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five

chapter five: Eloise and no disease

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August 16, 1953

It was that time of year again - the day every child, teenager, and adults dreaded -

the first day of school.

The teenagers all sadly walked into the doors of their high school dressed in all of their newest clothes that they weren't allowed to wear until this very day.

Some were waiting for their friends.

Others were already causing mischief.

And Matthew Espinosa was avoiding Eloise Rosewood.

He hid his face every time he thought he saw her skipping up to him - something she'd always done on the first day of school. It'd seemed to become a tradition for her so Mathew made it a tradition to avoid her, even though he did that every other day of the school year.

Matthew looked around as he stood there with his group of friends. They talked amongst themselves and Rosie would occasionally glance at Matthew. Whenever she was glance, he was always looking the other way and she was becoming frustrated, gritting her teeth and clenching her fists slightly but not evidently.

"Matt." Rosie said. No response.

"Matt." She said again. Still, no response. Only more looking around for Eloise.

"Matthew!" She yelled angrily. He snapped his head toward her, unaware of what was going on. "It's almost like you want her to come over here!"

"What the hell do you mean?" He asked, growing frustrated himself. The last thing he wanted was to see Eloise Rosewood, let alone have her join them. That perky bundle of joy and ruffly dresses could fall off the face of the earth today and he wouldn't care. "I don't want to see her!"

"Then why do you keep looking for her?!"

"I'm not looking for her! I'm looking out for her!" He shot back. Rosie stood her ground and so did Matthew. Their friends did nothing about it since they knew this was just Rosie expressing her feelings - they knew why she was pissed. "Do you really think I want to spend my day being chased down by Eloise Rosewood?!"

And it was as if in that moment - the moment her name was said - it was Eloise Jeanie Rosewood's cue to step out from her spot around the corner and make her way through the hall.

"Oh shet," Ricky, Matt's best friend, muttered, looking in another direction.

"What?" Matthew said confused. He turned to look where Ricky was looking and it was just who he was fearing - Eloise. But, get this -

She wasn't chasing him down.

She was acting like there was no one there. It was as if Eloise didn't realize the many eyes on her as she strolled down the hall with her books in her
hand and a totally new look.

She had traded out her bows for bandanas, leaving the school as Eloise Rosewood and entering in as - well, no one knew who the hell she was.