The purpose of love

2

Julia Roberts

'Euclid's division.' I wrote down on my note as everyone around me was talking about their summer vacation. The canteen is filling up with 11th and 12th-grade students, I'm sitting beside Peter, Mila is talking with Harper and Penelope.

"You have to see him duh, he is looking so hot after hitting the gym. He totally changed and last week I was gardening with Char when he walked out of his house with his friends. My God! they looked so dangerous, Char says they are bad news and addicted to weed and drugs." Penelope spoke with so much interest. 

I turned my head to see even Peter is listening to their gossip, "Are you talking about Antonio Graze?" Peter asked. Antonio Graze?

"Yeah, my parents told me that he returned to Connecticut as something happened back in Florida. He is going to the Eastwood private college." Penelope replied. I stared at them dumbly because I don't know Antonio.

"Who is Antonio Graze?" I asked putting my pencil down. All the heads turned to me.

"Antonio Graze was the most wayward and brat kid of our town. You don't know about him because your family shifted here when he left this town to live with his grandparents." Peter spoke. I was six years when we shifted to his town.

"He didn't go, his parents sent him away when they had another baby. He hated the new sister, which made his parents fear. So for betterment, they sent him away. He never returned or came for summer vacation all these years. My sister said something huge happened back in Florida which made him and his friends shift here to complete their college." Harper spoke pushing her hair back.

"Oh, so he is in college? which means he is older than us." I say. 

"I think he is 20 or 21. But Jesus, his other two male friends are a sight to see. even he is hot." Harper said fanning her face dramatically making me chuckle. Mila is busy texting on her phone, she hasn't finished her lunch.

"Mila, first finish your lunch and who you are texting?" Peter asked pointing the lunch plate.

"Just a friend," Mila replied putting her phone aside to finish her salad. Grace and Sofia sit at their own table. They don't like it if anyone joined their table. My gaze shifted to Lori who is sitting alone stuffing her mouth with Pasta. Our canteen food is good, sometimes it's better than home food. 

The Girls Lacrosse team are sitting together, beside them sat the boy's team. followed by hockey and soccer teams. We even have wrestlers who like to sit far away from everyone. I know all of them as I shared at least one class with everyone. 

Some even tutored me for maths, physics, chemistry and biology. The only subjects I'm good is at languages, history and art. Not many of them know about this, my mum wants me to become a banking employee like her. While I like English and art.

I'm not at all good at education, my aim was to become an art teacher or painter but Mom hates it. My dad was an artist so, she don't even allow me to take extra art classes. She just dislikes it so much.

"I heard you are taking athletics this year?" Harper asked turning towards me.

"Yeah, mom's order and it will help  with the credits." 

"Even our drama classes have extended. We will be having regular classes this year." Penelope said. I nodded my head, Peter, Harper, Penelope, Grace, Sofia, and Mila are members of drama and art club.

I wanted to be part of the art club as I'm good at art and painting but my mom declined from signing the form. So I stuck out like a sore thumb among all. "I'm going, guys," Harper said standing up.

"Wait up," Penelope said following Harper. I chuckled knowing Harper is eager to see her crush. Peter and Mila stood up leaving for their class. I took my time packing my bag as it's my free period. I didn't leave as I watched everyone leaving the area.

"Free period?" Lori asked standing by the table with her bag.

"Yup, yours?" I asked her, taking my empty plate now. She shrugged her shoulders as we walked towards the trash bin.

"You know bicycling?" 

"Yup."

"Good, they brought some bicycles for students to use in free periods. I want to go bicycling around the grounds." She spoke placing her used plate on the washing table.

"Sure." We went to our lockers to drop our bags and phones. Lori seemed in a different mood today.

"Is everything good Lori?" I asked when we started walking towards the grounds.

"My dad may transfer this month, we will be shifting to New York." 

"New york? what about your high school? I mean we will be graduating this year." I say feeling sad. I may not spend more time with Lori but she is a very good friend to me. I wanted her to graduate here with me.

"I will be joining a school, thankfully the same subjects so it won't be a problem. And I'm sad though because I never had friends here." She spoke pulling the cycle. I smiled and greeted the grounds watchman.

"But Lori, you are my friend. I will miss you if you leave." I pouted at the fact that I won't be able to see her every day.

"I know chick, don't worry. I will be visiting you and we can spend time together before I leave." I got on my cycle and turned to her.

"You will spend time with me?" I asked her n excitement.

"Obviously girl, you are sweet totally opposite to me but you are good."

"We can go to movies and you have to come to my home for a sleepover. I never had a sleepover before." I tell as we paddle the cycle.

"You didn't? I mean you are friends with Mila and the other topper bitches." Lori said bluntly making my eyes widen.

"No, Mila is scared of my mum and her parents doesn't allow sleepovers," I tell her.

"Lol." 

"Is your parents selling the house too?" I ask her, her hair is a wild mess now. I tied my hair in the morning so its in place.  

"My parents want to move out of this town, my younger sister will be joining the school this year. Mum and dad decided to move to New York forever. So I guess they will be selling the house and buy an apartment in New York."

"Why to leave a good independent house? Why don't you stay here?" Lori chuckled turning her face towards me.

"No, even I want to leave this town and start a new phase. I'm sick of this town now." We became silent as I'm busy in my thoughts.

"Hey Lori, just a reminder. You can always share anything with me. I promise I won't tell anyone anything. You have my number, you can call me." 

"I know chick, the same goes to you. I'm always up for you if you need any help or a shoulder to cry." The second day of the school is good. I felt comfortable with Lori more than Meli and Peter.

I don't know but I feel like Meli and I are drifting for reasons. Yesterday we didn't hang out nor we spoke like we used to in the morning. 

"Lets race chick." Lori yelled paddling fast making me giggle. The rest of the time is spent racing and laughing around. I walked alone to my next period as I didn't find Mila or Peter. Mila and Sofia are in the same class as me. 

I walked in to see the seats are occupying, "Hey Julie, you can sit here." Selena said waving her hand. I don't have any problem sitting beside her. 

"Hey, Selena. Why didn't you come yesterday?" I asked her taking the seat beside her.

"Kawhi didn't want to come, so I stayed home." I nodded my head turning my head front when the teacher entered the room. Meli sat with Sofia in the front row.