Not Good Enough For Truth in Cliche: Chapter 2
Eli:
It was lunchtime, three periods into my first day at a new school. This was another awkward part of the day as a new kid: Where to sit. Everyone else new each other for years and were all buddy-upped. I got on line, snagged a slice of pizza, water and an apple. I adjusted my bag on that was slung across my left shoulder and turned to face the cafeteria. The place was full of kids al laughing and talking among themselves. I felt out of my element as usual. I hated being in crowds, I always preferred to be alone. I spotted an empty table and walked quickly to it. I took a seat, plopped my bag on the table top and started to eat.
"Excuse me, do you mind if I sit?" someone asked. I looked up. It was this guy who looked really quiet.
"Yeah, sure," I said moving my bag over a bit.
"Thanks, I really appreciate it." I simply nodded and continued eating.
"I'm Adam, you must be new here." Clearly I underestimated how much this guy could talk.
"Yeah, I am. I'm Eli."
"Cool, so how are you liking Degrassi so far? What school did you go to before?" Adam looked at me expectantly. I'm sure he was a cool guy but man were we opposites.
"It's alright I guess. The people seem nice." My mind instantly flashed back to Clare.
"That's Degrassi for ya," he said.
There was silence as we both continued to eat. I reached for my water bottle when I saw her. Clare came into the cafeteria with a friend. She was laughing about something. Her smile seemed to bring a whole new life to the place. I watched her from my seat, completely captivated by the slightest things she did. Then I stopped myself. I refused to go down this road again. The last time I fell for a girl it did not go over well. I give myself on more chance to look then vow not to make even the smallest attempt for the rest of the period. I count to five in my head and look back up. Her eyes flash to me as if I'd called her name out loud. The brilliant blue of her eyes hypnotize me, even from across the crowded space. I force myself to break the trance.
I blink multiple times and sigh. What was happening to me? One period with the girl and I was practically obsessed? I worked to hard at distancing myself from people for years to have it all fall apart like this.
Clare:
" And so I said 'Drew, if you can't come right out and tell me how you feel, I'm sure I can find someone who can'," Alli said finishing her story on the latest in the Alli-Drew saga.
I started laughing. Only Alli would have a life like this. We may be best friends but we're so different. I think that's what I like most about our frienship. We're at such extreme ends yet we make it work.
"Your life is like one big soap opera, you do realize that right?"
"It's a crazy life, but someone's gotta live it" We laughed and headed for our usual seat. I scoped the cafeteria and my eyes instantly found their way to Eli. He stuck out like a thumb among all the smiling faces. Even the simple task of eating lunch looked ten times cooler on him. He sat with a curious expression, his dark eyes focused on me. Then just like that he looked away, like he was bored with what he saw. I can't say that I blamed him.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Alli asked.
"What are you talking about?" I asked innocently. Of course with me it came out flustered and blew my cover.
"Are you going to explain or should I just go over there and ask-"
"No!" The mere thought set my heart into overdrive. "Please Alli, don't"
"Relax! I was just kidding, no need to freak. But seriously... who is that guy?"
"His name is Eli, he's in my English class. He's new"
"Clearly, I would have noticed him before." I gave her a look. "Again, relax! Besides, I have Drew." She smiled to herself. "Eli," she said thoughtfully ",sounds mysterious... looks it too all dark and handsome."
I glanced over quickly at his table. He was sitting with Adam. The two were actually having a conversation. At first Eli didn't seem into it but then Adam reached into his bag and pulled out what looked like a comic book. They hunched over the book and started speaking with their hands a lot, clearly whatever they were discussing was interesting to them.
"I guess, if you like that type."
"Question, is do you?"
I scoffed. "That's completely besides the point."
"I happen to think it's the only point. Clare come on! He's gorgeous," she said, her big brown eyes trailing over to where he sat.
I couldn't help but follow her gaze. He and Adam were still talking passionately. I liked seeing how bright his eyes got. There was something sweet about it.
"It wouldn't matter either way. I doubt he'd be into me. I mean look at him. He looks like he'd go for a girl that spends her weekends moshing not one that goes on church retreats." As soon as I said it, I felt miserable. I had no idea why it was getting to me. I didn't even know this guy. What difference did it make whether I was his type or not?
"I beg to differ," Alli said matter-of-factly.
"Yeah, and why is that?"
"Because he's heading over here right now."
Eli:
"I can't believe you like 'The Goon'! You're like the first person I met in this school that's into it."
"I didn't think anyone else really knew about it," I said. Adam was really shaping up to become a great friend.
"Ha! I've been obsessed over this comic for a while. If only you came to Degrassi sooner. But hey, you're here now."
I laughed. "Yes, I am. So tell me about your fair school."
"Well there isn't much to say. The people for the most part are pretty cool. Everyone is friends with everyone."
"Do you guys sit in a campfire circle and play Kumbaya?" I joked.
"Some days it feels like we're on the verge of it." He laughed. "Hey, do you want to hang out after school? There's this place I like to go to, I mean of you want."
An actual friend? "Yeah, no that sounds cool."
"Awesome, well sorry I have to bail but I'm meeting up with my girlfriend. I'll meet you in the lobby after school alright?"
"Sounds like a plan." He got up and left the cafeteria. I was suddenly aware of how alone I was. Clare was still talking to her friend. Their conversation seemed to trouble her a bit. Her face fell at some points and grew serious at times. This bothered me. A face that beautiful shouldn't ever frown.
I got up and walked over to where she sat. She sat upright in her seat and looked a bit fluster. Her friend was the picture of cool.
I slowed down my pace when I got closer to them.
"Hey Clare... friend of Clare," I said nodding to the girl that sat besides.
"I'm Alli, it's nice to meet you..."
"Eli, I'm Eli."
Alli gave a quick smile to Clare like she wanted to say something but couldn't. She flipped her long dark hair over her shoulder. "It's nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too." I looked over at Clare. She hadn't said a single word since I came over. Her hands were clasped on the table and she was staring at them like they held the meaning of life.
"Well, I guess I'll see you around. It was nice meeting you Alli. Bye Clare." Clare looked up and gave a quick wave. I didn't know what to make of it. I looked at her one final time before I left. Clearly I offended her somehow. I needed to fix it, but how?