Girl Next Door (Editing)

Reasons

    Eli's POV

I hated myself a little bit. It's been three  days Robin started school. Three days I've acted like a jerk, pretending she doesn't even exist. I've never done this before. I sat at the 'cool kids' table barely paying attention to Annaliese going on about a party. Can't she think of anything except parties? I sighed.
I looked at the table to my right where I saw Julian sitting with Robin and a girl called Macy. I was so jealous but I couldn't blame Julian. I cringed as I remembered her first day. I know she was excited that she had some friends here but I ignored her. I couldn't defend her. The sight of tears in her eyes broke me but I couldn't do anything.

"Eli, are you even paying attention to me?" Annaliese's voice cut through my thoughts. She saw whom I was looking at.

"That traitor. I wonder why Julian would leave our table to settle with a bunch of low lives. Anyway, I was talking about a masked ball. But people would bring another set of clothing so we'll go to a club later in the evening. My dad promised to hire one just for me" she sounded so pleased with herself but I was disgusted.  I wish I was the one talking to Robin, making her laugh.

"A masked ball will be fine. When will it be?" I said, trying to sound interested.

"This Saturday. I want to have the invitation handed out tomorrow. I'd go for them probably after school" I cast one more look at Robin and caught her eye. Her look was filled with a little hate and that actually hurt. She turned away from me going back to her conversation. Annaliese saw me and gave me a wicked gleam. I got up and dumped the rest of my lunch away. I didn't have much of an appetite anymore.

"If I were you I would stop looking at her. You don't want her life to turn out miserable do you?"

"I don't. I haven't spoken to her in three days, Annaliese. I avoid her too. You don't have anything to worry about" I said with venom.

"Good" she gave me a wry smile and walked away leaving me angry. Some people had taken pictures of Robin at the mall and sent them to Annaliese. She got furious I was kept away from her party because of Robin and figured out Robin was from a poor home and had a partial scholarship back in River High.  She threatened to tell people if I got close to Robin. I had to keep my distance. I just hope Robin would understand one day.

"Eli, we'll be late for French if we stand out here. What did Annaliese want?"

"Oh hey Double J. She was talking about a party" I followed Julian to our lockers for our French books. I was still distracted. Should I tell Robin the truth at home? Would she listen if I told her to pretend we don't talk at school so she'd be alright?
No! That would remind her of being bullied at River Hill. Life was way too complicated. Robin walked past us. She stopped and gave Julian a huge smile I wasn't comfortable with but barely acknowledged me.

"Eli, we can't afford detention. Especially from Mrs Dubois." I nodded and followed him to our next class. Honestly, I heard nothing. I absentedly copied down the homework given and prayed I wouldn't be called upon to answer a question.

"Mr Johnson, are you feeling alright? You look a little pale" Mrs Dubois's voice brought me back. I'd gone pale? This was getting worse.

" No ma'am. I have this budding headache. Can I see the school nurse?"

"Of course" She wrote a pass for me and I almost jumped for joy. "Do you need anyone to go with you?"

"I'll be alright" Julian looked crestfallen but i needed to be alone. I walked out of the class. There was no one in sight so far and I was thankful for that. I heard voices near the girls'  bathroom.

"I said I don't have any money to give you. Leave me alone!" It sounded familiar. I turned at the next corner just to see Robin being threatened with a knife by Gary, a big meanie.

"Your uncle is one of the richest men here. Now would you give me money or do I have to scar you?" I took a picture of it and stepped into their line of sight.

"Unless you want the principal to see you bullying someone, I'm afraid you're not going to scar anyone" Gary grumbled and pushed past me almost slamming me  into the wall. I went to Robin.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine and thanks" She was leaving but I caught her hand

"Robin, let me explain"

"There's nothing to explain, Elidamus Darren Johnson. I'm nowhere near your league. The cool kids are your friends I get that. It's stupid I thought you were different from the kids in my old school." She brushed past me. I could feel the pain in every word and winced at the use of my full name.

"Aren't you supposed to be in class young man?" A teacher spotted me.

"I was catching my breath Sir. I am headed to the nurse's office"  He nodded as he saw my pass. Nurse Judy fussed over me. She had been a family friend for awhile.

"Eli, you look pale. What is the matter?"

"I don't feel so well. I do have this headache though"

"Why don't you lie in the cot and I'll bring you something to remedy that?" I just nodded and followed her instructions. I slept for what seemed like minutes.

"Time to go, Eli" the voice that woke me up belonged to Julian.

"Not fair, Double J. I've slept for five minutes" he started laughing and I got angry a little bit.

"School just ended. Don't you want to go home?" I followed him into the parking lot. Robin wasn't in sight so I figured Stanley had come for her already. Julian got into his black Porsche waved at me and drove off. I sighed and got into my maserati. The drive home seemed very long to me with Robin's words haunting me. I saw her standing outside my home. Maybe she still wanted to be friends and I could explain to her why I was ignoring her. Hope flared up in me. I got down almost too quickly.

"Hi, Robin"

"Here is the money for the journal and the pens. I don't care if you won't take it. Give it to charity I don't care. I bought the journal now not you. I don't want you in my life Eli. Not anymore" She had tears falling from her beautiful eyes. She sidestepped my hug and rushed to her home.
My mum wasn't home. I was thankful. I didnt want her to be asking questions. I was on my bed and took my phone and called Julian.

"She said - she said she doesn't want me in her life anymore"

"Eli, I -" I didnt want to listen to Julian. I just hang up and switched off the phone. I resisted the urge to throw it against a wall.
I just closed my eyes and let sleep overcome me.