After Geometry:

What a boring class… what a boring school… I'd much rather be in California right now. I walk out of geometry to find Eli waiting for me. Of course, I crack a smile. I probably look like an idiot right now. I barely know him, but he is the only thing I really care about at the moment. "Let's ditch this place." He says.

I think about it briefly. It's just what I need. "You read my mind."

"That's what I like to hear," he grins "Where to?"

"Um…"

"Right, you're new here. Coffee?"

"Alright." We find our way out of the school and run for the parking lot. He takes out his keys and I see the headlights of a hearse flash. "That's your car!"

"Yeah, that's mine. Unique, right?

"Definitely. It looks kind of beat up. A lot, actually." I hop in the passenger seat.

"Just a little accident is all." He gets in and we drive to The Dot. For a moment, I totally forget about my wrists and remove my wrist bands and bracelets. They were getting annoying. That was a huge mistake, because Eli looked down and saw my wrists. My wrist full of scars. He stares at me and I can't even look him in the eye now. I put my bracelets back on and act as if nothing happen, but that didn't last long. "Is there something you want to talk about?"

I am almost in tears. He probably thinks I'm weird or something. "The list goes on and on. You don't want to hear it." It's true.

"I told you, you can be yourself. I don't judge." His eyes meet mine and I'm lost. It all happened so quickly. A secret I have kept from everyone for years… it doesn't matter now, because he knows. And it is all my parent's fault. They never talk to me, or even care for me at all. And that's why I do it. I can't speak. "Well, you don't have to tell me, but just know that I'm here and I can help."

I have never heard those words from anybody before.

The Nicole Household: Canada

Yesterday Eli basically said I could trust him. I never trust anybody, but there is something about him. And I can't figure it out. Meanwhile, I get a text from Adam. He wants to meet me at some restaurant. So I pull myself together and head out. I don't bother telling my "parents" because they don't care about anything but their yachts and so called friends.

I find the restaurant and pay the taxi driver, but as walk closer to the door, I see Eli. Sitting with Adam at a booth. My face completely lights up and I run inside. Adam didn't tell me Eli was coming. "Hey guys," I take a seat. "Sorry I'm late, couldn't find the place."

"Glad you could come." Eli says while he smiles. Adam looks kind of confused and starts to speak.

"Um, I'll just let you two talk. Drew and I had plans, I forgot." And just like that, he is gone, which is kind of weird, because he told me to come to meet him. Not Eli.

"Like I said, I can help. Just tell me why." Eli says.

"You don't have to pretend to care." I only say this because I know he probably doesn't. Nobody does.

"I don't pretend." When he says that, I don't know what to say. I guess I could just tell him.

"It's my parents… and my 'friends'. My life basically." I can't even look at him.

"What about it."

I'll just let it out… "My parents, they don't listen. They don't care. They don't even talk to me, only to yell at me for something, anything. Really, I haven't ever had a conversation with them. They don't know me at all." I just feel like crying, because it's all true.

"They take you for granted. Don't let them do that" He is so calm when he talks about it, while I pretty much breakdown on the subject.

"How?" I ask.

"Run away." Is he serious?

"You don't understand. They wouldn't care at all… I wouldn't cross their minds." I wish I didn't tell him so much, I regret trusting anybody, even Eli. I thought opening up to people would make things easier, but I feel like I'm just reliving everything. I walk out and try not to cry, making a huge deal out of nothing. Too many emotions, it's been a long week.

Eli follows me out. "Wait, I want to talk to you." I turn around trying to wipe away my tears. "I can't pretend to know what you're feeling, but I do know what it's like to be misunderstood." He looks at me, and immediately, this stranger becomes my best friend. What happens next was so unexpected. He kissed me. And for once in my life, I didn't have to fake a smile.

End of Chapter Two