Mama's Toast by Jake Olsen

Roaring laughter.

Pitter-patter of student’s shoes. The smell of beef macaroni casserole... I can't collect myself, my mind's getting hazy. I tap lightly on the table while chewing a PBJ toast mum packed me for lunch.

It tastes sugary, way too sweet.

Eyes lose focus and gradually everything blurs into an unrecognizable mess. I slap myself across the face. No sleeping, dammit! I should train, I should study, I should...

Yawn.

Way too exhausted to finish my meal, so I just stare at it, in hopes that the dish empties itself. Surprisingly, I am not hungry any more. Just wondering where those two are...

Probably scheming something.

Suddenly, I catch somebody ogling me from across the cafeteria. I dart my eyes towards them and then back to my plate.

I don't quite get it. This is starting to feel uneasy.

With some prior hesitation, I decide to participate in a staring contest and look back.

I spot a bunch of fuzzy light brown hair, something akin to a haystack. Hold on! There’s actually a person behind it! A button nose and a pair of curious hazel peepers.

It is a gal, no mistake. She dangles her feet underneath the table, digging her fork into an empty food tray, all while drilling me with her intense, but sort of cutesy stare.

The stranger has this extremely thoughtful look on her mug; she squints a bit as her thin eyebrows twitch ever so slightly when she seemingly studies my appearance as well.

Some moments later, which feels almost like an eternity, I see her smile awkwardly, nodding to herself in some sort of acknowledgment.

I shake my head.

What are you up to?

I keep my eyes locked on a stranger as she makes her way towards my table, her puffy skirt swaying side to side. She stops a few times on her way, tugging on the sleeve of her frilly shirt and greeting other students that approach her cheerfully.

But in the end, just as I already lower my guard down, I hear her plop herself on a bench right in front of me, putting the palms of her hands on the table and shaking it with excitement.

- "Oh hi!"

She waves her hand right next to my face as if I can't see her. Come on!

- "You must be Jack's little brother! I am Debbie! From his class!'

- "Yah. You are not mistaken."

I cross my arms together, leaning against a wall. Little brother, huh? I ain't no little... Or am I? Regardless, this Debbie girl seems to be just about to lose her marbles from joy. I wonder why. I can't help but gawp at her in awe.

- "Oh, you do look alike! Glasses and all!"

- "Yep. I guess so."

- "Anyways! I saw you guys play last week! You bros were amazing! That one wrist shot you did? Holy buckets, that was something! And how can you skate so fast?!"

Is she making fun of me?

I suddenly feel my face flush bright red as I am being taken away from my sleepy state of mind. Crap, crap! Cover it up with the first item in my vicinity, which turned out to be a carton of milk. Like a goddamn fool I am.

- "Sheesh, Debbie, it's nothing. 1-1 a-am a captain, after all... How, just how could we be bad with such a lead! Haha..."

Deborah laughs heartily, resting her face on one of her hands. I unconsciously mimic the pose. She tilts her head to the side, her massive mane covering a big chunk of her right eye. I tilt my head as well.

- "I am from a basketball team myself, y'kno. But I am like, an amateur."

I see her blow an annoying lock away, as she leans closer to me.

- "Do you know Gordie Howe?"

- "You betcha."

- "I saw him play too. You are far better, though."

- "Oh, ah."

Debbie giggles yet again, probably after seeing my dumbfounded expression. I try to respond in my usual manner, as nonchalantly as I can.

- "Sure thing. I work so hard..."

- "And it shows! I mean, look, you even finish your casserole! That is dedication.”

I furrow my eyebrows and give her a stern look.

- "Don’t you dare! I love it..."

We share a laugh, as I demonstratively lick the bottom of my plate with the most stoic grimace I could ever pull.

- "You know, you do you, yet I prefer mashed potatoes."

- "Then you must have no taste!"

I guess we talk about food now, all of a sudden. Minutes pass by as I say one stupid thing after another, feeling more and more flustered as we fool around.

Then the bell rings, more shoes stomp the floor and a wave of jackets and skirts rushes towards the corridors.

At that moment she waves her hand at me, a grin stretched across her features, cheery almond eyes glowing with exhaustless energy.

- "Well, nice talking to you, Steve! I hope we can hang out sometime."

- "Ah... Oh. Yup. Thank you."

And here I am, chewing on yet another toast, absent-mindedly hurrying to class.

Way too sweet, I need some water.