Tangled Love

"Three fifty please."

I nod and reach for the coins inside my pocket, handing them over. The lunch lady smiles at me, pushing my plate of steaming hot pasta and garlic bread towards me.

"Enjoy your lunch sweetheart."

"Thank you," I smile, taking it from her and walking towards the table in the far corner. Trish is already seated with a few other girls and several boys. She's chatting away loudly, occasionally pausing to laugh or giggle.

Her eyes land on me and she grins widely, patting the seat next to her. I sit down, grimacing as a jolt of pain flares up my side. It takes a few seconds of inhaling and exhaling deeply to get the pain to subdue. Trish fishes around for something in her bag, noticing the discomfort in my face.

"Here take these. It works wonders for period pain. Like seriously, your uterus will forever thank me."

two tables in my palm and I nod weakly at her, going along with it. I can't

off for months. It's hard to establish whether I'm

mumble quietly, pushing my pasta around on the plate. I suddenly don't have much of an appetite left for

best friend on a period Emily. Why are you neglected that plate of carby goodness?" Trish asks me, making light of the situation. I can see the worry flash through her eyes and I plaster

"I'm just not very hungry, that's

my eyes locked with a intense stare from the opposite side of the room. I immediately feel my heart stop for a second as he tilts his head, studying me. The blue of his eyes burns through

silences, the conversation coming to an abrupt stop. Jake doesn't seem bothered by the reaction, his face remaining expressionless as he walks right towards me. I can feel my heart thumping wildly against my chest, threatening to burst through.

I talk

simply stare back at him, my mouth slightly parted. His scent immediately

"Um—"