Bring Me Light [Editing]

Chapter 4 - Jackson

She looked sad. Depressed. Dark. Unhappy. She looked like me. How can I fix this? How can I help her? These of course are the first things that come to mind, but I stop myself. You don't even know this girl, Jackson. All you know is that her name is Elena. As soon as I step inside, my mom is all over me.

"Who was that? Was it a girl? Do you know her? Does she go to school with you?"

"Mom, stop." My mother stops with her ongoing questions. "Her name is Elena, she lives across the alley, and yes, she goes to school with me." First day, and my mother is already asking a blizzard of questions. I give her a kiss on the cheek, and head up to my room. It's been a long day for me, and I'm ready to relax. I change into some sweatpants, and a white tee, and check my email. There is a message from Darren.

Hey buddy. We're all missing you here. Maria is extremely sad. She's not talking to anyone much, and has kept to herself. I think it would help if you gave her a call. Or at least a text or an email. Hope you are enjoying yourself over there in the Arizona heat. God, I hear it's like 100 degrees where you are. We're enjoying our share of the sun though too. I'm planning on coming out for Thanksgiving break to visit you. Hope to see you soon Jack!

-Darren

I smile at the though of my best friend coming out to see me. It would make me at least a bit less lonely. I decide I'll email him back later. I watch a bit of Netflix for the rest of the night, then turn out my light, and get some rest.

-

The next day of school, my mind wanders back to Elena. Maybe I could show her how she is acting? No, that would be stupid. Maybe I need to just ignore her? No, that wouldn't solve a thing. I guess I could try to lift her spirits? I guess that's the best I could do. Once 4th period rolls around, I walk into the classroom, and start searching for Elena's face. I find her seated in the back corner of the room, her nose in a book. I silently sit down at the desk next to her. Elena looks up briefly, then closes her book slowly, setting it on the corner of her desk. Okay Jackson. This is where you start to be nice to her. Not the sarcastic, dark person you have become.

"Hey," I say.

"Umm, so you're New Boy?" she asks, the same way she did last night. I can't help but smile at that.

"You could call me that," I smirk at her. "Elena, right?"

She gives me a small nod.

"And you're Jackson," she replies.

"Call me Jack."

"I think I will," she says, then turns back the front of the room as our history teacher starts talking about the first settlers or something.

At lunch time, I see Elena sitting under a small tree outside, a milk carton and an apple in each hand. I walk up to her, since, well, she's pretty much my only friend. More of an acquaintance than a friend, though.

"Is that all you've got to eat?" I ask, leaning against the trunk of the tree.

"I guess so."

"May I have the honor of buying you lunch?"

Elena hesitates, then shrugs, and stands up and faces me. I can already see our difference in heights. I'm about 5'11", and Elena's only about 5'4". It's awkward for me to look down at her. It feels different. Maria was a good 5'9", so it wasn't so awkward for me. I guess if I'm gonna be spending some time with this girl I'll have to get used to her height.

I lead Elena to the concession stands, and she picks Subway. We each order, and I pay. Then we head back over to her tree.

"Thanks for the lunch. I forgot money today."

"No problem," I say. We eat the rest of our lunches in silence, and I don't see Elena for the rest of the day.

-

I have no idea what is wrong with Elena. I was with her all of 4th period and lunch, and I never once saw her smile. Not even a little. Her voice was monotone, and she showed no sign of body language or anything. Something is definitely wrong. I just have no idea what to do about it.

******************************************************************************************

(A/N)

So what do you guys think of Elena and Jackson so far? Who do you like best? Comment down below :)