The Art Of Noticing

Chapter Five: Ollie and Claire and Griffin and Stacy.

2018. September.

The following Monday, I sat with the whole group at lunch. The lunchroom was crowded. It was loud too. The place seemed to be booming with the shouts of voices.

I noticed the lunch ladies conversing and giggling amongst themselves. I noticed a group of juniors studying for an upcoming exam instead of eating like they should have been during this period. I noticed a group of boys egging on another guy to go talk to a girl, who he most certainly liked.

This was an odd age. Almost everyone wanted some sort of a relationship, but what would become of it after highschool was over?

Some of us would go off to college, others wouldn't. It was strange how all of this would be over before we knew it.

"Seb!" Tom called

"Hm? Yeah?"

I lost my train of thought. I could almost see the conductor sadly waving to me as it zoomed away.

"Where'd you go?" Reese asked, looking at me intently

"Nowhere. It doesn't matter. What were you saying, Tom?"
"I was just trying to come up with car arrangements for the Winter formal. As in, whose car are we taking? Griffin?"

"Can't help you there," he replied, shoveling his food, "My dad needs the truck,"

"Dang. Okay. Ollie?"
"My car seat four,"

Tom groaned, thinking of what to do next.

"I. . . think I could actually help in this department," I said, not making eye contact with anyone at the table.

"Yeah?" Tom asked, intrigued.

"Yeah. . . I mean, I've been saving for a hot minute because I've had my eye on a specific car. . . it can seat six if we use the trunk,"

Reese smiled slightly, "You don't have to rush in buying this car just so that we'll have a ride to the dance,"
"Oh no, it's not like that. My brother and I actually planned on driving over to the dealership when he visits," I smiled

"Brother? You have a brother?" she asked, surprised

"Yeah, I do," I chuckled, "I guess you learn something new everyday.

Reese laughed, looking over at Tom and Griffin for a moment. I would have really loved to know what was going through her head in that moment.

"Well, that settles that," Tom shifted in his seat, "So, It'll be the six of us-"
"Actually," Ollie interjected, "I kinda had other plans."

"Oh?" Stacy grinned

"Yeah," he smiled nervously, "I was actually thinking of asking Claire to the dance."
The table erupted with noise and laughter from everyone.

"Sit down!" Ollie laughed, "You guys are gonna get kicked out by one of the lunch ladies,"

"You know," Stacy interjected, "Griffin could always help you with what to say."

"I can?"

"Yeah. . . I mean. . . you're sensitive."

"Sensitive?" he asked, not sure whether to be offended or not.

She rolled her eyes, smiling, "You know what I mean. You're. . . deep."

"Deep?"

Griffin stared at her eyes for a moment. She looked away suddenly, trying to hide how flustered she was. The moment was so quick, I don't think anyone noticed.

"Could you help?" Ollie asked.

"Um. . . well. . . what were you wanting to say?"

"I don't know. Something sweet, I guess."

Griffin chuckled to himself, "Okay. Well, you could say, 'Claire. . . I've seen you around and I couldn't help but notice how pretty you are. Just thought I should let you know.', then you can do whatever you want from there."

"And say what?" Ollie asked

"That's entirely up to you."

"And you're sure that will work?"

"No," Griffin laughed nervously, "But no harm in trying."

Ollie took a deep breath, rose from his seat, and made his way over to Claire Monroe, the rest of us watching in anticipation. Ollie tapped on her shoulder.

"That's Claire Monroe?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yup," Tom laughed.

She was sitting with her group of friends. I suppose, in a way, I was expecting more. She was pretty, of course. No doubt about that. But she wasn't necessarily anything out of the ordinary. I guess, I was just expecting someone prettier than. . . anyone.

Claire turned and looked up at Ollie, who at first, said nothing.

"Why's he just standing there?" Stacy asked almost in a whisper.

"I do not know," Reese sighed.

The conversation that corresponded between Ollie and Claire was inaudible. I would see Ollie say one thing, Claire would reply, Ollie would say another thing. She smiled at one point, as if she was genuinely pleased to hear what was being said.

Then, out of nowhere, Ollie turned and began making his way back to our table. And it was clear the goal had not been accomplished.

"He didn't even ask her to the dance," Griffin exclaimed

"No, he did not." Reese sighed.

"Wait!" Claire called.

Ollie turned back to her, "Yeah?"

Claire began speaking again. Ollie nodded his head, smiling. Claire seemed happy. Then Ollie looked over at us and held a thumb up giddily as he sat with Claire. I chuckled.

"That sly devil!" Griffin threw his hands in the air.

The rest of us couldn't help but laugh.

After a while, things died down, and we all went back to doing our own things.

"You know, Seb should totally come on our annual New Years camping trip!" Tom said out of nowhere.

Reese gasped. She had the biggest smile on her face that stretched from ear to ear.

"You guys go all out for New Years?" I asked

"Who cares about New Years! We go all out for ourselves. To have fun. To celebrate. It just so happens to be on the last day of the year." Tom explained

"Celebrate what?" I asked

"The teenage dream." He replied melodramatically.

"This is a dream?"

"It can be," said Reese, "If we make it that way."

"And how do you suppose we do that?" I asked her, intrigued.

She grinned, "Annual camping trips. . . And you're coming."