"Lunchtime Introductions"

Even though usually their lunch table was far from quiet, due to Lucien’s arrival, no one dared to utter a word.

As the area filled with a sense of awkwardness, Adelaide decided to speak up, “You guys don’t have to be so shy. Introduce yourselves.”

As she glared at the rest of the table with a judgmental face, she rolled her eyes and looked at Lucien.

She extended her hand to initiate a handshake with Lucien. “I’m Adelaide, it’s nice to meet you.”

As their hands met Lucien answered, “Nice to meet you,” then swiveled his head towards the rest of the table, waiting for the others to speak up.

This is exactly like the first time we met, how boring.. Celeste remembered.

“Come on guys…” she said to two other members who were sitting across from them on the table, “Lucien, these are the two guys who sit at our table, Lamperouge and Bytenkaios.”

In unison they both spoke, as their voices overlapped.

“My name’s Lamperouge,”

“Bytenkaios. Nice to meet you.”

“So… you’re the new guy who everyone is talking about. The famous Lucien,” Lamperouge continued as he smirked.

“Lamperouge,” Adelaide sighed, “don’t interrogate him. Let him enjoy his first lunch with us, you don’t have to scare him away.”

“I’m not interrogating him,” he replied as he leaned back in his seat, “I was just curious.”

“She’s right Lamperouge, let the kid enjoy his lunch.” Bytenkaios spoke, as he shoveled a spoonful of pasta into his mouth.

“Shut up Bytenkaios, don’t speak with food in your mouth. Disgusting.” he replied, pointing at Bytenkaios’s gaping mouth which was filled with food.

As Bytenkaios tried to chew his food as fast as possible to reply to Lamperouge, Lucien spoke up instead.

“Are they always like this?” he laughed, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

“You don’t have to mind those idiots, all they do is fight,” Adelaide answered, waving her hand as if shooing them away.

“Oh come on!” Lamperouge and Bytenkaios exclaimed together, as they stood up from their seats.

“Since you guys want to know more about me, I don’t mind telling you guys more about me.” Lucien said, trying to prevent an incoming confrontation between the guys and Adelaide.

“Yeah, tell us something interesting!” Celeste said excitedly, having to pretend she didn’t know anything about him.

What a drag, but I guess if I want this to go well, I can’t tell him I know all about him or he might think I’m crazy, she considered.

“Well, I guess I have mentioned in class that I like watching shows, besides that, I like playing baseball and drawing,” he said, “I live near school in the city centre.. what else? I have a little sister.”

“Baseball huh… there’s a school team. Both me and Lamperouge are on the team. You should join it,” said Bytenkaios, hoping for a yes.

“Although Bytenkaios usually sits on the bench,” Lamperouge laughed, picking up his fork again to continue eating his meal.

Suddenly the fork could be heard clattering on the floor, as the screech of a chair being scraped over the floor filled the room.

“That’s not funny! It’s not like you’re any good!” Bytenkaios screamed at Lamperouge.

Trying to stop the commotion Lucien butted in again, “Hey, at least we can assume both of you are better than me,” he laughed.

What is he talking about? He’s like the 8th ranked player in the nation, Celeste remembered.

“Aren’t you one of the best players in the country?” Celeste asked Lucien, eager to hear how he would answer.

“How did you know that?” Lucien questioned, “But yea, I guess I am pretty good at it. But mostly because I just enjoy playing baseball.”

Shit. How do I even answer this? It’s not like I follow youth baseball, Celeste pondered.

“I think I remember seeing you in the newspaper once, since you played against our St. Vincent’s school team,” she answered, hoping it sounded believable enough.

A grin started to appear on Lucien’s face, “So you do keep tabs on me, huh?”

Celeste felt a wave of heat go through her body as her face turned red. “I– I just heard about it somewhere, I don’t remember okay!”

Lamperouge and Bytenkaios let out a chuckle as they dabbed each other up, “I guess our team has a savior to bring us in the right direction. Well– you are joining us right, Lucien?” said Lamperouge, leaning forwards in his seat as he grips the arms of the chair.

“Considering I had to leave my old team when I moved, I’m pretty sure I will join, but don’t assume I can save you on my own,” Lucien laughed, trying to be humble about his skills.

A squeak came from Lucien’s seat as he leaned back, twirling his fork in between his fingers as he tried to get back to his meal.

Celeste couldn’t help but watch him, as every movement he made felt familiar, she remembered how he used to move his hands, how he smiled and how he used to talk. Not from the past – but from all the years coming in the future.

She tried to restart a conversation between the group but her eyes kept drifting back to him. How his hazel eyes reflected the light, and the slight curve in his mouth when he smiled, all reminded her of the future, a future that was in her hands.

Should I ever tell him about what happened between us, or I guess what happened in the future? she wondered.

Or I guess something that won’t happen in the future, I’ll make sure of it, she determined.

Just as she was getting lost in her thoughts, the ringing of the bell snapped her back to reality.

“You coming to class Celeste?” said Lucien, as he stared at Celeste’s bright blue eyes.

“Ye– Yes! Coming!” she replied, quickly emptying her tray and making her way towards him.

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