Evan's World

Chapter One: New School, New Life

As I walked down the hallway, I could not shake off my feeling of unease. I moved to this new town because of my parents' jobs. Or at least, that's what my cover-up story is. But I did have to leave my “friends” and familiar surroundings behind. I don’t like new things or new people, the different things they could do. The different unknown things about them. I plan on not letting this affect my ability to learn, though. I plan to gain knowledge on these people and what they do, who they are, and everything about them. I just need to see them and get a few names; although I already do know their names from their files. That much wasn’t hard to access.
I hate this annoying feeling, however. “Getting thrown out just because I got found, even though those people are clearly more clever than they think. Those stupid ACK members…hell, at least I managed. I’ll get back at TRAH though. Those fuckers won’t last a minute when I…”
I opened the door to my classroom and took a few deep breaths before stepping in. Everyone turned to look at me, and for a moment, the silence was deafening. Then, a few people whispered to each other, and I could feel their eyes boring into me. Then the worst had occurred, when the teacher announced “This is our new student, he is from a different state, so please treat him with respect as he warms up to this new place. Please introduce yourself to the class.” All eyes are on me. My heart is beginning to race and my palms feel sweaty. I tried to speak but nothing came out. I tried again and- Nothing. Though this is perfect.
Everyone was staring a hole right through me, and the worst part, they’re staring right at my face. I looked at the teacher with pleading eyes and prayed that she would help me. This is the act I need- to be soft, vulnerable. So people open up, and help me get to know them more. Get more information. Another ten seconds passed.
Drowning in silence and exactly 24 pairs of eyes on me, I feel like just abandoning this new learning experience and breaking down in tears, but I feel like that would over exaggerate it a bit too much. I got to act soft, not dramatic. Then, my new teacher stepped in and she said “Ok- well, this is our new student, Ruby. I hope you all get along with him.” A seemingly thousand pairs of eyes widen, slightly startled by the girlish name. In fact, everyone in the room now seems to take in how feminine I look. This, however-is completely normal. My feminine face stands out to people often; in which I wear a mask over my mouth and nose to my chin to cover most of my face. Also so no one recognizes me, but I won’t use that in my excuse. My eyes are still uncovered though, letting people see the small glint of light flashing in my eyes with each word I would speak.
“Now, Ruby, please sit next to Sion, in the back.” I paused as the teacher looked at me, acting confused. “I-uh-who’s Sion?” I whispered under my breath, hoping that the teacher would hear me so I could keep the act up. Even though I know the black-haired boy’s name, address, everything about him, I must still act confused in order to appear normal. “Oh-right, apologies, Sion, please raise your hand.” I look to the back of the class as I see the boy raising his hand.
I briskly walk to the back of the classroom, not trying to draw anymore attention to me, even though everyone is already looking at me. “This is perfect. They’re all looking at me, and most are already assuming many things about me.” My heart is racing so fast that I feel like I’m about to pass out, is this the excitement or just plain fun? I take a seat next to him and I don’t dare speak. I quietly set down my backpack and looked up to the teacher. I tried to blend in, but it was obvious that I didn't belong. It feels different, acting like this, but it’s also so, oh so fun! I  can feel the eyes peering at me, glances and whispers about my feminine eyes and how odd I am. Though that's quite normal.
I can hear the whispers about my blackish brown hair and questions on why it’s a mess all over. I can hear insults about it, too, saying that I look weird and that my hair is too messy, saying I probably have issues. That I must have some kind of issue because of how it is. The teacher started writing a random equation on the board that seemed pretty easy to solve. “Could someone try to solve this equation?”
No one raised their hand. It was clear that no one knew the answer due to the tension in the room. I know the answer, but I am not trying to be a nerd or a know-it-all, so I stayed quiet. I really don’t feel like acting odd today and already making myself accountable, aside from my “Shy” attitude.
