Laney’s eyes glimmer with knowingness.
"The kraang body and mind switched with Raph here who I had to stop from killing master Splinter when he finally showed up to class late and hungover," Laney says casually, hitching a thumb to Dom who shrugs.
My grin widens at her Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle reference.
"The joker's Mason and the gargoyle who needs time to warm up to you is Maverick," Alec says, giving us a warning look to play nicely.
"Nice to meet you both," Laney says. I return it with a grin and Mav nods to her. He's probably feeling a bit more normal now he's got food in his stomach.
“Where were you?” Alec asks me, frustration written all over his face. I wince, I knew he’d be annoyed.
“You didn’t go?” Maverick turns to me, stern look and all. Knowing my brother however, I doubt he’s surprised.
“No,” I mutter. Mav makes an ‘ompf’ noise.
“Come on, Mase. You agreed to go.” Alec crosses his arms. “You could have met Laney an hour ago,” he adds.
Like he knew it would, I perk up.
“You do Art?” I question Laney. She gives me a small nod.
“I’ll go to the next lesson,” I begrudgingly inform Alec. Dom snickers.
We settle down and start eating. I realise that while Laney pulls out a book and starts reading, she doesn't make a move to pull out a lunchbox or go get food.
We all share glances between each other. Alec looks like he's already suspected something.
Dominic leans down, pretending he's getting something from his bag and feels around Laney’s. She doesn't look down, completely engulfed by her book.
Dom sits up and shakes his head, confirming our suspects.
I look at Mav who looks angry.Don't go there, brother,I tell him with one look.
I slide my lunchbox across to Laney, indicating she takes my pizza. "It's pepperoni, jellybean and maple syrup."
I scrunch up my nose like I'm disgusted by it and Laney laughs like music to my ears.
She takes a piece of what's actually just pepperoni pizza because I’m not insane and pushes my lunchbox back to me. Her eyes close when she takes the first bite and chews. A faint smile ghosts her lips.
Mav's face is stony and cold watching her eat and any hopefulness dries up inside me. She finishes eating and I make her take the rest of my pizza.
She shifts on the long seating like she's uncomfortable and a wince crosses her face momentarily.
I look beggingly at Alec, hoping he'll say something.
"How's your head?" Alec taps Laney’s arm.
She sits up straight like his words reminded her of something. A coldness crosses her eyes. She swallows deeply and I see a hint of fear that has my hand slowly reaching for her.
"It's fine," she replies softly. She quickly hops up, grabbing her book and bag.
"I have to go. Thank you for letting me sit with you," she rushes out. Her mismatched eyes flick over all of us before she walks away.
We fall into silence as I think about her hasty retreat. The loneliness and pain in her eyes when Alec asked about her head.
What happened to her?
"What the fuck was that?" Mav growls.
