3 Invite

When he asked me to be my friend, I thought it was just lunch friends, but no. He searched for me when class was over. I was trying to avoid him until lunch. I was at my locker quietly putting stuff away.

-Found you! Matthew slammed my neighbor locker to get my attention. I flinched and looked at him. He had a huge smile on his face.

-Why are you looking for me?

-Because I wanna hang out with you! Are you free after school?

-Why?

-Because.

-Because what?

-Because I wanna hang out with youuuu! he whined and I scoffed and rolled my eyes. Is that how I sound when I whine? I have to have a good reputation and if I become his friend and be near him, I might be in trouble. I looked around and people were whispering about me. Matthew followed my gaze and hummed.

-Forget about them! C'mon, pleaseeee? With a cherry on top?

-Fine. When and what time?

-Yes! Today and after school, I'll see you in front of the building! And just like that, he ran off. I have a weird hunch about this boy... Too joyful for my taste. I turned to go to my class but was yanked behind. I looked behind and two girls were standing behind me. One with a smirk and the other one, the one that was holding me, was glaring at me.

-I can't help you with anything. I said, annoyed.

-So you're the new kid. That voice, I know that from somewhere.

-Yeah, pretty obvious.

-Ooh, nice persona.

-Jenny, shut it.

-Rude much with your friend? I snapped at her and she looked at me, shocked, not expecting for me to talk. I was surprised myself.

-I like you. The other one said and I smiled. Name's Jenny, yours?

-I don't like to talk with anyone, good bye. And I parted away.

-Was I too brutal? I heard whispers and I stopped and turned back. The one who was holding me back was... Worried? Did she not mean it? Jenny saw me and smiled and motioned with her hand to come closer and I did.

-This is Catherine or Caty. She's mean at first, but really, she's a big softy. Jenny said and I ohed. Didn't know that.

-So, what's yours? Caty asked and looked at me. Her eyes were soft thanks to the light blue color.

-Rachel. Rachel Sparkle.

-Rachel Sparkle, as in the little sister of Rich Sparkle? Jenny asked, not believing what I just said that.

-Why is that a big surprise?

-I mean, she does have the same face as him. Caty said and I didn't know if I should take that as an insult or a compliment.

-Why is it a big deal?

-Your older brother is kinda popular here. Jenny explained and I just stayed silent. I mean I knew he had a lot of friends and very sweet, but popular? I guess he's just pretending to be all what girls want.

-He really is? So then, I'm fine... right?

-Hhhgggg, no, not really. I mean, if you consider having fake friends is fine, then yeah. Caty said and lowered her head.

-Fake friends? What are does?

-Oh God, you sound like you never went to a school before. Jenny said and looked at me surprised.

-That's because I have never. I used to have social anxiety. So bad that sometimes I will pass out when someone talks to me.

-But now, you're fine? Caty asked, making sure and I shrugged.

-Well... It's better. I said and they both looked at each other then back at me.

-Tell us if you are having one, alright? Jenny said with a firm but yet soft and gentle voice.

I nodded hesitantly at her request and we walked to the canteen.

*

I was on my desk, writing the equation the teacher gave. I planned to finish it in school so that I can go to the library and hope to God that Matt won't find me in there.

Matt is a great guy, he's fun... I hope. But if I could, I would prefer to be alone with no friends and just be an outcast, where is I don't belong, no one will bother me, right?

-Heeeeeeeeey, you promised. A voice called out and I lift my head. It was Matt, sitting in front of me and had his arms on my table and his head resting on them.

-Hello, Matt. I greeted and looked back down on my work and was thinking of the math equation.

-...

I looked at him, surprised that he didn't answer back.

-You did this wrong. It's supposed to be four, not eight. This is the most important part so it's best to not mess that up. He pointed at the number and I didn't look down, I stared at him.

-You've learned this?

-My mom is a math addict. She forces me to learn math when I have nothing better to do. That's why I really wanted to hang out with someone after school.

-... Fine. I sighed and closed my books and put them in my bag. He looked up. -Where do you wanna go?

He's eyes shined at my words and got up instantly without thinking twice and grabbed my arm.

-We're going to McDonald's!

-What?