Chapter 2: Watkins Cafeteria Hall

1:00 p.m. meant lunchtime at the Watkins Cafeteria Hall. This particular cafeteria always seemed to have better than average food despite being a part of a college campus. Many of the food options inside came from well known restaurant chains like Chipotle and Panera. Occasionally, the college would sponsor week or month long events that would cater local restaurant food as well. One of Josephine’s favorites was from a small Italian restaurant called Mr. Miate’s.

Josephine strutted up to the automatic glass doors of the two story food court with a cheeky smile on her face. She surveyed all the large round marble tables, searching for her friend, Kairus.

The building was designed with two open floors that could both be seen at any time from either section through a large elliptical opening in the center. Inside that space, there was a massive statue of the University of Auberlin City Mascot, Silky The Viper. The large gold coated marble serpent was the full length of a titanoboa but spiraled up to about fifteen feet overhead. It was placed inside of a large fountain with a pool of water that cycled through it and came out of its mouth like a waterfall. Many people sat on the edge of the fountain to read, relax, or spend time with friends.

The first floor of the building was nothing short of a typical food court style cafeteria. Among the marble tables were somewhat comfortable wooden chairs with built-in cushions. There were large chandeliers hanging above from the tall ceiling that you could only see from the center area. All around, there were small restaurant booths and dozens of people eating, talking, and roaming about. The floor appeared to mimic the look of marble as well, and it was unclear what it was actually made from, but one could easily see their reflection on the floor if there was light focused on it.

From the bottom level, you could easily see up into the second floor which was cut off by safety railings to prevent people from falling down. Up there, there were study tables, lounge couches, a few small drink stations, bathrooms, water fountains, and a few decorations like statues. There was even a library section that had the majority of school textbooks that students could use while inside the cafeteria, but had to return before leaving.

Josephine’s face lit up as she spotted Kairus sitting down at one of the tables with his eyes focused on a textbook. There was also a small brown bowl covered with aluminum foil sitting at the table next to him.

She approached the table and waved at him with a bright smile as he looked up and noticed her. Kairus removed his headphones from his ears and smiled back to her, speaking softly, “Hey, you. Good afternoon.” His short straight black hair sat just above his eye brows calmly in front of his face and rested around his ears and neck. His dark brown eyes locked onto Josephine’s as she sat down across from him, placing her heavy bag on the ground.

“Hey.” She spoke subtly as she continued to settle her items. “I’ll be right back. Gonna get some food.” Kairus nodded his head and watched her walk towards the Maki of Japan booth directly across from them.

He waited in his seat patiently, looking around the room, and occasionally at Josephine who was waiting in line to order. At one point, when they looked at each other, she turned and waved to him with a polite smile, and he returned with his own awkward version of that.

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Kairus still had not touched his food while waiting for Josephine to return. He wanted to make sure that they would eat together as they normally did during this period. At 1:40, he would have to return to class, but Josephine was done for the day, having completed all three of her Monday classes, Psychology at 8, French History at 9:30, and Advanced Communications at 11.

After a few more minutes, Josephine returned but Kairus noticed that her attention wasn’t on him. She had noticed someone sitting just behind him alone at another table. She sat down with her eyes still looking past him.

“What are you looking at Josi?” Kairus turned his head to trace Josephine’s gaze and noticed the guy sitting there.

“I thought he looked familiar,” Josephine said as her eyes fixed back onto Kairus and she settled back into her seat, placing her bowl of food down on the table. “I think that’s Phil from my 8am psychology class. He sat next to me today.”

“Hmm. Did he talk to you at all?”

“No. Not at all. He answered some questions in class, but other than that, I don’t think he really talks. Maybe we should invite him over. He looks lonely.” Josephine suggested as she looked over Kairus’ shoulder as the undisturbed man peacefully read through a book and ate his food.

“I mean. He looks kind of busy. Don’t you think?”

“Oh please, Kai. No one is ever too busy for me,” Josephine smiled smugly and flipped her hair as she got up and walked towards Phil. Kairus rolled his eyes and shook his head as she bumped him with her butt and passed him.

She walked up behind Phil who had large black headphones resting on his ears. She tapped his shoulder to get his attention, assuming it was the best option. He jerked nervously in his seat and quickly removed his headphones. He spun around at the same time to face her. With his mouth slightly open, he stared back at her condescending smile for a brief moment until she spoke.

“Hey, Paul!” She spoke superciliously, intentionally calling him by the wrong name. “I saw you sitting here by yourself and thought you might want to join us,” she offered with a large fake smile.

He shook his head quickly with a bit of confusion and said, “Oh hey… ahh Josephine? I would love to, but I’m a little busy right now with my reading. Maybe next time?” He responded politely and calmly with a brief smile, barely locking eyes with her.

“Are you sure? I’m offering now…” She said with a hint of seduction in her tone. “There might not be a next time… you know?”

“Yeah I’m sorry. I would just rather keep reading. I got a test coming up soon, and this is really important to me. Thank you though. Maybe Wednesday? It’ll be after my test. You’ll be here around the same time too, right?”

“Umm… yeah I do usually come here Wednesdays too… how do you know that?” Josephine was suspicious. Today was the first time she had ever seen Phil or at the very least noticed him.

“Oh… I just… I eat here everyday around the same time… and I’ve seen you come in a few times. It’s just something I noticed.” He was getting nervous and sweat began to pool up on his skin and beneath his arms. His cheeks and forehead lit up like a stop light and he swiftly turned back around, facing away from her.

“Hmm… I can’t blame you. I’m sure if I was you, I would have noticed me too,” she flipped her hair again and smiled smugly. “You better join us Wednesday then, Pauly! See ya.”

Josephine returned to her seat across from Kairus who was still shaking his head with disapproval.