“Uh…” Eric couldn’t think of what else to say to Julie. He’s spent the entire morning avoiding her because she was apparently as pissed as a person could be. But now she’d literally cornered him.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Julie took a seat across from Eric, “Look, I know you’re probably still cheesed off at me for… you know. I AM sorry. Really. I don’t expect you to just forgive me. But if you don’t think it’s too much trouble, I wouldn’t mind us being friends. I like you Eric, don’t ask me why I do but I do.”
Eric’s jaw was this close to dropping. Who was this and what had they done to Julie Stovall? A better question, what happened to the Julie Frieda said was plotting revenge? Was that all an act? Or was this an act? Eric couldn’t tell anymore.
“Uh, look Julie I, uh, appreciate the friendly gesture. But I’m not sure that would work between us.”
“Because you’re dating Spencer?” Julie asked pointedly. Eric’s slight blush answered her question.
“Okay, I get it. Panthers are weird and possessive. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.” Julie said, leaning over to kiss Eric’s cheek. Eric would have protested if Julie hadn’t then moved from his cheek to his lips. And then jammed half her tongue down his throat. She left him coughing on his own spot.
Eric sat there in recovering from the kiss, not really watching Julie walk away with a certain bounce in her step. She didn’t even care if half the cafeteria was watching her. Though Julie didn’t have a reason to be so giddy, since the kiss hadn’t had the effect she would have liked it to. Instead of all the blood rushing to his genitals, it just up and left. Eric’s body felt very cold and very uncomfortable.
Across the lunch room, Frieda Knight had a perfect view of everything unfolding in the cafeteria. She was sitting a table over from a group of Julie’s friends. Normally she’d be sitting with them, but the only thing they wanted to do was gossip about Eric, Spencer and Julie. Frieda was the only one who seemed the least bit concerned about the whole ordeal.
She’s known Julie for years, and had always thought Julie had a decent head. Now, Frieda was wondering if Julie had a bit too much of her father in her. What had come over her in recent weeks?
Granted Frieda didn’t totally understand Julie’s obsession with Eric (though she doubted anyone really did). In general she didn’t find guys that attractive at all. She wouldn’t say she was a lesbian exactly. But if given the choice, she’s rather spend her evening with another female.
“Spencer certainly seemed interested. I wonder what kind of were she is? Bunch of rumors about her species. Her mom’s a feline, so she must be too.” Frieda thought absently. Her thoughts were interrupted as Julie walked back to her table. Frieda shifted in her seat so she could hear what they were saying.
“…break in virgins. Everyone’s always so nervous and stupid. I like a guy with more experience.” Lisa DiAngelo said. Frieda rolled her eyes and tried to ignore Lisa’s vain bragging.
“…don’t see why you’re so hung up on Eric. He’s like the weirdest guy I’ve met. Brian’s been asking how you’re doing, why don’y you go back to seeing him?” Dana Sanders asked.
“Because I’m still grounded until January. My mom won’t let me out of her sight. And meanwhile Dad’s got his hands full with some work issues. I don’t want to end up sushi because I snuck out for one night with him.” Julie sniffed.
“So should I tell him you said hi…?”
“Sure Dana. And while you’re at it, tell Brian that every night before I go to bed I kiss a life sized cardboard cutout of him.”
Frieda had heard enough. She considered leaving lunch earlier, maybe getting a head start on some of her homework. When she looked up and saw Eric was still alone in his corner, obviously bent out of shape. Against her better judgement she decided to join him. She could feel every pair of eyes in the room following her. And what’s worse, she knew Julie’s were just about burning a hole in the middle of her back.
“Frieda?” Eric looked up when he heard someone sit down again. He was confused as to why Frieda was suddenly at his table, but relieved it wasn’t Julie back for round two.
“Yep. Just thought I’d check on you, make sure you’re not too incoherent. Since Julie came over and…” Frieda put her index fingers together and mimed kissing.
“Thanks. I guess I’m just in shock. I wasn’t expecting Julie to do that.”
“No one was,” Frieda thought. There were a number of “Ooo’s” and “Wows” when Julie kissed Eric. She didn’t think Eric needed to know, given his current state.
“Don’t think too much of it. Julie’s just being… Julie.” she said.
“Ya, I know. I’m not sure what I should do. I can’t tell if Julie’s being sincere, or trying to land me in some sort of trouble. I wouldn’t mind having her for a friend, you know? Julie was the first person I really connected with after moving here. But if she’s only after me for, you know, then I don’t want her in the same room as me let alone sitting at the same table.” Eric said in one long drawn out breath.
Before Frieda could offer any sort of advice, the bel rang. Eric gave her a quick thank you before darting into the sea of faces. Frieda was about to merge with the oncoming traffic as well when someone yanked her into the girls’ bathroom. And when Frieda turned around, she found herself face to face with a visibly annoyed Julie.