The bell just rang ending Cree's last class before lunch time. It was a good thing, because she had skipped breakfast. She was still reeling from the humiliation that she had suffered the day before at the boy's basketball practice. She couldn't believe Millie was so candid and would say anything to anyone without one bit of shame. She still felt embarrassed and even though no one said anything She was slowly becoming paranoid thinking that every incoherent whisper she heard in the hallways was about her.

She ran into Millie who was walking down the hall with Jenny and Lexi. "It's lunchtime, girls," Millie said with a twinkle in her eye. "And time for trolling." She grabbed Cree's hand but the red-haired girl looked confused. "You're going to join us, aren't you?"

"Sure, I will?" Cree said, while walking down the hall with her friends. "Besides, I'm starving."

"Yeah, me too, Millie said putting on a wide grin. Cree had a feeling she wasn't talking about food.

They got in line which wasn't too long since they reached the lunchroom a few minutes early. Meatloaf was on the menu today, and usually Cree hated that dish but Lexi convinced her it was quite good. The school had two terrific cooks, Miss Amanda Bailey who took great care in main curses and pasta while her brother Alfred was a wiz at desserts and vegetable dishes.

Lexi was very much into nutrition and the culinary arts and went on nonstop about all the tidbits and tricks she had learned over the years. Cree now knew everything about the frosting versus icing controversy. It was more than she ever wanted to know.

She decided she would try it. Cree was the type to try anything once. She was at least happy that they had her favorite dessert, strawberry cheesecake.

Once the four girls got their food they searched for a free table and there was the perfect one right in the far corner near the entrance doors.

Cree had every intention of eating her lunch in peace, but Millie was talking incessantly about the best looking boys in school, one that was on her list was named Jordon Demsey but she warned that he was off limits.

Cree wasn't interested in any boys except one, but she didn't think she would ever have a remote chance with him.

Cree took a bite of the meatloaf and had to admit that it was as good as Lexi claimed. She made a sound of satisfaction And Lexi smiled at her.

"See, I told you it was good," she said and lifted a bit of meatloaf to her mouth and swallowed it.

"Hey, girls," the male voice came from behind Cree. She recognized that voice. She turned around He see a pair soft brown eyes staring at her. "So, can I join you?"

"Sure, Reese," Lexi said and smiled. She was flirting a bit. "That's if Cree doesn't mind."

"Well, how about It?" he asked. "Is this seat taken?" He was looking straight at Cree when he did which was obviously making her nervous.

"You can sit wherever you want," she said and didn't realize she had a bit of the form from her smoothie above her top lip.

She didn't notice until he sat down and felt so embarrassed that she turned away and took a napkin and wiped it away. "Sorry, I can be a slob when I eat."

"Not any worse than me," he said which made her laugh. Millie whispered to the other girls which Cree barely noticed.

"I almost forgot to had to see Professor Tobin about my art project," Millie said and rose from the table. "You girls want to come with?"

"Well, I haven't finished..." Lexi said without out thinking and Millie reached over and pinched her. "Ouch... What.." She looked over at Millie who gave her the silent signal. "Oh, yeah, I need to see Professor Tobin as well."

Jenny had no idea what they were talking about, but she saw the way Cree looked at Reese and knew what she really wanted was to be alone with him.

"Let's be off to the art room," Jenny said and sprang to her feet.

The three girls disappeared leaving Reese to shake his head. "I guess I know how to clear a room," He said jokingly.

"I have a feeling they did that on purpose?" Cree said, a started a laugh herself. "It think my friends are conspiring."

"If they are I'm glad they did," he said and took her hand. The gesture startled her and he backed off. "Sorry."

"For what?" she asked and she realized she unintentionally offended him.

"I didn't mean to surprise you," He said and he looked into her eyes. "I just don't want you to be afraid of me."

"I'm not afraid," she said, stuttering a bit. "It's just that everything is so different and... ummm... it just takes some getting used to."

"Well, if it means anything I'm glad you're here," he said, "and I hope we can be friends."

"I'd like that," she said and smiled.

They spend the rest of their lunch hour together just laughing and talking. It didn't go unnoticed as three cupids were lurking around the corner spying through the door. "See I told you this would work," Millie said, seeing a the young couple who looked like they were having a good time. "Now, all we have to do is make sure this keeps going."

"They do look cute together," Lexi said, trying to get a peek to see what was going on. "It's about time Reese get a new girl."

"That's true, but isn't it weird that your ex is trying to fix you up?" Millie asked looking straight at Lexi.

"We had one date, and he's not my type anyway," Lexi said. "So now we need to come up with a good plan."

"Why don't we just leave them be?" Jenny said. "They're getting along fine, and if they're meant to be it will just happened."

"Only in romance novels, Jen," Lexi said. "In reality romance can always use a little push."

"Hey, they're getting up, so let's scram before they see us," Millie said and grabbed Lexi's arm, who in turn took Jenny arm and the three conspirators fled the scene.

Reese and Cree reached the door of the lunch room when Reese noticed how many books she's had to carry. "I could take those for you."

"I have biology next period," she said. "It's on the third floor, so I wouldn't want to impose."

"It's no problem," he said. "I have chem lab down the hall so it's not a problem."

"Alright," she said and let him take her books. They walked down the hall together both smiling at each other.