The cafeteria buzzed with chatter and the clinking of trays as Sunny and I made our way through the line. The aroma of the food was almost enough to distract me from the lingering tension of the morning. I grabbed a salad and a sandwich, while Sunny piled her plate high with gourmet offerings.
As we headed to a table in the corner, I couldn't shake the feeling that every eye was on me. I could hear snippets of conversation floating through the air, the whispers echoing my name and the kiss from last night.
"Did you see that? She kissed Felix! What a joke," one girl said with a scoff.
"Who does she think she is? Just some scholarship kid," another chimed in, their laughter ringing out like daggers.
I rolled my eyes but kept walking. I didn't need to give them any more attention.
Once we settled down at our table, Sunny leaned in with a wide grin. "You know, I think it's so cool how you stood up to that brat in class. I mean, you just shot her down! You're like a force of nature."
"Thanks," I replied, taking a bite of my sandwich. "I just can't stand people who think they're better than everyone else because of their money. It's pathetic."
"I'm seriously amazed by you. Most people would have just cowered away," Sunny said, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "You've got guts, Faerie."
I shrugged, trying to downplay it, but the compliment warmed me. "I don't have time for bullies, especially not when I'm here to prove I belong."
As we ate, I could still feel the eyes on me. Some were curious, intrigued even, while others glared with disdain, their whispers cutting through the noise. "Did you really kiss Felix? What a loser," I heard one girl say, clearly trying to rally her friends against me.
Felix leaned back in his chair, surveying the exclusive silver-tie cafeteria, where the elite mingled in an atmosphere of luxury that was a world apart from the hustle of the regular cafeteria.
Gold accents adorned the elegant decor, and the tables were filled with laughter and whispered conversations about the latest designer collections and exclusive parties. It felt distant to him, even as he was at the center of it all.
"So what do you think of that new scholarship chick you kissed last night?" Jake asked, leaning forward with a mischievous grin. He was always quick to stir the pot, and today was no exception
Felix took a sip of his drink, maintaining a detached expression. "It was just a kiss Am I supposed to feel something?" he replied, his tone flat and dismissive.
"No, no, it's not like that," Marcus chimed in, clearly enjoying the teasing. "What do you think of her overall?"
Felix shrugged, trying to sound indifferent, but a hint of curiosity flickered in his mind. "Nothing. She's just another pretty scholarship girl I'd like to fuck," he replied, his words laced with casual arrogance.
"Aw, Felix, didn't know you go whoring." Jake teased, laughter spilling from the table as they shared in the absurdity of the thought.
"More often than you think, Felix shot back, rolling his eyes. He could feel the eyes of his friends on him, searching for a hint of vulnerability. But he wouldn't give them that satisfaction.
"Seriously, though, what's the deal? She really stood up to those silver ties," Marcus pointed out, leaning closer. "Not many people would have the guts to call out the queen bee like that." Marcus added
Felix scoffed, glancing back at the bustling blue and red tie cafeteria across the hall. "Maybe she just doesn't know her place. Those scholarship kids have a lot of nerve thinking they can play in our league". Felix said
"Or maybe she's exactly what you need to shake things up a bit", Jake countered. leaning back with a sly smile. "You're bored and out of your mind so This could be interesting." He concluded
Felix couldn't help but smirk at the idea. "Interesting? She's just a temporary distraction. There's nothing compelling about her."
Yet, despite his words, he felt a twinge of annoyance. The way Faerie had looked at him during the kiss, unafraid and challenging, intrigued him more than he wanted to admit.
"It was just a dare," he muttered, almost to himself.
"Yeah, sure. Just a dare" Marcus replied, rolling his eyes. "But everyone's talking about it, She's become the new topic of conversation, especially among the blue ties."
"Good for her," Felix said, but he couldn't shake the feeling of curiosity. What made her so different?
"Aw, come on, Felix! What if she's actually fun?" Jake teased. "You might find out you actually enjoy the company of a blue tie."
Felix gave a nonchalant shrug, though his gaze inadvertently drifted back to the blue and red tie cafeteria, where Faerie sat at a table with Sunny.
The confidence she displayed as she conversed with her friend made him wonder if there was more to her than just being a scholarship student.
"Let's focus on what's important," Felix said, steering the conversation back to safer territory. What are we doing for the next party? We need to plan something epic."
As his friends shifted gears, discussing the details of their upcoming events, Felix tried to push the thoughts of Faerie from his mind. But with each laugh and jab from his friends, he felt that lingering intrigue nagging at him.
What if this girl was a wild card in his otherwise predictable life? Maybe the challenge she presented was exactly what he needed to break the monotony of the elite circles he traveled in.
"Felix, if you keep eyeing her like that, we might have to start planning your wedding." Jake joked, nudging him playfully
Felix forced a laugh, though inside, he felt a simmering curiosity about Faerie. Maybe he'd let her surprise him after all.