Iris

One year ago My palm turned damp while I looked at the message on my screen. I was so wrapped up in it that I didn't even register the bell ringing to mark the end of history class. My stare stayed pinned to the screen while my thoughts spun out of control. Noah: I've got a surprise coming up Noah: I'll catch you at the cafeteria soon Noah: Miss you I went still, like a statue. I probably wouldn't have been this anxious if not for what my best friend had confessed yesterday. "The Girl In The Back Row, did you even hear me?" I jerked my head toward the voice. Tessa, the best friend I'd been worrying about, lifted an eyebrow. She put on a cute pout, propped her chin on her hands atop the table, and let her grey eyes search my face. "Were you listening?" "Sorry." I blinked a couple of times. "What were you talking about?" A grin slid onto her lips before she rose and tugged me to my feet. "I said I want that Rib Eye Steak, and we need to get to the cafeteria now because I'm starving. I instinctively planted my feet, wishing they could stay rooted to the floor, but I was helpless once Tessa hauled me out of the classroom for lunch. "Tessa," I complained, trying to pull free, but my arm was already looped through hers. I'd never minded my best friend being clingy or touchy, yet today was the exception. Because today, with my eyes flicking to her cheerful face, I couldn't stand the idea of her getting hurt. Yes, the idea of her getting hurt by whatever was about to happen next. I knew that if it didn't happen today, it'd happen sooner or later. Each step toward the school cafeteria weighed on me; the nearer we got, the thinner the air seemed in my lungs. God, please help me. By the time we walked in, with students already taking seats and picking up their food, Noah was there waiting. He was leaning against his usual table, the popular one crowded with his football teammates. His arms stayed folded over his chest. A smirk tugged at his mouth when he saw me, while his friends looked on in amusement, like they were waiting to see what their captain would do. Tessa abruptly stopped when she spotted Noah, and I felt her hold on my arm tighten. My heart broke though nothing at all had happened yet. It wasn't strange for us to eat lunch with Noah, but now I knew she'd always be hoping for it. How could I have been so stupid? My breath snagged in my throat as Noah pushed off from his table and came toward us, only to stop halfway. He planted himself in the middle of the cafeteria, pulling every eye in the room to him.