Bittersweet Candy Bowl

[Caption: Lunchtime]
*Daisy holds her juice box with both hands, smiling cheerfully. Random students fill the lunch tables behind her.*
Daisy: Ahh.. our last lunch together as freshmen..

*Yashy, Lucy and David are at the lunch table. Yashy scowls. Lucy stares at Daisy with a neutral expression while David leans forward and grins, his elbows on the table.*
David: It’s the last supper! Can I be Jesus?
*Yashy glares, raising one arm angrily.*
Yashy: Nobody wants to hear your stupid toast, whore!

*Daisy clasps her hands together and smiles sweetly at Yashy. Sparkles and flowers surround her.*
Daisy: Oh Yashy~ How I’ll miss your gentle jibes~
*Yashy leans forward and scowls, raising a threatening fist.*
Yashy: What the hell is that supposed to mean? What’s WRONG with you?

*Mike leans over to David and Lucy. Lucy rests her head on her chin and side-eyes Daisy.*
Lucy: “Gentle”, huh?
*Mike holds his juice box in his fist, looking confused.*
Mike: So are we raising a glass or what?
*David points a finger at the juice box.*
David: That’s no glass!

*Mike grimaces in pain and rubs his temple. Tess stands with a soda can in her hand.*
Mike: I meant it as a figur.. Oh, just forget it..
*Tess smiles and raises her soda can.*
Tess: Cheers!

*Everyone raises their drink in a toast. David raises a wine glass with the liquid sloshing out of it.*
Everyone: CHEERS

Mike: Where did you get a WINE GLASS from, David?!
*Daisy and Abbey sit next to each other at the table. Daisy puts a hand in front of her mouth, giggling as Abbey rolls his eyes.*
Abbey: This is the corniest thing we’ve ever done.

*Tess and Paulo sit at one end of the table. Tess pops a chip into her mouth and stares thoughtfully into the distance.*
Tess: Heh.. I don’t even know if we’re gonna share the same lunch period again.. You guys are lucky you’re all in the same grade.
*Paulo smiles hopefully at Tess, raising one finger.*
Paulo: You could always skip class to see us!

*Tess glances at him, frowning in concern.*
Tess: Next year’s really important, I can’t blow it off!

*Daisy steps between Paulo and Tess, smiling nervously.*
Daisy: We can meet after school if you need my help.
*Tess smiles gratefully.*
Tess: I’ll keep it in mind!
*Paulo glances away, looking forlorn.*
Paulo: …

*Mike sits on the other side of Tess, who’s leaning on the table as she continues eating her lunch.*
Tess: I’m looking forward to Senior year..
*Mike looks away anxiously, rubbing the back of his head.*
Mike: Really? I’d be so scared..!

*Mike turns away but glances over his shoulder at Tess while fiddling nervously with his fingers.*
Mike: School just feels like something that’ll always be there.
*Tess balances a bite of her lunch on the tip of her finger and smiles at Mike.*
Tess: Well, you already graduated middle school, didn’t you?
Mike: Guess that’s true..

Daisy: Got any goals in mind?
*Tess returns Daisy’s smile. Yashy glares ferociously at Daisy.*
Tess: College, of course.. I still gotta figure out where I wanna go..
*Paulo twitches.*

*Paulo frowns petulantly and points at Tess.*
Paulo: If you move out of state, I’ll never forgive you!
*Tess sighs with a smile.*
Tess: Guess you’ll have to wait and see!

*Tess holds up a finger.*
Tess: But before all that.. There’s something I need to deal with before the day’s over..

Tess: A chapter I need to close.
*Tess smiles thoughtfully as Lucy and Mike gaze curiously at her.*

*Lucy, David and Mike all stare at Tess, who crosses her arms with her eyes closed.*
Tess: …
David: ?

*Lucy leans over, elbows on the table, and points at Tess.*
Lucy: Is it related to that thing about everybody hating you?
*David smiles in satisfaction while Tess cringes in embarrassment.*
David: Critical hit
*Mike grits his teeth and bashes his fist on the table.*
Mike: LUCY!!