We each took a tray, and she selected a chef salad while I opted for a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. She went back to the spot where we ate lunch, and I sat across from her.
“Do Daniel and Malik play sports?” I assumed that was why they weren’t here.
Her cheeks pinked just slightly. “Yeah, they both play soccer and rugby.”
I watched her closely, but she avoided my gaze. “So, is it Malik or Daniel?”
Her fork dropped to her tray. “What?”
“Which one do you have a crush on?”
She shook her head and focused on her salad like it was suddenly the most interesting thing in the room.
“Oh, come on. You blushed when I brought them up, so just tell me.”
She looked around before her shoulders dropped. “Promise not to say anything?”
I nodded and leaned in.
“Daniel.” She sighed. “I’ve liked him since our first year, but he’s only ever seen me as a friend.”
I thought over the times I’d seen them together, but I didn’t pick up on any signals from either of them. “Does he know?”
She shook her head. “No, and he never will.”
“Why not?” I bit off a corner of my grilled cheese.
“Because he’s one of my best friends, and I don’t think I’m his type. I can’t tell him and ruin what we have.”
“How do you know you’re not his type? Has he dated anyone else?”
“Not seriously. He’s gone on a few dates, but they never last.”
I wagged my spoon at her. “I wonder why?”
She rolled her shoulders back and tightened her high ponytail. “He goes for the typical blondes with perfect bodies and more interest in makeup than school.”
So, the cheerleaders, if the school had a cheer team.
“But they don’t last, so that’s obviously not his right kind of girl.”
“Tell that to him,” she grumbled.
I felt for her. It sucked having a crush on a guy who didn’t notice you, at least not that way. I didn’t want to make her more upset, so I changed the subject back to sports.
“We didn’t have a rugby team at my old school. Is there not a football team?”
She perked back up. “No, the school tried to offer it, but the shifters took offense to the pads and helmets. Apparently, real sports don’t have protection. So, rugby took its place and is now so popular that there are four teams.”
“Four? Not just varsity and junior varsity?”
“Nope, each year there are too many shifters and vampires, even a few witches who are brave enough, that want to play. Plus, it’s not like they can play against any local high schools, not that there are any within a few hours. But shifters versus non-supes in sports is just unfair. The championship team from Drexel plays one of the other supe schools. The school that wins holds the title for the year.”
“Other supe schools? Where are they?”
“There’s an all-shifter school in Alaska, two schools in South America, one in Australia, two in Asia, and one in Europe. Those are all open to the three species now, but it’s only been a few years.”
“Why isn’t the one in Alaska for all species?” I asked.