All characters are at least 18 years old.
Apologies for the delay on this story. Real life got in the way but I'm back at it now.
Thank you for your patience and for reading.
*****
"So where do you guys eat lunch?" Jessica asks as she and Shelly are walking towards the cafeteria.
"Out in the stadium," Shelly answers. "The royal court table is not for you huh?"
"Ugh, no," Jessica answers her. "All they did was throw things at people, called them names or made unwanted advances to every girl that passed by."
"Or sat with them," Shelly asks.
"I didn't want to say it but yeah, it was pretty blatant. I think I tried saying 'No' in three different languages."
"That why you brought your lunch today?"
"Exactly," Jessica answers.
"Well if you go out that side door there, you can skip the cafeteria and head right to stadium." Shelly tells her pointing towards the door where the buses let out each morning.
"Okay, cool but how will I know where you guys sit?"
"Jake and Bobby will already be out there just look for them. They usually bring their own too so they can skip the cafeteria. Jake says it's too loud."
"I agree with him there. See you out there."
****
"I've got a turkey, ham and cheese sandwich, Cheetos and Little Debbie Brownie, Bobby," I ask laying out my lunch on the metal bench.
"Dibs on that brownie," Roxie calls out before Bobby can begin.
"Rox, you can't call dibs until we've all gone." Bobby informs her.
"Ugh fine, but I'd better get that brownie. Just sayin'," She states as she opens her own bag.
"Room for one more," Jessica asks as she approaches the trio seated at the top of the stadium bleachers.
"Hey Jessica," Bobby says giving her a smile.
I make a point of looking around the nearly empty stadium then turn to her. "I dunno Jess, this place is pretty full."
"I see that stammer of yours cleared up nicely." She shoots back as she takes a seat.
"Nothing that a little time melting my brain in Geometry couldn't cure," I tell her then turn to Roxie. "Rox, this is Jessica. Jessica, this is Roxie."
"Nice to meet you Roxie," Jessica says.
"Don't try and take my brownie Tall Girl." Roxie tells her.
"Okay... what's happening?" Jessica asks.
"Us brown baggers run a system of trade," Bobby explains as he starts to pull out his lunch. "For example, I have a ham and cheese sandwich, a bag of regular chips and a chocolate chip cookie."
"Any item that I want," Roxie picks up, "Say that brownie, that I will get by the way, I have to trade for. My trade items are a chicken salad sandwich, a bag of barbecue chips and grapes."
"Ah I gotcha," Jessica says. "Am I allowed to join the trade group?"
"Let's see what you got and then we'll decide." Roxie tells her.
"Um, sure," She says opening her bag. "I've got a Pimento Cheese sandwich, a bag of Salt & Vinegar chips and a fruit cup. How's that?"
"I'll trade my ham, turkey and cheese for your pimento cheese sandwich." I offer.
"Whoa, hold up." Roxie states. "I believe you were in the process of giving me my brownie."
"Yes sweetie," I state handing it over.
****
Patrick is looking all over the cafeteria but doesn't see Jessica anywhere. "Where the hell is she," he wonders when he spots Shelly and Jody standing in line so he makes his way over to them.
"Hey Shelly, where's Jessica?" He asks interrupting their conversation.
"I'm not sure. She headed towards her locker after class. That's the last I saw her," Shelly lies.
"Have you seen her Jody?" He asks.
"Nope," Jody answers choosing a salad. "I'll tell her that you were looking for her though."
"Yeah, I bet you will," He grumbles as he takes his leave to make another sweep of the cafeteria.
"Is she really out in the stadium?" Jody asks once Patrick is gone.
"She asked where we sat and I told her," Shelly explains as she pays for her lunch. "She was headed that was a few minutes ago."
"Think she'll have more fun with our group than she did with Patrick and his?" Jody asks.
They both look over and see Jamie tossing fries at a group of kids causing Patrick and Scott to burst out laughing. Only Ray and Staci look uncomfortable out of everyone at the table.
"I'd say the odds are in our favor," Shelly states.
"Let's hope she doesn't do anything to piss off Roxie," Jody states.
"I think she'll be all right, as long as she trades fair."
****
"Grapes for a brownie is kind of a rip off," I state as I pluck one from the stem and pop it into my mouth.
"You didn't have to okay the trade ya know," Roxie points out as she savors the chocolate goodness.
"And get on your bad side, no way." I state.
"He just wants Roxie to make him some of her peanut butter cookies," Jody points out as she polishes off my Cheetos that she snagged as soon as she and Shelly sat down. Her offer of the cucumber slices out of her salad was denied but Jody gets a pass on trading.
"I really do but no pressure or anything Rox," I tell her as Roxie covers her eyes and looks down.
"Someone tell me when he stops doing his pitiful puppy dog eyes so I can look up again." She sighs.
"Oh god, this could take awhile," Bobby moans as he chomps into another of Jessica's chips.
Shelly turns to Jessica, "Last time he did puppy dog eyes, Roxie baked him ten batches of cookies."
"It was not ten it was a metal tin which I appreciated immensely. Also I only use my powers for good." I argue.
"Good cookies, you mean," Jody quips.
"I'm glad that Jessica joined us on "lets pick on Jake day"." I state pulling another grape free but before I can pop in my mouth Jessica snatches it. "Hey, that's my grape."
"It was," She says popping it into her mouth then turns to Roxie. "You're safe now Roxie, he's making sad eyes at me now."
Roxie looks up and laughs. "Thanks Tall Girl, I was wondering what those looked like when directed at someone else."
"Her name's Jessica, Roxie," Shelly reminds her.
"It's Tall Girl until she earns my trust," she answers.
"I can live with that," Jessica smiles then turns back towards me. "Aw, you look so sad."
"Someone stole my grape," I pout exaggeratedly.