The teacher went on, “The first one to answer right gets a chance to pick out of the treasure chest.” Immediately, hands shot up, even though I could tell that no one knew the answer. Is this a second grade classroom? What's in the treasure chest, and why would any high schooler want something from it?
“Scott, how about you?” “Uh-” Scott said “24?” Idiot. “Ashton, what about you?” “25?” These kids are so dumb from what I’m getting. This is high school, pick up the knowledge it’s simple division, this is less than a warm up question if anything. “Sion? Do you know?” “Um…” Hey, Hey, It’s 34.5, idiot. No way I am saying it out loud though- but the temptation… “Is it…23?” I hate this class already. Are they just jumping around the number 24 and hoping it’s right? Still, it’s funny to see the disappointment on their faces as they get it wrong.
“Ruby, what about you?” Oh shit- quick act- “...” “Ruby?” The teacher repeated in a questioning tone. This is already an annoying day. “34.5” I whispered, a harsh hiss to my tone. “What?” “She- or, he, said it was 34.5” Who said that-?
I looked to my right and saw a boy, “He’s so pretty…wait, no-! Concentrate. He was what, ah, Elijah or something? “Oh, is that so?” The teacher looked between me and him. I nodded. “Well, that is correct! I’ll write your name on a card now for the treasure chest. Stop by at the end of today.”
I looked over to the boy who said it for me. ‘Thank you’ I try to say but nothing comes out. “Thanks.” It sounds like a squeak to me, but he just looks me in the eyes and smiles. Why’s he so nice? God I need to get more information on this kid… no one's files talk about personality so I’ll need to do a bit deeper research on that part of these kids in this school too. But hey, at least this’ll allow me to keep my act up. I just have to concentrate on that.
Later, in another class- Science class, another terrible thing happened: “Ok now kids, class, you can choose your partner for the class project, you can be in groups of two or three, not alone. Now go.” “Shit-what am I going to do? I’m actually going to die in this school. It’s the first day for me, for fucks sake!” “Hey-?” Who the-? I jump out of my seat and twist around, grabbing the person's arm behind me. “BRO-BRO CHILL-!”
I look at who I grabbed, and it's the boy who sits on my right. He stares back at me wide-eyed. I let go and step back to my seat. “Hey uh, Ruby you good..? Why did you react like that?” I stop and stare. “...do you want to be my partner for the project? We can go to my house if you want!” “...” I try to talk. “W-” Nothing. Only a squeak. This is perfect, though I suppress a smile and stare. “So…is that a yes?” Nod. “Great!” He smiles the greatest smile I’ve ever seen before. It looks like his teeth are shining and his eyes are glimmering… But I can't think like that. This is a mission. A mission for information, not for games and kiddish crushes.
“So, do you want my phone number so I can text you my address?” “...name?” I know I have to act like I don’t know these people even though I do, but oh god my voice is the worst. But it definitely helps with my act, even though I really should chug some water. “Oh silly me, how could I forget? I’m Elijah!” Even a cute name… but hey, I did get it right. But his voice- no- shake it off. Quit that. “Cool…” “You think so? Thanks! I like your name too, I love gems!” “...” Shit.
Why’s he saying that? Is he trying to make me an acquaintance so later he could use me? “Maybe he has some connections in his family since…I should look more into his file later.” “Hey, why do you wear a mask? It makes it harder to hear you.” “...” “Rude question?” I shake my head but also look at him with uneasy feelings in my stomach, but then he just says “Oh, ok! Well, do you wanna meet my friends?” I stare at him, I don’t want to but I also don’t want him to get mad at me… “talk?” I mentally facepalm. The act is great but god is it making me feel pathetic.
“You don't have to if you don't want to! I’ll introduce you to them!” I feel happy that he isn’t making me talk; it’s like he understands me more than really anyone I’ve met before. Or that he’s just falling for my act a lot more than I anticipated. He grabbed my hand and dragged me to the library. I feel my face burning as he drags me along, why’s he grabbing my hand? I can walk alone, you know!
