The Girl

Chapter 1 - The Girl

Eliza's POV:

I awoke to the sound of a scream. My thoughts were jumbled and slow, but my body immediately jumped up and started moving towards the sound. I climbed out of my bed flung open my bedroom door, and headed downstairs towards the kitchen.

When I entered the kitchen, I saw my mother gasping for air, as she held a knife that penetrated her stomach. Blood stained her black and white ACDC nightgown, and trickled to the floor. I then noticed the man standing across from her. He was wearing blue jeans and a black shirt. Blood began to pool around his brown work boots. I must of gasped at the sight, because he turned to look at me, startled. What I saw shattered my heart and my very existence..

It was my father. 

- - -

I woke up drenched in sweat. I looked at my clock to see what time it was: only 4:30. I didn't have to be up for another two hours. Groaning as I climbed out of bed, I knew I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep; nor did I want to after having the same nightmare for the past year every night in a row, so I turned on my light. Ever since my dad killed my mother last August, the memory is replayed in my dreams whenever I close my eyes and begin to dose off;It's a wonder I've gotten any sleep at all. 

I got dressed and went downstairs to get breakfast. Since I'm not 18 for a couple months, I still have to live with my grandmother. Fortunately for me, she lives two states away from my old house where I lived with my mom... nobody knew who I was before I came here and they don't really know now, which is perfect in my opinion. My Gram usually works most hours, so she's not home too much and I get the place to myself most of the time; that's a plus too.

When I started at the beginning of the school year, I wasn't exactly in a good frame of mind.. (not that I am now) so I didn't make any friends. A few people tried to talk to me but I pushed away anyone who tried to be my friend because friends lead to getting to know one another, and that leads to questions. 

It's the beginning of May, and I only have  about a month and a half until graduation. Should be fairly easy as long as things go as planned.. but with my life, do they ever?

- - - 

I was so lost in thought I almost lost track of time. I heard the honking of the bus, Kelly's last warning before she were to take off to the school without me. I grabbed my backpack and black jacket and ran out the door and climbed on the bus. I sat alone, per usual, and watched the trees fly by through the window. I was prepared for a normal day at school; but it didn't end up being so normal. 

As I got off the bus, I was looking down at my feet so I didn't see him walk in front of me; before I knew it I was on top of him and we were both on the ground. Who was he, you ask? I have not the slightest clue, I had never seen him before. All I knew was that his eyes were the color of the sea; they were absolutely beautiful. 

I snapped out of my thoughts and realized I was still on top of him..

"S-sorry," I muttered.

He smirked (not a cocky smirk, but more of an entertained smirk), and replied, "It's fine."

I picked up my bag and my phone and knelt back on the ground so I was no longer on top of him. Even though I began to get up first, he was standing up and reaching out his hand to help me up before I could blink twice! Who was this kid?

I grabbed his hand and let him pull me to my feet, "T-hanks," I said. Why was I stuttering so much?

"No problem.." He smiled and paused for a second as if he was waiting for something. I was confused at first and then realized he was waiting for me to say my name!

"Eliza," I finished his sentence.

"Eliza," He smiled, it was as if he enjoyed my name, "Pretty name," he said after a slight pause.

My gosh, his smile was perfect. 

Actually, everything about him was perfect. He seemed to be almost 6 foot, and he wore it well. He had dark brown hair, and a gorgeous jawline. When he smile, he's upper lip kind of curved up a little bit on the left side of his face, so perfect. He wore black skinny jeans and an Avenged Sevenfold t-shirt, (damn, my favorite band), underneath his black leather jacket. He was dangerously handsome; definitely seemed like the popular guy type. Just my luck.

I realized I had been staring at him for a minute when I said, "Um.. sorry, I have to get to class!"

I scurried away into the crowd before he even had a chance to answer. Obviously, someone like that wouldn't want anything to do with me, the girl who wore a beat up DC t-shirt under a worn out black jacket, blue jeans, and black combat boots. Besides, I liked it the way it was; it was just me, myself, and I.

- - -

I got to history class just before the bell rung. I sat in my seat in the back of the class and prepared to use whatever we were learning today to take my mind off of..of.. dammit, I never got his name. Oh well, I thought, this way he will be easier to forget. 

Just as I thought this the teacher walked in an announced that there would be a new student. Great, just another asshole to deal with in the school. But, when I looked up, I saw who it was: it was him. Everybody was staring at him and whispering to their friends. He was definitely a sight. I missed the teacher announcing his name, because I had been lost in thought, so I only heard the end of what Mrs. Hakes said, 

"You can sit in the empty seat beside Eliza, as that is the only free seat we have left in the class. Now, class, I would like you all to properly welcome our new student." Great, just great, he'd be sitting right next to me every morning 'till the end of the year. G. R. E. A. T. 

"Nice to meet you, Tyler," everyone said in unison. Tyler, hmm, even his name is attractive. 

He walked over to the seat beside me and sat down; he flashed me a smile and whispered, "Nice to see you again, Eliza." 

I rolled my eyes and slumped in my chair. I was resting my head on my hand when I heard the slightest noise: 

"Pssst... pssst. Eliza.." it was Tyler again. What did he want? Couldn't he see I wanted to be left alone?

"What do you want? Can't you see I'm trying to pay attention to the great Mrs. Hakes???" This made him laugh softly. God even his laugh was perfect... Dammit, definitely need to have a good talk with myself later about staying away from this boy.

"Oh yeah, because what she's saying is sooo interesting," He smiled and shook his head, "I don't think her taking attendance is much to listen to. Now, I want you to meet me after school. Say.. 3 o'clock?" He didn't give me a chance to protest before he said, "Perfect," with a smile.

What was with this kid? "Sorry, I can't, have to help my grandmother at home," my excuse for declining anyones invitation to hang out.

But he just shushed me and said, "Shhh... Mrs. Hakes is actually teaching now.. See you at 3, beautiful." He smirked, then turned to pay attention to the teacher. 

Beautiful. 

I hoped that this was all just a dream because if it wasn't then the last month and a half of this school year would most definitely be hell. 

The hottest guy in the school. Just the new kid today, this morning. And he wants to meet me after school. Called me beautiful. Oh god Eliza, stop, you know nothing can happen. You're too broken, especially for him. If he's looking for perfect he came to the wrong girl. You know you won't meet him after school. Just stop thinking about him. You know nothing can happen. You know nothing will.

My mind was right, I am too broken. 

I turned towards the teacher and pretended to listen to her lecture until the end of class bell rang, and I hurried out of class. I need to stop being foolish and remember how perfect things are alone. Just how perfect life is.. all by myself...