Cursed by Wendy Owens Page A

can either believe me or not.”   Gabe had never seen Sophie become jealous.   He wanted to shake her back to reality, back into the girl he had come to care so much about.
    “Fine, Gabe!   Whatever you say.” Sophie replied and then turned towards the dining hall; from her tone she was still clearly irritated.   “Let’s just go eat.”
    “Fine!” Gabe rejoined.   The two walked off together in silence.

CHAPTER EIGHT

    The group of six sat in silence in the bustling dining hall.   Dina and Raimie giving each other glaring looks of frustration and disgust.   Sophie avoided looking at Gabe altogether.
    “So…” Uri said, drawing out his word in an effort to make it clear he was trying to relieve the tension.   “How was everyone’s first day of classes?”
    Nobody responded after a few moments.   Uri decided to push the conversation further.
    “Gabe, what about you?   Your very first day of classes, how was it?”
    Gabe looked at Sophie again.   She still kept her gaze averted.   “Fine, I guess.”
    “Well, that’s not much of an answer.” Uri prodded.
    “Hey, wait,” Haim interjected. “What about that hot little number in the hall today?   What was her name?”
    Gabe looked down at Haim in complete disbelief of the words that were coming out of his mouth.   Suddenly Sophie was completely absorbed in the conversation, looking back and forth between Gabe and Haim.
    “Oh yeah, Neru.   That was it.” Haim exclaimed.
    “UUURRRGGGHH!” Sophie growled as she got up and stormed away from the table.
    “Thanks, Haim!” Gabe yelled, slapping Haim on the back of his head.   “What the hell was that all about?”
    “What?” Haim squealed shielding himself.   “I just wanted to know if she was single.”
    “You’re interested in Neru?” Gabe asked, surprised.   He had never seen Haim show much interest in relationships or really the opposite sex at all.   Haim nodded enthusiastically.  
    “Well, I don’t know.   I barely know her.   Just ask her out if you’re interested.” Gabe replied
    “Yeah, because I am just that smooth.” Haim dismissed.
    “She seems like a nice girl,” Gabe added in an effort to comfort him.   “I am sure no matter what her choice is she would be considerate of your feelings.”
    “Humph…” Dina huffed.
    “Oh what now?” Raimie snapped.
    “Nothing, just seems like a foreign concept that someone would be considerate of the feelings of someone they care for.”   Dina growled, glaring at Raimie.
    “Get over yourself Dina!   I am so sick of your crap.” As the words left Raimie’s lips the entire group stared in disbelief.   In the time they had all known the couple, nobody had ever seen them fight.
    Without another word, Dina hopped to her feet.   In a similar manner to Sophie, she stormed out of the dining hall.  
    “Fine.   Go!”   Raimie yelled after her.   “See if I care.”
    “Raimie!”   Uri exclaimed sarcastically.   “What have you gotten yourself into?”   The group chuckled lightly at Uri’s jesting.
    “Oh please,” Raimie said.   Standing up and leaning over the table, he rested his hands on the top of it.   “You have no idea what I have been putting up with.   She can be so exhausting!”   Without further explanation, Raimie turned and left the hall.
    The three remaining boys looked at each other, puzzled by what had just unfolded in front of them.
    “So about Neru,” Haim said, dismissing the odd display.
    “Really, Haim?   Come on!” Gabe exclaimed.
    “What?   You’re with Sophie.   What’s it matter?”
    “Thanks to you and your big mouth, Sophie doesn’t want to even speak to me.   She thinks there is something going on between me and Neru.” Gabe explained, giving Haim a look of disgust.
    Gabe stared down at the untouched mound of mashed potatoes in front of himself.   A small drop of congealed gravy hovered at the edge.
    “Well, is there?” Uri asked.
    “Is there what?”