It soon became routine to spend lunchtime with Cricket, as it was the best time to hang out. They would talk about whatever was going on in their day and whatever came to their mind, really. Cricket loved talking about the books she was reading and Blue loved listening. He didn't think he could ever get tired of listening to her talk.

Today, he walked into the cafeteria, happily walking toward the table where they met everyday. But today, as he walked toward the table, he saw someone was already talking with Cricket. She was tall like his sister, with long wavy brown hair and dark olive skin. When Cricket saw him standing there, she smiled and waved, causing the other girl to turn and look at him with light interest.

Blue sat down next to the new girl. "Hi, Cricket. Hi." He smiled meekly at the other girl. She nodded at him but didn't return a smile.

"Hey, Blue! Sundew, this is Blue. He's pretty much my best friend. Blue, Sundew." Cricket happily introduced the two of them, smiling broadly.

"I only just met her." Sundew said to Blue. "Didn't have anywhere else to sit." She shrugged.

"So, uh." Blue tried to conjure a good icebreaker but came up short.

"What's your favourite book?" Cricket filled in the pause.

"Carnivorous Plants and Where to Find Them." Sundew shrugged again. "I like plants."

"That's so cool!" Cricket said in genuine interest.

They sat quietly for a minute, and Blue watched Sundew thoughtfully. He enjoyed people watching and liked putting himself in their shoes. Sundew kept looking over her shoulder around the cafeteria. Her face seemed impatient and longing.

Maybe she is worried for a family member? Maybe she has a younger sibling who's new and she's looking for them.

Maybe she is trying to avoid someone? Maybe she had a fight with a friend and she's regretting what she said.

Or maybe, she is caught up in her head about some homework assignment that is due, and she isn't confident in her performance?

Sundew noticed Blue staring at her and furrowed her brow. "What?"

Blue blinked and awkwardly turned back so he faced Cricket. "Oh, sorry."

Cricket bit her lip like she was trying not to laugh, and her face warmed him to the core.

Now Blue saw Sundew staring at him, one eyebrow raised and a wry smile teasing at her mouth. Blue hurriedly bit into his sandwich and tried to ignore the heat on his face. Sundew chuckled.

"What's your favourite class?" Cricket asked Sundew, changing the unspoken subject for Blue's sake.

"Uh. Probably science. I like biology." She answered.

Cricket's smile broadened at this. "Really? I have biology, too! It's so interesting, right?"

Blue also smiled. "No way. I have biology as well."

"Yay! We all share a class!" Cricket said happily.

The bell shrilled and students started leaving the room. Sundew stood up quickly, gathering her trash to dump in the bin. "Well, I guess see you guys in an hour." She said before waving over her shoulder as she left.

Blue nodded and Cricket waved back. "See you in science!"

Cricket got up as well, a new energy seeming to give her excited energy. She turned and smiled at Blue, he didn't know why until she laughed and he realized he was smiling too.

They left the cafeteria together, but parted ways a little bit down a hallway, waving in farewell.

Blue let himself dwell on the image of her smile for a bit, until he entered the door to his english class.