Expectations & Reality

-Chapter 1-

-Chapter 1-

"You know what I realized?" Stacy says as we walk down the school hallway. I look around and glance at the posters plastered on the wall. I'm not really interested in what Stacy has to say right now. It's morning and I don't feel like talking. All I want is to go back home and sleep. I sigh and think of my bed. My precious bed. 

"Hey!", Stacy waves her hand in front of my face, "are you listening me?" 

"Yeah. Sorry, go on" I open my eyes wide as I try to make an effort to listen this time. She's sat through my talking before. I try to pay attention to her talking this time by giving her my full attention. Being attentive. That means looking at her in the eyes and listening.  But it comes out more like creepy staring and i'm half asleep so I probably look like a stoner at this point.

"Well, you never told me this dudes name" she emphasizes on the word dudes and I know exactly what she means. I see her give me a weird glare. I guess I shouldn't be that attentive. My eyes start to feel heavy.

"Oh" I say as start to feel a yawn coming and cover my mouth. 

"Well?" she asks curiously as we open the front doors to walk outside the entrance of the campus. The cold breeze brushes through my flushed cheeks as I cross my arms. We take a seat on the front steps. 

"Tyler" I say nonchalantly. Whoopee. The guy i'm so infatuated over. I still feel sleepy and have no time to talk about him.

"So that's his name!" she smiles in relief.  

"It's a miracle" my voice is complete monotone. 

"You okay, Char?" Stacys eyebrows go in a furrow as she puts an arm over my shoulder in an effort to comfort me. 

"Just sleepy" I rest my chin on my hand and look at the students walking inside the school. There are the girls who always have a cup of Starbucks in their hands. Taking pictures with their iPhones and posting it on Instagram. Then, there are the guys who are with their usual group, laughing and joking around. Always causing trouble. And lastly, there are people like me who come to school, always in a rush. Running to their first period, hair in a frizzed mess, and their face resembling a vampire . That's me. 

"This is the first time you've been early. Figures" she chuckles as she lets go of her hold on my shoulder. 

"I know. I actually kind of like it. No more rushing, you know?" I smile slightly. I did like it. It's nice to finally walk through the halls in the morning and breathe in the fresh air. Most of my mornings feel like a competitive track race. 

"I'd probably never know that cause i'm never late to school!" she says teasingly.

"Of course" I smile and catch my eye on no other than Tyler Roberts, getting out of his red camaro in the school parking lot. I can already see girls feasting their eyes on him. Eyes widened. Starstruck. I suddenly feel my heart beating faster. My smile immediately goes away.

"That is one piece of eye candy," Stacy says seductively , "No wonder you lik-"  

"Let's go before we get late" I interrupt. 

"Before we get late?" Stacy furrows her eyebrows, "This is the earliest you've ever been" 

Just then the bell rings.

"Lets just go inside" I stand up from the stairs and wait for Stacy to follow. 

"Okay then..." she finally gets up and we walk inside the school. Ah, it's warm inside. I smile. 

"Don't know why your avoiding him" 

"It's complicated" I say and we both separate. 

I make my way through the crowded hallway into my first class, English. It's a bit empty since i'm finally early. All the desks are organized in rows. I walk to my desk which is the last one in the back of the class. I love it. This way, if i'm seated in the back, I can sleep without getting caught. Plus, it's much more comfortable. No one bothers me. 

I rest my head on the desk and wait patiently for the class to start. People walking into class. Some looking depressed and some with no expression at all. Kind of makes sense, it is school. Is anyone ever really happy to go to school? I hear a few yawns here and there. I observe the door and look as each and every person walks in. I notice the guy who sits across from me isn't here. Must be sick. The bell rings and the class room is so loud, I can't even think to myself. 

I then look back on the door and see someone practically sprinting to the classroom. Ah, one of those people. Like me. I smile to myself. I notice an unfamiliar face, though. A tall, lean guy. His hair in some sort of curly mess. He's wearing a simple white tee with the sleeves rolled up and a few necklaces. And although I was far away from him, I could see he had green eyes. This guy doesn't go here. I know that for sure. After every face i've observed, i've never seen him. I wondered.

 "Your late!" Mr. Montgomery yells as he crosses his arms. Everyone sees what's happened and a silence comes upon the class. They all look up to see. A few people mumbling and whispering. 

"Sorry" he says, "I had trouble finding the classroom" he scratches the back of his neck. 

"Oh" Mr. Montomery readjusts his glasses in embarrassment, "So your the new student here. Sorry about that, misterrrrr?" he says in an effort for him to finish his sentence. 

"Woods. Eli Woods." Eli says as he shakes Mr.Montgomerys hand. 

Eli Woods. I look at him and notice he's wearing worn down black converse. The same ones i'm wearing. 

"Well, Eli you can sit in the back over there since Liam is absent." he says as he points to the back and I look over to see that he's mentioning the seat across from mine. Oh. 

He quietly walks over to the desk with everyone intently staring at him. Mr.Montgomery starts the lecture. Finally, I think to myself. So much staring. Oh well, kind of figures since he's the new kid. Always happens.

He sits down and I give him a small smile. He smiles back.

"Awkward, huh?" I say and I get a better look at his eyes. Their much more vibrant up close. 

"Very. I'm Eli, by the way." he says.

"So i've heard" I laugh. 

- - - - - - - - - -

A/N:

Hope you like my first chapter. Also, the picture on the side is a little visual for you guys of how the front entrance of the school looks like.

Vote/fan/comment! I would looove to hear feedback on my writing. If people like this story, i'll keep writing. :)