In Your Time

Chapter 7

"Never seen a cafeteria before?" A voice asked. I looked over to see Braden. I shook my head slowly.

"Not like this. What do I do?" I asked, as I started to panic slightly. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

"Go get in line for food," he said like it was the most obvious answer in the world. He saw the panic in

my eyes and sighed.

"Just follow me and do what I do," he finally gave in. I did exactly that. I even ordered the same food as

him. At the end of the line, he looked at me and sighed before paying for my meal too. I held my tray as

I followed him through the seating area.

"I doubt my mom remembered to give you money for lunch," he explained. I only nodded. He was right;

I didn't have money. He sat at a table and I put my tray down next to him.

"Braden... someone followed you back to the table," a girl said as she eyed me in irritation. Braden

must've been popular in school. The girl was pretty. She had skin that was perfectly tan, brown eyes

and long brown hair. Her features were those of a model.

"I know. I invited her. Today is her first day here. Say hi to Phoenix," he introduced me. And here I

thought he would pretend he didn't know me.

"Hi," I waved shyly. The girl who eyed me suddenly smiled a huge fake smile.

"What an unusual name. I'm Nevaeh," she said as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. I couldn't help

the chuckle that escaped me. She said my name was unusual but at least it wasn't a failed attempt at

trying to be 'unique'.

"I'm Bryce," a guy said quickly as Naveah opened her mouth to speak again.

"Josh," another guy introduced himself.

"Heather," another girl smiled at me. I learned quickly that Braden seemed to surround himself with

good looking people. They were all gorgeous.

"How did you meet this girl anyway?" Nevaeh asked.

"Family friend. She's staying with us while her parents are in Australia," Braden answered honestly. I

guess the threat of being called his fiancé was great enough that he was too scared to lie. I fully

believed Elizabeth would do it too.

"She's living with you?" Nevaeh asked in shock.

"Yeah, and my mother loves her, so don't mess with her and get me in trouble," he warned them. Josh

chuckled as he shook his head.

"Your mom is cool though," he said with an amused smile. Braden sighed before he glanced at me.

"Go ahead and eat," he said as he nodded to my plate. I nodded before taking a bite. It wasn't bad. I

listened to the rest of the table talk amongst each other, but I didn't really participate. There wasn't

much I could offer anyway. I could accidentally slip up and say something I wasn't supposed to, so I

thought it best to just not say anything at all.

"What's your next class?" Braden asked as the bell rang. I referenced my schedule as I walked with

him out of the cafeteria.

"Gym?" I answered unsurely.

"I have gym too," he said.