Heather

Chapter 3

I catch her watching me. She seems pissed..

Eloise left the room as soon as class was over. She hurried down to her locker, shoving her books in with force. She was so focused on what happened in class that she didn't even notice the girl creeping up on her.

Her locker slammed shut suddenly, and she jumped back right into her.

"Watch it!" she spat, glaring at Eloise.

Heather took a step away and fixed her crumpled skirt.

Eloise blinked. "Why are you following me?"

Heather rolled her eyes, tucking a hair behind her ear. "I have to give you a tour of the school, since I'm on the student council."

Eloise stood there dumbfounded.

"What, they didn't tell you I would? At the reception? God do you know anything?"

Eloise shook her head. "This is my first day."

"No shit!" Heather marched away and Eloise took that as a sign to follow her.

  ~

Heather took Eloise around the school, giving her short explanations and sharp comments anytime Eloise asked something.

Eloise tried to remember where everything was but the school was massive.

Heather wasn't much help either and seemed like she wanted to get away from her too.

The school was an old building with a large modern extension attached to it. Behind the school there were a number of sports facilities, including a running track and an outdoor pool.

The tour ended abruptly when Heather bumped into a friend on their way to class and ditched Eloise, leaving her to find her next class on her own.

Eloise struggled to find her way around, earning warning glances from her teachers when she arrived late to their classes. Some people smiled at her, gave a wave even, but no one bothered to talk to her.

She spent her lunch sitting on a bench, doodling in a journal. Anything to distract her from utter loneliness and her despairing thoughts.

A laugh snapped her out of her thoughts.

A group of girls sat together, lounging on the grass under a tree. They all seemed happy, comfortable in each other's presence. Eloise drew her eyes away from them, burning with jealousy and longing.

~

The school day drew to a dreary close. The weather had worsened and rain was falling like bullets from the murky clouds. Eloise trudged her way home.

Her mum hadn't bothered to pick her up.

The streets were full of life, schoolkids hiding under umbrellas, squealing as cars driving by splashed them. People hurried along, shoving her out of the way.

Eloise tripped, falling into a puddle. Groaning she got up, inspecting herself.

Her clothes were wet and filthy, knees grazed and bloody. Kicking the puddle in vengeance, she accidently splashed a man walking by.

"Careful! These shoes are designer," he smirked down at her. He was tall and pale, his eyes a dark brown, curls of black hair covering his face.

Eloise shivered. He creeped her out, she didn't know why.

"Sorry, I didn't see you there," she countered, coming out harsher than she meant to.

He seemed taken aback for a second, then his face softened into an easy smile.

"No damage done."

Eloise studied him. He seem no older than nineteen, maybe even younger. He wore a fancy suit, something that made him stand out in the crowd. He had a nonchalant manner about him, hands in his pockets.

He tilted his head, arching an eyebrow. She hadn't spoken for a minute, lost in thought

Flustered she saluted him goodbye and fled the scene. She could feel his eyes following her.

He watched her turn the corner, a menacing look cross his face.