Chapter 13 ~Casper~

As we make our way to the cafeteria, I can't ignore the whispers of our classmates. With my super hearing, I catch snippets of their conversations.

“Oh, are they dating?”

“So Scarlett's the lucky girl, huh?”

“They look cute together.”

“They don't match… I'd be a better fit.”

Despite the mixed reactions, I can't deny that there's something comforting about having Scarlett by my side.

Scarlett and I grab a table in the bustling cafeteria, and she plops her giant, red lunch box onto the round plastic surface. The thing looks like a cross between a plastic backpack and a mini-fridge, with a zillion pockets and zippers.

She unzips the main compartment and starts pulling out all kinds of stuff: disposable spoons, cups, plates, a water bottle, a thermos, a couple of Fanta cans, and containers filled with chicken strips, cooked corn, and a mountain of French fries. I stare in amazement at the feast she's somehow crammed into that lunch box.

“What the…!” I exclaim, not even trying to hide my