With trembling legs, he walked through the cafeteria, his eyes scanning the rows of tables. To his astonishment, the students who had once ignored him were now smiling, nodding, and even waving for him to come over. The tables that had once felt like fortresses of popularity now had open seats, beckoning him to sit and share their lunches. Eren's usual entourage sat in the corner, their heads bent together in hushed whispers, their eyes sliding over to him like snakes assessing a new threat in their territory.
Alastair's steps grew surer, the weight of his father's letter and the illusion of Liana's comfort fading away. He felt the eyes of his classmates on him, the whispers of his name a strange melody that he hadn't heard since...well, never. They were looking at him with something other than pity or scorn. It was a mix of respect and curiosity. Almost like he was king.
The lunchroom was a cacophony of sounds—laughter, chatter, and the occasional squeak of a chair. But amidst the din, the silence from Eren's corner was deafening. They sat there, a table of predators who had suddenly lost their prey, their eyes watching him with a mix of fear and anger. Yet, it didn't feel like they were the ones in charge anymore.
As Alastair walked down the aisle, he saw a path open up before him, the students parting like the Red Sea for Moses. They weren't just making room; they were offering him a seat at their tables. The popular girls with their perfect smiles, the jocks with their muscles bulging under their school jackets, and even the quiet ones who usually kept to themselves. He had never felt so... visible before. It was like a strange dance, one where he had suddenly become the lead, and everyone else was watching his every move.
He approached the table where the nerdy boy sat, his tray loaded with a sandwich and a carton of milk. The boy's eyes grew wide, and he scooted over, patting the spot next to him as if inviting a celebrity to join him. Alastair sat down, feeling the warmth of acceptance seep into his bones like the first sun of spring. The whispers grew into a murmur of excitement, the room buzzing with the sudden shift in social dynamics.
And then, she walked over. The most popular girl in school, Destiny Forrest, with her golden hair that looked like spun silk and eyes bluer than the ocean, moved towards him with the confidence of a lioness. The entire cafeteria stilled, holding their collective breath as she approached. Alastair's heart hammered in his chest, his palms sticky with nerves. This was it. The moment that would either confirm his newfound status or shatter the illusion into a million pieces.
Destiny stopped at his table, the clack of her high heels on the tile floor echoing through the now-silent room. She looked down at him, her expression unreadable. "Is this seat taken?" she asked, her voice as sweet as honey.
Alastair's throat went dry, his tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth. He managed a shake of his head, which she took as an invitation. She sat gracefully, the scent of her perfume, a mix of vanilla and something exotic, wrapping around him like a warm blanket.
Destiny looked at him, her eyes piercing through the fog of his astonishment. "So, Alastair," she began, her voice a purr that could melt ice, "I heard you had a bit of a... confrontation with Eren." The name rolled off her tongue like a delicious secret. "What was that about?"
He fumbled for words, his sandwich forgotten in his hand. "It's... it's nothing," he stuttered, his cheeks burning. "Just a misunderstanding."
Destiny's smile grew wider, revealing a set of perfect teeth that could've outshone the sun. "Oh, I don't think so," she said, her voice dripping with interest. "I've seen how he's been treating you. It's about time someone put him in his place."
Her words were like a balm to his soul, soothing the raw wounds that had been festering for so long. He took a sip of his water, trying to compose himself. "Liana Castellanos defended me," he said, his voice still shaky. "It was pretty amazing, actually."
Destiny's eyes narrowed, the wheels in her head clearly turning. "Liana Castellanos," she repeated, her tone thoughtful. "I don't think I know her."
Alastair felt a cold shiver run down his spine. It couldn't be true. He had felt her hand, heard her voice, seen her standing up to Eren with a fiery resolve that could've melted steel. But as he looked around the cafeteria, there was no sign of her. The rows of faces, once filled with wonder, now held puzzlement and curiosity. Had she ever been there at all?
"Alastair," Destiny repeated, a hint of impatience in her voice. "Did you hear me? What's going on with you?"
He blinked, shaking his head to clear the fog of his thoughts. "Sorry," he murmured.
"It's okay," Destiny said with a knowing smile. "You've had quite the morning, I'm sure."