Gwendolyn felt stupid for asking that question. Who was crazy enough to go touch someone, all in the name of checking if he's a vampire? What the hell was she even thinking? She must be out of her mind. However, Gwen did notice something, Duane had flinched when she had mentioned vampires, or maybe she was thinking too much.
"Don't tell me you believe in those folklores?" It took Adam everything not to laugh at her.
Yep, this officially depicts how stupid she was.
"Leave the poor girl alone, Guy," Fizzy told him off, then turned to her, explaining, "Most of us were like you the first time we laid our eyes on them. I mean, seriously, they were giving off the Twilight vibe and so we did our researches, they aren't cold nor do they sparkle,"
Sophia added as well, "What Fizzy is trying to say is that vampires are supposed to be cold, undead and all, but them? They're warm. If you think I'm wrong, you could go touch them," She added, "Secretly,"
Yes, that was exactly what she was trying to avoid, touching strange people to ascertain if they're vampires. So, Gwendolyn decided to push the vampire discussion away else she might really do it.
"So what's so special about them?" Gwen asked instead, "What makes them, the populars?"
"Because of their skills and physical attributes obviously," Adam answered, without going into many details as usual.
"Well," Sophia pursed her lips,
"Annette isn't really in any club, there's just something about her that people can't resist. Boys like Aiden fall head over heels in love with her while girls worship her as if she's some sort of goddess,"
"Hey!" Aiden took offense,
"Why are you denying the obvious," Sophia teased him, "You're just like the other hopeless guys out there hoping to be with her,"
"Seriously!" his face was so red from embarrassment
"Knock it off, Sophia," Adam ordered her.
"Fine, you're no fun," The girl pouted yet went ahead with her explanation, "In conclusion, Annette is a picture of perfection. Had she smiled? I'm sure the whole world would sigh with contentment,"
"And Ethel," Fizzy started, as if they were taking turns in their narration, "Is the type of girl you won't dare to have a sleepover with else she kills you in your sleep. So because of her naturally intimidating aura, people respect her,"
"More like fear her," Gwendolyn argued, "There's a lot of difference between the two words," And as Gwen said, her eyes mistakenly met with Ethel's, the girl almost choked on her saliva.
With speed, Gwen took her eyes away from hers with lightning speed, she could almost swear they were listening in on their discussion which was pretty impossible. The Evans was like six or seven tables away from theirs, plus the fact they weren't even that loud, so how could that be possible?
"Nora is the leader of the cheerleaders and seems to have a knack for lifting team spirit," Adam explained, which made her suspect something. Does he have a crush on her?
"Liam and Zach are on the football team and are the best. We've won a lot of trophies with them playing and both should be able to win a scholarship to an Ivy League university if they keep it up," Aiden narrated this time.
"Then Duane is the cutest!" Sophia squealed like those fangirls you see on television supporting their favorite star, "He's the best dancer in the entire school and whenever he dances, girls go weak in the knees," She began to fan herself with her hand.
"Oh, he's that good?" the question slipped from Gwen's mouth unintentionally. She had witnessed him dancing earlier, the way he gyrated his waist and moved that body…. Shit, knock it out. What the hell are you thinking!
"Of course, he's that good," Sophia sang his praises before she narrowed her eyes at Gwen, "Why? You don't like him?"
Upon noticing Gwen's passive expression, Sophia snorted with disbelief and before she - Gwen - could even reply, she went ahead to say, "You got to be kidding me! Every girl here is willing to kill just to go on a date with fucking hot Duane Evans,"
"Well, I'm not every girl. Besides, he's not my type," Gwendolyn replied, her gaze connecting with Duane's instantly. Her seat was positioned in such a way that she could directly see them and now, she had gotten Duane's attention, she was not letting go.
Duane stared at her unabashed, Gwendolyn did the same as well. There was just something weird about these people, she could feel it deep down in her bones. As if to confirm he could indeed hear their conversation, Duane's lips moved in a way that spelled, "Really?"
There and then, Gwendolyn knew she was not letting these people go until she discovered their secret. Duane had just initiated the chase and she was in no way on earth giving up.
"What are you staring at?" Sophia roused her attention, Gwendolyn broke contact with Duane. Sophia turned around but Duane chooses that moment to stand from his chair. However, something happened.
Duane could have followed through several paths to leave the canteen but he intentionally went their way and when he had gotten close enough to their table, placed his hand on Gwen's shoulder, using it as support to go through the narrow space between their table and the neighboring table.
Although it was just a brief contact, something strange happened to Gwendolyn. Her once calm heart began to pound so fast she was afraid it would escape her chest. What the hell was happening? However, with that contact, she established a fact as well, he was warm - just as her new friends had said. Does this mean Duane was not a vampire?
"Ahhh!"
Gwendolyn winced, covering her eardrums as soon as Sophia screamed. What the hell was wrong with that girl? Does she want to make her deaf or what?
"Did you just see it? He touched you! Duane Evans touched you!"
"Oh my God," Gwen covered her face with her hands. Everyone was staring at her - most of the girls were glaring - and it was goddamn embarrassing.
Well, after Sophia's pestering at the cafeteria, Gwendolyn went to her locker to get her textbooks for her next class when she heard a "Hi" behind her.
Turning around, her eyes widened from shock. But then, she glanced around her to ensure Nora Evans was indeed referring to her.
"Silly, I'm talking to you," She chuckled, causing her to smile too.
"I'm Nora Evans, you're the new girl, right?" Nora asked, extending her hand for a handshake.
"Yes, I'm Gwendolyn Black, but you should rather call me Gwen, 'Gwendolyn' is too long of a name," She said, accepting the girl's hands which surprisingly wasn't made for a vampire. Her hands were warm and felt soft like a human's.
"Your name is cute. Trust me, girl, I've seen worse," She joked and the both of them burst into laughter.
Just as the others said, Nora was calm and she seems to exude that feeling as well. Gwen felt at peace speaking to her, unlike that scary one.
Unfortunately, as if Gwen jinxed her luck, Ethel hollered from behind, "Get over here, Nora! We're late!"
"Alright Gwen, it was nice meeting you. I hope to see you around," Nora waved at her.
"Sure, I hope to see you around as well," Without your scary cousin, Gwen added that one mentally.
Gwendolyn watched as Ethel dragged Nora away from her as if she was poison Ivy or something. However, the scary demoness didn't leave without casting her a glare that would have killed her if her eyes were bullets.
Well, it was official, Ethel hated her. For God knows why. Added to the female students scowling at her right now in the hallway. Duane touching her had made headlines in their gossip forum. Now, goodbye to a peaceful school year.