# Chapter 7
By lunchtime, I didn't feel so awkward. At least I'll have someone to sit with, I thought to myself as I went through the cafeteria line and picked out my food—a slice of lukewarm pepperoni pizza, a small side salad with ranch, and a chilled carton of fruit punch.
I spotted Bridget and the other girls, and they waved me over.
"Thanks for saving me a seat," I said to Bridget, sitting down on the opposite side of the table. I found it weird that both of the other girls were squeezed onto the same side as Bridget—kind of crowding each other—but I didn't make a big deal out of it and quickly dismissed the thought.
"Sure, no problem!" Bridget said perkily. "So, what do you think about our humble school so far?"
"So far, I have no complaints. Everyone seems nice enough," I said, opening up my drink.
Just as I was about to take a sip, that same boy from this morning passed our table.
"Hey, Tim," all three girls said at the exact same time.
"Who is that?" I asked.
"That's Tim. He thinks he's too good for everybody," Jennifer said, finally speaking.
Up until she spoke, I thought Bridget did all the talking, I thought sarcastically.
"Yeah, after freshman year, he just stopped talking to everybody," Bridget added, reclaiming her dominance over the conversation. "But anywho, on another note..." She turned back in my direction, giving me a puzzling, slightly sarcastic look. "So, you're staying in the old Victorian mansion?"
"Umm, yeah. My parents, my little brother, and I moved in last week. It's old, but I love the modern touches my mom and dad added," I said with a bit of pride.
"Why would you do that?" Jennifer said, before Bridget glared over at her as if telling her to shut her mouth.
"No, I don't... Is there something I should know?" I asked, getting confused.
"Well, legend has it that the old mansion is a portal to hell," Bridget said, obviously trying to scare me.
"That's just ridiculous," I said, getting up to throw my trash away just as the bell rang.