38

Amora

I slowly made my way down the line of tables, tapping my nails onto the tray in my hands as I scanned the room.

I slowed down my pace once I spotted two unfamiliar faces that sat with Will, Mads, and Carrie.

I examined them for a moment before shrugging, walking over and instantly making all of their heads whip up towards me once I approached the table.

"Hey guys" I waved, setting my tray down and taking a seat in between Carrie and Will.

"Oh Amora! I met these guys in my English class today. This is Theo and Penelope" Madeline smiled, motioning to the two who sat in front of me.

"Oh, hi I'm Amora" I smiled, reaching over and holding my hand out.

"Oh we know, your name is mentioned quite a lot around here" Penelope laughed, shaking my hand.

"Oh, it is? Well I hope it's mentioned with good things?" I titled my head, cracking an unsure smile.

"It is, don't worry" Theo now added, giving me a smile once he shook my hand.

"So..then are you guys new? I've never seen you around?" I questioned, folding my hands back down into my lap.

"Eh not really I've lived around here but I just transferred from the school that's like next door" Theo shrugged, explaining his situation.

"And I moved from Texas. I guess that's why we got along well with Madeline, we're all new to this school" Penelope chimed in, motioning to the two who sat next to her.

"Oh, well you'll totally love it! Now that you got us!" I smiled, wrapping my arms around Carrie and Williams shoulders.

"Well, our usual ritual with new friends are makeovers, but I don't think we need too with you guys?" Carrie titled her head, looking over towards me.

I slowly nodded, glancing up towards the pink ribbon in Penelope's hair.

"Yeah! You guys have real nice style. I'm way digging that hair ribbon" I smiled, motioning to the fabric tied around her ponytail.

"Hey, what do you say we all hang out tonight. We're all going to the fair with our other friends you wanna come?" Carrie suggested, looking back over to the two.

Penelope and Theo both looked at each other before slowly nodding, making Carrie and I smile as we glanced towards each other.

——

"Ah! I'm so excited, we've made so much new friends so far this year already!" Carrie smiled, happily skipping next to me.

"I know right, would've never thought I could actually get along with other people besides you" I laughed, shaking my head at the thought.

"Not since Benny. You've turned all soft. You're totally smitten over the boy. You're happier, less angry at the world. Oh isn't it super adorable?" Carrie teased, nudging my arm with a laugh.

"Pfft..as if. Yeah, whatever" I rolled my eyes, smiling as I brushed her off.

"I'm being serious? You're like..eh what's the word. Glowing? You're totally glowing!" She insisted, throwing her hands up excitedly.

"Yeah that's called..makeup? You, of all people should know that" I breathed, shaking my head as I waved her away.

"Uh..no. You hardly even wear makeup! I'm the one who's got to do it for you" she protested, pointing towards her chest.

"Well then I guess my skin just naturally glows? Awe thanks Carrie you're so sweet!" I smiled sarcastically, nudging her arm with a smirk.

She threw head back with a huff, rolling her eyes as she waved me away. "Oh whatever"

We both looked over to see the big group that stood around, waiting in front of the gate towards the entrance.

I smiled at Theo and Penelope before getting turned away and immediately getting a pair of lips onto mine.

"Geez bogglehead, you missed me that much?" I smiled, pulling away and poking at his arm.

"I always do?" Benny shrugged, smiling as he wrapped an arm around me.

I rolled my eyes, wrapping an arm around his back before looking over too see the rest of the group chattering away.

"Bertram! I better not see no plug ok?" I called out sternly, perking up an eyebrow.

He froze, immediately stuffing his hands into his pockets, rolling his eyes as he turned around.

"Yes mother!" He called back out, swiftly turning away and walking off.

We all began to walk into the fair passed the entrance before I glanced back to see Theo and Penelope who slowly trailed behind us.

"Hey Benny? You mind if we hang with those two for a bit, they're new and I don't want them to be all left out" I stopped, motioning back towards them.

He glanced over towards them before slowly nodding making me smile and excitedly whip around.

"Hey guys! Come!" I called out, waving my hand to motion them over.

They walked over as I glanced back and pulled Benny over myself."Guys, this is Benny. Benny, this is Theo and Penelope" I smiled as I introduced them to each other.

I smiled as they shook hands exchanging 'hellos' and 'hi's'.

I cracked a small laugh seeing Penelope who stared up at Benny with awe, shaking my head and looking away.

"Well, if you guys want. I'd love too show my favorite food booth. It has this amazing funnel cake!" I placed my hands onto both of their shoulders, pulling them along excitedly.

——

"Theo! What- how!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands into my hair in frustration.

"What? It's not my fault you suck at this game" He held his hands up, sending me a smug smirk.

"B-but, you won like trillions times now?" I frowned, scoffing as I threw my hands up angrily.

"Ok ok. I'll let you win just this once" he rolled his eyes, handing a few coins to the man who worked the booth.

"No! I win on my own ok?" I shook my head, picking up the small ping pong balls.

We continued to play the game and sadly, I lost once again.

"What!" I shrieked, throwing the ping pong balls onto the ground.

"Yes! Sorry toots, I'm way too good at this game!" Theo cheered, patting himself on the back.

I frowned, throwing my head back with a loud huff, sighing as I glanced back to see Penelope and Benny who sat at a table together.

I shook my head, looking away and back over to see Theo who stared down at the stuffed bear in his hand, slowly glancing towards me.

"Here" he smiled, handing me the small stuffed bear he just had won.

"What? Oh no it's yours you won it-

"No no really, it's cool you can have it" he insisted, handing the bear back towards me.

I glanced down at it before shrugging and taking it from him, looking back to see Penelope and Benny who began to walk towards us.

"Oh my god. I can't believe you guys lost a ball signed by babe ruth, what's wrong with you guys!" Penelope shrieked, looking at him wide eyed.

"Well it wasn't exactly my doing, it was Smalls. But hey we ended up getting a ball that was signed by the whole team" Benny laughed, shrugging as he told the story of last summer.

They continued to laugh as I smiled looking between the two, happy that they were getting along.

"Well uh we should get going yeah?" Penelope asked, now turning towards Theo.

Theo nodded before looking back at me and smiling. "Don't worry, you'll win next time" he laughed, patting my shoulder.

"Oh whatever, it's a stupid game anyways!" I groaned, rolling my eyes and waving it off.

He laughed again before we all exchanged goodbyes and finally separated.

I smiled watching them walk away before glancing back to Benny who stared at me."What?" I laughed, snapping my fingers to snap him out of it.

"What is that?" He questioned, motioning down towards the bear in my hand.

"Oh this? Theo won it, that punk beat me in every game!" I frowned, shaking my head frustratedly.

"And he gave it too you?" He perked an eyebrow up, glancing down at the stuffed toy in my hand.

"Well yeah? What's the problem?" I laughed, looking back down to the bear in confusion.

His eyes squinted slightly before he shook his head, shrugging as he brushed it off."Nothing" he sighed, uncrossing his arms.

He took my hand making me smile as we began to walk back towards the entrance.

"So, how'd you like them?" I questioned, looking up at him once we were out on the sidewalk.

"They were cool. Penelope's funny. Theo.. I don't know about him yet" he trailed off, shrugging his shoulders slightly.

"Oh don't worry, Theo's way nice. You'll like him trust me. Even though I am totally sure he was bribing the booth guy with something" I assured, nodding my head as I patted his hand.

He slowly nodded before looking away as we continued to walk down the sidewalk hand in hand.