“Hey guys! This is my new classmate and friend!” Elijah said to these new people that he had dragged me to. “Cool.” “He’s cute” I flinch. I feel it. I hate people complimenting me, especially people I don't know. I don’t like compliments, they make me want to make sure whatever thing they compliment is torn away or perfected. It feels like they’re trying to get on my good side, that they’re ready to use me at any given moment. Why wouldn’t they?
“He’s a bit sensitive, and he doesn't talk that much so don’t try to play that game, MaRk.” He said the other boy's name with an obvious amount of sarcasm. “Dammmn, defensive much?” The one with blonde hair said, Randy as I remember from his files. “Definitely. Does little Elijah got a crushy wushy~?” Said the one he called Mark. Those two are odd.
“Just stop it you idiots.” He grabs me and pulls me closer, away from his friends. He looks slightly annoyed. “OOooOoOo~” Both of the friends said simultaneously. “H-w-hat?” I manage to stutter out, my face turning red. No wait- I shouldn’t react like this- I can tell it’s a joke, so why am I feeling embarrassed? “Nothing, they’re just being dumb.” They do seem a bit dumb. But it also seems like they are simply messing around. “Oh.” This is odd. “Don’t worry about them, they’re harmless. Just ignore them.” He reassured me with a smile. I simply nod and look around the room.
I still felt uneasy. I wasn’t used to this kind of attention. Normally I’m running or hiding out somewhere. Or when I do receive attention, it was normally plans to- no, I shouldn’t think about this now. “So, what’s your name?” The one called Mark said. “His name is Ruby, beautiful name, I might add.” Elijah complimented me with a smile. I felt my cheeks flush, and my heart race fast. I don’t like compliments, so why am I reacting to his compliments like this? Is he really trying to get on my good side this bad? I shouldn’t be like this. I have to stay only for the mission. “Thanks…” I mumbled.
“Well, we should all hang out sometime!” Elijah excitedly suggests with a ‘I’ll make you do it even if you don’t want to’ face. “Yeah, that sounds like fun!” Randy said. Elijah smiled and looked at me for confirmation. “S-sure…?” I said hesitantly. I didn’t want to come off as rude, but I also didn’t know if I was ready for new friends just yet. I’m still trying to get settled into this new place, and making friends this quickly seemed all too rushed.
Hell, I didn’t even have close acquaintances back there, let alone friends. Mark nods, smiling almost as devilishly as Elijah. “Great! It’s settled then.” Elijah then exclaims, making plans for us mentally, I suppose. I smiled to hide my nerves. This was going to be interesting, and scary… I hate new people, places. Everything. Though, I’m all far too used to this.
And plus, I have to do this for the mission.
For the period, since it’s our free period and the end of the day, Elijah talked to his friends while I stood beside him and listened. Though, I think they’re skipping class because their free periods are their second periods, not their eighth like Elijahs. At least, from what I read. School ends in a bit and I have no plans on heading to my new house soon anyways. I liked this silence, where no one was asking me questions; the only questions asked I could just nod my head yes or shake it no. I don’t like talking that much, and that isn’t even apart of my act. It just annoys me when people stare at me, too. I also don’t like my voice. It’s high pitched, kind of like a female. But not there fully, it’s like how little five or six year old boys sound.
Elijah noticed my act of discomfort from just being here I suppose, because he looked back at me a lot, smiling. For some reason, this relieved stress in interacting with these new people. As they talked, I realized that Elijah had a decent group of friends. They were all kind, welcoming, and had a swell sense of humor, even though they messed around with me a lot already. They accepted me into their group without any judgment and made me feel like I belonged with them. Even though I know I don’t; and that I know I’ll be leaving soon.

Creator: Hello! I'm writing this story and have a few chapters done, so I'll post those. But their will be a big time jump until I upload chapter 4 or so. That's all, thank you for reading and have a good day!!