Pencil, Paper, and Passion.

Chapter Four: Bruises

    Chemistry seemed to drag on for forever. I glanced at the clock for the sixtieth time and groaned silently. I had to endure thirty more minutes of Mr. Gallagher explaining our syllabus for the year. Thirty more minutes of Mr. Gallagher throwing concerned glances towards my bruised face.

    In defense, I buried my face in my arms and shut my eyes. I could feel the cold desktop against the tip of my nose and I smiled, remembering when I was little, how when it snowed, I'd stay outside until my nose was numb from the cold and running. Reveling in the memory, it was a few minutes before I realized that Mr. Gallagher had stopped talking. Curious, I lifted my head.

    "Did you have a pleasant nap, Elizabeth?" Mr. Gallgher asked from beside my desk.

    "I wasn't sleeping." I stated, indignant. Anyone could see I was wide awake. Besides, at least four other students had their heads down. So, why was Mr. Gallagher singling me out?

    "Well, you certainly weren't paying attention." He went on, "I'll see you after school, Elizabeth."

    I stared at him for a few seconds, before I nodded sharply. "Fine." I wasn't going to argue, because while he was in the wrong for only getting on to me, I had not, in fact been paying attention.

    Mr. Gallagher nodded in return, then went on with his lecture on the rules and regulations of Chemistry II, room 219. I, childishly, stuck my tongue out behind his back. Ignoring the snickering of my classmates, I propped my chin in my hands and pouted.

    Suddenly, I remembered the concerned glances Mr. Gallagher had been giving me and scowled. He wasn't going to lecture me about paying attention in class. No, he was going to interrogate me about the hand-shaped bruise marring the pale skin of my cheek.

    Maybe I can conveniently forget, I thought to myself then shook my head.  No, he wasn't going to let me just forget. I had no doubt he would give me a weeks detention if I didn't show after school.

    I continued to scowl as I plotted different ways to get out of 'detention' with Mr. Gallagher.  

    Determined, I sat up and reached into my bag for a notebook and pen. The pages of the notebook were stiff and the pens cap was un-chewed. A small smile crept across my lips: I loved getting new school supplies.

    I flipped the notebook open and pulled the cap off the pen, before starting a list.

                                                                          ~~~~~~~~~

    When the bell rang, I left the class as quickly as possible. After that, time passed quickly and before I knew it, I was sitting at a lunch table with Brandt and three of our other friends: Micah, Lacy, and Danielle. 

    "I wish Charles wasn't sick." Danielle whined petulantly.

    I scowled down at my chicken fingers, wondering how she had become our friend. None of us really had anything in common with her and she whined about everything. It was an annoying trait, especially seeing as how she whined about the most insignificant things.

    "It's not like she can help it." I stated flatly.

    "What's your problem, Lizzy? You've been in a pissy mood since you sat down." Danielle frowned at me.

    "My name," I said menacingly. "Is Eliza. And, I can be in a bad mood if I want to. That doesn't mean I have to justify myself to you."

    "Eliza..." Brandt started cautiously.