Through the point of view of Beatrix
The next morning, I wake up feeling weirdly refreshed.
It's almost astounding how having a non-sexual and intellectual conversation with a guy friend can brighten my mood so well.
The bar is in hell.
I get dressed in a pair of beige colored cargo pants, a black fitted shirt and for my shoes I choose a pair of black and white sneakers.
For my hairstyle today I choose to have it up and out of my face, pulling all of my black braids up into a high ponytail.
For makeup, I want to keep it light.
Being around in such hot weather makes me realize it's futile to apply makeup the way I used to.
I'll end up sweating it off, badly.
I apply a little bit of foundation to my face, a little bit of concealer, blush and today I choose to use my white eyeliner.
As usual I mess up and smudge my makeup the first time, but I get it right and done the second time.
Ugh. Makeup-ing is such a hard task.
After packing my things up for class, I head to the kitchen to make myself something for breakfast.
I've got a bit more time to spare than I usually do, so I decide to just get breakfast in the lunchroom for once. Before leaving I make sure to lace up my sneakers, put my backpack on and lock my dorm room.
The hallways are crowded as usual, and I sigh before heading in the direction of where I know the lunchroom to be.
I push gently and say "excuse me" almost a million times before I finally get through the crowd and to the door of the lunchroom.
I'm about to open the door before I hear someone say my name.
"Morning, B." Anthony chirps, walking up to me.
The first thing I take notice of is his hair.
Today he's pulled his hair back into a half up, half down style. It's neat, yet still messy as dark little wisps of hair decorate face in a rather .. nice way.
Anthony's outfit consist of a black sweatshirt and a pair of baggy jeans. Adorning his neck today is a dainty gold necklace.
I watch as he takes his hands out of his pockets, and I turn my entire body to greet him.
"Your sure are chipper in the morning." I remark teasingly, earning me a gentle push from Anthony in return. He holds the lunchroom door open for me and I walk in slowly.
"Thanks," I say, when he stands beside me. He nods and we both grab our trays together.
"Is this your first time coming down here for breakfast?" Anthony questions, and I tell him that it is.
"I've only been down here to get my lunch, and I usually make dinner in my dorm kitchen." I say, and this must be a bad thing because Anthony's eyes widen at my words.
"You genuinely don't know what you're missing out on. The dinner here is so good, B." I frown at his words as I collect myself a strawberry pastry.
"And it's always better to eat with someone .. than be alone." Anthony adds, reaching over and placing another strawberry tart onto my plate.
My frown melts away into a playful glare from his teasing and I continue walking through the line.
"Do you want this one?"
"No, my plate's too full, Anthony. I don't eat that much for breakfast anyway."
"Well now .. you do."
"Anthony! You're so embarrassing.. oh my gosh."
Thanks to Anthony, my plate is now full of a bunch of different breakfast foods.
He just put things on my plate that I barely even looked at. I stare at the different assortment of fruits, pastries, and small custards that crowded my once empty plate.
"Alright. Breakfast meals are secured, now .. let's find a seat." Anthony says, nodding his head to an empty table in the middle of the cafeteria.
I must not have hidden the weary look on my face well enough, because Anthony immediately asks me what's wrong.
"Nothing, it's just .. I feel like everyone is going to stare. I'm just a little nervous, I guess." I tell him and he nods with an understanding expression.
"Well, we could always go to your dorm and eat, or mine. We don't have to eat here if it makes you uncomfortable, Beatrix." I sigh and look up at Anthony,
His brown eyes are kind and warm as they stare back down at me. I give him a small appreciative smile before I shaking my head no.
"No, I .. I can do this. Just please distract me." I say, walking over to the empty table first.
I do my best at ignoring any possible stares I might be getting and place my backpack onto the floor gently.
"I think the pop quiz is tomorrow." Anthony says, letting his backpack fall on the floor before taking a seat across from me.
My widen at that bit of information as I take bite of the strawberry pastry on my plate.
"And how exactly do you know this?" I ask, my skepticism evident.
"I just know, I feel like Mr. Grimm going to present it today." I roll my eyes at his very lacking theory and steal a blueberry off of his plate.
Anthony scoffs jokingly but his eyes still watch me as I eat the small fruit.
"I say tomorrow, I think he'll make us study today and then present it to the class tomorrow." I offer my theory, but Anthony shakes his head.
He plucks a strawberry off of my plate with his fork, and I glare as he eats the fruit with delight, adding a fake groan for dramatic effect.
I scrunch my face up at the noise in disgust and this in turn, earns me a laugh slipping from Anthony's lips.
"Keep your voice down! You're so loud, Anth-"
"Anthony?" The question has both me and Anthony whipping around in sync.
My smiles fades when I see a rather large group of guys standing right behind our table.
They're all huge guys, and some have football jerseys on, so I put 2 and 2 together and assume they're from the school football team.
They all look confused as to why I'm sitting there, and I look over at Anthony, now just as confused as them.
"Sorry guys, this is Beatrix. My friend." He puts emphasis on the word "friend" and sends his friends a look that surely means something in guy code.
I raise my eyebrow at the interaction, and the guys all turn to me.
"I was .. uh.. just taking my leave.." My words come out nervous and jumbled, and I don't wait for a response before quickly slipping my backpack on.
"B-" Anthony tries to say something, but I'm picking up my tray faster than he can even finish.
"See you in Spanish," I say, quickly.
Once I'm out of ear shot, I let out a huge breath of relief. Socializing with a group of guys that big, is absolute nightmare fuel for someone like me.
My hands slightly tremble as I go to put my tray away on the rack and I take a couple deep breaths to calm my nerves.
The bell rings and everyone begins to file out of the lunchroom, and into the hallways. I let out a small groan, realizing that I have to navigate yet another huge crowd of people to get to my homeroom.