Something New

"Are you pregnant?" Karen asked Emma, her best friend since kindergarten while at one of the uber-sophisticated, air-conditioned restrooms at Luna East. This one was at the fifth floor of the Arts building though, one that not a lot of students use. Emma immediately got out of the cubicle that she was in as she heard Emma puking yet again. She straightened her skirt and grabbed Emma by the arm before asking the dreaded question.

"Are you effin' pregnant?" She said, with much more strength this time, not minding if anyone would hear.

"Can you shut up?" Emma said, turning off the faucet after splashing some water on her face.

"You're throwing up again."

"I'm not pregnant, K," Emma said, "I just had too much to eat."

"Oh," Karen said, "Okay." She said nonchalantly, as if the fact that Emma just said that she was throwing up because of eating too much is not something to be worried about. At least she's not pregnant, Karen thought, an eating disorder is better. She and Emma then left the restroom.

**

Margot hastily got out of the cubicle as soon as Karen and Emma left. She hated those moments when some girls enter the restroom and go on with their tattletales, and superficial lives.Who would not get worried knowing that her friend has been purging? Margot shook her head.

She hated those moments when she had to stop reading whatever novel she was reading just because of those noisy teenage girls who knew nothing about life. Not that she knew everything, but at least she didn't have to throw up after eating, or worry about getting pregnant before graduating from high school because there's just so much to do.

Like, being part of the arts and crafts club. Or, immersing herself in the newest Maria Semple or David Levithan read. Or listening to The Smiths on her worn out iPod mini, one that she has not given up for around eight years now. What for? It still works, and she just doesn't like those new gadgets. You buy one today and you have to change it again in a few months or so because it's no longer "new". There's a lot of better use for money than that.

She glanced at her watch. It was 2:00 in the afternoon already. She had classes in an hour, and she was getting hungry. Yep, she's one of those girls who actually eats because she likes it and she actually doesn't mind gaining weight. She doesn't though. She's also one of those girls who have very fast metabolism, and that's why people often think that she's on a diet or that she's starving herself. She HATES feeling that way. But then again, what could she do? Damned if you do, damned if you don't, anyway.


She made her way out of the restroom, heavy Polka-dotted bag and a couple of books in hand, and bumped into Ronan. He transferred to Luna East from rival school Preston High just last year, their junior year in High School. He was tall, with Blue eyes, Dark, Chestnut Brown hair and an overwhelming presence because of his Half-Brit heritage. They have never spoken before, but she knew a lot about him. How could she not, when almost every girl in school talks about him like he's a god?

"Margot," He said.

She raised an eyebrow, her defense mechanism for awkward situations like this. "Why do you know my name?" She said as she picked up her books. Ronan bent down to help her, too.

"We were classmates, weren't we? Intro to Interior Design?" Yep, they had classes such as Interior Design because Luna East was an Arts School. And that's why it's awesome.

"Yeah, but--" She said as she placed the books one by one back in her bag.

"I paid attention," Ronan said, "here," he said, handing her Maria Semple's "Where'd You Go, Bernadette?" and then getting it back, "Wait, I haven't read this one."

"Go buy one."

"Aren't you willing to lend this to me?"

She took a deep breath and rolled her eyes, "Ronan," she said, "We're not friends."

"Maybe," he said, "but we can be."

"Why would we be?"

"Aren't you willing to try something new?"

"What is it to you?"

"Nothing," he said, "Just being friendly." He smiled and then rummaged through his sling bag, "Tell you what," he said,"I'll lend you this," he handed her a copy of Don Winslow's "Savages", "I know you haven't read that."

"How do you know?"

"I stalk you on Goodreads."

She rolled her eyes again. She barely checks the friend requests on her Goodreads page. "You're insane," she said.

"Maybe," he said, "or maybe I just want to be friends with you."

For some reason, this made her smile lightly, "Fine," she said, accepting the book, "I'll return this to you in three days. Make sure you finish that book, too."

"Is that a challenge?"

"Maybe," she smiled.

He chuckled, "What's your number?"

She shook her head, took a mini notebook from her bag and wrote down her number on a page. She tore the page and gave it to Ronan.

"Thanks," he said, "See you in three days."

"Fine, fine," she said and started to walk away. She opened the first page of the book that Ronan lent her, and saw that something was written on it.

I've been wanting to lend this to you for a while now, but I have no idea how to reach you. So, yeah, I've been keeping this in my bag, in the hopes that I'd have a chance to talk to you each day. Creepy? Sorry.

Hope you're willing to try something new. 

Ronan

She glanced back at him and caught his eye. They shared a smile. Well, it was clearly the start of something new...

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