** REWRITING ** Tidal Wave

Chapter Seven

I was totally embarrassed. No, more than that. I was mortified. How could I think he actually liked me? I fought tears off as I waited in a oh-so-long line to get to the receptionist. I could feel a few escape and my mascara started to run. Great. I wiped under my eyes, trying my best to repair the damage. A hand tapped my shoulder.

"Need some help with that?" I turned around to find a pretty-looking brunette holding out a tissue.

I accepted the offering and sniffled."Thanks."

She just nodded."What's got you so upset? Besides for the fact that it's the first day of school." With that last comment, she smiled, revelaing a crooked bottom row of teeth.

"It's a long story." I answered trying to pull myself together.

"We've got nothing but time in this line." she replied. I just shrugged my shoulders. The girl noticed that her dry atempt at humour hadn't helped my mood and tried again. "Would you tell me if I got you to the front of this line?" I dragged my eyes up from my shoes and half smiled. She grinned back.

"Hey, Martha? I need a favor!" She practically screamed. The old lady at the desk rasied her head and adjusted her glasses.

"Yes, Kiera?"

"My friend here needs her scheldule and homeroom. She's a newbie."

"Oh, of course," the women nodded, like this happened everyday, "What's your name, dear?" Kiera pushed me to the front of the line and whsipered to me under her breath.

"If you want your scheldule, tell Martha your damn name." Then she smiled sweetly at at the old women.

"Ellie Parker," I mumbled. At first the old lady showed no recognition, but then the pity smile came. She quickly found my schedule under the pile of other papers.

"Here you go, sweetie," she said, a little too brightly,"have a good day!"

Kiera dragged me out of the office and into the hallway. She was surprised. "I haven't seen Martha's fingers move that fast since she got arthritis! You must be something special." I swallowed nervously. Kiera continued. "Are you an undercover pop star? The mayor's daugher? Or maybe--"

I cut her off. "The girl whose dad commited suicide?," I said sarcastically, "Yep, that would be me."

Kiera's eyes widened. "No. But you seem so..so..normal."

"I try." My problem with Grayson was temporarily replaced with thoughts of my father. My mood instantly turned sour.

Being the perceptible person I had already figured out Kiera was, she changed the topic. "So what year are you?" she asked.

"Junior. You?"

Kiera grinned. "Same. I hear its a pretty good time. Lots of field trips." We started to walk down the hall together. Everyone else was already in homeroom but that didn't seem to faze her.

"That wouldn't keep it from sucking," I answered. Kiera laughed so loud I was afriad a teacher would come out of their room and yell at us. But they didn't. So I joined in.

"You know, Ellie, you're pretty funny. I think I'll keep you around." she said with a smile. I couldn't help but smile back. I think I just made my first friend.

Grayson

Shit shit shit. I didn't mean for it to happen that way. She must think I am a jerk now. SHIT. I clenched my fist even tighter around my pencil. It broke in two. Several pairs of eyes glanced my way but then quickly looked away when they saw the look on my face. I was furious with myself. And Alyssa. And the whole world.

When I picked her up this morning, I could barely contain myself. She was absolutely gorgeous. Even before I gave her those fifteen minutes I knew she would request. Her bedhead looked cute, something only she could pull off. But when I opened the car door for her, I could only stare. Her eyes glazed back into mine and if she hadn't forgotten to grab her backpack I would've grabbed her instead.

I was still in shock when she came back with her bag and I couldn't help but look down...there. She definitely noticed. For the rest of the ride, I tried to focas on the road. More specifically, not her. It was hard. Her presence demanded my full attention at all times. I could feel her eyes roam over me and I tried to keep my face nonchalant. Inside, I was screaming.

I groaned and put my head in my hands. I tried to compose myself.

I felt a hand on my back. "G? Baby? You ok?" Alyssa said from across the aisle. My head immediately snapped up. I gave her a tight smile.

"I'm fine. Meet me after class?"

"Sure, hon." She winked and turned back in her seat. She chomped her gum obnoxiously. I sighed. How could I have I gone out for this girl for three years and not notice how annoying she was?

Because now you have Ellie to compare her to.

Finally the bell rang, and fourth period was over. I jumped out of my seat so fast, I knocked some desks to the side. In my wake people were shocked.

"Woah, what's gotten into Grayson?"

"I hope he's not like this for the big game... we need him!"

I clenched my fists and pressed them to my sides. I tried to casually lean against the wall outside the classroom but I eventually gave up. My back slipped down the wall and my feet blocked half the hallway. No one said a thing. Naturally, Alyssa came out last. She was still chatting with her friend Christy. I shot to my feet, interrupting their conversation.

"Like, I know. She totally should've--"

"Alyssa. We need to talk."

"K," she said, not showing any sign of moving away from Christy.

I tapped my foot impatiently. "Alone."

Alyssa rolled her eyes,"G, whatever you want to say, you can say in front of Christy."

I didn't even hesitate. "I want to breakup."

To be honest, Christy looked more shocked then Alyssa. Alyssa just was mad. Really mad. Her eyes blazed with fury. "WHAT?!" she screeched.

"I want to breakup," I repeated slower this time even though I know she understood perfectly before.

A lightbulb went off in her mind. Something that didn't happen very often. "Is that because of Ellie?"

I didn't answer. Instead I turned away and walked towards my next class. "THAT BITCH!" I heard her scream. It echoed down the hall. Now all I needed to do was find Ellie.

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