Danielle stared at him for a moment, then laughed. "Yeah," she said, "that's because you don't actually have them."
Colin shrugged. "Yeah," he said, "I guess it's probably no fun getting teased about it, but it really is kinda neat. I mean, that's something about you that's completely unique, right?"
"Well, except for Kat, but yeah," Danielle replied. "But it's not like it has any real advantages that go with it, and it's certainly not something I want to be defined by."
Colin nodded. "I suppose not," he said. "Still, I think it's cool, at any rate."
"Well...thanks," Danielle said, not sure how to respond. They sat in silence for a couple minutes, Colin chowing down on his food-service lasagna and Danielle picking at her salad, Kat studiously ignoring both of them. "So," Colin piped up, after finishing his meal, "what kind of music do you like?"
Danielle hesitated a moment. Having a boy show interest in her was an unnerving thing, and she wasn't sure she wanted to encourage it. On the other hand, it was entirely possible she was being paranoid and reading too much into it; they were only thirteen, after all. It could just be that he wanted to be friends, and if that morning was any indication, friends might be in short supply for her and Kat. "Um, I like Yes and Led Zeppelin," she replied.
"Led Zeppelin?" Colin asked. "Didn't thet do that 'Stairway To Heaven' song?"
Danielle nodded, ears bobbing. "Not just that, but yeah. They did lots of other stuff too."
"Huh," Colin said. "Maybe I'll have to check 'em out sometime."
Danielle was about to make recommendations when the bell rang. "Oops, I gotta go," Colin said. "I've got gym in a couple minutes. I'll see you around?"
Danielle nodded, and Colin took off. "Ooh, looks like someone's got herself a boyfriend," Kat chuckled sadistically.
"Shut up," Danielle snapped. "Unlike you, some of us actually enjoy spending time around other people. And he's not my boyfriend; we're only thirteen years old anyway. At this point, I'll take any friends I can get."
"Suuuuure," Kat smirked. "Keep telling yourself that."
Danielle couldn't think of a good retort, and didn't really want to extend the conversation anyway, so they emptied their trays and left the lunchroom in silence.