"He's not my partner" Kim explained. "Anyway, you don't have to mind my business. Can you get out of here? You're not wanted here."

Valerie picked up her fries and ate her lunch. Matt looked down even more as he savored his food. His brain was spinning. Finishing his food wasn't the right solution either. The problem was that everyone was watching them so how could Matt escape from a situation like this?

"I'm enjoying my meal here," Valerie said casually. "Poco, Flo, you guys eat too!"

Poco and Flo nodded and started enjoying their food. All three girls were wearing white today. Only their hair set them apart now. Val had always been a beautiful Barbie-like blonde. Poco had beautiful shiny black hair while Flo had sweet brown hair. Unfortunately, for Matt, it was not a good thing at all. Matt didn't feel lucky at all to be at the table with those three girls especially when he was being teased like this. Why is it so hard to be transparent these days?

"Are you challenging me?" threatened Kim.

"What?" asked Val innocently.

"Stop meddling in my business" Kim growled. "You think I can't get back at you?"

Valerie laughed. Her laughter sounded mocking and the cafeteria was still as quiet as ever. Everyone was watching them and Matt was feeling the pressure of it all. This sucks! Matt felt so bad that this was only his second time sitting with Kim. Matt knew he looked stupid for wearing a hoodie. But, still! Hearing it from someone else's mouth was annoying especially after Avril managed to convince him that he wasn't the loser he thought he was.

"How exactly are you going to get back at me?" Valerie challenged.

Kim didn't answer. It seemed like the girl hadn't thought of a way to fight Valerie or a way to save them both from this situation. Kim had done well. Unfortunately, her weapon was less powerful and just an empty bluff. Poco and Flo enjoyed the spectacle before them.

"She doesn't know," Flo said.

When it comes to voices why is this girl annoying? Matt would love to silence this girl right now. Valerie smiled triumphantly at Flo's comment. Val was completely satisfied with that fact. Kim looked around the cafeteria and felt even more annoyed as they became a spectacle.

"Do you have to do this?" Kim said. "I got the role because of my skills, Val. You can't get mad because it's our coach's decision."

Matt wasn't sure why they were fighting. But, Kim seemed to have won something from Valerie and that upset her. Valerie was always upset about failing to be the lead. Val couldn't even be the lead in the theater club because of Avril. Valerie could only be the co-star or antagonist. Even after the performance, it was always Avril who was in the spotlight. There was a lot of praise for Avril even when the media covered it. Then, Valerie was even more upset that it was the emo Kim who would be doing a solo performance at the ballet.

"I don't care about that one!" Val argued. "I'm just curious about you guys! I feel like you guys hit it off! I do!"

Kim gave Valerie a disgusted look. But, Valerie didn't stop at all. "Isn't that right Flo? Poco? They're compatible, right?"

Poco nodded. "Very. I think I saw them as soon as I entered the cafeteria."

Kim gave Poco an annoyed look. "You? Do I have a problem with you?"

Poco shook his head. "No, you don't. I'm just stating the facts. What's wrong with that?"

Valerie smiled in praise of Poco and it seemed like the girl was feeling proud as if she had just won an Olympics. This is not good! Matt is losing his appetite now. It's not just that! Matt feels lousy right now. Matt knew that he had nothing to be proud of. But, at least, Matt didn't intend to be this pathetic especially when he was in the same room with Avril. What would she think? Matt the pathetic man? Most likely, Avril's eyes would be opened because of this incident.

"Nothing," Valerie said in an annoying tone. "Since when has America forbidden its citizens to speak out?"

Meanwhile, Avril stared at the next table in annoyance. This silence made her even more annoyed especially since Valerie did it in front of everyone. Everyone who heard knew that Val didn't like that girl, whatever her name was. So, why did she drag Matt into her problems? Avril even realized that Matt was at the table with that girl again because of Valerie. Even though, yes, Avril felt a little jealous that the girl could freely share a table with Matt, it still didn't give anyone a reason to do that. Val's actions were outrageous for treating someone like that. Now, what she did was ten times more wrong in Avril's eyes because she got Matt involved. Who does Valerie think she is to annoy her Matt?

"Oh, yeah?" said Kim irritably. "How about I shut you up?"

"You want to use force?" challenged Valerie.

"You want me to?" Kim retorted.

"I didn't know you were so barbaric. By the way, your girlfriend is quiet!" said Val now attacking Matt.

Matt didn't answer. Kim even did her best but couldn't do anything. Neither could he. Answering Valerie was not the solution to his current problem. Val had the support of Poco and Flo. Matt was considering taking his tray and running out of the cafeteria right then and there. Matt didn't care if he became the subject of conversation. The pressure in the cafeteria today was too much for him to handle. Perhaps, Matt was thinking of not going to the cafeteria for a month.

"You're not hot?" Valerie said. "You know..."

Valerie didn't finish her sentence because Avril tapped her desk with her fingers. The silence caused by Valerie made Avril's tapping audible. Increasingly, Avril's tapping became tighter and more impatient.