Lionel stood in the lunch line behind Vanessa. She casually selected her food as she chatted with him.
“You know, your boy tried to break up with me,” she said to Lionel.
“What? I didn't know this. When?” asked Lionel.
“Oh, I don't know. Maybe a couple of weeks ago,” said Vanessa.
“Hm. I guess you guys made up then,” said Lionel.
Sort of. But he's still acting weird. It's like he doesn't want me, but he doesn't want to let me go, either,” said Vanessa.
“Oh, I don't think that's it, Nessa. You might be reading too much into things. You know how you are,” said Lionel.
Vanessa paused to pay the cashier, then waited for Lionel to do the same.
“What's that supposed to mean?” she asked him as they walked to the usual lunch table.
“Well, you whine like a three-year old baby! Like, all-the-time,” said Lionel.
“That's not true!” said Vanessa.
“Yes, it is so true. In fact, I bet you don't even remember the last time you didn't get your way,” said Lionel.
“I am not spoiled,” said Vanessa.
“Yes, you are,” said Lionel.
“Is that what Vanté thinks?” asked Vanessa.
“No, that's just what I think,” said Lionel. “Vanté thinks you're the best thing since sliced bread.”
“Well, who cares what you think,” said Vanessa. She emphatically flipped her hair as she began to eat.
Lionel mimicked her by moving his hand as if to flip his invisible long hair.
“Stop!” said Vanessa.
“I'll stop if you stop whining,” he said.
“Oh, be quiet. You're just jealous that you don't have a girlfriend like me,” said Vanessa.
“Oh, no, I'm not! Since Vanté's my boy, I won't say what I really feel, but trust me, I'm not jealous,” said Lionel.
“Well, what do you really feel? I mean, lay it out there. Vanté's gonna be late to lunch. So, you've got time,” said Vanessa.
“Naw, I plead the fifth,” said Lionel.
“Hm. I thought so. Anyway, your boy won't be dodging me any longer,” said Vanessa.
“Why?” said Lionel between chews.
“Well, let's just say I have a plan to bond us together forever,” said Vanessa.
Lionel suddenly stopped eating.
“What are you talking about Vanessa?” he asked.
“Oh, I'm talking about a future,” said Vanessa.
“Well, Vanté never said anything about a future with you,” said Lionel.
“Oh, shut up! You don't know anything about me and Vanté. He finds me irresistible. And one day, he'll find me so irresistible that he'll never be able to get away,” she said.
Lionel finished his lunch in silence. He waited for Davanté to show up, but the lunch bell rang signaling for the teens to return to class.
“Gotta go,” said Vanessa to Lionel.
She flipped her hair again and elegantly strode out of the cafeteria.
Lionel shook his head. He knew Vanessa from grade school and never liked her. He found her to be too clever and deceiving.
He feared that Vanessa had something dangerous up her sleeve. Lionel knew he had to let Davanté know. But he would not see Davanté until much later, during their walk home after school.