"With Cass and Jess,"He motioned over to the girls."But,it looks like I've been replaced.So,we can find a new seat."He grinned at her.

--

"Jessica DeMarco."Jess said,with a smile.She shook his hand.

"Nonsense," Devan replied, laughing. "There's room over there for us, don't you think? Unless you want to find a new table?"

---

"It's nice to meet you, Jessica," Lane replied, smiling. He allowed his hand to drop and he returned it to his side.

John laughed,smiling at her."Fine.If you want to,let's go."

-

Jess smiled and shook her head."Call me Jess."

"I'd love to meet some of your friends." Devan shrugged, starting for the table.

---

"Alright, then," Lane agreed, smiling. "Jess it is."

Clark wasn't able to sneak out of school because of his twin brother Lex. He and his sister pulled their youngest twin to the cafeteria against his will, so he his punishment wouldn't get any worse. "I got detention!" Clark protested, but they didn't listen to him.

After getting his lunch tray, Clark walked away from his siblings, who didn't try to stop him. A foot suddenly stuck out in front of his way, but he was too late to notice it. Soon he found himself falling forward, and landed on his tray. The guy who made him trip snickered and a group of his friends joined him. Some of the students who witnessed his fall closeby gawked as Clark got up. His burger was flattened stained his hoodie and shirt.

Clark glared at the jerk who tripped him, his fists urging to throw a strike. However, his sister Diana pulled him back and kicked the spilled milk carton at the jerk's shoes. She offered to give his brother some of her lunch money, but Clark refused, not wanting to feel like charity. So instead, she gave him a small bag of chips and an extra water bottle, which he accepted.

Clark walked away quietly to the back corner at an empty table. His twins would've followed him, but it was clear that he wanted some space for now. He took out his earbuds, turning the volume high on his iPod, then removed his stained jacket and shirt, leaving him wearing his grey wife-beater undershirt. He kept his head low to avoid any eye contact and tried to enjoy his small lunch.

(got bored :p)

"Okay."John chuckled,following.

Jess grinned and nodded,sipping her apple juice.

Devan smiled and sat down at the table with the others, combing through her hair with her fingers. "Hi there," she greeted them. "I'm Devan McCarey."

Lane glanced up at the new student, obviously younger than the rest of them. He smiled and nodded at her. "Lane Weston."

Cassie looked up at the new girl,and grinned."Cassie Rivera.This is Jess."Her brows furrowed when Jess stood.

Jess hurried over to Clark,sitting down in front of him.She flashed him a smile."Hey,Clark!"

Devan raised her eyebrows as a girl stood up and rushed off without even acknowledging her. "Okay..." She shook her head and turned back to Cassie and Lane. "It's nice to meet you." She smiled at them, then sat down at the table.

Startled, Clark jumped slightly on his seat and looked up to find Jess in front of him. "Uh, hey," he replied quietly, and winced a little after tugging off his earbuds. "What are you doing here, Jess?" He tried to push his dirty clothes away from him, hoping she wouldn't see them.

Devan's smile only widened as she glanced over at John. "And it's nice to meet John's friends," she replied, turning back to Cassie.

Jess smiled and shrugged,running her fingers through her hair."Figured I'd come say hi."

Clark chuckled. "Okay, hi to you, too," he said. "So, how's your day been going for you?"

"It's been good.How about yours?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Nothing special. Unless you saw the little show somewhere at that area earlier."

"No,"Jess shook her head."What?"

-

John chuckled,flashing her a grin.

Clark pointed over her shoulders at the mess on the floor. The tray and any spilloed food were getting cleaned up. "Those guys at the table tripped me," he said. "So, I don't have a bag of chips and water for lunch, thanks to them. I'm surprise you didn't hear my landing."

Jess frowned.She stood and marched over to the guys,crossing her arms."Um,excuse me?"

Lane nodded at John, feeling slightly awkward. He still hadn't been introduced to the man.

Devan turned to Cassie. "So, is the food here any good?"

Cassie chuckled."Gah!No."She looked at Lane."Lane,this is John.John,meet Lane."

"Nice to meet you."Jiohn said,with a grin and a nod.

Lane smiled and nodded. "You're a friend of Cassie's, I assume?" he asked.

Devan laughed and shook her head. "Not at all? How do you go wrong with a salad?"

"I am."John nodded,grinning.

Cassie pushed her salad over,showing her the cucumber on the side."It looks like it's rotting."

Lane smiled and stretched his hand out for John to shake. "Well, it's nice to meet you."

Devan wrinkled her nose and nodded. "You've proven your point," she agreed.

John nodded,shaking his hand."You too,man."

"Exactly."Cassie said,nodding.

Lane smiled and dropped his arm again.

"I think I'll pass on lunch today," Devan chuckled. "I'll be packing something tomorrow."

"I could take you off campus."John offered.

"Really?" Devan asked, slightly surprised. "Is that allowed?"

The group was joking around until Jess walked up to them. The one who tripped Clark turned around and glanced down at Jess for a moment. "A little lost?"

Clark cursed under his breath. He didn't want her to fight his battles, this was his problem, not hers.

"A little stupid?"Jess raised an eyebrow.She nodded back to Clark."Leave him alone."

-

"'Long as we're back before next class."John grinned at her.

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