Milo Valentine chose the table because it was empty. Not because it was important. There was probably some social hierarchy bullshit attached to it, but he wasn’t aware of it, and frankly, didn’t care. He slid into the seat with casual ease, tapped his pink manicured nails once against the plastic tray, and peeled the lid off his yogurt.

He didn’t even get a bite in before Jackson came storming up, already huffing.

[color=0054a6]“What are you doing?”[/color] Jackson snapped. [color=0054a6]“That’s our table.”[/color]

Milo didn’t look up right away. He stirred the yogurt once, then finally lifted his eyes. [color=pink]“Oh,”[/color] he said mildly. [color=pink]“Is it?”[/color] His gaze flicked to the empty seats, then back to Jackson. [color=pink]“You should probably get here earlier.”[/color]

Jackson scoffed. [color=0054a6]“You don’t just sit wherever you want. Move.”[/color]

Milo smiled faintly. [color=pink]“Sweetie, it’s plastic. No need to get so pissy about it.”[/color] He made absolutely no move to leave.

That was when Lydia spoke.[color=DF6D26]“No,”[/color] she said, almost thoughtfully. [color=DF6D26]“I like him.”[/color] She stepped past Jackson and sat down, her attention never leaving Milo. “You can stay.”

Milo smirked. [color=pink]“Thank you. See, buddy? At least someone here has taste.”[/color]

Jackson stared, clearly weighing whether this was worth making a scene.

Lydia noticed. [color=DF6D26]“You’re new,”[/color] she said.

[color=pink]“Milo Valentine.”[/color]

She smiled. [color=DF6D26]“Figures.”[/color]

The warning bell buzzed faintly overhead. Lydia leaned in just enough to keep the moment private. [color=DF6D26]“You should come watch tryouts after school,”[/color] she added. [color=DF6D26]“And there’s a party Friday.”[/color]

Milo considered it, tapping one glossy nail against the tray. [color=pink]“I’m not really a sports guy…”[/color] he said, then tilted his head. [color=pink]“But I do enjoy staring at hot ones.”[/color] A pause. [color=pink]“And parties are fun.”[/color]