The Day we Watched the Fireworks

Chapter 2

As I enter first period math, I'm immediately greeted by Sonnet, her straight black hair cascading over her shoulder as approached me. "Hey El!" Her words were dragged out and long, she was wearing her signature goofy grin.

"Yes..?" I mimicked her form of speech.

I've always felt grateful to Sonnet. Ever since I joined the school, I was too afraid to talk to anyone, always keeping to myself and avoiding anyone's gaze. Then Sonnet came, her constant enthusiasm and liveliness was intimidating at first, but we immediately became friends.

"The Spring Carnival is coming up," Sonnet's grin widens as she playfully pokes me with her elbow.

"Do you want to go together?" I asked, taking my math notebook out of my bag, running my hand over the cover once I set it down on my desk.

"No...!" It took a moment for Sonnet to figure out what she just said, "Well yes, but bring him with you."

"He likes Merrin," My eyes stayed glued to my desk as I said this, the freckles on my cheekbones barely visible as my face flushed.

"So?" Sonnet slammed her hands on my desk and ducked down so I could view her at the angle I was at, "They keep on playing the game of 'I hate you, I love you' anyway"

Finally tearing my eyes away from the desk, I gave Sonnet a light chuckle, I was a little hesitant telling her that I was having the same idea of asking Archer to the carnival. "I'll ask him."

"For real?" Sonnet was caught off guard, she slowly removed her hands off my desk and flashed me a smirk, "That took less effort than I thought, I usually would have to pry you to even go to a simple party."

I quietly laughed, "Like my parents would let me go to a party."

Seating myself down in my chair, the teacher walked into the room and started her lesson.

Archer and I were childhood friends, we both met because our parents were business partners. We'd often spend a lot of time in each other's houses while our parents discussed about work. He was the first friend I made, it was during that time that I fell for him, but the feeling wasn't mutual.

Although Archer was extremely popular, he was distant when it came to romantic endeavors. But that changed when Merrin came into the picture.

Merrin came from a fairly poor family, she was pretty plain looking in terms of appearance. She was accepted in Auburn Hills because the principal took interest in her potential as a student. He said that he'd take care of the financial difficulties.

"Eleanor!" The teacher called from her desk, "Solve this problem!"

I snapped out of my daze and head towards the chalkboard. I delicately held the piece of chalk between my fingers, solving the problem in a matter of seconds.

The teacher wore a pleased smile, murmuring, "As expected from one of the top students."

Sonnet gave me a thumbs up as head back to my desk, I return her gesture with a faint smile, remaining in a daze for the rest of the day.