Different Perspectives

Eli Goldsworthy and Clare Edwards

Summary: Clare is the rebel; the black-wearing, smirking, bantering, fiction writer. Eli is the alter boy; the bright colored, sweet and kind, aspiring journalist. Opposites attract, don't they?

Chapter One: Dumpsters and Hearses

Today had been horrid. Eli thought as he walked along the edge of the school parking lot. He was a tad dizzy from the fall. He felt putrid and gross. A squelch bounced off the pavement with his every step, making him wince in disgust. Even with this sound, Adam stuck by his side, looking over his friend with bile caught in the back of his throat. The two were slowly making their way to the buses.

"I can't believe that just happened!" Adam spat. "Owen has no right to push you around like that. You need to do something, Eli."

Eli glanced at his friend. "Im not fighting him, if that's what you're asking. I don't fight people. Because in truth, violence doesn't solve anything, it just makes a bigger mess." Eli handed Adam his backpack while he attempted to shrug out of his button up shirt.

Adam snorted. "That is exactly why Owen tortures you." Adam held the bag in his hand, swinging it along with his step. Eli ran a hand through his hair, picking out some grime from the dumpster.

An hour ago his was in the dumpster. Owen had thrown him in there because, yet again, Eli had been called a sissy. Owen and the rest of his gang had cornered him behind the cafeteria. "Where's your mommy, church boy?" He snarled, pushing Eli against the wall. His goons snickered. Then one minute Eli was on solid ground, the next choking on trash.

That's where Adam had found him.

Eli took off his now muck stained dress shirt, leaving him in his good jeans and an undershirt. "I don't see what your problem is with fighting." Adam argued, leaving the sidewalk. "It's just—"

"Adam!" Eli called. He grabbed at his arm to pull him back. Before he could take another step, a black hearse rolled into the spot where his foot would have been, coming to a hault. Adam recoiled, hopping away from the vehicle.

The windows were rolled down and punk rock meoldies emulated from the stereo system. The door swung open and Eli and Adam watched in awe as a pair of black Chuck's hit the pavement. Then followed by the worn out Converse, came a girl. Her chopped curls were pulled back out of her face, a grimace graced her lips. She adorned all black. A concert tee fitted her slim curves, dark ripped jeans clumg to her thin legs. She climbed out of the driver's seat and looked over the pair with her piercing blue eyes.

"Can watch where you're going?" She smirked. No threat lingered on her words but a menacing glare still focused on the boys.

Adam gulped. "Sorry, I wasn't watching." He mumbled. Eli watched the girl glance at Adam, her eyes scanning over his tiny frame.

"It was my fault," He cut in, her gaze left Adam and rested upon him.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I was talking to him and he got sidetracked. He- he didn't see where he was walking." Eli was stuttering. This girl before him was almost intimidating. He would never be starting conversation who appeared that way. He didn't mean to judge but he never really had the courage to.

The three just stood there looking at each other, wondering what was to happen next.

She eyed them a few more seconds more then sighed, "Just watch where you're going next time, okay?" I wouldn't want to see you or your friend as roadkill." The girl rolled her eyes briefly then turned to climb back into her death trap. Eli and Adam just stood there in shock.

Before anything else was said, the hearse rolled away. Eli glanced at Adam, Adam glanced at Eli. Even with the recent dismissal, a silence lingered. Suddenly Adam laughed. Eli furrowed his brow at his friend. "What just happened?" Adam choked out. His face had begun to turn a bright shade of pink.

Eli couldn't help but laugh along with him. "I think—I really don't know." Eli replied then awkwardly reached out and snatched his backpack away from Adam.

"I think she likes you." Adam mused. The comment was quite random. "It's sweet she doesn't want to see you as roadkill."

"Us—" Eli corrected him, playing along with his banter. "She doesn't want to see us as roadkill. So don't worry, you may still have a chance with her." Adam just burst out laughing again.

In his fit of giggles he suddenly stopped. "Dude, you reek." He deadpanned. Eli glanced at the light blue shirt in his hands, then at the trash bin.

"To be honest, I don't think any of the stains will come out." Eli said.

Adam nodded towards the garbage. "Then go right ahead," He prompted.

Eli looked at the shirt one last time. "You're right." He agreed and droppd the shirt into the bin.

The two guys then began crossing the parking lot. When they reached Eli's bus Adam spoke up, "So do you think she likes me?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Just shut up, okay?" Eli replied, trying to be as kind as possible about it.

Adam only chuckled. "See you tomorrow, Goldsworthy." He waved and disappeared down the isle of buses.

Of everything that happened today, the brightness of that girl's eyes caught his attention the most. She had very pretty eyes. He thought and rounded the front seat to find a spot for the bus ride home.

REVIEW!