Book 2: Chapter 13: Meetup Part I

Book 2: Chapter 13: Meetup Part I

Scarlet

I walk through the regular cafeteria full of a lot of unfamiliar faces, along with some that I vaguely recognize from the tournament each of whom seem to be staring at me whenever I walk past them. Which makes me even more uncomfortable about going to this cafeteria than I had originally expected Id be. But Belle is a Regular student and wanted to introduce us to her new friends over a meal, so there wasnt much I could do but come.

It takes me several minutes of wandering around the cafeteria while being gawked at by all manner of students before I finally find Belle, Michael, Emily, and three other people that I have no idea who are sitting at a table next to a window. And it looks like theyve already seen me and are just watching with amusement as I walk through the crowded cafeteria in their direction, ignoring the stares pointed my way.

Or rather, all of them are watching in amusement but the three strangers, who are also gawking, just like the other students here.

Damnit, this is making me way too uncomfortable

And the lack of Tars voice echoing in my head isnt helping, since he left at some point a few hours ago not long after I finished signing the contract with the woman that Allen had endorsed to me in an email prior to the meeting with Viper and he hasnt come back yet.

I cant help but glare at Belle once I get close before whisper shouting, Why couldnt we have had this lunch somewhere more private?!

She just giggles, making my glare grow colder. And the sight of Michael calmly covering his mouth while Emily openly giggles isnt helping my growing irritation.

Eventually Belle points to the open seat next to her and says, Go ahead and sit before we order.

I blink at that, then glance at the seat next to her, then at her, and then at the seat again. Then I simply walk over and sit next to Emily instead, leaving Belle to openly pout at me like a child.

Kind of surprising that this cafeteria has an ordering system, but from what I understand, thats normal, with each public cafeteria here having both a meal ordering service and a buffet that people can go up to in order to grab their own food.

Are you going to continue pouting, or are you going to introduce these three before their jaws catch flies? I coldly ask Belle, a scowl permeating my face, only fading a little when I look at the three people in question, each of whom immediately closes their mouth after being called out on it.

Hello, I tell the three with a light nod of my head, my scowl no longer on my face, instead replaced with a polite smile that basically just equates to me lifting the corners of my lips a little. If Belle ever decides that shes going shopping, please be sure to warn me so that I can go somewhere far away from her, alright?

The three look confused for a second before Jessica lets out a single chuckle, following which the three all burst out into laughter at Belles expense.

That seemed to do the trick.

Although

Im serious, please do, I tell them with a light nod, which only seem to make it worse.

Damnit, now I dont know if they think Im joking or not because Im not.

Sorry Im late! I hear Denises voice over the crowd, making me turn my head to find her hurriedly making her way through the crowd towards us while waving, wearing a nice looking white and pink blouse with an equally nice skirt.

I nod my head in her direction in greeting as the others state their own before she sits down and joins us, asking, Did I miss anything?

Just Scarlet teasing Belle, Michael says with a hint of a smirk on his face that has me frowning again.

But I wasnt- I begin, only for Belle to cut me off as she complains, I didnt do anything to deserve it either!

I narrow my eyes at the two, only for Denise to join in and say, Oh, well thats fine then. Tease her all you want. Which of course has Belle scoffing and throwing a retort right back.

But I wasnt teasing her I really meant that.