Just Scraps

✘ chapter five ✘

My phone buzzed over a thousand times, but I didn't even bother to look at it once. I'm sure it was Mateo or Izaac calling, trying to reason with me or yell and scream at me. Ever since I was a little boy I've been labeled as an "outsider" by my own brothers. I'm not as attractive as them, not as funny, not as cool and I'm not even on their level. My father's no good and they're no better, yet I constantly get thrown into the same category as them and I'm sick of it.

It's time for me to be my own person.

Live life my way!

I took a quick break and sat on one of the park benches. I pulled out my phone and scrolled through all the missed calls from Izaac and Mateo.

Tonight, I need somewhere to crash, probably at Chuey's house and if that goes wrong I'll just sleep at Marq's.

I dialed Chuey's number and waited for his response.

"Hey Eli­as, is everything alright?"

"Yeah-- Well, not really. I'm practically homeless right now and I need somewhere to crash. Just for the night, not forever."

The line went quiet, all I could hear was Chuey's breathing.

"Homeless? What happened?"

"Long story, it'd be best if we didn't talk about it."

"So, what do I say to my mother?"

"Tell her I got kicked out, I don't know-- think of something!"

"O-Okay! I'll tell her something believable. See you soon."

Chuey hung up the phone and I made way to his house.

I leaned against the wall of his building and rang his bell. His mother opened it in a matter of seconds and let me in. "Hello! Come on in Elias, you must be cold!" Mrs. Aguilar welcomed with open arms and gave me a warm cup of green tea.

"Christian told me about what happened and I'm so sorry. Being only sixteen and having to choose between family or your future must be rough. Best of luck." She rubbed my cheeks and handed me a blanket.

"I have a full house, if I didn't I'd let you move in but y'know... life in Camden is bittersweet."

"Tell me about it." I laughed. Mrs. Aguilar gave me a "so sorry" smile that you'd give to a homeless person. She went into the kitchen and went back to cooking. Chuey and I went to his bedroom and locked the door.

"Dude, you've got to tell me what happened! This is so unexpected!"

"Yeah, I know. I had to get away from them Chuey, in a blink of an eye, my whole family has turned on me. Even Jazmine!" I said in dismay,

"Jazmine? The little one? Wow, man that's rough." Chuey gave me a pat on the back and tried his best to make me feel better. "I know how it feels. Being thrown in the back, getting treated like you're nothing, it happens. Just know that I'll never turn my back on you, you're my best friend." He pulled me in for a hug and it somewhat helped me cope with the pain.

"Thanks..." I whispered. Chuey tossed me a pillow from his bed. There's an empty bed in his bedroom which belongs to his older brother, Gerald who's currently in the Army. Chuey turned off the lights and we both went to bed.

The Next Day...

Chuey and I were sent off to school and it felt weird. I wasn't beside my family this morning, eating breakfast and having funny conversations. Our relationship used to be so strong, we were practically inseparable when we were younger. Ever since our mother's passing and our father's arrest, everything fell apart.

There's no coming back from this, my family is somewhere in Teaneck and I'll never hear from them again. But, I did the right thing for my sanity and well being.

Today in Arclight, everybody started to catch on that Alexis, Tomas, and Izaac were gone.

"Those Ruiz kids are gone, I can't believe it."

"Pshh, they aren't 'gone' they're just in another town. It's not like they're dead or anything."

"Why is Elias still here? Maybe they didn't wanna deal with his attitude anymore and just forgot about him!"

They all had their eyes on me, they wanted to ask questions but they were probably afraid of how I'll respond.

Smart, they know better than to approach me. Marq isn't in school today so I only got Chuey on my side. As always, my day starts off in Mr. Reyes's class.

I doodled all over the cover of my math packet to keep myself occupied. Once again I'm in class early so I could avoid pointless harassment from my peers. My family's the topic of conversation today and I'm over it.

Why can't people learn how to mind their own business? What's so fascinating about other people's personal lives? Before you make a comment on someone's clothing, hair, complexion, please think about what goes on behind closed doors. You'll make their lives harder with your ignorance.

-Xael

Arclight High has been great for me. This past week has been fun! My new friends Rowan, Lyndsey, and Will have made everything better for me. Christophe refuses to be near them but frankly, I could care less.

The three of us roamed the halls, ignoring the first-period bell. "Hey Xael, I know it's only been a week since you been here but are you interested in anybody yet?" Lyndsey asked. Rowan and Will leaned in close to hear the details.

I stopped and thought about it. Well, there's only one guy I really got to know and that's Eli but he's made clear to me that he doesn't want to be friends. "Honestly, I'm not really looking at anyone in particular."

They all rolled their eyes and caught on to my bull, "Really? I'd like to call bullshit. Look at your face, you're totally hiding something! Spill the beans!" Will teased.

"Maybe he's a senior, ooh is it Malachi Rosario? Phillipe Grant?" Rowan asked. I shook my head no. I'm well aware that everybody in this school seems to hate Eli, and I understand why. He's mean and doesn't let anybody in his circle beside his two friends Christian and Marquise!

"Looks like you caught me. I am interested in somebody, and his name is Elias."

"Elias... Ruiz? Xael, have you gone mad? He's demented and self-centered! How could anyone like that guy? Look, I'll introduce you to more guys in our grade who are way better than him." Lyndsey suggested. I looked at her and the others in discomfort. Although Eli has stopped talking to me, I'll never turn my back on him! He's silently going through something and I'm willing to help him out because I'm sure I'd want him to do the same for me.

"I don't want to be introduced to anyone else, thank you. I'll be going to class now, see you guys later." I waved goodbye and ran off, not trying to hear another bad thing about him. I walked into class ten minutes late.

"Sorry, Mr. Reyes this'll be the last time I'll ever walk in late." I quickly apologized. "It's alright Xael, take a seat." My eyes started to water as soon as I saw Eli...

He looked awfully ill. His hair wasn't brushed, his right cheek was slightly bruised, and his knuckles were bandaged. Something's wrong, and I must find out. Maybe the reason for his snappy attitude is because he's getting neglected at home, perhaps--

"Could you stop staring at me?" Eli's piercing eyes made my body run cold.

"S-Sorry." He didn't even bother accepting my apology and continued to sketch on the cover of his math packet.

Oh, Elias...

What's going on inside your head?