HUMAN
9
in the back of my notebook and focused on the class. When the loud ringing of the school bell announced that it was time for lunch, I expected Italia to come to me and explain everything, but she simply followed me to the lunchroom, talking about everyday things. Ah, so they were still waiting for my reaction … or maybe it was all Italia's idea and she had already forgotten all about it. We sat at our table with our trays of food, and Italia immediately grabbed her hamburger, barely chewing it before she swallowed. "Ariel, you comin' to Deeli's this week'd?" she asked. "You're going to choke on that, Ita." I shook my head at her. She placed the half-eaten hamburger back on the tray and wiped her mouth. "Right, sorry." She smiled. "But this cold weather is making me hungry. I could eat a horse!" "Yeah." I played with my fries, suddenly not interested in food at all. "So, you were saying?" "Ah, I wanted to know if you’ll go to Deeli's." She doused her fries in ketchup and popped one into her mouth. "My brother's band is going to perform. I kind of have to go. You know, a sister's duty." "Wow, nice," I said, taking a sip of my soda. "I think I’ll go with you." "Let me guess." A smile curved her red lips. "You're not coming because of me but because of my brother." "Hey!" I tried to keep my face serious but failed. Italia's brother was three years older than us, and he had such gorgeous, shoulder-length dark brown hair, and breathtaking brown eyes. Besides, he was an excellent