Chapter 1

51 3 2
                                    

"Waking up at the start of the end of the world, but it's feeling just like every other morning before." -How Far We've Come, by Matchbox 20

~~~~

Evelyn Boyce sat on the front porch of her house during summer break, eating a popsicle and wondering how her life took such a turn.

Evelyn was 12 years old and an average height, even if she was a little skinny. She had light brown hair that rippled halfway down her back and often got in the way of her eyes, which were also brown. She was a sort of tomboy, spending much of her time riding her bike, skateboarding, or running around her neighborhood. Her hair was often in a messy ponytail, and she only wore her favorite graphic tees.

On this particular July day, Evelyn was holding a pity party for herself because of the thing her parents had sprung on her two weeks ago: she would be transferring to Fillmore Academy, a private school, for the rest of her middle school career. She found herself thinking about their conversation once again:

"Evelyn, we need to have a talk with you," her mom had said in the kitchen.

"What's up, Mom?" Evelyn was nervous. Had she gotten in trouble for something? It couldn't be that bad.

"So, as you know, we're approaching the last two years before you start high school," her dad said. "So, to ensure you're receiving the right influences, we're going to be transferring you to Fillmore Academy."

"Where's that?" Evelyn asked. She felt as if the floor had been dropped from underneath her.

"It's two towns over," her mom said. "I can drive you over on my way to work, alright?"

"Okay," she said, but it wasn't okay. Her whole future was going to stem from the local public school. And now it wasn't. She was supposed to fit in with the snobby rich kids? Yeah, right.

Evelyn stood up suddenly. She realized she hadn't texted her three friends about the news. She ran inside and up the stairs to her room. It was a neat, tight, blue-walled room, with a bed, desk, bookshelf, beanbag, and not much else. She grabbed her phone and settled onto her beanbag. Evelyn opened the group chat between Phoebe, Mary, Kayla, and herself and started a new conversation:

Evelyn: Hey guys! What's up??

Phoebe: Summer's kinda boring :/ almost makes me think history class is fun

Kayla: hey guys! How's ur ice cream supply?

Mary: I got way 2 much ice cream. Want some??? =w=

Evelyn: I need ice cream! I only have popsicles :(

Phoebe: We should make an ice cream stand for everyone!! ^v^

Mary: NO

Evelyn: NO WAY

Kayla: WE GOTTA STASH OUR SUPPLY

Phoebe: geez, ok -.-

Mary: how r u ev?

Evelyn: I have some bad news... :(

Kayla: OMG WHAT I NEED TEA

Phoebe: don't we all

Mary: yeah summer's boring

Evelyn: ... im transferring to fillmore

Kayla: ... the private school?

Mary: did ur parents make you :(

Phoebe: that stinks... but were here for u! ;)

Evelyn: yep yep and thanks! =v= u guys wanna get together sometime?

Kayla: maybe later, my parents are always kinda busy nowadays

Mary: yeah it stinks that our parents are always busy but we're not :(

Phoebe: tru

Evelyn: that's ok, my parents are always busy 2

Mary: yeah

Evelyn: ack, I gtg. C u guys soon!

Phoebe: Byee!

Kayla: Bai!

Mary: Bah!

Evelyn put her phone down and sighed. That conversation didn't make her feel better at all. They almost seemed to be judging her. How was she supposed to stop her parents' will? Evelyn really wanted to talk to someone. Then it came to her: Tim. Tim Peters was her age, who used to be in her grade. He had blue eyes and wavy, jet-black hair, and he was about half a foot taller than her (which he never failed to bring up). Tim was one of her friends, not her best friend, but certainly a good one. Maybe texting him would be worth a shot.

~~~~

A/N: Yay! The first chapter of the rewrite is here! I only have the next few chapters written out, so updates are going to be pretty spontaneous. Special thanks to @Actuallyamarauder for the amazing cover! Please feel free to vote/comment, and have a great day!

Love At First Not: A Non-Stereotypical Love StoryWhere stories live. Discover now