Gum?

Chapter Four

The silence was thick like a fog, though Eliza didn't mind. She enjoyed the quieter and more simpler things in life. She didn't exactly think it was fair that she was in here, in fact it was her first time even being in detention...in this school that is. She reached down into her bag, pulling out her sketchbook, flicking through the pages which showed various drawings, most of anime. She only had access to anime through the tapes her sister sent her from Japan. She was jealous of her sister, she got to live in a country with amazing food, beautiful nature, complex history and jaw dropping architecture, while she stayed here in this bleak depressing capitalistic country, travelling around in a shitty trailer with her lazy grandma. Eliza scribbled into the notebook, distracting her thoughts with drawing a peaceful world filled with nature and love, flowers blooming out of the rich healthy soil. Though it was in pencil, she could see all the vibrant colours of the scene, the sky, the mountains, the way the sun glistened down onto the lake, casting an orange hue amidst the water. She wondered what it'd be like to be away, away from everybody, away from the city, away from-

"Psst!"
Eliza looked up from her wonderland, looking back to see the boy looking directly at her. He was a shaggy looking guy, long blonde hair down to his chest, a graphic tee that read "Iron Maiden" with the sleeves lazily cut off and tired blue eyes.
"What're you drawing?" he asked, getting up with his school bag and sitting down backwards in the chair from the desk in front of her, his legs on either side.
"Uh...just...some lady...in a...field." Eliza responded with her timid voice, turning the sketchbook to him.
His eyes widened at the drawing, he looked starstruck.
"It's just...a rough sketch." she mumbled, her clammy hands held together underneath the desk.
"You...I mean...How?" the boy asked, clearly impressed as he looked back up at her.
Eliza could only shrug, the right words for the situation leaving her mind. She didn't expect anybody to really talk to her after that whole ordeal in the canteen.
"You would make a shit ton if you made album covers for the small bands around here, y'know."
"I-I guess..." She shrugged, taking her sketchbook and closing it, sliding it back into her bag. She wasn't interested in money.
"I'm Thomas, but you can call me Tom. I heard the teacher say your name earlier, Eliza, right?" He asked, resting his forearms on the back of the chair.
Eliza nodded.
"short for Elizabeth?" The boy questioned
"uh...no." she muttered, looking up at Tom. His cheeks flushed a shade of pink.
There was a small silence once more before she glanced up at Tom again, his lips parting as if he were about to ask something, she could hear the question before it even left his dry lipped mouth.
"He touched me." she suddenly spoke.
"what?"
"He touched me so I fought back." She looked up into his eyes, she felt herself slipping.
"Tyler?" His brows furrowed.
She nodded again.
Tom sighed. Heavily sighed. She could see the turmoil on his face.
"He's such a fucking dick..." Tom groaned, rolling his eyes.
Eliza only stared down at the desk, her hands fiddling with the sleeve cuff of her hand knitted pullover.
His hand suddenly went on the desk, he was holding out a piece of gum.
"Gum?" he asked, nudging his hand a little.
She glanced up at him, uncertain. Her hand reached out, taking the gum from his fingers and putting it in her dry mouth, the fresh mint coating her taste buds.
"Thanks." A small smile crept up to her lips, the smile fading as she began to chew.
Tom took a piece as well, chewing along with her. "So...you new here?" He raised a brow.
She nodded.
"You...live...close?"
She could see the look speculation on his face.
She nodded again.
Tom was a little quiet, making her wonder why he suddenly stopped talking.
"Uh...where do you live?" he inquired, trying to make conversation.
She lifted her head up and looked at him.
"In a house...with a garden...and a cat." she pictured it in her mind. Where would a normal person live? If she could have a cat, it would be a calico cat, she would call it Penny.
"right..." He was fidgeting with his fingers, why was he fidgeting with fingers?
The silence was thick again, thick enough to practically drown her in unease.
"You wanna ditch?" The shaggy boy asked.
Eliza could only smile.
"Yeah." she chirped, picking up her bag and swinging it over her shoulder.
Tom chuckled, grabbing his bag and tucking in the chair.
Finally, someone with fucking balls.