If you walk into the cafeteria of Los Angeles Senior High School, you will find one long table in the middle. Well, the cafeteria at his school consisted of a long row of tables in the center with 2 rows of 4-person tables on each side. Normally, Matt would choose the side tables for himself. The long tables were too long for him and of course, Matt would avoid the center. If Matt chose the center, it would be a disaster for him. Matt knew that.

It was different with Avril Marie Miller. That girl was always in the center of attention. Avril would sit at the popular table. It was right in the center like a stage so almost anyone could watch them freely.

Some people were grateful for that because they could watch their idols. Some people thought the popular table was heaven. There was William the basketball captain, Ed the football captain, Evan the football vice-president, Zed the prince charming who could do almost anything, Tony the photography king, Alice the student representative, Jack the chess champion and the kind-hearted Mia. Only Mia who doesn't do anything could be in the neutral group. But, anyone who saw Mia would agree that the girl had a kind aura with a smile that could charm anyone.

There are 2 popular groups in her school. The neutral group with Avril in it and the 3 girls who were the belle of the school called themselves the A class. Valerie, Poca, and Flo. If the neutral group was not always together, the A class was always together. When they walked in the corridors, it was like they were doing a fashion show and Matt thought it was ridiculous. Sometimes, they would make an effort to join the neutral group on certain occasions like going to the beach together. But, not during meals. They would pick a table in the 3rd row from the center and start gossiping. It was said that Valerie liked Zed. That's why she liked Avril less. It was also probably one of the reasons why they didn't want to join the neutral group. Unfortunately, Avril Marie Miller didn't have anything to hate. If someone hated Avril, it was obvious that the person was just jealous of the girl.

Matt knew that if the boy went to the cafeteria, he would find Avril easily. As soon as the boy took a step, he immediately found the girl's back. Avril was the real Avril today. She was back in the limelight and even at the popular table, Avril would be in the center.

Matt noticed Avril's outfit. She was wearing a summer dress with a sweet floral print. Her hair was pinned to the center part. That's it! With clothes like that, Avril was already capable of being the lead. Avril's outfits were never over-the-top or flashy at all. One thing Matt knew was that Avril loved cute, cute clothes. With Avril's slightly small stature, the girl fit into it.

Avril sat next to Zed while on her left was Johanna who was just watching her friends. Avril said something and her friends responded in kind. Avril was a mood-maker in the group. Matt walked quickly and picked out some food for lunch. Today, Avril wouldn't bother him, right? It wasn't Friday and Avril had made it clear that the girl would respect Matt's little world.

Matt returned while looking for a seat. Great! Why are the remaining seats so close to the popular table? Matt held his tray firmly but his eyes were on Avril. It seemed impossible that the person sitting there was the same person Matt was with yesterday. Avril really could do something impossible.

“Hey! You saw me, right? You can tell me who I am later! You can tell me I'm the crazy girl who swims with sharks,” Avril said.

Matt didn't know that one. It seems like there are a lot of things he doesn't know about Avril. Why was Avril interested in swimming with sharks? Exactly how explosive was Avril? Then, Matt's grip on the edge of the tray tightened as he saw Zed. The man was supporting his face with his hands while watching Avril. That's not all! From Zed's gaze and his smile, it was obvious that the man admired Avril very much. They're a match! His mind whispered something obvious.

Her friends laughed. Evan and Jack laughed the loudest. Jack looked at Avril. “What would we be without you?” Jack said.

Matt walked to his desk. He faintly heard Avril's voice behind him. “Let me watch this video first! I'll give you my comments later!”

Matt sat down and enjoyed his meal. The image of Zed was still playing in his head. They were so close and so compatible. Zed and Avril could almost do everything even though he was quieter than Avril.

Matt looked at his food with no appetite. But, he had to finish it as fast as he could. Matt wanted to go home and lie on his favorite couch watching a movie of his choice. But, what's with this claustrophobic feeling?

“Hey!” someone said, breaking Matt's reverie.

Matt lifted his head. Kimberly was smiling broadly. She was wearing a red tartan skirt and a black T-shirt with metal written on it. Matt noticed the piercings in her ears. Oh, did Kim just pierce her ear again?

“Hey!” Matt replied.

Kim did it again. The girl sat down immediately without asking Matt. Kim put down her tray and glanced at the popular tables. “The only table left is the one next to them. I'm not sure I can enjoy my lunch in peace.”

Matt nodded. “I know. They're never quiet.”

Matt's mind immediately rejected his own words. Avril was quiet last Friday. Even though Avril was in disguise mode at the time, Matt was sure that the girl wasn't faking it at all. Avril had that side too and she kept her promise.

“I don't hate them,” Kim said while stirring her soup. “But, I don't like A class. What the hell is A class? If the neutral group says it, I'll believe it. They're ridiculous.”

Matt didn't comment on Kim's words. Matt also had no business with A class and to be honest, Matt didn't care about them at all. The class themselves didn't have any great achievements like the neutral group. They were just pretty and much favored by men with empty heads. At least, that was Matt's opinion. Kim noticed Matt but she didn't force him to comment at all.

However, seconds later Kim made her displeased face. “That sucks. I shouldn't have brought it up. They showed up.”

Matt looked over. Valerie, Poco, and Flo entered in their graceful style. Matt ignored them again. Enjoy your lunch in peace. Matt wanted just that. Kim too. But, this girl was quite chatty too.

“Have you met Warren?” Matt asked.

Kim nodded. “Yes! He was pretty cooperative. I think he's nice.”

Matt nodded. “Yes! He's good”

“He's good for that kind of stuff. He looks like a genius scientist when I see him” Kim said.

Matt looked at Kim in disbelief. “A genius scientist?”

“Yes! I can feel the intelligence radiating from him. I think I can trust him.”

“When it comes to IT, you can definitely trust her,” Matt said.

While they were chatting, someone put his tray between Kim and Matt. They turned around and at that moment they saw A Class. Valerie put down her tray and smiled slyly. Valerie even put the tray down so hard that they became the center of attention. Valerie's smile grew wider.

“What an interesting couple! A weird emo girl with a loser who wears a hoodie in summer! Why am I not surprised that you chose a guy like this?” Valerie said.

Kim gave Valerie a sharp look. “Get lost, you're not invited here!”

Valerie laughed annoyingly while Matt was busy swearing in his heart. Damn it! Matt was the center of attention now. Matt hated this. What's more, the cafeteria was eerily quiet. Even the popular table didn't make a sound at all. Matt turned his head. It was then that his gaze met Avril's. The girl was watching them but Matt had no idea what was going through Avril's head right now.

“This isn't an event. I don't care if I'm invited or not” Valerie said haughtily. “Girls! We're having lunch here!”

Poco quickly put down his tray as well while Flo took a chair from the next table and did the same. Matt cursed again. He just looked down as he continued eating. Damn it! Why did he get involved in something like this? Matt was pathetic!

“Get lost, Val!” Kim snarled distastefully.

Valerie smiled wryly. “You can't order me around! I'm just curious about you and your partner! I'm happy for you guys! Don't you usually eat lunch by yourself?”