[Nicole's POV ]
The cafeteria doors swung open, and I walked in beside Laura, the familiar buzz of voices and clatter of trays wrapping around us. We slipped into the line, shoulder to shoulder, when Laura nudged me.
"So," she said, tilting her head, "finish what you were saying."
I blinked at her. Finish what? "Huh?"
She rolled her eyes like I was playing dumb. "You know. The thing about Michael."
Ohhhh.
Before I could even open my mouth, Samantha slid into step with us, tray in hand, her eyebrows raised. "What thing about Michael?" she asked, her tone laced with curiosity.
I mini panicked. Great. Just what I needed. "There's nothing about Michael," I said quickly, waving it off like it was nothing.
Samantha kept looking between us, like she could sniff out the secret even if there wasn't one. I forced myself to look forward, walking to our table and pretending I couldn't feel Samantha's eyes burning holes into me, like she could force the truth out of me, if she stared hard enough.
I let out a frustrated sigh and gave in. "Fine, you win."
"Michael and I were paired together in drama class," I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady.
Laura raised her eyebrows, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "Ohhh, fancy," she said lightly. "So… how's he? Is he, like… an asshole?" She whispered the last part.
Samantha leaned in, curiosity written all over her face. "Yeah! What's he like? Fun? Serious? Weird?"
I blinked and shrugged, thinking of how to put it, then my mind wandered. Well… he's actually pretty nice. And funny. Really funny, actually. Gosh, remembering his face when reciting those lines makes me want to crack up again.
"He's… nice, I guess, definitely not an asshole" I said, almost absentmindedly. "And funny. He made me laugh so much during class." Smiling to myself.
Laura snorted. "That's it? Just nice and funny? With the way you're smiling, I would think he kissed you. "
Samantha tilted her head, smirking. "You're not, like… impressed by him or anything?"
I shook my head, smiling faintly. "Nope. Not really. Just… easy to work with. He knows his lines, and he's not a drama queen; well maybe a little, you should have seen his face."
Laura nudged me again, teasing lightly. "Uh-huh. Easy to work with, that's what they all say. But here you are still grinning and as I said, like he kissed you."
I rolled my eyes, laughing softly. "I'm serious. It's nice to have someone who actually listens, he's just so easy to talk to."
Samantha grinned. "Well, sounds like you're in good hands then."
I nodded, letting the thought linger in my mind a little longer—how easy and comfortable it felt to work with him—without it meaning anything more. It was just… nice. That was all and I was anticipating our next drama class, maybe I would receive an Oscar-level performance. Who knows.
I took a sip of my lukewarm chocolate milk, trying to act casual while my mind replayed the scene from drama class. The way he had delivered that line… it was almost annoyingly perfect. And I'd made a fool of myself cause of my ugly laughter.
"Nicole?" Laura's voice broke through my thoughts, sharp and teasing.
I blinked and looked up, catching Samantha's smirk and Laura's raised eyebrow. "What?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
"You've been staring off into space for, like, 4 minutes" Samantha said. "Thinking about Mr Perfect-Drama-Guy again?"
I groaned, dragging my hand down my face. "It's not like that!" I muttered.
I snorted, trying to laugh it off. "I just… he's really good at acting, okay?"
Laura leaned closer, eyes sparkling. "Uh-huh. 'That's all.' Sure, Nicole. We totally believe you."
Samantha nudged me with her elbow. "Come on, admit it. You're… curious. Maybe even hoping for a little drama-class magic next week."
I froze mid-bite of my sandwich, caught. "Yes, maybe, I don't know," I mumbled, looking down at my tray. "But it's not any of the nonsense you guys think. "
Still thinking— I felt the familiar tug of anticipation. I could almost imagine the scene next week, him reading more of the cheesy lines, his guy got and me- only God knows- laughing like a crazy woman, but one thing I'm sure of is that it's not going to be boring.