Lon Chaney Has Nothing On You

Chapter 2

The next week was more or less smooth sailing, Eleanor noticed. Jocks still jeered at the group, cheerleaders still demonstrated their disdain at every opportunity, but it was easier to bear with friends.

Rob was easier to like once he let go of his smarmy façade. He was a pretty big mythology nerd, something he and Eleanor had in common. He was in the morning myth class, so he told her what they'll be covering in class every day.

Rich was the same, just more talkative. He and Eleanor shared the same taste in music, so he showed her all the cool radio stations. He's still the most level-headed of the group, always the first to tell someone when they're overreacting.

Hunter, though, still remained an enigma. Eleanor couldn't decide if he actually liked her or just tolerated her presence for the sake of the other two. Sometimes, Eleanor caught him frowning at her, though he was quick to turn it into one of his big, cheesy grins. Still, she'd take two out of three.

The second Monday of the school year rolled around far too fast, cutting the weekend off. Saturday, the guys had invited her to the dog park, which was much more fun than she'd imagined. 

Mostly, it was just Hunter rolling around with the dogs and tackling his friends to the ground. Rob and Rich laughed along, even when they were dogpiled upon. Hunter surprised Eleanor by catching her around the waist when she was distracted by a cute puppy and dragging her to the ground. He'd crowded over her, smiling a little maniacally, eyes glinting. Eleanor snorted, before tickling his sides harshly and pushing him off. He'd seemed in much higher spirits after that.

Now, while reminiscing, Eleanor tried not to burn herself with the straightener, something easier said than done. After getting her hair looking manageable, she put the straightener down with a sense of accomplishment, having only burned herself twice. 

Improvement was improvement, after all. She moved quickly after that, getting dressed and grabbing a granola bar on her way out. She spared a glance at her mother, passed out on the couch, probably still drunk from the night before. Eleanor forced herself to move past her; if her mother wants help, she'll ask for it.

The drive to Hunter's place went by pretty quick, and today she didn't even have to honk the horn for him to come out. He slid into the passenger seat gracefully, smiling at her in greeting.

"Morning, Sands," she said, backing the car out of the driveway.

"Hey, E. Davis!" he chirped, far too energetic for a Monday morning. Eleanor told him as much.

"You are far too energetic for a Monday morning, my dude." Hunter only laughed, reaching over to tug on a lock of her hair. She ducked away from him, laughing.

"Hey man! No distracting the driver!" They pulled into Rich's driveway, gathered the boy, and moved onto the next stop. Even from the backseat, Rich tried to control the radio, leading to a mini-squabble that only ended when Eleanor threatened to let Rob sit shotgun for the rest of the ride. Once all the boys were collected, and the bickering subsided to manageable levels, they made it to school.

While they walked to their homeroom, Eleanor noticed a poster outside the door.

"Guys! Guys, look at this!" She gestured wildly to the poster, which details a "back to school carnival" to be held the following weekend. The boys all groan, shaking their heads at her. Unfortunately, Mr. Foley chose that exact moment to come to the door.

"I'd advise you kids hurry up and get into to class," he said, shooting them a disapproving look.

The little group settled into their chairs before Eleanor opened her mouth again to convince them to go, but, before she could get a word in, Mr. Foley began delivering the announcements.