Lunch

By Jonathan Henry

“What class did you come from?” I asked Liam as he pulled up a chair to the lunch table.

“Psych. Ms. Williams just assigned another three years of homework for next week.”

“I’m so glad I didn’t switch into that class. Econ is light.”

“It sucks. Don’t the teachers know ED apps are due in like a week? It feels like they're making sure we don’t have time to work on college stuff.”

“That’s just how they roll. How are apps coming for you? Still gonna EA Caltech?”

“Yeah, finally finished the goddamn Coalition app. Why can’t they just use the Common App?”

“Yeah that’s so tough.” Liam chuckled, shaking his head.

“How’s that Princeton app?”

“Playing around with a few words but it will be ready to go by the end of the week.”

“And then we wait.”

“And then we wait,” I agreed. “I can’t believe you’re trying to go to California. That’s so far.”

“Dude, it would be so amazing. California is where all the interesting stuff happens. And I’d get to see what these California gurls are all about.” Liam gave me a goofy smile which sent both of us both into a fit of laughter.

I looked out the window at the snow gently frosting the landscape outside. The sound of a lunch tray clattering down on the table next to me pulled my attention back to the cafeteria.

“Yo, what’s up, Henry,” I exclaimed, giving the new arrival’s backpack a slap as he sat down. “ED’s come out tomorrow. How’re we feeling?”

“Dude, I’m literally on my third shirt of the day. I keep soaking them from all the stress-sweating I’m doing.” Liam laughed.

“I feel that for sure,” he said through a mouthful of chips. “Tomorrow I find out if I can stop worrying about school, or if I have to give up sleeping to work on essays for the next month.” I took a bite of my sandwich.

“What happens if we all do get in?” I asked after a second.

“I’ll kiss you on the lips.”

“Oh yeah, Liam?” I provoked. Henry jestingly raised an eyebrow. “No but seriously. Even if it’s not EA or ED, we’re all gonna get in somewhere. What happens then, when we’re spread out across the country?”

“I mean we still got the Discord server. Do you really think we’re just gonna, stop playing video games in college?” Liam asked. Henry laughed.

“My dad thinks I will.”

“But Liam, if you’re in California, the time change is gonna make that kinda hard.”

“Oh yeah.” The smile fell from Liam’s face for a second before returning. “I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”

“Five more days of school!” Aiden shouted, slamming his lunch tray down on the table so forcefully that he nearly spilled his nachos.

“We really made it,” I said. “Against all odds, Liam is actually graduating.”

“Oh shut up,” Liam laughed, giving me a light punch on the shoulder. “What’s a greater surprise is that you passed calculus.”

“Indeed it is.” The initial energy at the table fizzled out, leaving silence.

“Is your pool open?” Henry asked after a second.

“It sure is,” I said. “Imma have to get you guys over a bunch before everyone leaves. Well, everyone except Aiden.” I received a balled up napkin to the face for my remark.

“You know,” Liam started, “I thought I would be really excited to go to California.” He looked around at us. “It feels real far now.”

“We’ll all be back for winter break. It’s not like everyone’s gone forever.” Even as the words left my mouth, I knew that it might feel like it.

“Boys’ nights,” Aiden said suddenly. “We’ll do them at least once a month. We can commit to that right?” Everyone agreed.

“And it’s not all bad,” Henry said. “Maybe I’ll finally get a chance to hang out with some cool people instead of losers like you.” We all laughed and said together,

“Not a chance.”