#bergen_county

The girls are chatting - Starter Sophomore Squad goals - and he's welcomed back. "Hey, thanks." A smile from Sam.

"Welcome." Another quick grin.

Drinks are sorted out and Adam seems content to listen in.

Over at the cheerleader table, Sylvi is chatting away, catching up and making plans....

Tanya's there, too. Yikes, the hair flipping at that table might be dangerous.

Digging idly through his plate, one might think he is entirely focused on dissecting the interesting wobbly bit from the midst of the steak with a plastic cafeteria knife wielded with delicate fingertips... but he listens in around him intently.

Girl Game is cut-throat.

Subdued or not, Adam is certainly collecting glances.

For his own part, he can't help but sneak a glance or two at Tanya.

At least for some, the PA announcement has him pegged as "mysterious bad boy"

Add to that his cocky confidence (which is beginning to return) and good looks......

Sylvi has to confirm to her fellow cheerleaders that, yes, she's still dating that guy long-distance, yes, he really exists, yes, here are selfies with him...

Oh yes, there are LOOKS. And directed hair-flipping.

A few questions on Cheer Island about the new guy sitting with the girl-jocks. "Well...." Sylvi says, noncommittally. "He's new. Rough start, I guess." A shrug. "He'll figure it out. Cute? I dunno, maybe. I think he's kind of annoying, but that's just me."

That seems to do nothing to damper their interest in him.

A few of the upperclassmen lady basketballers "stop by" the table to "say hi"....

*bzzzt-Sam did u know that salisbury steak was invented as a 3-meal-a-day diet by a dude who thought vegetables caused mental illness? pass that on to tove if she tries to get you to eat Okra again

If he likes'm tall and athletic, there's a buffet!

Sam SNORTS at a text and grins at her phone.

Adam greets them with chin-nods and a casual attitude but remembers names and faces.

"What?" Grinning back at Sam.

She shares the text, and sends a thumb's-up back.

Adam leans in to check Sam's phone, chuckles, and lifts his hand to acknowledge Symon over there.

A flicker of a wave, before shoving a spoonful of potatoes into his maw. Adam gets a glimpse of greyish gums mashing the muck around... and then Symon's head is lowered over his tray again.

Adam seems a bit nonplussed at that.... glances at Sam.......

A vague gesture of "later"

A shrug, nod. Ok, later.

Sam... does not flirt. She gets more subdued when the other girls start visiting - but they are teammates, and friends.... maybe not close ones like Lupe & May, but...

Adam is not actively flirting, but is pleasant and open enough that it's clear flirting could be possible in the future! Right now, though, first day of school, new school, new kid..... yeah. Keep it casual.

The cheerleaders get up as a group a few minutes before the end of lunch. This is typical...they tend to monopolize the nearby bathroom before the next class. Sylvi gives a quick check-in wave to other friends in the room before heading out with the herd. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

"You got anything after school?" Adam asks Sam quietly.

"Nope. Chores and stuff."

Adam nods. "Wanna... you know, hang out?"

"Sure. We can get in some practice?"

"Yeah, that's what I thought. If, you know, you want to."

"Sure. Feeling better today."

"Yeah? Good. That's good."

"Cool. I've got English after this, so probably won't see you until after school?"

"Yeah, probably. Hey, you want a ride home?"

"Oh..." Blink, purple. "Um. Dad usually... um.."

"Oh, yeah, that's cool. Long as you got a way home."

Blush/shrug/smile?

"Ok, so, see you after that, then." The bell rings and he stands. "Cool. May, Lupe, good to meet you. " A nod and he heads off to the next class.

"Later, Adam" Lupe says with a nod

May nods "Nice meeting you too"

Once he is gone, Lupita turns "Okay. You're going on a date with him?"

"Lupe!" Hiss.

"He's handsome, " May admits

"May!"

Lupita lowers her voice, "Whhhaaaaaatt? 'you wanna , you know, hang out?' sounds like a date. " She mimes punching her friend's shoulder "or close to it."