Not Another Pretty Face

I hope you like this story! I decided to try something new and write about the things I see every day at school, and this is definitely true. I have chosen names (last names in particular) that tell about who the character is. So I suggest looking up some last names on Google for hints about the characters! This is going to be entered in the Watty Awards, so please remember to vote and comment if you like the chapter! :) I hope you'll continue to read and support this story to the end!

Without further ado, here is...

Chapter One - Not Another Pretty Face

I turn to my teacher and frown. "Really Mr. Brown, I think I would rather turn in the project on time! No need to make exceptions for me."

Mr. Brown smiles at me with sympathy. "No need, Eliza? I think we both know there is a need. I know you have some difficulties with this concept, so I think it would be in your best interest to take the project extension." He shuffles some papers on his desk. "I also arranged for your partner to be David. I'm sure he'll help you complete the project with all the necessary information." He hands me a pass to my next class and smiles again, sympathy showing in his eyes. "Good luck."

Are you just doing all this because you think I'm not smart? I mouth a silent reply back to my teacher, but I already know the answer. Of course he is. Just like all of my teachers do.

Forcing my lips to curve upward, I smile and hurry to my next class, my books pressing against my chest. Turning a corner quickly, I stumble into something, and my books tumble to the ground. Just as I bend to pick them up, I see a large hand reach out to grab them for me.

"Thanks." I say to the person. I recognize him from my Geography class.

"You're welcome Liza!" He replies to me brightly, and I smile shyly before averting my eyes from his gaze and walking away, wondering how he knew my name, yet alone why he bothered to give me a nickname.

I hurry to my class, feeling his gaze on my back the whole time. I reach to open the door, but his hand gets there first, pulling it open with a flourish.

Blushing, I mumble a quick thanks before hurrying to the front of the room, avoiding the curious gazes of my fellow classmates. My teacher reads the pass and recycles it swiftly, giving me the cue to take a seat. I find my usual chair at the back of the classroom.

I hear Ms. Henehan begin to lecture at the boy. "Why are you late?" She asks strictly. The boy mumbles something to her quietly.

"Well, don't tell me, tell the class! Class, this is why David is late." She says sharply, telling me what the boys name is.

"I was picking up Eliza's books for her when she dropped them." He says loudly, his bright blue eyes finding my shocked green ones.

"And why can't Miss Averse pick up her own books?" Ms. Henehan asks David, enjoying this far too much. I smile at her. She is the only teacher who treats me like a normal person.

"She can. I was just being helpful!" He says, exasperated, and the attitude in his voice brings Ms. Henehan's gaze to a murderous glare.

"Mr. Vogue, I am happy to say that you and I will get more time to continue this discussion!" Ms. Henehan says, slyly handing him a bright pink slip of paper. I see the bold word "detention" written on it.

I want to speak up for him, but I know that, if I do, I'll end up in the same place as him. Which would only get me noticed by people even more then I already am.

David goes to sit in his usual seat in the front of the class, but his gaze finds the empty chair next to me. I start to put my books on the chair, but he sits down before I even have time to think.

"Beat you. Again." He murmurs, smirking at my annoyed expression. 

I see him turn to look at me intensely, really look at me. And then he notices my curved eyelashes and full lips, my fit body and long legs, my blonde hair and pale skin.

He noticed I was beautiful.