I’m Popular (or at least i used to be) Antes Story [GL]

In the past two weeks I've heard all kinds of voices. High pitched, low pitched, soft, raspy. All of these voices match their recipients one way or another.

That's where Gwen is different. She has this sweet Southern accent but then has this intense look to her.

Not saying I hate the look though. I actually quite like it. Combined with her tallness, Gwen is kind of hot.

Gwen crossed the street merrily. She had on a dark blue tee with a gold ring on it, a white long sleeve underneath, light blue jeans, a pants chain and white sneakers. She had neutral brown skin and black hair put into a ponytail.

When she made it to my side of the street she sort of power walked towards me.

The tall woman stopped in front of me and greeted me with a small smile.

I don't deserve this...Stop thinking about that. We're just acquaintances hanging out today. If she doesn't mention what happened four months ago I won't bring it up.

I attempted to sound casual. "H-hey."

"Hey. How's it going?"

I adjusted the strap on my pochette. "It's going ok."

I should get the fact I was late out of the way.

"Look, I know I'm late. It was harder to get out of school than I thought. I had to do so much. There was the lady in the office and then the police officer." I explained making sure I didn't sound whiny. It wasn't hard with my voice.

Gwen smiled. It was hard to tell if it was genuine or forced.

"It's alright. I wasn't waiting too long."

"That's good."

"Do you want to start headin' to Little Caesars? I'm pretty hungry." She asked while gesturing to the space behind me.

"Sure." I said and turned around to face the apartment complex down the street.

I moved a little to the left so Gwen could walk beside me. We then started walking down the street.

"How was the trip here?" The intellect asked a few steps in.

I remembered the state of the 47 bus. "It was pretty bad. The bus was gross and smelly."

Gwen frowned. "Most of the ET buses are like that. It's mostly cause' of our mayor."

"What is she doing?"

"She puts a lot of funding into tourist-y stuff like hotels and that amusement park they've been building for forever."

"The one on Huxley?"

"Yeah."

"That has taken them a while. They started building it when I was in elementary."

"...But, isn't tourist stuff good so we can get more people to visit." I inquired as a red car sped by us.

"What good is drawing folks in if you can't keep them here. The buses, the streets, the buildings so much could use that funding..." Gwen explained gesturing as she listed out stuff that the mayor could fund.

We could use more fast food restaurants. I don't eat them often but whenever Marianne would take me it would be Culvers or Mcdonalds. I want to try Wendy's and Subway. Subway...

"Yeah. This town sucks." I complained.

"That's putting it simply. There are many ways..." She droned on for awhile but, I couldn't really comprehend what she was saying. It was smart people stuff and I had realized I was actually pretty hungry.

Footlong...Extra steak...Provolone...Spinach...How have I only seen these sandwiches in commercials!

The intellect seemed to have stopped talking when we made it to the crosswalk. We turned towards our destination.

The Little Caesars had definitely seen better days. It had faded red walls and a big window near the door. The 'TLE' in LITTLE were dark making it say LIT CAESARS. It stood in a relatively empty parking lot with an old gas station to the right of it.

The crosswalk light across the street said to walk so we crossed the street.

We made it across and started making our way across the parking lot.

I looked at Gwen and asked "Why were you down the street when I got here? Weren't we supposed to meet here."

"Oh yeah. I was just walking up and down the street seeing if you got lost." She explained.

"That makes sense."

It doesn't. That's a little weird.

"I'm glad we didn't miss each other." I said.

The tall woman nodded as we made it to the front of the Little Caesars. There were a few people inside.

I opened the door and entered with Gwen behind me. The walls were white with Little Caesars logos in a line on the top. The floor was tile in a black and white checkerboard pattern. There was an orange booth in front of us with two cash registers. A cashier was manning the left one, taking an order. The kitchen was behind the booth where workers hurried and made the mediocre pizza this establishment was known for. There was a pinball machine to our right.

We got in line behind a stressed mom who was trying to wrangle her kids who frolicked around the restaurant.

I wonder why they're not playing pinball.

I looked to my right at the pinball machine. The top part said "Space Pinball" in cool looking purple and pink text. The text was in space above a green planet and a spaceship. The spaceship was being controlled by a creepy looking astronaut giving a thumbs up.

I wondered if Gwen would want to play while we wait for our pizza.

I can see what'll happen. Gwen would get an insanely high score like 300,000 or something compared to my measly 2 (or whatever's considered low in pinball). That would be no fun.

I looked at the tall woman beside me. She had an intense expression as she stared at the menu positioned above the booth.

Now that we're actually hanging out, something I had already known was put right in my face. She was good at everything. School, knowing politics, debate, sports, fighting...video games I guess. Now I'm not a competitive person, I just like to think everyone has something they're good at. A skill or a special trait. Maybe you get lucky and have two. This though. The way she was good at everything. It was unfair. It was unfair to be perfect. Blindingly perfect.

This is no fun at all...