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four

chapter four: Eloise the Disease

***

June 4, 1953

On the long awaited, last day of high school was now upon the students, everybody couldn't help but move around in their seats. Eloise wasn't one of those kids.

Eloise sat still in her chair, her hands folded as she sat up straight, and she listened to every word the teacher had to say. Every now and then she was slightly nod her head, silently agreeing to what the teacher was saying. Every other kid in the class was either talking over sleeping - it was highly expected from the kids so the teacher carelessly carried on, talking for anyone who cares to hear.

Eloise hated the last day of school.

Last day of being with her friends all day.

Last day of learning about things she'd never known before.

Last day of being with Matthew.

The bell rang for the students to go to lunch and everyone ran out of their seats before the teacher could wish them a happy, safe summer. Eloise slowly got out of her seat in a now empty classroom with no one in sight but a sighing teacher.

"I see you're the only one that stayed again," she said, taking off her reading glasses. The teacher had said this to Eloise so many times already - the last day before thanksgiving break, before winter break, spring break, and now, summer break. Eloise nodded her head slowly, the sound of her flats hitting the ground as she walked forward.

"You're one of the best students I've ever had," the teacher looked up at Eloise. "And I'm not just saying that because it's the last day of school and I have to be nice. It's because I really do like you, Eloise.

"You stand out from the others." Those words put together - that one sentence threw Eloise off. The smile faded from her face.

"What's so good about being different?" Eloise asked.

"A lot of things," the teacher said. "You care - you put your grades first and you get things done. Not many students do it as dedicatedly as you do, Eloise."

"Thank you," Eloise replied, unaware of what to say.

"Now, get out of my class," she joked. "Go enjoy your last lunch as a sophomore with your friends." Eloise smiled and walked out of her classroom.

***

"Eloise you're not going to like this," Clarey, one of Eloise's closest friends, said as Eloise sat down at the lunch bench. Eloise raised an eyebrow, confused.

Snickering sounded as a group of friends passed her by. Eloise quickly turned her head to see them staring at her, laughing before turning to see where they were going again. She slowly turned back to her friends as they stared at her sadly. Eloise stared down at her fumbling fingers, not saying a word.

Claudia and Clarey heard sniffling and saw a tear fall straight to her legs.

"After a while, you just get so tired of it, you know," Eloise said, looking back up at her friends with a red nose and teary eyes.

Her friends didn't say a word as she continued to sniffle, having enough of it.

"So much for the last day of school, huh?" She asked. "I just can't wait to get out of here." Eloise stood from the table and made her way out of the cafeteria. As she walked out, the sound of laughing surrounded her. Their whispers and giggles were loudly replaying in her head. But, now there was a new whisper.

"What did you-" Eloise tried to ask, reaching toward a girl's shoulder but, the girl quickly backed away.

"Ew! Don't touch me!" The girl said, staring at Eloise disgustedly. Eloise stared at her, blankly. Why didn't she want Eloise to touch her shoulder?

"You've got a disease," she said. Eloise furrowed her eyebrows.

"No I don't."

"Ever heard of Eloise the disease?" She asked, smirking. Eloise shook her head, still confused.

"You're a disease," the girl said. "Now get away from me. I don't want to catch anything from your breath or something."

Eloise began to walk away, shocked at what had happened. A tear rolled down her cheek as she walked toward the doors to exit the cafeteria.

"Stay away from her," they whispered.

"She has a disease and if you touch her - you'll get it," they said, loudly, for Eloise to hear.

"Eloise the disease!" They yelled.

Eloise only cried, wiping her tears slowly.

They'd always made fun of Eloise all her life. She'd never been the richest or the prettiest or the skinniest. She was different and different wasn't usually in favor of everyone. But, that was back in sixth grade. They weren't in that grade anymore. Why were they being so immature?

It was tenth grade and it was still going on. When was it time for them to grow up?

Matthew was going to pass by Eloise in the hall. She saw him and he saw her. He didn't have any sympathy toward her - just kept walking straight.

Before he passed her, he grabbed her arm and whispered in her ear.

"I thought you couldn't touch me. I have a disease." She said, sniffling.

"You can't get hurt by something you create," he replied, Eloise being able to practically hear the smirk in his voice. Her mouth hung open slightly as she stared straight ahead. Matthew let go of her arm and walked away as she stood there, unable to move.

She couldn't get her feet to walk so she tried to run. She ran to the farthest bathroom on the campus, hoping it would be empty. Despite her luck, it actually was empty this time, allowing Eloise to run into the biggest stall.

As soon as it was locked, she walked to a wall and without caring, she slid down that wall slowly while sobbing.

It was Matthew. It was none other than Matthew Lee Espinosa himself. He was responsible for the names and the laughs. If was all his fault.

Eloise didn't want to think it was him but, she had no choice. Tears continued rolling down her face as she planned what she would do. But, it would take the whole summer to do it.

Eloise would go along with her plans.

And everyone would regret ever messing with Eloise.

And she would finally win Matthew over.

She just didn't know how.

***

Posted three times this week because it'll be the last time I'm free for a while considering I have projects coming up and finals.

Yay.