Anywhere But Here by JL Paul

him.
    “I believe it’s school property, therefore I am entitled to use it,” he retorted in a smooth tone.
    “Then maybe I should move, huh?” I asked, a smirk of my own toying with my lips.  My eyes narrowed as I challenged him, waiting for his next move.
    “Why do you have to be this way, Rena?” he asked, a touch of desperation creeping into his voice.  “I’m just trying to be nice to you.”
    I dropped my eyes to my tray and unwrapped my cheeseburger.  My appetite bolted but I wouldn’t dare let him know he was getting to me.  “I don’t need any friends.”
    “So you’ve said,” he muttered.  “Why?”
    My head shot up and I glared at him, barely restraining the anger-demon.  “It’s none of your business now bug off and leave me alone to eat.”
    “Hm,” he snorted.  “And they call me the King of the Ice – maybe you should be my queen.  It suits you.”
    I rolled my eyes at his veiled insult but that only amused him.  He leaned back in his chair, arms folded across his chest, and watched as I took a bite and forced the rubbery hamburger meat down my throat.  It was clear he had no intentions of leaving.
    “There you are, dude,” his friend, Grant, greeted as he pulled out a chair , sat, and dug into his lunch.  Chancing a glance at me, he flashed a shy smile.  I ignored him.
    “Rena here is going to be my ice queen.  Cool, huh?” Fin said as he gave me a wry smile.
    “Yeah,” Grant said, perking.  His eyes darted between me and Fin and I could read his face like a well-loved novel.
    I swallowed, nearly choking, and shook my head vigorously.  “Oh, no.  No way.  Don’t go thinking there’s something going on here,” I said, waving my finger betw een me and Fin.  “He’s just pestering me.”
    “Dudes, great game Saturday,” Damon said as he finally sat beside me.  I could have hugged him. 
    “Thanks, man,” Fin said, slight blush rising on his cheeks.  “Didn’t know you were there.”
    “I was sitting with Rena for a bit,” Damon said as he crammed his cheeseburger in to his mouth.
    “I don’t think Rena enjoyed the game much,” Fin said as he attempted to draw me back into the conversation. 
    I pushed my tray away, giving in to defeat.  I’d never finish my lunch now.  “Hockey is hard to follow.”
    “It’s not that bad,” he said defensively.  “Once you learn the rules, it’s a lot easier.”
    “It’s hard to follow that stupid puck as it flies all over the ice,” I complained.
    Grunting, he grimaced.  “Try hitting that stupid puck into the little nets.”
    “You managed just fine,” I pointed out and instantly realized my mistake as his eyes lit up brighter than a Christmas tree.
    “So, you were watching me, huh?  Excellent,” he grinned.  I toyed with the clip to the anger-demon’s leash, ready to release him.
    “How do you fit that ego of yours through doors?” I asked, causing Grant to spew his milk all over his lunch tray.
    “Oh, that’s hilarious,” Grant said, wiping his chin with the back of his hand.  “She nailed you, man.”
    Fin forced a smile but it didn’t reach his eyes and I knew I’d succeeded in shutting him up – at least for the time being.
    “See you in class,” he said as his chair legs scraped the floor.  Picking up his tray, he gestured for Grant to follow him.  They sauntered off to another table where Gina sat, causing her to positively beam.
    “You don’t like him much, do you?” Damon asked.
    I lifted a shoulder as I watched Gina mosey up to Fin.  “I don’t know.”  I turned my attention on Damon.  “Hey, where are Reg and Shane?”
    “Library,” Damon said.  “They have a paper due tomorrow and they have a lot of work to do.”  He finished his burger and glanced at the clock.  “Do you want to hang out tonight or something?”
    “Can’t,” I said as a stab of guilt pierced my heart.  I knew I needed to try a little harder at the friend thing.  “I start my