you, you suck at comfort."
He glared at her, his hand still patting his chest. "Oh wow, I didn't know! I'm sorry, I guess I forgot to tell you in 5th grade."
"Cut the sarcasm. I haven't eaten till now, so let's go."
Before he could ask why a hardcore food lover like her didn't eat till now she grabbed his hand and pulled him along to the food section.
When they reached, Savvy didn't hesitate to slam her hands on the warm glass and drool over the food that was lit by the hot golden light.
"Holy fridges! This looks better than IKEA's food!"
Noah raised his brows with surprise. "That rare coming from you..."
Instead of replying, she eyed the food like it was the gate to the heavens.
"Okay Savvy, I'm going to sit with Lucas, mind ordering for me?"
"Yeah, I think their meatballs look heavenly too."
He shook his head with a light smile before making his way to the table Lucas sat in. The basketball star was already eating his second burger and set of fries, a large cup of a drink Noah couldn't point out was set at the tip of the table, giving him a reachable distance for his lips to grab on to the straw.
"Okay, I'm completely starved. Can I have some fries?"
His hand stretched out to grab a fry but ended up with a harsh slap on the back of his palm.
"What the- you actually hit me!"
"Noah, look dude. Back off. I'm starving like I didn't eat for years. It's scaring me so let me eat in peace."
Noah simply frowned, scooting away from Lucas silently. Resting his head against the table, he waited for his best friend to come and save his growling stomach.
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"Savvy Roberts! It's been an hour since I've left you! Are you still eying the food?" Noah stood behind her, his arms folded as he stared at her ridiculous state.
"Thank god, I was afraid that we'd use the broom to shoo her away," the cafeteria lady spoke as she placed the broom back in its place.
Savvy happily clapped before standing up from her bending position. "Okay, everyone! I know what to get."
"Please, enlighten us!"
"Ma'am, I want everything on your menu."
The cafeteria lady stared at the curly head with a blank face. "You're joking."
"No, I'm not. I'm actually very hungry and since Noah will be eating too I want to make sure I have enough food for myself."
The lady sighed, realizing that Savvy was very much serious. "Fine."
The two waited as she took the trays and plates, organizing them before filling each and every one of them with different foods.
The table was filled with about seven trays holding two plates on each. The whole cafeteria was staring at the kids with wide eyes and shock.
After a bit, Nova had shown up. She sat her self between Lucas and Noah, resting her elbow on the table as her palm held the weight of her head. Her eyes were half-closed, a pout on her lips as she tried to stay mentally calm.
Savvy looking straight at her. "I'm guessing you met professor Rivera?"
Her eyes widened as she stared at the girl from across her. Savvy had this smug look on her face, clearly bothering Nova.
"How about you guys tell me what happened and why are we in Everford's chemistry lab?"
Everyone sitting around the table paused, some holding their food in mid-air with wide-open mouths.
"You lost your memories?" Noah asked worriedly, his brows knitted.
"No doofus! I just can't seem to remember, I just need some reminding!"
"The chemistry lab in school kind of exploded..."
She stared at Noah, her fingers massaging her temple. "Oh gosh, that actually happened."
Savvy gulped her food down quickly before adding into the conversation. "For some reason, we're the only ones who came out without a single scratch on us."
Nova looked at them weirdly, her face scrunched up. "This whole thing happened and you all seem to be calm about it?"
Lucas nodded, wiping the sauce from the side of his mouth. "You can say that."
She huffed before taking a fry from the plate in front of Noah and biting into it. She didn't make it far, grabbing a tissue and spitting the fry into it before throwing it on Noah's hand.
"Why!? The fries are tasty here!"
She looked at him with a serious face. "Grease and carbs. I don't want to risk it, sweetie."
A frown still on his face, he handed it to Lucas who gave him a confused look.
"You're a basketball star. Shoot it into that open trash can or something."
The whole table watched as Lucas closed one eye to aim before shooting. The ball of tissue dropped into the trash can, making a soft thud when hitting the bottom.
Suddenly, the whole table stood up with excitement, surprised at the perfect aim.
As Noah watched the group dance and clap with happiness, he bit into a mozzarella stick with one thought on his mind.
Everything in front of him seemed like a new beginning.