Eli

Prologue

This place appears cool for a sunny day but the sun rays' making my heart feel warm.
I sit comfortably on a bench made of cement, the once you can find in usual parks; a little rough and dusty gray. I can smell the soup's aroma nearby. I turn my gaze at the sky above - I like this kind of day a lot, it's that day that isn't too sunny nor cloudy, just right. The wind blows to touch your skin ever so softly. Birds chirping, playing and flying in synchronicity. I can see and feel all of these even with my eyes closed.

I might've always felt unsteady and have to constantly move to different places due to my father's work designations. I appreciate still moments that are rare to find in a fast moving world.

Somehow, right now I feel calm.

"I'm starting new again, in this place huh." I said to myself.

"Eli? let's head to your class now, you must be excited right?" my Mom asked interrupting the peaceful silence.

I stood from my seat, "Yes! I hope everything goes smoothly today."

"I'm glad" She smiled in relief.

I'm wearing the new school uniform; plain white baby collar blouse with a maroon tie ribbon tucked in a below the knee maroon skirt. A pair of shiny black mary jane shoes with long socks covering up to my knees. I decided to ditch my usual braided pig tails hair style now since everyone else is refusing to look like first graders and letting their down.

We headed to the staircase and to my home room. When we reached the third floor, the advisory teacher was already outside waiting for us.

--

"Good morning Mr., I'm Mrs. Olivarez, this is my daughter, Elizelle." She greeted the teacher.

The teacher smiled back at my mom and cleared his throat "Mrs. Olivarez, I'm Mr. Tan."... he leaned closer to me so I could hear him clearer. It's hard to hear an old man. "Hi Elizelle, I will be your adviser. Are you ready to get to know your new classmates?"

I smiled at the thought, "I am, Sir."

"I'll leave Elizelle to your care, Mr. Tan"

"Yes of course, thank you for choosing our school"
My mom and advisory teacher shook hands. Mom gave me a peck on my right cheek and reassured me that I'll be fine with a smile before leaving.

"Well then I guess I can introduce you to them now, shall we go inside?" He spoke to me calmly.

I nodded and turned my nervousness to excitement as I followed him inside the class room. People may think I should be used to this with numerous schools I've already jump in and off to but I'm not, I'm just good at hiding it I guess.

"Class, I want all of your attention for a moment. Please go back to your seats, we have a new classmate to introduce."

The room was almost at the peak of its chaos when we came in, its a good thing they listened to him right away. I cannot imagine the stress he have to face in all the years of his teaching.

Each student then started to gather their belongings and tidy it back to their seats, some even almost trip themselves while few were behaved on their own before they were instructed to.

"Right, that's very nice of all of you." he smiled in appreciation and began to speak again. "I am glad to meet all of you again this school year, you all did well and it's only one more year before you graduate from this school but it's not too late to welcome a new friend, am I right?" He talked to them nicely, I guess that's why everyone obeys his orders almost immediately. I wouldn't forsake his kindness too.

"Right!!!" the whole class replied in chorus.

Mr. Tan smiled and motioned his left hand in front of me. "Our new friend here is Elizelle, she's very excited to get to know each one of you and bond while you do your best in your classes." he turned to me and asked, "Elizelle, please give them an idea about you." he smiled.

I followed him instantly, but as soon as my eyes started to roam to the class and I try compose my speech, I unexpectedly locked eyes with someone — I was stunned.