Free

2. Collide

Eli

Every single day is the same.

Sometimes I swear I'm gonna lose it.

Dad always says he felt the same when he was my age and that things will get better after marriage. But somehow I just don't believe it.

What if my mom picks the wrong girl for me? What if I end up hating her and want a divorce? What if she doesn't listen to Mayday Parade?

I know my parents probably wouldn't even let me get a divorce because it would bring such shame to our family.

You know what I think? This is all búllshit.

Sometimes I want to just run away and have a new life for myself. I wouldn't have to listen to what anyone says and I could do whatever I want.

Everyday would be different. Seeing new faces and having endless possibilities.

But then I think about the family I'm leaving behind.

My mom and dad, and my little 8 year old brother, who needs me.

I guess I just gotta hope for the best. That's all I can do.

"And here is where you would use the fundamental counting principle to solve this problem" Mr. Safron went on.

My thoughts were all over the place and I couldn't even pay attention to the math lesson anymore. I realized I'd been doodling this whole time and my whole page was filled with scribbles.

"Hey, you know the answer for D?" A hushed voice whispered. I snapped my head to my left and knowing that I wasn't paying attention at all, I realized I couldn't be any help.

"No sorry, Cameron" I whispered back to him.

"Eli Robertson!" Mr. Safron excaimed from the front of the class. My eyes shot up at him and I gulped. Shit.

"Why is it that you're talking during my lesson? Is there something you'd like to share with the whole class?" He remarked.

"No sir," I shook my head. "I'm sorry".

"Good, next time you will be receiving a detention slip and a call home" he snapped.

I simply nodded and as soon as everyone's peering eyes were off me, I went back to doodling.

After class, Cameron caught me in the hallway and apologized for getting me in trouble. I was fine with it, but it's still such a stupid thing to get yelled at like that for. The teachers in this school are ridiculous. We are under tremendous oppression.

"Eli, did you catch the game last night?" Jeremy asked me as Cameron and I were approaching our usual lunch table.

"No, I had family stuff" I said. My brother was stressed out yesterday so my parents made us all go out for a family night. I mean sure it was nice but spending so much time with family can get pretty exhausting.

The only break I really get is through my sketching. Look, I'm no artist or anything I just enjoying capturing all of life's simple beauties. The things people never notice, like the raindrops on a leaf after it rains or the tiny little pebbles in grains of sand at the beach.

Mostly I just draw places. Locations I'd love to visit one day as soon as make my escape.

I just hope my mother picks a girl that wants to travel as much as I do. Cause there's no way I'm staying in this tiny town.

"So Lynn and I are official" Jeremy says and I snap out of my daydream. "What?" I question.

"Yeah, I asked her if she wanted to be my girlfriend".

Hearing all my friends always talk about who they've hooked up with and when, makes me feel weird because I know we're not supposed to think about girls until marriage. Of course it's not exactly a piece of cake though. I've noticed some really pretty girls, I can't lie. But constantly having to meet up in secret to avoid gettting caught is just a hassle.

That's why most people just try to abide by the rules. It's pretty easy since all girls have separate classes from boys and teachers keep a close eye on who's talking to who in between lessons.

I don't believe this is the way it should be. If there really is one girl out there that's right for me, what's the chance that out of all of them, my mother picks her? Slim to none.

We should be able to socialize and be with whoever we want, without jeopardizing our freedom and putting our family to shame.

To be quite honest, I was a bit jealous of Jeremy. The way he always talked of Lynn, he seemed to really liked her. I want that.

"Congratulations" I said sincerely, despite my own personal feelings I was obviously happy for me friend. I just wish things didn't have to be this way.

Fortunately my parents weren't as strict as some others so back at home I didn't really face too much trauma. Most of my friends are under way worse parental supervision.

But still, in order to actually become independent from them I had to get a job. I need my own money so I won't have to rely on them as much.

So I got one at this dance studio near town square. I'm a janitor, which isn't the most ideal position but you take what you can get.

Today was my first day actually and the owner of the studio, and my boss, was very nice. She even let me listen to music while I was mopping the floors clean.

After my shift ended I changed out of my uniform and back into my school clothes because I came straight from there.

I checked my phone and noticed I had multiple messages from my little brother, telling me he was freaking out again and he needed me home. As annoying as that little chump was, we shared a bond like no other and at the end of the day, I would do anything for that kid.

I got up quickly and grabbed my stuff. On my way out the door I struggled to find the exit, since I was still a little new to the place.

I was running out to what I thought was the exit but instead I collided with a person in my haste, knocking her phone out of her hand.

I realized she must of come from dance practice judging by her attire. She looked up at me and immediately I froze.

I was going to apologize for bumping into her but I was blinded by her stunning facial features. Her messy hair put up in a bun with tiny strands hanging out. Her dazzling hazel eyes and her rosy cheeks.

I opened my mouth but nothing came out. The moment that felt like an hour had now vanished, as she picked up her phone and ran out. Just like that I was standing alone in the hallway, completely speechless.

She was so beautiful.