The only fault in our story

Chapter 1: Cherilyn

"beep. Beep. Beep..", the alarm kept going on. I opened my eyes and shut the alarm up, glancing at the clock, '6:50am' it read.

February 18th, 2017.
Such an important day. I will join the new school today.

"Cherilyn, we are gonna be late! Go freshen up.", I heard her say. "Alright mom."

I took myself to the bathroom, while I was busy showering, the faint yells and shouting outside continued. I knew exactly what was going on.
It clicked me, what if it turns the way it was when I was 7?

"Mom! It's my first day, let's not be late."
"Coming!" my mom's shaking voice echoed from the living room.

New school, new friends. I wonder what it would be like in a school where your mother teaches. Would they put my every achievement as her's or would they acknowledge me as I am? A thrill that's eating me alive.

"Cherilyn, it's your first day. Come on put a smile on your face!", "I am smiling, mom".
She has sacrificed so much for me anyways.

When we arrived at my new school, I told mom I'll be fine by myself. I began wandering in the halls and found myself by the lockers.
Maybe making new friends won't be so bad, right?
I looked at the girl by the locker and sent a gentle smile towards her. I stretched my hand out for a handshake, "Hi! I am Cherilyn, and I am in my junior year. Care to help me around?". She shook my hand and answered "Sure, why not?"

"Thanks, uh?"
I wasn't sure of her name and I was embarrassed. "Oh, I am sorry. I am Grace, nice to meet you!" She said scratching her neck. Oh god we were gonna get along well.

"What grade are you in?", I can't help but get curious, can I? Well, curiosity does kill the cat.

"1A", grace replied. She wasn't the typical speaker, her voice was gentle and soft.
"By any chance, are you one of the A grade students?", she is humble for one though. As much as I know, 1 A only consists of high IQ students.
"Well, I have been able to be the topper for quite some time.", humble. She was humble. Her voice was not of anyone who'd boast. I love her already.
"Lets walk together, same class apparently", a soft smile for a soft girl.

The class room has nerds. Everyone was nose deep into their books. Is this a prank? I have never seen people like this.

Earphones. Best way to avoid a conversation in such a competitive environment.
A tap on my shoulder brought me back to the reality. I turned around to meet with a pair of brown eyes. They were mesmerizing. I felt nervous and at the same time, comfort.
"Yes? Can I help you?", a soft smile on my face with a gentle voice.

"Well, you are on my seat.", his voice was deep and calm.
"Oh my apologies, I didn't realize the seat was taken. The class is about to start, and this is a two seater, care to share till I get a new seat assigned by the teacher? Of course if you're fine with it!" This was the only seat farthest from the rest of the wanna be toppers after all.

He chuckled. The chuckle was like a melody.
"Of course, am fine with it". He said.
Wait what? He is fine with it? What is happening?! Maybe I should introduce mys-
My thoughts were cut short by him, "Elias." He extended his hand.
"Elias?" I asked him, a whisper that was a bad sign.

"That's my name.", Oh. So that's his name. "Cherilyn." I shake his hand.

"That's a pretty name, well, see you later cheriè. I've got errands to run before the class." Cheriè?

Killing some time with music and a book, we humans really are weird. A new place, a new school, new people and new friends.
"We have a new student today, and she is also the daughter of Mrs.Reese. Miss Reese, please come over here and introduce yourself.", hesitant to face all the new people I attempted to stand and go, but a voice interrupted my actions.

"Sir, can I get in? I had to meet the coach." The voice, Elias.
"Get in, Elias. Please get the sports work done before the class.",
"Can't promise, sir." Elias definitely held so much sarcasm in his voice when he said "sir".
A girl. She was pretty. As Elias approached 'our' shared seat, I could sense her glaring at me. 'so the pretty boy has got a admirer?'

"So shall we start the introduction, Miss Reese?", the teacher called out. I stood up from my seat and went in the front.

"Hello everyone. I am Cherilyn Reese, I am 16. My hobbies would be basketball, taekwondo, music, poetry and debates. I have been the 'best speaker' sunny middle school for 3 consecutive years, also represented our town in a national level debate and had a round table conference with the higher-ups during a particular year. Please treat me nice. Nice to meet you all." A soft smile would suffice the conversation, it isn't a debate after all.

As soon as I ended my introduction, everyone started yelling something about the newbie ritual, what's that? I looked at the teacher, Mr.Van, his eyes looked apologetic. no. I don't like where this is going.
"Ok class, calm down. She is all yours." I heard Mr.Van say. "What's the ritual?" I muttered under my breath and the girl from earlier heard me and said "You have to sing for us!", I saw that smirk in the girl's face. I never wanted to wipe a smirk out of someone's face so much.
I looked at Grace with a 'help me' eyes, she looked at me with the 'I am sorry' eyes. Well am damned ain't I?

I haven't hit a note since I was 14. I just used to play the guitar with the song and hum. To my luck, the girl from earlier took out a guitar from literally nowhere.
'I am damned' I said to myself.

"Sing! Sing", everyone started chanting. I couldn't do anything. "Well, any specific song I need to sing for the ritual?" I asked everyone. But to my surprise while others were nodding no, Elias spoke up.
"No, but do you know 'can't help falling in love' by Elvis Presley, cheriè."
"Sure, do you by chance have a capo?" I asked, well that's embarrassing, cheriè?.

He nodded. "Here, cheriè",

Here goes nothing. I put the capo in the 2nd fred and started playing. Cough.

Wise men say,
Only fools rush in.
But I can't help falling in love, with you.
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin?
If I can't help falling in love, with you?
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be.
Take my hand
Take my whole life, too
For I can't help falling in love with you.

I could see the eyes on me. Not good for my attention seeking self. I'll get full of me, please take your eyes off me.

"Wow. Cherilyn, your voice is amazing, and you are beautiful as well. You might surpass our Shizel.", a boy said. "Shizel?" I asked grace, she pointed at the girl from earlier. I don't like where this is going.
"I'd doubt that. I am not here to surpass anyone and she is always gonna be pretty", a soft smile for her.

Glare.

Wow. Was that a glare? Do people not know anything about being nice these days?

I look at the teacher and say "sir, my seat?"
"You can sit with Mr.Halstead. Mr.Halstead please raise your hand."
Mr.Van said.

Scanning initiated. 
Shizel glaring at me. Grace mouthing good luck.
And oh! I know why.
Elias raising his hand.