The cafeteria was a war zone.
Clatter. Clink. Buzz.
It was filled with the deafening sound of students chattering about the upcoming Expedition, the scrape of chairs, and tableware colliding like poorly orchestrated percussion. The air smelled of cheap stew and nervous sweat.
I took one look at the chaotic mess, my sensitive ears already ringing.
"Nope."
I couldn't bear the environment to have a proper meal. I grabbed a tray, piled it high with whatever meat I could find, and walked out the side door.
I planned to eat alone in the quiet garden behind the cafeteria.
But as I sat down on a stone bench under a large oak tree, a shadow fell over my tray.
Someone insisted on sitting next to me.
Thump.
A tray slammed down next to mine.
I looked up.
It was Maya.
