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11. The Caffeteria

As usual, I sat alone in the school cafeteria. By now, I'm pretty sure you already know the reason as to why that is. That is, until I was met with a surprise. Out of nowhere, Billy appeared with a tray of food in his hands and asked, "Can I join you?"

I didn't even have time to properly think the situation through, so I just said, "Sure...". God knows what he might do to me if I say no. He placed the tray on the table in front of me, and I took a look at his friends. I noticed they started whispering around while looking at both of us.

"Uh... I think your friends might be talking about us," I stated.

"Let them. They're just idiots. I'm not friends with them anymore. I sort of avoid them."

"W-why?" he managed to spark curiosity in me. Maybe I shouldn't push my luck, but you know me.

"I think I told you about how fake they all are. I don't want them around me anymore."

"I see," I didn't know what else to say. I didn't know them personally, so I couldn't deny nor agree with what he was saying. "What about your reputation, though? People are gonna start to wonder why you're hanging out with the nerd. Which is just... me."

"So? Let them." He seems to really not give a fuck about that. The tone of his voice was just... blank. Like he had no worry in the world. But we all know that's far from the truth. "At least this way you don't have to eat alone while I won't be surrounded by stuck-up idiots that are worth nothing to society. I think I already told you that you are, you know... cool..." he whispered the last part. There was a grin on his face. Damn, his teeth are mathematically perfect.

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"If you don't care that much about what people think, why don't you want them to find out that you think I'm 'cool'?" With a smile on my face, I asked.

"Cuz that's just... too much..." he replied, "Now eat. Before the food gets cold."

I haven't had somebody want me on the same table as them at the cafeteria for a long time now. It felt nice to finally have someone to talk to for once in school. Even if that was my former tormentor.

Maybe Billy isn't as bad as I'd thought he'd be. I mean, he's funny, he apologized, and now he's trying to redeem himself for his past mistakes. He's the first person that's tried to befriend me for a long time now. Even before the bullying, I had trouble finding friends. I'm socially awkward, and I stutter sometimes due to my social anxiety that I try to cover. It's hard sometimes, but it's been not as bad ever since I started talking to Billy.

Maybe there's something good about you after all.